MEMBER WINERY INTERNSHIP SUPPORT
The Association of African American Vintners is developing an annual program to support member wineries’ needs for a summer and fall harvest season intern. Our intention is to bring Black, BIPOC and/or other minority interns into working winery businesses to enhance their knowledge of opportunities in our wine industry.
This year we were able to offer a stipend of $2500 to the following member wineries: Ancient Oak Cellars, Fog Crest Vineyard and The Vice. We will also support each winery’s efforts to find the best candidate by sharing their internship opportunity on our website and social media, as well as reaching out to industry partners.
We encourage you to apply and/or share throughout your network. We hope to support many more winery internships in the years to come!
This year we were able to offer a stipend of $2500 to the following member wineries: Ancient Oak Cellars, Fog Crest Vineyard and The Vice. We will also support each winery’s efforts to find the best candidate by sharing their internship opportunity on our website and social media, as well as reaching out to industry partners.
We encourage you to apply and/or share throughout your network. We hope to support many more winery internships in the years to come!

Winery Hiring Contact Name + Email: Melissa Moholt-Siebert, melissa@ao.wine
Job Description: Looking for an intern to support various winery needs including trade relations / marketing; helping develop year-long email marketing to distributors & Somms; helping develop social media posts; visiting vineyards to determine work needed (greendrop, etc.); sanitizing all picking bins; assembling supplies needed for harvest; helping make barrel plan /organizing barrels; sampling grapes + taking to lab; noting missing vines + other vineyard work needed; training + supervising Sommelier interns; assisting in all aspects of harvest/crush; preparing for bottling.
Pay Rate + Hours: DOE, $22-27/hr, 25-50 hrs/wk
Approximate Internship Dates: July 1-October 31, 2023
Job Description: Looking for an intern to support various winery needs including trade relations / marketing; helping develop year-long email marketing to distributors & Somms; helping develop social media posts; visiting vineyards to determine work needed (greendrop, etc.); sanitizing all picking bins; assembling supplies needed for harvest; helping make barrel plan /organizing barrels; sampling grapes + taking to lab; noting missing vines + other vineyard work needed; training + supervising Sommelier interns; assisting in all aspects of harvest/crush; preparing for bottling.
Pay Rate + Hours: DOE, $22-27/hr, 25-50 hrs/wk
Approximate Internship Dates: July 1-October 31, 2023

Winery Hiring Contact Name + Email: Jerome Chery, jeromeandrechery@gmail.com
Job Description: Currently seeking harvest intern to work closely with Burgundy trained winemaker for the 2023 harvest season. Candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of winemaking and viticulture during the ripening season and harvest activities while learning and working directly with the winemaker. Successful candidate will be a highly motivated, detail driven individual who possesses an aptitude to work well under the guidance and supervision of the winemaker. Looking for an individual who brings a positive attitude and team-oriented spirit to the job.
Pay Rate + Hours: $22/hr, 40+ hours/wk (overtime hours during harvest + rate applied as needed)
Approximate Internship Dates: September 1-October 31, 2023
Job Description: Currently seeking harvest intern to work closely with Burgundy trained winemaker for the 2023 harvest season. Candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of winemaking and viticulture during the ripening season and harvest activities while learning and working directly with the winemaker. Successful candidate will be a highly motivated, detail driven individual who possesses an aptitude to work well under the guidance and supervision of the winemaker. Looking for an individual who brings a positive attitude and team-oriented spirit to the job.
Pay Rate + Hours: $22/hr, 40+ hours/wk (overtime hours during harvest + rate applied as needed)
Approximate Internship Dates: September 1-October 31, 2023

Winery Hiring Contact Name + Email: Malek Amrani, info@thevicewine.com
Job Description: Looking for an intern to support production, sales and marketing team during summer and harvest of 2023. The ideal candidate has interest in the wine industry and wants to pursue a career in wine.
Pay Rate + Hours: TBD, 20 hrs/wk
Approximate Internship Dates: June 26-October 26, 2023
OUR SCHOLARSHIP MISSION
The AAAV's Scholarship Mission is to assist African American Students, and Students dedicated to increasing diversity within our industry. Through Scholarships, Internships, and Mentorships, we are dedicated to provide assistance, to minority students on their journey to a career. The Scholarships below are either directly associated AAAV, or come to us by ways of our Education Partners.
The AAAV's Scholarship Mission is to assist African American Students, and Students dedicated to increasing diversity within our industry. Through Scholarships, Internships, and Mentorships, we are dedicated to provide assistance, to minority students on their journey to a career. The Scholarships below are either directly associated AAAV, or come to us by ways of our Education Partners.
THE BLACK WINEMAKERS SCHOLARSHIP

According to Statista.com, there are almost 11,000 wineries in the US, but less than 100 wineries and/or wine brands owned by Americans of African descent, and equally as few worldwide. Even though these numbers keep growing, this is still less than 1% of the industry. The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) and Urban Connoisseurs, founded by Marcia Jones, have partnered to create The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund.
AAAV is a growing organization devoted to improving diversity in the wine industry and supporting current and future winemakers. The mission of Urban Connoisseurs is to affect sustainable growth in the Black winemaking community by increasing the number of Black winemakers in the US and abroad, create opportunities for the next generation to pursue various careers in the wine industry, and maintain brand and legacy.
Never before has a scholarship of this magnitude been created solely to support African Americans pursuing careers in the wine industry. The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund serves to build diversity in the wine industry, bring awareness to present day Black winemakers, and provide financial assistance to African American students pursuing careers in the wine industry.
Urban Connoisseurs and AAAV are partnering with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to maintain the fund. The partnership will allow students to gain access to funds to support their pursuit of a career in the wine industry with a Bachelor of Science degree in Viticulture, Enology, or Wine Business Management. Scholarships will be awarded annually to students who meet the eligibility requirements.
AAAV is a growing organization devoted to improving diversity in the wine industry and supporting current and future winemakers. The mission of Urban Connoisseurs is to affect sustainable growth in the Black winemaking community by increasing the number of Black winemakers in the US and abroad, create opportunities for the next generation to pursue various careers in the wine industry, and maintain brand and legacy.
Never before has a scholarship of this magnitude been created solely to support African Americans pursuing careers in the wine industry. The Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund serves to build diversity in the wine industry, bring awareness to present day Black winemakers, and provide financial assistance to African American students pursuing careers in the wine industry.
Urban Connoisseurs and AAAV are partnering with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to maintain the fund. The partnership will allow students to gain access to funds to support their pursuit of a career in the wine industry with a Bachelor of Science degree in Viticulture, Enology, or Wine Business Management. Scholarships will be awarded annually to students who meet the eligibility requirements.
SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
AAAV WINE BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) is excited to partner with Sonoma State University and their Wine Business Institute with this scholarship to support the next generation of wine business students who want to have a career in the wine industry. The Association of African American Vintners Wine Business Scholarship serves to build diversity in the wine industry, bring awareness to present day Black winemakers, and provide financial assistance to students from underrepresented minorities pursuing a career in the wine industry.
Applicants through their essay will demonstrate professional goals in the wine industry, how they will improve diversity in the wine industry, and a desire to help others reach their goals as they advance their own career. Must be a junior or senior or graduate student at Sonoma State University pursuing a B.S. or MBA degree in Business Administration with a concentration in the wine business.
The amount of the scholarship award will be $5,000 to pay for tuition. For more information, please visit the SSU website: https://sbe.sonoma.edu/scholarships
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) is excited to partner with Sonoma State University and their Wine Business Institute with this scholarship to support the next generation of wine business students who want to have a career in the wine industry. The Association of African American Vintners Wine Business Scholarship serves to build diversity in the wine industry, bring awareness to present day Black winemakers, and provide financial assistance to students from underrepresented minorities pursuing a career in the wine industry.
Applicants through their essay will demonstrate professional goals in the wine industry, how they will improve diversity in the wine industry, and a desire to help others reach their goals as they advance their own career. Must be a junior or senior or graduate student at Sonoma State University pursuing a B.S. or MBA degree in Business Administration with a concentration in the wine business.
The amount of the scholarship award will be $5,000 to pay for tuition. For more information, please visit the SSU website: https://sbe.sonoma.edu/scholarships
NAPA VALLEY WINE ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP
The mission of Association of African-American Vintners (AAAV) is to build diversity in the wine industry, bring awareness to present day Black winemakers, and provide financial assistance to students from underrepresented minorities pursuing a career in the wine industry. Applicants must show how they will support efforts to improve diversity in the wine industry.
One of the current initiatives of the Association of African-American Vintners (AAAV) is to promote, support, and pave the path for minorities to be successful within all fields of the wine industry. Our challenge is that minorities within the wine industry make up a very small percentage of the landscape and African American winemakers/owners make up an even smaller percentage – less than 1% to give an accurate picture.
AAAV is partnering with The Napa Valley Wine Academy (NVWA) to assist and support the path for minority students to begin their journey pursuing an education or a career in the wine industry, and to assist those supporting diversity in the wine industry.We are offering a joint scholarship program (24 scholarships) with the NVWA that covers all WSET levels from Level 1 thru Level 4 as well as the Business of Wine Online.
For more information please visit the NVWA website: https://napavalleywineacademy.com/scholarships/
One of the current initiatives of the Association of African-American Vintners (AAAV) is to promote, support, and pave the path for minorities to be successful within all fields of the wine industry. Our challenge is that minorities within the wine industry make up a very small percentage of the landscape and African American winemakers/owners make up an even smaller percentage – less than 1% to give an accurate picture.
AAAV is partnering with The Napa Valley Wine Academy (NVWA) to assist and support the path for minority students to begin their journey pursuing an education or a career in the wine industry, and to assist those supporting diversity in the wine industry.We are offering a joint scholarship program (24 scholarships) with the NVWA that covers all WSET levels from Level 1 thru Level 4 as well as the Business of Wine Online.
For more information please visit the NVWA website: https://napavalleywineacademy.com/scholarships/
ASIA PACIFIC WINE AND SPIRIT INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIP
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) in partnership with the Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute (APWASI) is proud to announce the APWASI Wine Education Scholarship. The first round of applications will open on April 15 and will run until May 15, 2021. A total of 16 full scholarships for six APWASI online courses will be awarded over the next 12 months.
“This fully funded scholarship awarded by APWASI is intended to strengthen, broaden and build sustainable diversity for this generation and the next within the wine and spirit industry. APWASI’s pledge in supporting the BIPOC community within the wine and spirit industry is one step in this long, but purposeful journey,” said Dr. Clinton Lee, Executive Director of APWASI.
APWASI training programs can lead to a multitude of different career choices in the wine industry, including but not limited to, being an importer and exporter of wine, vineyard manager, or wine educator. To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must complete the online application form and submit an essay that shows how they will work to improve diversity in the wine industry.
Scholarships are only available to AAAV members – Student, Friend, Professional/Industry, or Vintner/Winery/Grower. Applicants can also be an employee of a AAAV member.
The courses covered by the new scholarship program include:
APWASI Wine Essentials I Certified Online Program
APWASI Wine Essentials II Certified Online Program
APWASI Winery Tasting Room Certified Online Program
APWASI Wines of USA Certified Online Program
APWASI Wines of China Certified Online Program
APWASI Wines of South Africa Certified Online Program
Course specifics can be found at:
https://www.apwasi.com/product-category/online-courses/wine-courses/
To further understand the eligibility and Scholarship program, please head to APWASI Scholarships to apply :
https://www.apwasi.com/apwasi-and-aaav-wine-education-scholarship/
“This fully funded scholarship awarded by APWASI is intended to strengthen, broaden and build sustainable diversity for this generation and the next within the wine and spirit industry. APWASI’s pledge in supporting the BIPOC community within the wine and spirit industry is one step in this long, but purposeful journey,” said Dr. Clinton Lee, Executive Director of APWASI.
APWASI training programs can lead to a multitude of different career choices in the wine industry, including but not limited to, being an importer and exporter of wine, vineyard manager, or wine educator. To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must complete the online application form and submit an essay that shows how they will work to improve diversity in the wine industry.
Scholarships are only available to AAAV members – Student, Friend, Professional/Industry, or Vintner/Winery/Grower. Applicants can also be an employee of a AAAV member.
The courses covered by the new scholarship program include:
APWASI Wine Essentials I Certified Online Program
APWASI Wine Essentials II Certified Online Program
APWASI Winery Tasting Room Certified Online Program
APWASI Wines of USA Certified Online Program
APWASI Wines of China Certified Online Program
APWASI Wines of South Africa Certified Online Program
Course specifics can be found at:
https://www.apwasi.com/product-category/online-courses/wine-courses/
To further understand the eligibility and Scholarship program, please head to APWASI Scholarships to apply :
https://www.apwasi.com/apwasi-and-aaav-wine-education-scholarship/