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About the Wine Studies Grant

Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco is pleased to offer the Wine Studies Grant to support women advancing their education and professional pathways within the wine industry. This grant is designed to expand access, increase representation, and encourage continued leadership among women across all areas of wine — including production, viticulture, hospitality, sales, marketing, education, and entrepreneurship.


By providing financial support and recognition, the Wine Studies Grant empowers women to pursue wine education, deepen professional expertise, and become leaders who advocate for and strengthen the broader wine community.



Grant Award

    • Two grants awarded annually
    • $2,500 per recipient
    • Non-renewable award
    • Recognition at an LDEI-SF member event
    • Opportunity for mentorship and connection with LDEI-SF members


Eligible Use of Funds

Grant funds may be used to support a broad range of wine education and professional development opportunities, including but not limited to:

    • Formal wine education and certification programs (WSET, Court of Master Sommeliers, Institute of Masters of Wine, UC Davis, Napa Valley Wine Academy, etc.)
    • Immersion trips and region-focused educational travel
    • Educational materials and wine study resources, including development of a personal wine library
    • Workshops, seminars, and professional development coursework
    • Other wine-related educational opportunities aligned with career goals

Eligibility

Applicants must:

    • Identify as women working in or transitioning into the wine industry
    • Reside in one of the following Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Santa Cruz, &  Sonoma
    • Work in any wine-related sector, including hospitality, production, education, marketing, distribution, sales, or entrepreneurship
    • Demonstrate alignment with the values of community, mentorship, leadership, and inclusion
    • Current Dames are not eligible to apply. 



Application Process

Applicants must complete an online application and submit:

    • Completed application form
    • One letter of recommendation
    • Responses to five application questions (250 words maximum per response)

After the application deadline:

    • Applications will be independently reviewed and scored by the Wine Studies Committee
    • Top applicants will be selected as finalists
    • Finalists will be invited to respond to one additional finalist question - submitted in writing (500 words maximum) or video (2 minutes maximum)
    • The committee will review finalist responses and select grant recipients

Selection Criteria

    • Applicants will be evaluated based on:
    • Commitment to a career in wine
    • Professional goals and use of funds
    • Leadership and support of women in wine
    • Demonstrated need and potential impact
    • Alignment with the mission of Les Dames d’Escoffier

Timeline

    • Applications Open: June 1, 2026
    • Application Deadline: July 31, 202
    • Finalist Review & Recipients Announced: August 2026

Grant recipients will be recognized at an LDEI-SF member event in October or November 2026.


Apply

Application is here


For questions, please contact: Emily Wines | emilywines@yahoo.com

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