Washington Wine Students Awarded Scholarship Money

The Washington Wine Industry Foundation has announced its scholarship recipients for the 2026-27 school year. Ten Washington students will share $40,000 in scholarships to support studies in viticulture, enology and other wine-related fields at colleges and universities across the state. Scholarship recipients for the 2026-27 school year include:

Alyssa Perez Washington State University

Alyssa Perez from Prosser, recently completed her undergraduate studies at WSU Tri-Cities, with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology. She is an incoming graduate student pursuing her Masters of Science in Horticulture, focusing on a project on wine grape Sour Rot and Concord Chlorosis. She is passionate about advancing sustainable grape-growing practices and supporting the future of the wine industry. She is grateful for the opportunities this scholarship provides and looks forward to continuing her academic and professional journey.

Briley Ingram Yakima Valley College

Briley Ingram is pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agricultural Sciences at Yakima Valley College after earning her Associate of Applied Science–Transfer degree in Winery and Vineyard Technology in 2025. Originally from Yamhill, OR, Briley discovered her passion for the wine industry through her high school’s Working Land Lab, a one-acre Pinot Noir block where she gained hands-on experience growing wine grapes and learning the fundamentals of viticulture. That experience inspired her to pursue a career in the wine industry and ultimately led her to Yakima Valley College. Today, she works full-time as a Cellar Assistant at Hyatt Vineyards while continuing her education and working toward her goal of becoming a winemaker.

Cassandra Martinez Washington State University

Cassandra Martinez is pursuing a degree in Viticulture and Enology at WSU Tri-Cities. A proud Latina, she is a Mabton native who has called Prosser home for the past 11 years. Her ultimate career goal is to establish her own winery that honors and showcases her Latina heritage. Through this vision, she aims to contribute directly to the diversity and long-term sustainability of the Washington wine industry.

Grace Dammen Washington State University

Originally from Colorado, Grace Dammen is a senior studying Viticulture and Enology at Washington State University Tri-Cities. Her curiosity about how vineyards function as dynamic ecosystems and how people shape the wines they produce has guided both her passion for wine and the path she hopes to follow within the industry. Through vineyard and winery experiences in the Pacific Northwest and Burgundy, as well as research at the WSU Wine Science Center, she has sought opportunities to learn from different landscapes, growing philosophies, and the people who bring them to life. Grace hopes to foster collaboration and respect for people and place throughout her career in wine.

Irving Mendoza Yakima Valley College

Irving Mendoza is a winemaker with over ten years of experience working with organic, and traditional winemaking methods. He began his career in 2015 in the barrel room at Badger Mountain & Powers Winery, where he developed a genuine appreciation for the craft. Over the years he grew within the industry, taking on the role of Assistant Winemaker in 2021 and Winemaker in December of 2022. Irving is thankful to have the opportunity to deepen his knowledge through the Winery technology certificate program at Yakima Valley College.

Isabelle Smith Walla Walla Community College

Born in Mississippi and raised in Washington, Isabelle Smith earned a BS in Biology from Seattle University and is currently studying Viticulture and Enology at Walla Walla Community College. She has gained hands-on experience in wine production and hospitality through her work at College Cellars and the Windrow Estate Winery. Living with lifelong medical challenges and disability has shaped Isabelle’s resilient and curious nature. She is passionate about the intersection of science, sensory experience, and human connection that defines the wine industry. Isabelle also enjoys travel, sports, and her corgi, Lily.

Julie Hilland Washington State University

Julie Hilland is a third-year PhD student in Horticulture at WSU Tri-Cities. Her research focuses on validating and characterizing acid hydrolysis methods measuring volatile phenol smoke compounds of smoke-affected wines. Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from the University of Idaho. With 10+ years of wine industry experience working in cellar operations and laboratory roles, experiencing severe wildfires during the 2020-2022 harvests inspired pursuit of a graduate degree focused on wine smoke-taint analysis. A professional musician, Julie enjoys playing the Scottish tenor drum and competed at the 2018 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Lily Perry Walla Walla Community College

Lily Perry attends Walla Walla Community College, simultaneously pursuing a degree in Enology & Viticulture and a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Systems. She has a diverse background ranging from working with equines to time spent in construction, wind energy and electrical engineering. As current VP of her local Junior Club, Lily has seen firsthand the value of teamwork, selflessness and strong communities. She believes these qualities make the Washington wine industry what it is and, in effect, create exceptional wines. She is excited to deep dive into this passion and continue the historical practice of bringing together communities through shared experiences.

Raquel Venegas Washington State University

Raquel Venegas is a PhD student in Viticulture at WSU. She is passionate about viticulture research, with a special interest in grapevine physiology, cold hardiness, and sustainable vineyard management in Eastern Washington. Raquel enjoys both the scientific side of research and working directly in the vineyard, as well as connecting with growers, colleagues, and the broader wine community. Outside of research, she enjoys hiking, good music, and sharing wine with friends, experiences that make her appreciate even more the people and culture behind viticulture.

Taekyung "Terry" Lee Washington State University

Taekyung “Terry” Lee studies Viticulture and Enology at WSU Tri-Cities. His main interests are sparkling wine and site-expressive wines from cooler climates, defined by freshness, balance, and a strong sense of place. He hopes to make traditional-method sparkling wines that draw on Champagne’s deep knowledge and craftsmanship while developing distinctive styles rooted in their own place, culture, and time. Long term, Terry aspires to become a sustainable, estate-driven grower and winemaker who cares for the land, supports local communities, contributes to the wine industry, and makes wines that bring joy and connect people.

The Washington Wine Industry Foundation noted each of these students has displayed exceptional commitment to their education and the Washington wine industry, and were hand-selected from a pool of impressive applicants by a committee of industry members.

Since the program began in 2002, the Foundation has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to over 250 students preparing for careers in Washington's wine industry. Foundation leaders added the students were selected by a committee of industry professionals for their academic achievement and commitment to the future of Washington wine.

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