Washington Wine Industry Foundation seeks applicants for Powers Sabbatical

The Washington Wine Industry Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2020 Bill Powers Sabbatical.

The annual award grants up to $5,000 to wine industry professionals for a sabbatical in an established wine-producing region of the world to learn more about wine grape growing or winemaking, further their professional career and benefit the Washington grape and wine industry.

Recipients must be under 50 and have at least five years of experience in viticulture or enology. Funds may be used for travel, room and board, education-related expenses and reporting-related expenses.

According to the news release, Bill Powers, the late owner of Badger Mountain Winery, had an insatiable desire to find new practices to grow better wine grapes.

In 1990, Powers transitioned his own enterprise into the first certified organic wine grape vineyard in Washington and was later inducted into the Legends of Washington Wine at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center. Family and associates created the Bill Powers Sabbatical Fund to honor his work and innovative spirit.

To apply for the 2020 Bill Powers Sabbatical or view the application criteria, go online to washingtonwinefoundation.org/sabbatical.

The Washington Wine Industry Foundation also manages other scholarships and since 2002 has awarded more than $300,000 to more than 200 students in the grape and wine industry. •