Graduate Programs Scholarships

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**Academic year 22/23 Wine Business Institute MBA Scholarships awards will be announced by May 3, 2022.

WBI MBA Scholarships

The following scholarships are for graduate-level students attending a Wine MBA program at SSU. 

Women in Wine Scholarships

Debbie Lewis Women in Wine Graduate Scholarship- $5,000

Candidate Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be accepted or currently enrolled in the Wine MBA program.
  • Applicants must have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA in their last 60 units of completed coursework.

Vintage Wine Estate Scholarship - $5,000

Candidate Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be accepted or currently enrolled in the Professional Wine MBA program beginning the fall semester.
  • Applicants must currently be employed in the Wine Industry or effectively demonstrate a desire to join the Wine Industry.
  • Applicants must have a minimum overall 3.0 grade GPA in their last 60 units of completed coursework.

The Donn P. Reisen Scholarship - $5,000

Candidate Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be enrolled or accepted for full or part-time study in the MBA program with a concentration in wine business.
  • Must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units of completed coursework.
  • Must demonstrate through their application that they embody the spirit and intention of Donn Reisen (see full application).

WBI MBA Scholarships Application

EMBA Impact Scholarships

The application period for the EMBA Impact scholarships is July 2022 through November 5, 2022.

The Sonoma Executive MBA program strives to admit a diverse cohort of experienced professionals. Our scholarship funding recognizes applicants from a variety of industries and backgrounds who are making (or seek to make) an impact in their organizations or industries. Applicants for this scholarship will demonstrate through their essay recent achievements or professional goals related to any of the following values and priorities of the School of Business and Economics:

  • Diversity and Social Justice
  • Sustainability and Environmental Inquiry
  • Connectivity and Community Engagement
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The deadline to submit the materials is November 5, 2022.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be an Executive MBA student (not WEMBA or GWEMBA student) who has applied for admission to the Sonoma Executive MBA program.
  • Applicants must have a minimum overall 2.5 GPA in their last 60 units of coursework. (GPA will be verified through Sonoma State University's Admissions and Records Office.)
  • Applicants are required to submit an essay and a resume.
  • Formal admission to SSU is not required to apply however all applicants must submit their online university application via Cal State Apply before applying for scholarships. Scholarship amount is $1,000 per student. Number of scholarships may vary. ​

EMBA Impact Scholarships Application 

Learn More About Underwriters of our Scholarships
Debbie Lewis Women in Wine

THIS SCHOLARSHIP WAS CREATED TO HONOR THE LIFE OF DEBBIE LEWIS.

Debbie was the eldest of four daughters. She grew up in California’s Central Valley, spending childhood summers at the family ranch, where they grew Bartlett pears and row crops. She eventually took over management of the ranch, worked as a kindergarten teacher, got into retail sales and then co-managed the oldest wine bar in San Francisco, The London Wine Bar. In the late 1970’s Debbie met Randy Lewis at a wine tasting and they eventually married. In 1992, she and Randy co-founded Lewis Cellars. Together they built a legacy and in 2016, the Lewis 2013 Napa Cabernet was named “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator.

Debbie was the rock of her family and provided the steady hand that built Lewis Cellars. She was involved in every aspect of vineyard management, winemaking, sales, distribution, and she spent many days on the road, building relationships all over the country. Debbie had a life-long passion for mastering the business of wine and set an inspiring example of dedication and hard work to all those around her.

Donn P. Reisen Memorial Scholarship

The Donn P. Reisen Memorial scholarship is worth up to $5,000. Donn’s widow, Marilyn Reisen set up the scholarship in partnership with ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) for which Donn was a long-time member, to carry on his passion for the wine industry. The recipient of this scholarship needed to demonstrate the qualities that made Donn Reisen an industry leader: a passion for the industry and its products, a commitment to wine education, and the warmth and generosity that allowed him to connect with so many over his legendary career and give to the School of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University.