

Previous Recipients
2024
Rebecca Knopf | Hanzell Vineyards
Cornell University 2025
2023
Maya Rutkowski | Au Bon Climate
Cornell University
Worked crush at Au Bon Climate
Assistant Server at Eleven Madison Park, December 2023-present
“ I am thankful that this foundation is giving me the ability to have this experience and supporting the progression of my career.
“Coming from a fine dining service background, it was fun to get my hands dirty and learn all of these new skills, and it also gave me a new found perspective on my career plans. I hope to continue learning about winemaking and working more harvests. It is thanks to this scholarship that I was able to pursue this new opportunity and Au Bon Climat could not have been a better place to spend my first harvest at. “
Burke Stanton | Hanzell Vineyards
DePaul University 2016
Interned at Hanzell
Worked in Michelin-star restaurants and holds a Level 2 Master Sommelier Certificate
“I have had the chance to grow tremendously in my knowledge and appreciation of wine and nature in my time here. Some of these experiences have been surprising, like discovering a familiar aroma in a fermenting must or just-under ripe berry off the vine………as I continue to build a career in the wine industry, my passion and experience bolstered exponentially by my time at Hanzell."
2022
No recipients due to the pandemic.
2021
Shelby Frey | Hanzell Vineyards
Cal Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Wine and Viticulture 2021
Worked at Hanzell
Currently employed as Sales Support Specialist at Skurnik Wines & Spirits
"I could not be more grateful for this amazing experience to immerse myself deeper into the industry. Your generosity has given me an unbelievable opportunity to grow as a person and further my knowledge in wine.”
2020
Maryn Tudor | Hanzell Vineyards
Cal Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Internship at Hirsch Winery, Sonoma Coast, CA
Currently employed as Specialist at Flatiron Wines & Spirits
"I was a recipient of the Jimmy Mancbach Scholarship this year and I want to let you know about my experience and thank you for making it possible. I did my harvest at Hanzell Vineyards in Sonoma. Although the fires and COVID-19 have made it a uniquely challenging experience, I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent there. I arrived at the winery in late July and after a brief period of isolation, I joined everybody on the bottling line for a week. Once we were done with bottling, we started preparing for harvest by cleaning and sanitizing the winery, walking through the vineyards, and collecting and testing the fruit. Walking through vineyards is one of my favorite jobs and I even got to visit the off-premises vineyards with the winemaker, McNeill. The estate fruit was ready earlier than expected which turned out to be a bit of a good thing as the fires started near the end of everything getting picked. Most of the time I was on the sorting table picking out leaves and grass from the fruit. We had some long days sorting but there was always good conversation and good music which made it seem shorter. Once harvest began we did punch-downs on all the red wine several times throughout the day. When the wine started fermenting the punch-downs would release bubbles which made the tanks look kind of like bright pink bubble baths. The color of fresh wine can be really beautiful. Pressing the reds went by fast and soon enough all the fermentations were finishing. After that, there wasn't much left to do besides cleaning everything up and storing it for next year. I'm really glad that I got to work at such a historic winery and be involved in so many parts of the winemaking process. Everyone that worked there was so friendly and inviting and I'm so grateful for all of them. Thank you for helping to provide this scholarship. It has really been one of the best experiences of my life and will help me so much in my future career and I owe it to you."
Kylie Stehmeier| Au Bon Climat
University of California Davis, San Luis Obispo
Manager, Sommelier & Wine Buyer at Bottleheads: Wine Beer & Spirits
"I had the pleasure of spending Harvest 2020 under the Au Bon Climat team. During the opportunity, I had the unique experience of working in a collaborative winemaking facility processing the fruit for over 10 different and distinct labels with fruit from around Santa Barbara county. This experience taught me the value of communication, teamwork, patience, and overall hard work. The team taught me the ins and outs of processing fruit in a medium-size winery. Arturo, the everything man of the facility, was a great teacher when it came to forklift mastery, machine maintenance, pressing, and processing. Henri was a calm and confident teacher when it came to making tasks easier and cleaner. Marisa and Mark, the Assistant winemakers, gave me everyday tips to craft world-class wines. Every day at lunch the entire team would sit down to a lunch cooked by none other than Jim Clendenen himself, with a lineup of world-class wines. Over the course of harvest, I was able to taste through over 300 different wines ranging in vintage variety and point of origin.
The quality of fruit coming through the facility as well as the caliber of wine being made allowed me to develop a deep love and appreciation for the central coast wine region. This opportunity allowed me to find a position working for Michael Brughelli under his Vignerons Vineyard and Winemaking Consulting as well as under his new ultra-premium label Brughelli Wines. He processed some of his wines at the Au Bon Climat facility and appreciated the work I put into his projects.
Needless to say, I can not express my gratitude to the foundation for supporting young winemakers like me. In a year full of chaos and uncertainty this experience provided the opportunity to establish a stable base for my career.
Thank You All So Much! "
Alana Ladd| Heitz Vineyards
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Worked as Wine Ambassador at Knights Bridge Winery in Calistoga, CA
Currently employed as Program Manager at WorldStrides
"My experience at Heitz Cellar for the 2020 Harvest was wonderful. During a difficult year full of challenges, including devastating fires in Napa Valley, the internship I completed at Heitz was invaluable. The team that I worked with was made up of some of the best people I’ve ever met. The full-time team members guided and trained me with positivity every step of the way. They will be lifelong mentors and friends as time goes on.
Despite the adversity, we faced this year, I was able to gain new knowledge every single day on the job. From learning how to do pump-overs, to sampling grapes in the vineyards and barreling down wine, the hands-on wine work that I took part in added to my knowledge and appreciation for the wine world. Not only did I gain muscles lifting barrels and wine hoses, but I also gained a deeper understanding of how much attention and dedication goes into every bottle of fine wine. Upon completion of the internship with the Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship Foundation, I am even more confident that the wine industry is where I belong. When my Heitz internship ends, I will continue working in Napa Valley as a Wine Ambassador for Knights Bridge Winery. As I continue the journey, I will carry all of the experiences that I acquired this harvest as an intern. I will always be grateful to the JMMSF for bringing me to Napa Valley, and for allowing me to pursue my passion for a career in fine wine."
2019
Sergio Bernal | Heitz Cellars
"My time at Hanzell was nothing shy of extraordinary. This experience has allowed me to enhance my knowledge of winemaking and put into practice the things I learned a year prior (while interning at Heitz with the Jimmy Mancbach Scholarship Foundation). If it wasn’t for this, I would have missed out on a lot of the best moments of my life. I made many great memories and close friendships that will last a lifetime. I could not have asked for a better experience.!!!! I have returned to Hanzell in a full-time position as Assistant Farm Manager. It’s a great opportunity for me to work in and understand every aspect and department here at the winery, so I am looking forward to building my skill set and jump-starting on my career!"
Cal Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Currently Assistant Farm Manager at Hanzell Vineyards
Danielle Gottbrect | Au Bon Climat
"My time at Au Bon Climat has finally - and very sadly - come to an end. Though my body is grateful for a break after a demanding harvest, I can't help but miss the Central Coast already. For the past three months, I've been busy crushing, stomping, pouring, bottling, cleaning fastidiously, and tasting some of the greatest wines to date. I feel I've had such a comprehensive view of production - including the blood, sweat, and tears that go into winemaking. I'll never look at a bottle of pinot the same way again! It's been an absolute joy to work with the crew at ABC and I am so thankful for your support of JMMSF. My harvest experience has been nothing short of life-changing"
Guilford College, Greensboro, NC
Currently working crush at Pernod Ricard in New Zealand.
2018
Brian Hogue | Hanzell Vineyards
"My time in California at Hanzell Vineyards has been a strong affirmation of my decision to pursue a career in the wine industry. The opportunity I was given through this scholarship was a game changer, providing an experience I likely could not have had otherwise. I had long felt that in order to be a successful Sommelier I would need to travel, I would need to connect with people globally, building relationships that would grow stronger as the years went on. That’s a tall order for a kid from South Carolina with limited resources. Because of this scholarship, I now have the beginnings of a network that I will grow with a career”
Graduate of University of South Carolina
Currently employed as General Manager at Ciccio Napa Valley
Simone Landau | Au Bon Climat
"I just wanted to give you a brief update on life at Au Bon Climat. I’ve been here two weeks now, and to summarize, this is the greatest place ever. It’s like one big family that speaks three languages to each other, works out together and eats meals together. They make excellent wines and I’ve never felt more at home than I do here. I want to thank you for the opportunity to come here and be a part of this amazing experience.”
Graduated Cornell University, CALS, Major in Viticulture & Enology
Currently Currently working at Craggy Range in New Zealand
Sergio Bernal | Heitz Cellars
Graduate of Cal Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Currently Assistant Farm Manager at Hanzell Vineyards
2017
Deandra Anderson | Au Bon Climat
"Regardless of where or when I discovered wine, today it has led me to study International Wine Business in Germany where my theoretical knowledge of the wine industry and international markets has vastly expanded. This internship will allow me to actually apply that knowledge and further develop through experiential learning. Moreover, this opportunity will nurture my future career aspirations in the wine industry by exposing me to another side of the process - production and a different market"
Hochachule Geisenheim’s, International Wine Business
2016
Zachary Stocksdale | Hanzell Vineyards
"The small winemaking team at Hanzell Vineyards cultivates a family-like environment, with a sincere interest in providing an engaging and holistic harvest experience for all involved. This work atmosphere eased the daily grind of harvest, whether vineyard sampling at sunrise, spending long hours on the sorting table, toiling away in the barrel-aging cave, or performing late-night punchdowns. It was wonderful to implement and expand on the knowledge I’ve acquired through formal study, by working closely with so many experienced wine professionals."
MS at UC Davis, Viticulture and Enology
Currently employed as Viticulture and R&D Manager, Harlan Estate, BOND, Promontory
Grant Thompson Laird | Au Bon Climat
"The internship was amazing! Everyone at ABC was beyond generous and taught me even more about the varying taste of wine than I could've imagined."
University of Georgia
2015
Alison Bart | Soter Vineyards
"Working at Soter provided an unbelievable opportunity to get a taste of many of the major facets of winemaking as well as an understanding of the Oregon wine industry. From day one I was thrown into the biggest part of working the harvest: cleaning. As the weeks progressed I was able to take on more responsibilities, from sampling and labwork to topping off barrels to the many punchdowns and pumpovers required for Pinot. The hours were very long and the work is very intense, but it’s hard to beat the vineyard sunrises and sunsets I would see most days. As the operation is quite small, I really was able to learn a bit of everything and had so much fun gaining the knowledge that I could discuss when visiting vineyards in the area and elsewhere."
Graduate of The University of Pennsylvania
Marketing strategist and wine buyer at Zachys
Connor Roberson | Au Bon Climat
"My expectations could not be more blown away. It is a fantastic place to work with people generous in their wisdom and their wine. This experience has changed the way I think, work and live."
Graduate of Cornell University
Cellar Master at Hye Meadow Winery, Hill County, Texas
Currently employed as Research and Development Brewer 1 at Molson Coors Beverage Company
Mary Schneier | Hanzell Vineyards
"I gained the hands-on experience that I was looking for - sampling grapes, harvesting, processing, inoculating, performing laboratory analysis, and more. It was hard work and long hours, but I loved every minute of it. My favorite experience was tasting through 10 vintages of the pinot noir and chardonnay and discussed how they are aging."
BA Graduate of University of Missouri, Columbia
Assistant Winemaker at Wairau River Wines - Nelson, Marlborough & Tasman, New Zealand
2014
Sarah Atwood | Hanzell Vineyards
"When I look back on my experiences of the labor-intensive work and long hours I certainly agree with Michael McNeill, this not a romantic business and yet, I was able to fall in love with it all the same. There is such a high energy and excitement that comes along with harvest. What I learned from Hanzell and the knowledge I received from hands on experience is incomparable, I know I will not be satisfied without a more intense study of viticulture and enology."
Graduate of UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology
Wine specialist at 5 points Bottle Shop, Davis, California
Conner Clark | Au Bon Climat
"Working at Au Bon Climat was the the best experience that I could have asked for. Never have I felt more taken care of while at work and felt such a sense of pride to be associated with one of the original pioneers of the wine industry. I felt as if this was the place that I was meant to work at during this period in my life."
Cal Polytechical State University
Wine advisor at Soutirage
Mike Garrison | Soter Vineyards
"As one of the fortunate recipients of the Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship, I wanted to share my thanks for the amazing harvest experience I had at Soter Vineyards. This vintage was pleasantly warm for us in Oregon without being too hot, so we saw wonderfully even ripening with impressively concentrated flavors from the newly fermented wine. Even with my minimal experience, this seemed like a vintage full of promise, which gives me incredible excitement to see how the wines will evolve years from now once bottled. My experience with the entire crew at Soter was nothing short of amazing. In such a short time we really seemed to have an atmosphere of collaboration and family. Learning and training were the name of the game right off the bat. I still can hardly believe all of the tasks I now know how to perform around a winery.
The memories of sunrise in the vineyard while the pickers were singing and joking, and the sunsets at the winery while putting the newly fermented wine to bed in barrel, will live with me forever. Winemaking is incredibly hard work, but sometimes if you let it, the romanticism of what you're doing really takes hold of you. This was an experience of a lifetime that you helped enable for me, and for that I couldn't thank you enough!"
Graduate of UC Davis MS Viniculture and Enology
2013
Mike Dmytrenko | Soter Vineyards
"It has been a very interesting and rewarding harvest working in Oregon for Soter Vineyards. Beyond work, my exposure to the northwest and the challenges of grape growing in Oregon's unique climate have broadened my perspective of winemaking as a whole.
Having been awarded the Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship has further strengthened my desire to continue a career in winemaking. I will recommend future peers to apply to the foundation."
Graduate of UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology
Assistant Winemaker Littorai Wines - St Helena, California
Alan Feldman | Vinecliff Winery
"Not a day goes by that I don't think about my trip and the Napa Valley. Rob Sweeney and the entire team at Vinecliff was awesome. Unforgettable."
Sommelier at Scarpetta at the Fontainebleau
Bailey Hasbrouck | Au Bon Climat
"This scholarship gives you the opportunity to find your niche in the industry. During my time at the winery I participated in two different tastings, the Santa Barbara County Vintners Celebration of Harvest festival and the ABC/Qupé Open House. Both times I felt completely in my element. I may not have been cut out for the physical labor of winemaking, but in those moments I knew I was made to teach others about the beauty and endless possibilities of wine."
Graduate of The University of South Carolina Columbia, SC
Territory Sales Manager at Total Beverage Solution
Scott Quarella | Hanzell Vineyards
"What I learned working harvest at Hanzell far surpasses an in class education that I have ever received. My plan after Hanzell is to return to m family's winery located in southern New Jersey and run our family farm that has been operational since 1914 when my great great grandfather Angelo immigrated to America. Since then the family farm has been handed down from father to sonand I will continure the family tradition by becoming the fifth generation of Quarellas to operate Bellview Farms Inc. However, unlike my ancestors I have the opportunity to go beyond the comfort zone of our family farm at a young age and due to my experience at an esteemed winery."
Graduate of Rutgers University majoring in Food Science
Vice President of Bellview Winery- Landisville, New Jersey
2012
Marc Piro | Au Bon Climat & Qupe
"I can’t express enough how great my experience was, meeting and getting to know Jim Clendenen and Bob Linquist was so valuable. Analyzing the flavor profiles of the many outstanding wines we tasted daily at lunch, listening to them talk about them, was extremely beneficial. They know the business and they know winemaking, so when I start my own venture I know that those two guys can help me in whatever questions come up. The words thankful and grateful hardly describe how I feel about my experience."
Graduate of The University of San Diego
Currently employed as Winemaker at Piro Wine Company, LLC
Amanda Bates | Hanzell Winery
"I kept a blog of my experience which I’d like to share with you. The link is www.pickinggrapeswithbates.blogspot.com Thank you so much for this opportunity. I cannot wait to return to Sonoma!"
Graduate of Florida International University
Currently employed as Senior Director of Trade Development, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Kaitlin Obrien | Soter Vineyards
"Working at such a small winery was alot of work but I really benefited from being able to assist in every task. I learned alot of new things and enhanced the things I already knew. Working with a small crew allowed me to ask more questions and understand in greater detail why Tony Soter does what he does to make such excellent wines. This harvest was a great one and I can’t wait to see how the wines turn out. It was a wonderful experience and I can’t wait for the next harvest!"
Graduated UC San Luis Obispo, Viticulture and Enology
Assistant Winemaker at Union Wine Company, Portland Oregon
Alexandra Givner | Vine Cliff Winery
"If I could sum up my short seven days at Vine Cliff in one word it would be incredible. Yes the words: fun, educational and exhausting also come to mind, but the experience as a whole was incredible. The extremely knowledgeable and amazing team at Vine Cliff welcomed me with open arms and made me feel part of the team from day one. I had not idea what I was in for, but they assured me it would be an experience I would always remember. Coming from a wine distribution background, I was very familiar with the way the product moved from warehouse to retailer, but not much about how the product arrived to the warehouse. This was truly an eye-opening experience!"
Masters of Science at Florida International University
Currently employed as CP&A Manager, East at Bacardi
2011
Daniel Chaviano | Hanzell Winery
"Last year, the main highlight in my professional life was my three-month internship at an extraordinary and historical winery, Hanzell Vineyards. The Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship Foundation provided a magnificent experience that helped me gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of wine. Most importantly, the purpose behind this special scholarship helped motivate me to better educate others about fine wines.I am currently searching for the right opportunity, one that will expose me to unique wines from different parts of the world. I would love to be in a position where I may share the endless and ever-surprising stories behind these wines. Working at the winery was no doubt really physical and hard but I have now a better understanding of winemaking, how it is done and what it takes."
Florida International University
Head Sommelier at Boulud Sud, Miami Florida
Christopher Birnie Visscher | Vine Cliff Winery
"I am preparing for the Court of Masters Sommeliers’ Advanced Exam for the upcoming months of April/August 2012. This internship has shown me the hard work and love that goes into making wine. Having the opportunity to work with some of the finest people in the wine making business is a dream come true. The terminology you read in books, you actually get to perform yourself! The education and experiences I have learned from the Jimmy Mancbach Scholarship will always be with me. Now I can share these experiences with my guests, friends, and anyone who has a passion for wine!"
Graduate of The Florida State University
Currently employed as SFL On Premise & Puerto Rico Sales Manager at Vineyard Brands
Elizabeth Colicchio | Au Bon Climat Winery
"The JMMS firmly wedged my foot into the wine industry’s door. Working at Vine Cliff winery showed me the painstaking lengths which a winery must employ in order to become truly world class. The level of MOG separation and care that was put into ensuring their crop was free of contaminated berries was inspiring. I worked my hands to the bone and loved every day of it. I’m currently employed in a more administrative position right now and am focusing on my sommelier studies but I am enthusiastically awaiting the next vintage that I can go back to making wine. My resume and knowledge has significantly benefited from my experience with the JMMS and without this award I may not be in a leadership position for a five diamond, four star resort. I am exceptionally grateful for the opportunities I’ve had thanks to JMMS and for those in the future I am certain to find."
MBA at Cornell
Currently employed as Manager, Strategic Supply Chain, Home Improvement Group at Amazon
Adam Obregon | Glen Lyon Winery
"The internship and this whole experience has been the best thing I've done in my life. It has opened doors for me and I know it will help lead me to success."
Bachelor of Science Graduate of Florida International University
Currently employed as Consultant at Breakthru Beverage Group
2010
Erwin Tejos | Au Bon Climat Winery
BA Graduate of Florida International University
Wine & Spirit Specialist at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
Currently employed as Retail Sales at Sotheby's
Eric White | Heitz Cellars
"As you know I was hired on after harvest as a fulltime employee where I mostly worked in the cellar. Do to recent changes at the winery, hard work, and a slight bit of luck, I have been promoted to Associate Winemaker at Heitz Wine Cellars. Never did I imagine working at such a prestine winery so early in my career but to be the Associate Winemaker is a whole nother story. Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for you, the Jimmy Mancbach Scholarship, my education and teachers, my parents and all the people that have helped me get to where I am today. I can truely say that your help and the Jimmy Mancbach has given me a once in a lifetime opportunity and has allowed me to gain practical hands on experience in the wine industry. A degree in Enology from the University of San Luis Obispo in combination with my harvest experience through the Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship has put me one step ahead and has allowed me to begin a career in the wine industry. As of now I plan to continue working in the wine industry with the hopes of someday working my way up to head winemaker somewhere in the Napa Valley. Prior to receiving my job I was comtemplating attendting the University of Adelaide in Australia to receive my Masters Degree in Enology. Those plans remain in the back of my mind and will depend where my career takes me."
Graduate of The University of San Luis Obispo
Winemaker & President of Galena Cellars in Galena, Illinois
2009
Emily Rodewald | Au Bon Climat Winery
"I thrive on sharing my passion for wine that was developed through my education and my experience in the wine field, but most importantl my time spent at ABC and Qupe. The JMMS was a dream come true for me. From the very first class I took at FIU to working the SOBE and eventuall my internship, I had a deep desire to learn more about wine. However the most impacting experience to date, was actually taking part in creating/producing wine at ABC/QUPE. That is what the JMMSF has allowed me, the hands on experience which has taken me to the next level. What road my passion for wine will have me travel within the next few years I do not know. There is one thing for certain, my experience at ABC/Qupe was only attainable through being an honored rcipient of the JMMSF and for that I am forever grateful."
View Emily’s experience | Started an educational blog called, TASTE OF ENGEDI
Richard Cronkhite | Vinecliff
"The JMMS firmly wedged my foot into the wine industry's door. Working at Vine Cliff winery showed me the painstaking lengths which a winery must employ in order to become truly world class. The level of MOG separation and care that was put into ensuring their crop was free of contaminated berries was inspiring. I worked my hands to the bone and loved every day of it. I’m currently employed in a more administrative position right now and am focusing on my sommelier studies but I am enthusiastically awaiting the next vintage that I can go back to making wine. My resume and knowledge has significantly benefited from my experience with the JMMS and without this award I may not be in a leadership position for a five diamond, four star resort. I am exceptionally grateful for the opportunities I've had thanks to JMMS and for those in the future I am certain to find."
BS in Viticulture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | MS in Hospitality Admin from UNLV |
Certified Sommelier Nevada Dept. of Agriculture as an Agruiculturalist III
(Currently studying to become a Certified Wine Educator)
Sandra Wauquier | Soter Vineyards
"This week at Soter Vineyards in Oregon meant a lot to me for a lot of different reasons. First of all it was the first time I went to a vineyard. It was my first harvest/crush season and it was my first time to be in Oregon. So I was absolutely thrilled and excited to be there as everything was new for me. Soter could not have been a better match for me. I started to work pretty much as I arrived on the first day. The grapes had already started to come in and we had to destem them and put them in various tanks. From that point on it was all about taking care of them to make sure they will be producing the best wine possible. I saw all the steps from delicious sweet grapes juice to fully fermented juice. Unfortunately, I left too early to see how they will put the wines in barrels. However, I still got to accomplish and learn a lot in a week. I did a lot of pump over, punch down, racking and return, learn how to use various tools like the Anton Paar especially to measure brix and temperature. I also tasted the juice, must, and wine. To feel the transition on the palate is truly remarkable. I will never forget this unique experience in such a beautiful vineyard and winery, along with the people I meet there and the wonderful dinners and work we shared all together. I would recommend this experience to anyone and will cherish Soter’s wines forever. I can’t wait to return, or see them again down the road when they visit South Florida. I am looking forward as well to taste in about 2 years from now, the 2009 vintage which I worked on."
MBA Florida International University
Senior Brand Manager | Artisanal Wines - Southern Glaziers Wine & Spirits
Currently employed as International Logistics and French Portfolio Director at De Maison Selections
2008
Jerry Spoto | Soter Vineyards
Graduate University of Central Florida
Currently employed as Regional Manager at Brother's Bond Bourbon
Katie Dandridge | Tandem Winery
Graduate of California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Certified Sommelier at Mastro's Restaurants, Washington DC
