Posted on May 03, 2016
James Beard Foundation and Rhone Rangers Awards Study/Travel Grant to Erin Scala
Professional study and travel grant promotes understanding of American Rhone wines
April 18, 2016 (Paso Robles, CA) - The Rhone Rangers and James Beard Foundation have awarded Erin Scala the Professional Study / Travel Grant to further her knowledge of American Rhone variety wines. The grant award is highlighted with a trip to California, where she’ll visit several notable wineries, meet winemakers and continue her education of American Rhone wines.
Between working as a sommelier for seven years and attending the Robert Cook Honors College in Indiana, Indiana University, and the New York International Wine Center, Scala has an accomplished understanding of wine through her studies and experiences.
The study / travel grant is an award to help further the development of American Rhone varietal wine knowledge for working sommeliers or chefs. One of the many stops in her itinerary will be the San Francisco Rhone Rangers event on June 10 and 11 at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio, where she will experience the winemaker dinner, wine seminar and wine tasting.
“We are thrilled to offer Ms. Scala this grant. Her passion and thirst for wine knowledge stood above in a strong pool of applicants,” said Stuart Montgomery, secretary and chairman of scholarship fund of the Rhone Rangers “This experience will only strengthen her love and knowledge of American Rhone wines”.
The James Beard Rhone Rangers Professional Study / Travel Grant is made possible through James Beard Foundation and Rhone Ranger member’s generous donations to both the live and silent auctions, and wouldn’t be possible without their support.
About the Rhone Rangers
The Rhone Rangers are a group of roughly 150 wineries dedicated to making wines from the 22 grape varieties originally made famous in France’s Rhone Valley. These varieties range from the better-known Syrah and Viognier to the up-and-coming Grenache, Mourvèdre and Roussanne, to obscure (but delicious) grapes like Counoise and Picpoul. To learn more, visit www.rhonerangers.org.
