2023 Emerging Leaders & Professional Merit Scholarship Recipients

SommCon is thrilled to unveil the 2023 Emerging Leaders and Professional Merit scholarship recipients. This year, 35 exceptional individuals have been chosen for their passion for the wine and spirits industry and potential to shape its future. The SommCon scholarship program is sponsored in part by The SOMM Journal and The Tasting Panel Magazine.

The scholarship recipients are provided with an exclusive opportunity to participate in a comprehensive mentorship program tailored to provide guidance and support before, during, and after the conference. SommCon’s mentorship program is designed to equip scholars with the tools and resources they need to excel in the alcohol beverage industry, and includes:

Full conference access to SommCon, September 10 – 12 in San Diego, CA
An assigned mentor dedicated to the scholar’s professional development
Organized mentorship gatherings leading up to and during SommCon
A mentorship breakfast during SommCon to foster networking and discovering professional opportunities
Ongoing career advice from mentors and SommCon including: resume reviews, guidance for professional growth, heads hots, and industry updates
Complimentary access to SommGo, SommCon’s on-demand streaming service for wine, beer, and spirits education, for one year
Virtual educational sessions with industry experts through the renowned Ask the Experts series
Opportunities for scholars to contribute articles and interviews with industry experts to a dedicated column in The SOMM Journal and The Tasting Panel Magazine
Membership in the SommCon Scholar Alumni Community
Admission to a select social media group for networking, community-building, and experience sharing

“We are thrilled to announce this year’s recipients of the Emerging Leaders and Professional Merit scholarships,” said Michelle Metter, founder and Director of SommCon. “These individuals represent the future of the alcohol beverage industry, and we are committed to supporting their growth and creating a forum for reciprocal learning and mentorship. As an industry we have as much to learn from these talented professionals as they will gain from participating in our program and we are honored to have them join us.”

This 2023 Emerging Leaders Scholarship recipients include:

Laura Algieri | Adelsheim Vineyard
Melody Austin | Vino With Melody
Erika Benfield | Frederick’s Wine Room
Juan Castruita | The Vino Boutique
Thomas Cushman | The Clubs at Houston Oaks
Ingrid Eyen | In Good Taste Wines
Whitney Hughley | PourWhitAnother
Gabriel McGowan | Ada’s Food & Wine
Poppie Mphuthing | Heitz Cellar
Randia Pope | Mellanated_Winoohh
Suhayl Ramirez | Trois Noix
Lezlee Rawles | Ada’s Food & Wine
Christy Serrato | Pair Anything, Inc.
Alex Tsui | Oxford University & Scripps Research La Jolla
Valentina Vidal Sánchez | Adelaide Oval Hotel
Chanelle Wilson | The Wine Down PHL

This 2023 Professional Merit Scholarship recipients include:

Pablo Aguilar | Lowod Restaurant
PJ Alexander | The Somerset Club
Brooklyn Bain | Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
Kyle Burke | NakedWines.com
Rhys Campbell | Blue Caribe Consulting
Anne Flesch | Fermentis
Sarina Garibović | Ženska Glava
Marvin Glover | Sea San Entertainment
Melissa Graeff | Surnik Wines
Stevie Himmelright | Domaine Artefact
Shannon Holbrook | Coco Noir Wine Shop + Bar
Steven McAllister | CookNSolo
Gerlonnie Moore | Atlas Moore Imports
Rachael Noviskey | Jacks Wife Freda
Maria Claudia Olmedo | Wine Consultant
Michele Padberg | Wine First Somm, Vivác Winery
Andre Powell | Brezza
Nicole Ramée | Pineapple and Pearls
Jessica Taylor | Maude

Scholars are selected by SommCon committee members in a blind selection process removing name and identifying information. This year’s committee includes: