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Foley Family Wines & Spirits Announces Recipients of the 2026 Women in Wine Scholarship Fund and Donation to the CMS – A Women’s Sommelier Symposium

Foley Family Wines & Spirits Announces Recipients of the 2026 Women in Wine Scholarship Fund and Donation to the CMS – A Women’s Sommelier Symposium

Scholarships awarded in partnership with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas at Ferrari-Carano During Sonoma Symposium

Santa Rosa, CA (March 27, 2026) – On March 24, 2026, Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS), in partnership with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, awarded 11 $1,000 scholarships to female sommeliers at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery during the fourth annual CMS-A Women’s Sommelier Symposium. The Foley Family Wines & Spirits Women in Wine Scholarship Fund was launched at the 2025 symposium at Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma.

On Tuesday, the $11,000 fund was distributed among 11 female sommeliers selected to attend the Symposium. The annual mentoring experience supports female Advanced and Master Sommelier candidates by providing education, mentorship, and industry connections. Participants engage in interactive workshops, panel discussions, and immersive vineyard visits.

This year’s scholarship recipients include:

  1. Marissa Kipp, Vancouver, WA, Marq Wine Group
  2. Madison Fraser, San Francisco, CA, GiGi’s
  3. Fabiola Hashem, Honolulu, HI, Fujiokas Fine Wines
  4. Kristin  Galvin, Cleveland, OH, Lola’s Bistro
  5. Coral Peña, San Juan, PR, Academia de Sommelier de Puerto Rico
  6. Beibei  Hou, Toronto, ON, Estiatorio, Milos
  7. Eun Hee Kwon, New York, NY, Saga
  8. Nato Bajelidze, South Glen Falls, NY The Erlowest
  9. Alba Arrona, Ciudad de México, MX, ExploraVid
  10. Kaleigh Brook, Walla Walla, WA, Tavern Ancestrale and the Walla Walla Valley Wine Academy
  11. Bo Young Northcutt, Stateline, NV, Caesar’s Republic Lake Tahoe

Master Sommelier attendees included:

  • Rebecca Fineman, San Francisco, CA, Ungrafted
  • Jennifer Huether, Las Vegas, NV, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits
  • Emily Wines, Chicago, IL, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants
  • Julie Dalton, Houston, TX, The Post Oak Hotel
  • Gillian Balance, Napa, CA, Treasury Wine Estates

As a sponsor of the 2026 Women’s Sommelier Symposium March 22-25, FFWS also hosted a workshop at Ferrari-Carano with the winery’s two female winemakers Rebecka Deike and Natalie West. Women make up 50% of the Foley Family Wines & Spirits winemaking team, led by Mari Wells Coyle, VP, Winemaking, far surpassing the industry average of 14%1.

“At Foley Family Wines & Spirits, we strive to create a culture that cultivates inclusive leadership and inspires women,” noted Alexandra O’Gorman, VP, Community Relations at FFWS. “Our goal is to ensure women have equal voices, opportunities to lead, and the ability to make a meaningful impact.”

“Watching the look of shock on these women’s faces turn into amazement and gratitude was thrilling. The scholarship funding to support their studies is so meaningful, but perhaps even more powerful is the care and belief in their future that this gift represents,” added Julie Cohen Theobald, Executive Director, Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.  “We are incredibly grateful to the Foley Family for this gift of financial support and encouragement.”

Media images may be found here: Brand Portal – Foley Family Wines & Spirits

  1. California Wine Institute

About Foley Family Wines & Spirits

Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) is a portfolio of highly acclaimed wines and spirits from some of the world’s greatest estates. The company owns more than 24 wineries and a distillery, each with its distinct style, legacy, and approach to hospitality. FFWS has expanded its portfolio significantly since its founding, now including such storied brands as Chalk Hill Estate Winery, Sebastiani, Roth, Banshee, Ferrari-Carano, Chateau St. Jean, Lancaster, and Sonoma Coast Vineyards in Sonoma; Merus, Silverado, Foley Johnson and Swanson in Napa Valley; Lincourt, Firestone, and Foley Estates in Southern California; Chalone Vineyard and Cosentino in central California; and Four Graces and Acrobat in Oregon. FFWS’s import wines include Lucien Albrecht in France, Nieto Senetiner in Argentina, and 14 wine brands spanning three of New Zealand’s most acclaimed winegrowing regions: Marlborough, Central Otago, and Martinborough. The growing global spirits portfolio includes domestic brands Minden Mill Whiskeys, High Ground Estate Vodka, Charles Goodnight Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Evil Bean Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Ampersand, and SABÉ canned cocktails. International spirits include New Zealand’s Lighthouse Gin, El Mexicano Tequila, the Loch Lomond Group portfolio of Scotch and spirits, Two Stacks Irish Whiskey and Killowen Distillery. FFWS also imports SABÉ canned cocktails and Tequio Tequila cocktails. To learn more about Foley Family Wines & Spirits, visit ffws.com.

Media Contact: Nora Feeley, SVP Communications & Events Nfeeley@FFWS.com, Communications@FFWS.com