Auctions Benefit ASEV Eastern Section

Funding for scholarships increases by 30%

Last year, these students were awarded $1,000 scholarships from ASEV’s Eastern Section (left to right): Eli Bergmeier, University of Missouri; Linjian Jiang, Ohio State University; Molly Kelly, Virginia Tech; Misha Kwasniewski, Jim Meyers, Michelle Moyer and Becky Nelson, Cornell University; and Lisa Wasko, Iowa State University. Scholarship chairman Terry Bates and ASEV-ES chairman Tim Martinson are on the right.

King of Prussia, Penn.--The American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s Eastern Section (ASEV-ES) scholarship program received $18,278 as a result of the live and silent auctions at the Wineries Unlimited Conference and Trade Show in King of Prussia on March 10. This was an increase of approximately 30% over the $14,075 raised at last year’s auctions.
   
Industry suppliers donated items including pallets of wine bottles, bags of corks and grapevines that were auctioned live during the Best of the East Grand Gala and Tasting on Wednesday evening. Exhibitors and winery and vineyard owners contributed smaller items such as pruning shears, books and wine accessories.
   
The two volunteer auctioneers were Mark Bassel of Bruni Glass Packaging  and Arthur Carmichael of Wine America’s insurance services. As in the past, their banter and salesmanship kept the banquet audience involved. Arthur Roberts of Arton Glass and Ceramic Decorators put up two of his own bottles of the late Jacques Recht’s 2007 Pinot Noir at the end of the auction for last minute contributors. The bottles brought in an additional $245.
   
Last year’s auction provided scholarships for eight recipients studying at five different eastern universities. In a year when the economic climate has been less favorable than in the past, Eastern Section executive Ellie Butz commended members for their commitment to the industry leaders of the future. She told Wines & Vines, “This scholarship program event is a partnership between Wineries Unlimited and the members of the Eastern Section, who play an important role in developing and participating in the seminar programs.”