by Andrew Chalk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Neal Family Vineyard Announces Over $200,000 Raised Through Its Namesake Scholarship Program
Biodynamic Howell Mountain estate winery sponsors agricultural studies scholars through its eponymous scholarship program
NAPA, Calif. (July 5, 2022) – Boutique Howell Mountain estate winery Neal Family Vineyards is pleased to announce it has raised over $200,000 for local, college-bound scholars pursuing a degree in agriculture. Established in 1998, Neal Family Vineyards specializes in crafting Cabernet Sauvignon from meticulously farmed, 100% biodynamic, and 100% estate vineyards. The estate winery announces the awardees during the Neal Family Cellar Depletion Dinner which takes place annually in May and features a live auction where all proceeds go to support the St. Helena Future Farmers of America (FFA) Program.
“Over the last several years, we are proud to have been able to award 15 scholarships for students pursuing agricultural degrees,” said Neal Family Vineyard’s vintner, founder and owner, Mark Neal. “We have dedicated our lives to ethical farming practices to create the best organic and biodynamic wines our vineyards can offer, so it only makes sense to pay it forward. We look forward to continuing to help the next generation of farmers develop new skills and techniques to benefit agricultural practices for years to come.”
Established in 2014, the Neal Family Scholarship is awarded annually to students who have attended four years of agriculture classes at St. Helena High School while maintaining a 3.50 GPA and who have been accepted to attend a four-year university. Awardees receive $2,000 annually while enrolled in an agricultural curriculum. Currently, Neal Family Vineyards has 10 recipients pursuing agriculture degrees.
This year’s Neal Family Scholarship awards ceremony was held May 23, 2022 at the Neal Family Vineyard estate with over 70 people in attendance. The scholarship was awarded to Kaylee Moura who will be studying agricultural business at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo starting in the fall. The live auction was filled with several items including wines from Mark Neal’s personal cellar and a weekend stay at a vacation home in Kauai, Hawaii which includes local chocolates and a farm tour from Kauai Coca Tree Farm.
Neal Family Vineyards is open by appointment only Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information or to book an appointment, the winery can be contact by calling 707-965-2800 or visiting www.NealVineyards.com/.
About Neal Family Estates
Family owned and operated, Neal Family Vineyards is a boutique winery that specializes in crafting Cabernet Sauvignon from meticulously farmed, 100% biodynamic, and 100% estate vineyards on Neal Family’s signature Howell Mountain and Rutherford Dust properties in Napa Valley. Founded by Napa Valley biodynamics pioneer Mark Neal, Neal Family Vineyards believes great wines come from great ingredients that only organic and biodynamic vineyards can produce. After taking a leading role in the implementation of certified organic and biodynamic agricultural practices in Napa Valley, Neal Family continues to commit to organic and biodynamic practices. All four of the winery’s estate vineyards have been certified organic by CCOF since 2009 and certified biodynamic by Demeter Biodynamic since 2021. Regenerative Organic Certification should be achieved in 2022. Mark also owns and operates Jack Neal & Son (JNS) Vineyard Management, the largest biodynamic farming operation in the United States. For more information, please visit www.NealVineyards.com/.