Food & Wine
Sat, November 15, 2025
Fri, November 14, 2025
Cleveland Wine Society Launches Margaret L. Hartman Scholarship to Honor Local Wine Pioneer
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Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 14:02 GMT by Cleveland.com- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
A New Wine Scholarship Honoring a Beloved Greater Cleveland Woman
In the wake of a tragic loss, the Cleveland wine community has rallied to create a scholarship that will carry the legacy of a cherished local figure forward. The Cleveland Wine Society (CWS), in partnership with the City of Cleveland’s Cultural Affairs Office, announced the launch of the “Margaret L. Hartman Wine Scholarship”—a program designed to support aspiring oenologists, wine educators, and sommeliers who share the honoree’s passion for both the art of wine and community enrichment.
The Woman Behind the Scholarship
Margaret L. Hartman (1945‑2025) was a pillar of Greater Cleveland’s cultural scene for more than three decades. A lifelong resident of the Cleveland Heights area, Hartman began her career as a librarian before turning her enthusiasm for viticulture into a volunteer teaching role at the Cleveland Wine School. She became known for her encyclopedic knowledge of varietals, her meticulous palate, and her unwavering commitment to mentoring young adults. Hartman’s most notable achievement was founding the “Cleveland Wine Club” in 2003, which brought over 200 members to monthly tastings, cellar tours, and educational workshops. The club’s emphasis on sustainable grape-growing practices and local terroir resonated with the city’s growing “green” movement.
Hartman’s influence extended beyond the cellar. She served on the board of the Cleveland Cultural Arts Foundation, where she championed arts accessibility for under‑served neighborhoods. Her annual “Wine & Culture” fundraiser helped raise more than $75,000 for scholarships in visual arts, music, and culinary studies. Hartman’s sudden death at the age of 80 left a void in the community; the scholarship is a tribute to her lifelong dedication to education and cultural enrichment.
Scholarship Details
Purpose: The scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance for students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in enology, viticulture, or related fields. It also offers a stipend for participants who complete a summer internship with a local winery or sommelier program.
Amount: Each awardee will receive $3,000, with the possibility of a second award for outstanding academic progress and community service.
Eligibility: Applicants must be: - Currently enrolled or accepted into an accredited university program in the United States that offers coursework in wine studies, enology, or viticulture. - Residing in the Greater Cleveland area (Cleveland, Euclid, Brooklyn Heights, Shaker Heights, and surrounding suburbs) or having a documented commitment to serving the region’s wine community. - Demonstrating financial need (minimum 10% of tuition cost covered by other sources).
Application Process: The deadline for submission is January 15, 2026. Applicants must provide: 1. A 500‑word statement of purpose outlining their interest in wine studies and how Hartman’s legacy inspires them. 2. Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional mentors. 3. A résumé or curriculum vitae. 4. Proof of enrollment or acceptance into a recognized program.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel comprising CWS board members, representatives from the City of Cleveland Cultural Affairs Office, and a former Hartman scholarship recipient.
Selection Criteria: The committee will consider academic merit, financial need, community involvement, and the applicant’s potential to advance the local wine culture. The decision will be announced on February 28, 2026, with recipients notified by email and a press release distributed to local media.
Community Impact and Future Plans
The scholarship’s creation has already sparked conversations about the future of Cleveland’s wine scene. Several local vintners—such as Cleveland Creek Vineyards and Riverside Cellars—have expressed enthusiasm about the initiative. “Margaret was a friend of ours for years,” said Alex Monroe, winemaker at Cleveland Creek. “She always spoke about the importance of giving back. This scholarship is exactly the kind of legacy that will keep her spirit alive.”
CWS plans to host an annual “Hartman Gala” to celebrate scholarship recipients and to fundraise for subsequent awards. The organization has already secured pledges from several major donors, including the Cleveland Foundation and Baker & Brown Wines. In addition, CWS will offer a series of “Hartman Lectures” featuring prominent figures in the wine industry, ranging from sommeliers in Napa Valley to professors of oenology at UC Davis.
A Personal Touch
In a heartfelt statement, Hartman’s daughter, Maya Hartman, shared her emotions: “My mom had a way of turning a simple glass of wine into a lesson in history, geography, and compassion. She taught me that the joy of wine lies not only in its flavor but in the connections it forges. This scholarship is the most beautiful way to honor her memory—by giving the next generation of wine lovers the tools to keep that conversation alive.”
The scholarship has already garnered media attention. The Cleveland.com article that launched the initiative highlighted Hartman’s volunteer work at the local library, her role in establishing the Cleveland Wine Club, and her broader contributions to the arts. By following the links within the original article, readers were directed to Hartman’s full biography, the city’s cultural affairs website, and the Cleveland Wine School’s curriculum pages—each providing deeper insight into the woman and the program now bearing her name.
Closing Remarks
The Margaret L. Hartman Wine Scholarship exemplifies how a community can turn grief into generosity, ensuring that the legacy of a beloved local figure continues to inspire. For students dreaming of a career in wine, the scholarship offers more than financial aid—it offers a connection to a tradition of learning, sharing, and service that Hartman embodied throughout her life. The Cleveland wine community, the city’s cultural institutions, and the families of past and future recipients will no doubt continue to celebrate Hartman’s memory for years to come.
Read the Full Cleveland.com Article at:
[ https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2025/11/wine-scholarship-created-in-honor-of-greater-cleveland-woman-who-died.html ]
