This year’s fundraiser was a particularly heartfelt and intimate gathering, reflecting the enduring commitment of the Neal Family to our local community. With great pride, we share that Neal Vineyards has now awarded 20 scholarships over the past 12 years, raising $300,000 to support the future leaders of St. Helena High School.
The Neal Family is honored to welcome two exceptional young scholars as this year’s class of recipients: Charlie Maldonado and Tilly Dodd. Both come from multi-generational farming families in Napa Valley, and both carry a deep-rooted passion for preserving and evolving their family’s vineyard and winemaking traditions.
Charlie Maldonado, headed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this fall to study Wine and Viticulture, has already immersed himself in the responsibilities of agricultural life. His involvement in livestock projects and hands-on experience at Maldonado Family Vineyards have instilled in him a keen understanding of business management, record keeping, and personal responsibility.
Charlie reflects, “I plan to continue to work alongside my father and uncles, who are all in the industry.”
His gratitude for his heritage and dedication to Napa’s viticultural legacy mark him as a rising star in our winegrowing community.
Our second recipient, Tilly Dodd, brings a vibrant enthusiasm and impressive accolades to her journey in agriculture. A two-time State Champion in Agriscience and a National Finalist, Tilly has demonstrated both intellectual rigor and heartfelt devotion to the land. In her sophomore year, she conducted a comparative study of trellising systems—Vertical Shoot Positioning and California Sprawl—on Cabernet Sauvignon vines at her family’s ranch. Her research deepened her knowledge in key viticultural metrics such as Brix, pH levels, and sun exposure.
When asked what fuels her passion, Tilly shared, “I’ve always had a connection with the earth… Agriculture is the foundation of life for all humans around the world.”
A 7th generation Napa Valley native, Tilly will be continuing her academic journey at Fort Lewis College in Colorado, and we look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish.
At Neal Vineyards, we believe that stewardship of the land begins with investing in those who love it most. Charlie and Tilly embody the spirit of Napa Valley—resilient, innovative, and deeply connected to the soil. We are proud to stand behind them as they pursue their dreams, and even prouder to witness the bright future of agriculture through their eyes.
— Mark, Laura and the Neal Family
third generation Neal Family Vineyards.