Tierra Luna Cellars celebrates storytelling, representation, and lifting others as we climb. As we spotlight the fourth and final nonprofit we proudly support, we share why MAES: Mexican American Engineers and Scientists, holds such a meaningful place in our mission and how our astronaut wine supporting Latino STEM students helps shape the future of STEM. At Tierra Luna Cellars, our astronaut wine supporting Latino STEM students reflects our commitment to education, representation, and opportunity.
What Is MAES?
Founded in 1974, MAES is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, cultivating, and advancing leadership and success in STEM careers for Latino and underrepresented students. Through mentorship, scholarships, academic support, and professional development, MAES helps students navigate pathways into engineering, science, technology, and mathematics.
For many students, MAES is more than a program. It’s a community. A network. Proof that they belong.
Why MAES Matters to Us
Tierra Luna Cellars was founded by former NASA astronaut José M. Hernández, whose own journey into space was shaped by perseverance, education, and mentors who believed in him. As the son of migrant farmworkers, Jose’s path to becoming an astronaut was far from guaranteed, but organizations like MAES exist precisely to help ensure that talent, not background, defines opportunity.
Supporting MAES is personal. It reflects our belief that education and access can change the trajectory of a life, just as they did for our founder.
When you enjoy a bottle of Tierra Luna Cellars wine, especially one personally signed by Jose, you are directly supporting students who may one day become engineers, scientists, and even astronauts themselves.
Autographed Bottles with a Purpose
We are proud to share that proceeds from all autographed bottles of Tierra Luna Cellars wine go directly to MAES.
Each signed bottle represents:
- Investment in STEM education
- Support for first-generation college students
- Mentorship and leadership development
- A belief in the next generation of innovators
It’s a way for our community to give back while enjoying something truly special: a bottle of astronaut wine with a story that reaches far beyond the vineyard.
Wine, STEM, and Representation
As an astronaut-founded winery, Tierra Luna Cellars sits at the intersection of agriculture, science, and exploration. Wine itself is a product of chemistry, biology, climate science, and engineering. Supporting MAES allows us to connect these worlds and show students that STEM careers can take many forms.
Representation matters. When students see someone who looks like them succeed in STEM, it expands what they believe is possible. MAES makes those connections visible and tangible.
How You Can Support MAES with Tierra Luna Cellars
There are many ways to join us in supporting MAES:
- Purchase an autographed Tierra Luna Cellars bottle, knowing proceeds benefit MAES
- Share our story and help amplify MAES’s mission
- Celebrate organizations that champion access, education, and equity
Every bottle tells a story, but these bottles help write new ones.
Looking Forward
As we close out our nonprofit spotlight series, we are deeply grateful to the organizations that align with our values and vision.
From the vineyard to the stars, Tierra Luna Cellars believes in dreaming big and making sure the next generation has the tools to do the same.