3/2/2023 - Saint Helena, CA - The Wine Writers' Symposium, the premier wine writers' conference, returns to Napa Valley next week. In attendance will be 36 wine writers engaging in learning, networking and mentorship opportunities.
"While we’ve been able to virtually engage with writers around the world the last few years, we are delighted to bring the Symposium back to Napa in-person this year," said Sarah Bray, executive director of Wine Writers' Symposium. “The intention of the program is to provide writers with new tools and points of view to further their writing careers, and to also foster relationships that will continue beyond our three days together. We’ve seen past fellows go on to produce incredible work, and we look forward to seeing what may come from this newest group.”
Founded in 2005 by Napa Valley Vintners and Meadowood Napa Valley, the program aims to encourage, promote, and expand the wine writers’ community, to strengthen connections between emerging and established writers and to provide a forum to discuss and explore the key issues facing an ever-evolving industry.
The Wine Writers' Symposium is the only program dedicated to wine writing in the United States and one of the only programs dedicated to attracting and building a wider network of writers in the wine space. Since its founding, nearly 500 writers have traveled to Napa Valley to attend the program in person, and another 400 participated online during the virtual Symposiums in 2021 and 2022. The program has nurtured writers from more than 23 countries.
The 2023 fellows for the Wine Writers’ Symposium were selected out of more than 200 applicants:
Monique Bell, Meg Bernhard, Kyle Billings, Kate Burns, Cassandra Charlick, Brianne Cohen, Lance Cutler, Kara Daly, Dan Evans, Demet Guzey, Davon Hatchett, David Hatzopoulos, Maria Hunt, Maiah Johnson Dunn, Erica Landis, Sydney Love, Sean Magruder, Nicole MacKay, Jodi Massengale, Erica McGrady, Nicholas O'Connell, Layne Randolph, Lucy Spain and Alissa Strunk
The fellows will be joined by editors, publishers and other writers for a series of workshops, seminars and mentorship sessions focused on the craft of writing led by:
Eric Asimov (New York Times), Jon Bonné (RESY), John Brecher (Grape Collective), Elaine Chukan Brown (freelance), Katherine Cole (The Four Top podcast), Julia Coney (Vinepair ++), Miguel de Leon (Freelance), Dottie Gaiter (Grape Collective), J'nai Gaither (Freelance), Mary-Frances Heck (Outside, Inc.), Ray Isle (Food & Wine), Joey Hernandez (Philadelphia Enquirer), Karen MacNeil (WineSpeed), Kelly Snowden (Ten Speed Press)
As partners in producing the event, Meadowood Napa Valley and the Napa Valley Vintners are delighted to welcome writers back to the valley for the first time since 2019.
This program is made possible with the additional support of Silicon Valley Bank and winery partners including:
Beaulieu Vineyard, Beringer Vineyards, Crosby Roamann, Frank Family Vineyards, Freemark Abbey, Grape Culture, Hourglass, Lang & Reed Napa Valley, Lawrence Wine Estate, LITHOLOGY, Mira Winery, Mt. Brave, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Teachworth Winery, Tres Sabores
To learn more about the Symposium and this year's events visit winewriterssymposium.org.
Contact: Teresa Wall, Senior Director of Communications - 707-968-4210, twall@napavintners.com
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