Melody Fuller, an invited speaker, panelist, educator, and mentor, holds a Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine. She has worked as a columnist for The SOMM Journal; served as the wine, food, and travel editor for Alameda County’s Renew Magazine; and her work was published on a James Beard … Continued

The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, founded by Meadowood Napa Valley, the Napa Valley Vintners trade association and The Culinary Institute of America, draws top wine book authors and editors, wine magazine writers and critics, newspaper wine columnists, bloggers and other editorial wine content creators to Napa Valley to speak, listen, debate, explore themes prevalent in contemporary wine writing … Continued

“It was a pleasure to be at the symposium. I learned a lot about a world that’s still rather exotic to me, and can only admire those who participated. Their energy and passion are impressive. I hope I was able to help those I ‘coached’ (they were more like discussions of their work, really); they … Continued

“I came away from the symposium feeling energized and ready to rock out the year. I made a to-do list on the plane ride home, and am happy to report at the end of the year that the majority of my full-time freelance income came from wine writing. Even more significant on a personal level, … Continued

“Never say I’m not attentive at the symposium seminars! Here’s a column that resulted directly from sitting in on Janet Fletcher’s seminar back in February.” Eric Asimov Chief wine critic, The New York Times New York, New York READ ARTICLE

“Happy to say I’ve just assigned my first article to an alum of The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley — Janis Miglavs.” Richard Bradley Editor, Worth magazine New York, New York

“When I attended the symposium as a fellowship recipient, I was brand new to the world of wine writing. The symposium gave me the confidence I needed to become a real life wine writer. When a year had passed I still made use of the contacts I made at the symposium — I’ll email other … Continued

“The symposium is a great, fun event. In pulling together key opinion formers from across the US wine scene, this is a forum where attendees are getting their finger on the pulse of the major issues being dissected by the wine press, and getting themselves in front of key editorial names. You’re also at the … Continued

“Guess what? A few weeks after attending the symposium my little column for the Star newspaper is a winner in the National Society of Newspaper Columnists column competition, in the category of humor (naturally) for print publications with circulation under 50,000.” Laura Rafaty Attorney, author, freelance writer St. Helena, California READ ARTICLE

“Awesome symposium. Very well run and insightful. What I thought most fascinating was how wine attracts people from all backgrounds. I learned something from each person I spoke with.” Matt Andrejczak Reporter, MarketWatch.com, Wall Street Journal Digital Network San Francisco, California