Wine Writers’ Symposium

We are delighted to welcome writers back to Napa Valley this March for an enriching Symposium experience.

Saturday, January 27th and Sunday, January 28th:

Wine Writers’ Bootcamp, a deep dive into Napa Valley and its wines, hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners (optional)

Sunday, January 28th:

4:00 PM Hotel Check-in at Meadowood Napa Valley

5:30 PM Wine Writers’ Symposium Welcome Reception

Kick off the 2024 Symposium with a multi-course meal at Meadowood’s beautifully appointed Forum restaurant, featuring historic vintages of Napa Valley wine.

6:00 PM Welcome Remarks

6:15 PM Keynote Address by Andrew Jefford

Internationally acclaimed wine writer Andrew Jefford will deliver our opening keynote on the defining theme of this year’s Symposium.

6:45 PM Welcome Dinner 

Monday, January 29th:

8:00 AM Breakfast

8:30 AM Topical Panel: Publications at the Edge featuring Lauren Buzzeo, John Brecher, and Courtney Schiessl Magrini, moderated by Clive Pursehouse

The wine media landscape has become increasingly varied, with ever more outlets to publish work. This platform-focused panel will discuss what some of the options are and what the different kinds of publications might need.

10:00 AM Topical Panel: Writing at the Edge featuring Elaine Chukan Brown, Andrew Jefford, and Chasity Cooper, moderated by Erica Duecy

This content-focused panel will dive into approaches to championing lesser-known and -discussed topics, from research and interview techniques to ways of linking wine to greater cultural topics and trends.

11:15 AM In Focus: Fostering a Community of Wine Writers featuring Meg Maker, Brianne Garrett, and Clive Pursehouse, moderated by Dorothy Gaiter

Writing can be an isolating career path, but an increasing number of platforms are focused on building a community of writers. This In Focus session will explore some of these initiatives.

12:00 PM Lunch featuring wines from multi-generational wineries

Lunch will include a walk-around tasting of wines provided by the Napa Valley Vintners.

12:45 PM Mentorship Round 1

The Wine Writers’ Symposium is pleased to offer one-on-one mentorship sessions between the Fellows and this year’s faculty. These intimate, half hour conversations can be sculpted in accordance with the interests and needs of the Fellow with a focus on craft, editing, and relationship building.

1:20 PM Mentorship Round 2 

2:00 PM Writers’ Workshop: What’s the Pitch? with Lauren Buzzeo and Anna Lee Ijima, moderated by Ray Isle

An effective pitch is the first step to getting work published, but it requires a keen understanding of audience, format, and outlet. This workshop will explore these topics, emphasizing the importance of clarity and precision in how you pitch as well effective communication strategies.

6:00 PM Dine-Around Dinners

Small, intimate dinners with fellow writers and local vintners at locales around the valley.

Tuesday, January 30th:

8:00 AM Breakfast

8:30 AM Topical Panel: Making it All Work featuring Erin Scala and Anna Lee Iijima, moderated by Brianne Garrett

There’s no rulebook when it comes to managing multiple roles in the wine writing world, so this panel will explore both strategies for and the ethics of making it work as a wine writer.

10:00 AM Topical Panel: Writing for the Spoken Word featuring Anna Lee Iijima and Kelli White, moderated by Elaine Chukan Brown

Spoken word formats are increasingly important in wine communication. This panel will delve into formats, approaches, and preparations for delivering content in engaging and meaningful ways.

11:15 AM In Focus: Effectively Connecting with Millennial and Gen Z Audiences featuring Erica Duecy and Courtney Schiessl Magrini

This In Focus session will help writers think about ways to connect with these audiences, leveraging different examples of data gathering and effective reporting.

12:00 PM Lunch featuring wines that have reduced environmental impact

Lunch will include a walk-around tasting of wines provided by the Napa Valley Vintners.

12:45 PM Mentorship Round 1

The Wine Writers’ Symposium is pleased to offer one-on-one mentorship sessions between the Fellows and this year’s faculty. These intimate, half hour conversations can be sculpted in accordance with the interests and needs of the Fellow with a focus on craft, editing, and relationship building.

1:20 PM Mentorship Round 2 

2:00 PM Writers’ Workshop: Creative Writing Exercises with John Brecher and Chasity Cooper, moderated by Meg Maker

This workshop will help writers tap into their creativity. It will also address how style can be used to broaden the reach of wine writing.

3:45 PM Land Usage: Preservation Past, Present, Future featuring Rodrigo Soto, Tod Mostero, Jeff Dodd Esq., and Beth Weber Novak, moderated by Sarah Bray

This off-site panel discussion will dive into the unique history of land preservation and usage in the Napa Valley.

7:30 PM Farewell Fête 

Join us as we send off our 2024 Fellows in style, showing wines from some of Napa Valley’s most iconic producers at a community gathering.

Wednesday, January 31st:

8:30 AM Breakfast

9:15 AM Innovation of an Age-Old Tradition with Dustin Mowe, CEO of Portocork, interviewed by Kelli White

This session will delve into Portocork’s initiatives related to sustainability in cork production and usage.

10:00 AM Closing Keynote: A Fireside Chat featuring Axel Borg interviewed by Dorothy J. Gaiter

Our closing keynote will also function as a masterclass in conducting an effective interview, with Dorothy J. Gaiter interviewing acclaimed Axel Borg, Emeritus Biological and Agricultural Sciences Reference Librarian at UC Davis.

10:45 AM Closing Remarks 

11:00 AM Toast + Farewell Reception