Wine Writer Pros Come Hither

Posted by Tom Wark on Dec 8, 2005

The second Symposium for Professional Wine Writers is scheduled for March 6-9, 2006.

One the one hand it’s hard to believe this is only the second year such a gathering has been organized. On the other hand, it’s very good thing.

Wine writing as a literature sub category has a very long history. It’s the English who defined the genre, the Americans who popularized it and the Internet that is changing it.

So, what is the Symposium?

"The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, a non-profit organization,
was founded as a resource for professional writers, editors, and those
emerging in the field with a mission of promoting excellence and
camaraderie within the professional wine writing community. The
conference, convened annually in Napa Valley, offers professionals an
open forum for exploration of themes prevalent in contemporary wine
writing."

The mastermind behind the SPWW is Antonia Allegra, a Napan who has been writing, coaching writers, publishing and organizing these types of events for a very long time. Reports from the first symposium last year were that it was a stellar event. This year it will have only 50 some odd spaces open. It’s a very intimate event and something truly educational. Among the sessions scheduled are:

"Digging up the Dirt: Contemporary Writing about Terroir"
"Live! Interview techniques for Dynamic Wine Writing"
"Writing for Newspapers, Magazines, Books and Blogs"
"Writing with Clear Personal Voice"

There are a number of other sessions that will take place over the four day event set at the famed Meadowood Resort in Napa Valley. There are also a number of dinners, readings and other get together that assure you’ll have a chance to get to know most of the participants.

Among Bloggers, Derrick Schneider of An Obsession With Food will be on hand to sit in on a panel. He’s a great choice to represent our set. Along with Derrick the SPWW is bringing in Frank Prial, Andrea Immer Robinson, Rod Smith, Harvey Steiman, Richard Nalley among others.

It’s not a cheap affair. $475 register. However, they are offering fellowships that defray the entire cost. Apply by December 29.