The wine world is made of dreams. Some people dream about drinking wine. Some people dream about growing or making wine. And others dream of writing about it. For all those who have ever toyed with the idea of writing about wine, and for those who have dabbled in it or strive to make it their career, I have a small anecdote to share from my college days of long ago.

I was taking a fiction writing class one spring quarter, and our teacher managed to convince a good friend of hers to substitute teach a bunch of us eager, bright-eyed college students for one class session.

The first thing Kurt Vonnegut said to the twelve of us in his mellow, raspy voice, as he slouched in the uncomfortable, dim room, was, “The novel is dead. No one reads fiction anymore. America has divested itself of its imagination. It’s over.”

In my memory he said this and rambled on a bit more while chain-smoking cigarettes. While I’ve probably invented the cigarettes, I definitely remember his words, though, and his answer to the timid question one of us managed to squeak out at the end of his rant.

“So, uh, are you saying that, um, we should just forget about this fiction writing thing?”

At this, Mr. Vonnegut (stubbing out his cigarette, of course) sat up a little straighter and got a bit of a glint in his eye, and said, “Oh no. Don’t get the wrong idea here. You’ll never make a living at being a writer. Hell, you may even die trying. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write. You should write for the same reasons you should take dancing lessons. For the same reason you should learn what fork to use at a fancy dinner. For the same reason you need to see the world. It’s about learning grace.”

Those who choose to write, I salute you. And while I wholeheartedly agree with Vonnegut’s sentiments, there is also an awful lot more that we all need to learn as writers. The best writers I know, in fact, never stop learning.

That is one of the main reasons why the Wine Writers’ Symposium exists. The other main reason comes down to the fact that we’re all better together. There’s value to be found in community and collaboration and collegiality, but we wine writers don’t really get to hang out in the same room that often (unless you count trade tasting events, which really aren’t conducive to thoughtful conversation).

The next in-person Symposium takes place over four days in late February of 2026, and will be packed with inspiring talks, informative panel sessions, practical advice, 1-on-1 coaching sessions, writing exercises, and the opportunity to network your butt off amongst some of the world’s top wine writers.

Oh, and there’s also always a boatload of amazing food and wine on offer, not to mention a free stay at the Meadowood Resort, which is simply one of the nicest possible places to spend a couple of days in Napa Valley.

The official description of the Symposium’s target audience is: “The ideal attendee of the Wine Writers’ Symposium is a writer who has already demonstrated a degree of professional commitment to writing about wine. This demonstration can take multiple forms, and potential attendees might communicate across multiple platforms or media, but the application to the Symposium must be in the written word.”

In recent years, the Symposium has undergone an evolution to focus slightly more on early-career writers (whereas a decade ago, it was open to writers in all stages of their careers). If you’re busy breaking into the wine writing world, or if you’ve got a toehold but want to grab it with both hands and yank yourself aboard, this event is for you.

How do you get to attend this amazing, one-of-a-kind event for free? You apply online for a fellowship to attend. Note that the application includes both a personal statement AND an original piece of writing in response to a prompt. Which is to say, you gotta work for it.

If you are accepted to attend, you will receive a fellowship covering all costs, including room and board at Meadowood Resort during the symposium. Note that your travel to and from Napa will be your personal responsibility.

I think I’ve attended the Symposium twelve times over the years, some as an attendee, some as a speaker, and I look forward to attending the next one as a speaker, moderator, and coach.

Come join me for an unforgettable few days focused on your craft and your passion with like-minded people and the faces behind many of the bylines you read with regularity and reverence.

Do it for the grace.

Applications are due by October 6th. So get crackin.’

Images created with MidJourney AI.