Two Opportunities to Learn From Professional Wine Writers at WBC14
– 7/5/2014 update: Thank you for your submissions! We have reached the maximum number of submissions for the Sunday Wine Writers Workshop –
Interested in improving your writing? You will have an excellent chance at the upcoming Wine Bloggers Conference in Santa Barbara County.
On Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM, we will have an all-group session with three professional wine writers. It is not often we get three people of such high quality on the same panel, two of whom were previous keynote speakers at the Wine Bloggers Conference. The session will consist primarily of answering your questions, so think about what you want to ask and send them in using hashtag #wbc14 just prior to the session. Our three writers are:
- James Conaway: Author of many books including best-seller, Napa: The Story of an American Eden and its sequel, The Far Side of Eden: New Money, Old Land, and the Battle for Napa Valley. James was the keynote speaker of WBC13 in Penticton.
- Mike Dunne: Mike is a freelance wine writer and consultant. He was the former food editor, wine columnist and restaurant critic of The Sacramento Bee and continues to contribute a weekly wine column to the paper.
- Steve Heimoff: Steve was the West Coast Editor for Wine Enthusiast Magazine and a contributor to Wine Spectator. His respected blog has been followed by the wine blogging community for years and he served as our keynote speaker at WBC10 in Walla Walla.
In addition to the Q&A on Saturday, 45 lucky participants will be able to participate in a two-hour workshop on Sunday that will help wine bloggers with their tone and writing. To participate in this session, leave a comment below by July 5 with a link to your writing sample. First come, first served. Writing samples need to be about wine, either original or published within the past year, and a maximum of 800 words. During the Sunday session, three entries that exemplify excellent wine writing will be reviewed – with no names revealed — in front of the entire group. In addition, parts of three entries that present learning opportunities will be analyzed. Afterwards, remaining writing samples will be reviewed and coached in smaller, pre-assigned, roundtable group settings of 15 people with one of the professional writers.
We are lucky to have long-time blogger, wine writer and wine industry pro Taylor Eason, Brand and DTC Manager at J Vineyards and Winery, moderating the Saturday panel and Sunday workshops. So if you are ready to jump your writing to a new level, attend the Saturday panel and submit your writing sample via a comment on this post.
Sarah Wolcott says
Hi Sue,
Unfortunately, the Wine Writers Workshop is full – the submission deadline was July 5 and the pieces for potential review have been sent off to the panelists. Sorry!
Sarah Wolcott says
Hi John,
The submission process ended on July 5 and the Wine Writers Workshop is full – submissions have been sent off to the panelists already. Sorry!
American Wine Trail says
Hope I’m not too late to be considered, here is a recent unpublished piece I’ve been working on about the significance of barrels
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gq6lz81jbqf3h4d/Barrels%20-%20whats%20the%20signifigance.docx
Life Uncorked says
I look forward to the workshop and learning more about wine writing. http://www.examiner.com/article/domaine-porto-carras-luscious-greek-wines-come-to-california
Marcy Gordon says
Okay, why not…here is a recent wine tourism related piece that weighs in at exactly 800 words! http://www.comeforthewine.com/2014/06/vive-la-france-at-deloach-vineyards-jcb.html
Jayne Pearce says
Hi WBC. How about this one? Looking forward to the workshop.http://jambip.com/cruise/places/thomas-fogarty-2011-chardonnay-wine-tasting/
Ken Winerysage says
Looking forward to it..perhaps this post is a little off topic but it appears I am a touch verbose and had a hard time finding one that was 800 words or less. http://www.winery-sage.com/blog/general/beer-belly-or-wine-rack-choosing-the-ideal-beverage-for-a-super-bowl-party/
Cynthia Lohr says
Awesome idea, and I hope you’ll consider awarding me a position as I look to venture more toward wine writing! Here’s a recent sample, http://www.winelohr.com/post/81014815210/reflections-on-a-relationship-for-our-times, and I’m looking forward to much more in just a week!
Donita Dyer says
Great opportunity – good luck to me! 🙂 I’m new to lengthy writing (been doing shorter style blogging for years)and would love to learn from some pros at getting better at story telling and bringing my passions through words more. http://vancityfoodconcierge.com/category/sparkling-wine/
citypeekpatti says
Hello All-Here is my latest blog on THE Summer wine: Rose- cheers and thank you all for your kind consideration and Sarah for the hard work. http://www.citypeek.com/wine-blog/its-time-rose-wine-quench-summer-heat also here is another on what makes a wine “Kosher for Passover” http://www.citypeek.com/wine-blog/what-makes-wine-kosher-passover
Danna says
What a great opportunity!! I’m including two links because these examples are VERY short. http://www.vinosaga.com/?p=204 and http://www.vinosaga.com/?p=241
Girls Go Grape says
Thank you !! http://www.alcoholprofessor.com/blog/2014/04/15/exploring-the-complexity-of-alsatian-wine/
Cindy Lowe Rynning says
I hope there is still room for me – what a great opportunity-thanks! I’m sending links to two articles… http://www.grape-experiences.com/2014/06/cigales-d-o-spains-next-hot-wine-region/ and http://www.grape-experiences.com/2014/03/cornerstone-cellars-elegance-finesse-power-achieved-2010-vintage/
Jaime says
Okay wait. I posted two tame, generic, under-800-words pieces like a good girl. But I’m changing it up with this one – something intensely personal and, well…not pretty. Consider this my official entry: http://jaimeclewis.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/confessions-of-a-wet-blanket/
Jaime says
If you’re ok with talking about sake as fermented rice wine, let’s go with this: http://thedishbypspr.com/2014/06/11/trend-sake-mixology/
If not, we can talk about Arneis here: http://wp.me/p1eQ9M-Hs
Doc says
I would like to attend, if possible. Here is the shortest post I could find.
http://fantastetic4.com/Wordpress/2014/04/cab-its-whats-for-dinner/
Robin Dohrn-Simpson says
I would like to attend.
Palatexposure says
Looking forward to feedback! http://palatexposure.com/2014/07/culinary-institute-of-america-serves-up-a-feast-for-the-senses/
L.M. Archer says
Jump of faith link here: http://binnotes.com/2014/06/27/ode-to-walla-walla-of-syrah-savage-beauty-and-stones/ Cheers!
Lisa Cascio Mays says
Looking forward to this great opportunity !
http://winewithlisa.com/spains-ribera-del-douro-a-wine-for-every-palate-and-every-season-drink-ribera-wine/
Lisa Mays says
Looking forward to this great opportunity!
http://winewithlisa.com/spains-ribera-del-douro-a-wine-for-every-palate-and-every-season-drink-ribera-wine/
Anatoli Levine says
I would love to get some professional critique. Here is one post, for instance (sorry, it is longer than 800 words): http://talk-a-vino.com/2014/02/16/devotion-the-blog-post-i-can-not-write/ .
Here is an alternative, and this one should be about 800 words: http://talk-a-vino.com/2014/04/14/when-the-vines-work-hard-winechat-with-lenne-estate/
Thanks!
Allison Levine says
love the idea. here is one recent post http://www.pleasethepalate.com/what-to-pair-with-your-next-meal-try-beaujolais/ but more can be found under http://www.pleasethepalate.com/category/wine/
Sara Elizabeth says
Great opportunity! http://www.somminthecity.com/mi-amore-amarone/
sharon says
Thank you a great idea. Feedback is always helpful. A recent post from my South Africa travels. Sharon
http://spaswinefood.blogspot.com/2014/05/wine-tasting-at-bouchard-finlayson.html
Sarita Cheaves says
This is a wonderful idea! http://www.vinemeup.com/2014/03/the-moment-matters.html
wineflight says
I’d love to get feedback, thanks!
http://wine4acause.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/perfection-and-pinot/
The Vineyard Trail says
Would love the opportunity for some expert advice! http://www.thevineyardtrail.com/foxen-mf/
The Drunken Cyclist says
Great idea! http://wp.me/p28FPy-20L
Tanisha Townsend says
What a great opportunity!! http://bit.ly/UUK0RH #GirlMeetsGlass
D. Levin says
This sounds like fun! Looking forward to attending the conference for the first time. Here you go… http://coolclimatewine.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/wine-and-the-football-couch-potato/
Leeann Froese says
Thank you for this opportunity: here’s a new post, but please feel free to review any others. #withTownHall “Going Haywire Organically” http://townhallbrands.com/going-haywire-organically/
Lindsay says
Okay, here goes nothing! I have just finished a trip to France and stopped in Champagne where I visited the winemaker for the Guiborat et Fils ‘Les Caudres’ reviewed in this blog. He was the most passionate Recolant-Manipulant we met on this trip. http://winellama.com/2014/02/16/table-1006-sweethearts-dinner-2014/
WineSnark says
This is like picking a favorite child. Maybe I should go with the first born. http://winesnark.com/change-comes-slowly-to-bordeaux/
CrushedGrapeChronicl says
We did one on the SB Spring Weekend Grand Tasting! Was Just there for Key to Wine Country, can’t wait to get back for #wbc14 our first.
http://crushedgrapechronicles.com/a-really-grand-tasting-at-the-santa-barbara-vintners-spring-weekend/
alinaferguson says
This sounds like something I need!! http://onegirloneglassoneworld.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/fun-in-the-sun-a-rattlesnake-hills-wine-trail-adventure/
BrixChick_Liza says
I need all the help I can get! 🙂
http://www.brixchicks.com/2013/07/wine-wizards-of-istria-or-six-reasons.html
Marisa D'Vari says
Sure, here you go http://awinestory.com/2014/06/cahors-malbec-is-new-world-a-threat.html
SAHMmelier says
I would love some feedback. Thank you for this opportunity.http://sahmmelier.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/a-field-of-dreams/
Deborah Mines says
I would be honored to have my writing reviewed! Thank you in advance for this amazing opportunity. http://www.uncorkedwinetravels.com/shine-on-harvest-moon/
Vino Noire says
Yes this is a gr8 opportunity and it will be very useful…here’s a link to one of my post http://www.vino-noire.com/?p=1376; but feel free to read others on the site.
Joanne DiGeso says
This sounds amazing! Thankyou!! http://sommwine.com
Mary Orlin says
Everyone can use a coach! Thanks for the opportunity. http://www.winefashionista.com/2014/06/09/livermore-stories-darcie-kent-vineyards/
WineSnark says
In for a pound, in for 9,500 pennies. Looking forward to it! http://winesnark.com/the-history-of-wine-&-food-pairing/
Senorita Vino says
Would love to participate! (I posted a link two days ago but it doesn’t look like it worked.) Thanks for the opportunity.http://thelatinkitchen.com/article/rockin-bodega-uruguays-women-winemakers
The Academic Wino says
This sounds like an amazing experience and something in which I am very interested in participating. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Here is the link to the requested post published within the last year: http://www.academicwino.com/2013/07/whos-your-daddy-family-tree-vinifera.html/
randy082054 says
I’m game. Would love to up my game. http://www.thewinewrite.com/2013/10/its-not-you-its-me.html
Carol Hartland says
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! Here’s my link: http://wp.me/p4o5TE-v