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20 / the tasting panel / december 2014 THE SOMM JOURNAL AND THE TASTING PANEL ANNOUNCE A SCHOLARSHIP TO THE 2015 WINE WRITERS SYMPOSIUM Attention All Wine Writers . . . T he SOMM Journal and its sister trade publication, THE TASTING PANEL, are thrilled to announce an essay contest for a full scholarship to the 2015 Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley, February 17–20. "The SOMM Journal and THE TASTING PANEL are publications that speak to the gatekeepers of the hospitality industry," says Publisher and Editorial Director Meridith May, who serves on the Symposium's faculty. "We are always on the lookout for that writer whose voice is eloquent, entertaining and educational when it comes to imparting informa- tion to the prestigious and sophisticated reader." The winner of The SOMM Journal /TASTING PANEL competition will receive a full scholarship to the 2015 Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, including registration and lodging at Meadowood Napa Valley Resort (does not include transportation to and from the conference), a value of $1,940. Additionally, the winning essay will be published in the January/February issue of THE TASTING PANEL and the February/March issue of The SOMM Journal. Essays should be 750 words or less, focused on a topic of the author's choice within the broader subject of wine, with an extended due date of December 19, 2014. The SOMM Journal and THE TASTING PANEL editors will review submissions and select a winner by January 5, 2015. Now in its second decade, the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers helps wine journalists and critics polish their writing voices while increasing the value of what they write. In 2015 the Symposium will welcome up to 75 working journalists, critics, editors and authors in the fields of wine and wine-related food and travel, to enjoy four days in Napa Valley while improving their writing voices, increasing their brand value as writers and elevating their wine knowledge. Registration is now open and can be accessed at www. WineWritersSymposium.org. "Our goal is to tune participants' writing for their particular publication and audience, and help make connections to get more work and higher pay rates," says Jim Gordon, Symposium Executive Director and Editor of Wines & Vines. "Plus, staying at Meadowood Napa Valley is like going to heaven for a few days, and hearing lectures and tasting wine at the CIA Greystone is like matriculating at Hogwarts, except the food is much better." Speakers at this year's Symposium include former United States Poet Laureate (2001–2003) Billy Collins, who promises to bring a fresh perspective on the creative pro- cess and craft of writing, and celebrated London-based journalist, editor and celebrated author Jancis Robinson. Collins and Robinson will join Meridith May and a stellar cast of Symposium faculty members including Karen MacNeil, S. Irene Virbila, Betsy Andrews, Will Lyons, Dave McIntyre, Louise Kiernan, Evan Goldstein, Blake Edgar and Joe Czerwinski. Founded by Meadowood Napa Valley, Napa Valley Vintners and The Culinary Institute of America, the Symposium is a non-profit event only open to professional editorial writers and editors. The Symposium convenes just after Presidents Day and ends just before Premiere Napa Valley, the annual barrel tasting and auction for the trade, hosted by Napa Valley Vintners. To learn more about the 2015 Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, please visit www.WineWritersSymposium.org. For inquiries about the The SOMM Journal/TASTING PANEL scholarship, please contact Meridith May at mmay@sommjournal.com.