Wine Writer Fellowship
Wine Writer Fellowship
An immersive residency for writers exploring wine through the lenses of agriculture, hospitality, and sense of place.
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Founded in 2012 by Jean and Steve Case, Early Mountain Vineyards was built on the belief that Virginia can produce wines that stand alongside the finest in the world. Over the past decade, the winery has helped strengthen Virginia's reputation through critically acclaimed wines, focused site and varietal selection, and a commitment to showcasing the region's extraordinary agricultural and culinary abundance.

Aligned with Early Mountain's mission to elevate Virginia wine to the national stage through education, hospitality, and a profound sense of place, the Early Mountain Vineyards Wine Writer Fellowship supports emerging and established writers interested in telling thoughtful stories about wine and the people shaping its future.

Held during harvest at Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison, Virginia, the Fellowship provides rare access to our vineyard and winery operations, here in one of America's most exciting and rapidly evolving wine regions. The selected Fellow will receive a five-day residency, visits to other respected wineries, VIP access to our Taste of Virginia Grand Tasting, and a $5,000 unrestricted fellowship stipend.

Applications Open
June 16, 2026
Application Deadline
July 5, 2026
Fellow Announced
July 15, 2026
Fellowship Dates
September 30–October 4, 2026
Harvest at Early Mountain Vineyards

Fellowship Components

  • September 30–October 4, 2026, residency at Early Mountain Vineyards
  • Hands-on harvest experience alongside winemaker Maya Hood White
  • Visits to some of Virginia’s most respected wineries
  • All lodging provided
  • Round-trip flight from any US destination
  • All meals during scheduled fellowship programming
  • Attendance at “Taste of Virginia” Grand Tasting at Early Mountain on October 4
  • A $5,000 unrestricted stipend intended to support the selected Fellow’s reporting and writing projects following the residency, paid at completion of the Fellowship
Writers exploring Virginia wine country

Who Should Apply

We welcome applications from emerging and established U.S.-based writers, journalists and critics interested in exploring:
  • Wine and viticulture
  • Agriculture and farming
  • Hospitality and culinary culture
  • Tourism and destination storytelling
  • The people, places, and traditions shaping American wine
How to Apply
Applications must be received by July 5, 2026.
For questions regarding the Fellowship, please contact:Charlotte Milan Delbridgecharlotte@cmilancomm.com
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