The Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship was established in 2023 in honor of Allen Shoup, who believed deeply in collaboration and community, working his entire career to promote Washington wine around the world. Allen played a leading role in developing Washington’s wine industry as the longtime head of the state’s biggest winery, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and later as the owner of his own acclaimed winery, Long Shadows Vintners. Allen served on nearly every major industry board, and was instrumental in founding the Washington State Wine Commission and the Auction of Washington Wines.
To honor Allen’s legacy, the industry created a fellowship for writers and communicators interested in learning more about Washington wine. The goal of the Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship is to grow consumer awareness and the perception of Washington wine by identifying and elevating emerging wine writers and communicators and making these new voices part of a community of lifelong ambassadors.
To accomplish this, the Fellowship will provide an opportunity annually for up to two emerging writers or communicators with a demonstrated interest in Washington wine to give them an individualized, immersive experience in the state. Recipients will subsequently communicate these experiences to others via their preferred medium – written word, audio, video, or a combination thereof. They will also be given opportunity to participate in future events involving Washington wine.
New in 2025, the recipient will earn an article placement with Decanter in either its online or print platforms.
An emerging writer and communicator may be toward the beginning of their career, or a more established writer who is relatively new to wine writing. As part of the criteria, each applicant should:
- Be an excellent writer with proficient communications skills;
- Have some experience publishing articles and, ideally, pitching stories;
- Be interested in Washington wine, with a thirst to learn more.
The itinerary for the Fellowship recipient(s) will be organized by the industry advisory committee and tailored to the recipient’s specific interests. The recipient(s) will receive:
- An article placement with Decanter in either its online or print platforms.
- Roundtrip airfare to Washington State.
- 1-2 trips to Washington over the course of one-year, for a total of up to two weeks, dependent on the recipient’s geographic location and availability. Robust itinerary to include vineyard and winery visits, along with meetings with key growers, vintners, educators, and industry representatives.
- All meals and accommodations.
- Up to 5 cases of assorted Washington wine samples.
- A stipend of $3,000.00
Apply
To apply, each writer must fill out the application along with the following:
- Resume or LinkedIn profile.
- Three published pieces (on any topic, one should be related to wine and/or winegrowing).
- Essay of up to 500 words detailing why the writer is interested in learning about Washington wine.
- Three potential Washington-wine-related story ideas, and proposed outlets for each story.
- Three professional references.
Applications are due February 28, 2025.
2025 Selection Panel:
- National wine writer seat: Karen MacNeil
- PNW-based wine writer seat: Sean Sullivan
- Wine professional at large seat: Clive Pursehouse
- WA Wine industry seat: Jordan Small
- Shoup family representative: Ryan Shoup
2025 Industry Advisory Committee:
- Jamie Peha, Auction of Washington Wines
- Colleen Frei, Washington Winegrowers Association
- Heather Bradshaw, Washington State Wine Commission
- Katie Sims, Shoup family
All applicants will be considered equally. The Washington Wine Industry does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status.
The Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship Selection Panel and Advisory Committee has no control over Decanter’s editorial judgments or edits, and is not involved in any remuneration that may be forthcoming from Decanter.
Donate
Please visit the donation page to contribute to this fellowship. All donors will be acknowledged on the Auction of Washington Wines and the Washington Wine Commission websites, listed in the Auction of Washington Wines Gala catalog and donations are tax deductible.
The Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship is an industry-wide collaboration between the Washington State Wine Commission, Auction of Washington Wines, Washington Winegrowers, Washington Wine Industry Foundation, individuals, wineries and growers. Please email Heather Bradshaw at hbradshaw@washingtonwine.org with any questions.