A collective initiative connecting three American wine regions and six wine professionals through immersive regional experiences.
Field Blends was created to give wine professionals meaningful access to place. Since its founding, the program has brought emerging leaders in beverage and hospitality into vineyards, restaurants, farms, and small businesses across U.S. wine regions–creating experiences that challenge perspective, expand networks, and shift the trajectory of careers.
For its fifth year, Field Blends is doing something a little different.
The wine industry is navigating a moment of contraction and change. Rather than pause the program—or ask a single region to carry the full weight of hosting a five-day immersion—Field Blends: The Collab Year is a creative response rooted in collaboration. This special edition brings together three past Field Blends regions to support immersive visits for six Trip Awardees across the country.
Instead of one long trip in a single region, this year’s awardees will participate in shorter, highly focused immersive experiences led by Field Blends Community Partners in each region. Together, the three regions will demonstrate something the wine industry increasingly needs: a shared commitment to access, education, and collaboration during a pivotal moment.
Field Blends will return to its full single-region immersion model in the future, but this collaborative year reflects the program’s core belief: meaningful access to place should continue, even in challenging moments.
Participating Regions
Field Blends: The Collab Year brings together three regions that have helped shape the program since its earliest days.
Each of these wine communities previously hosted a Field Blends immersion and played an important role in building the program’s reputation for meaningful access, thoughtful hospitality, and honest conversation about the future of American wine.
For this collaborative year, we are proud to return to these regions:
Walla Walla Valley, Washington (June 13-16)
Lodi, California (June 20-23)
Finger Lakes, New York (June 24-27)
Each region will host two awardees for a four-day immersive visit, guided by the region’s Field Blends Community Partner, Maryam + Company, and a network of local leaders who helped shape the original Field Blends programs. This year we are also offering two equity discount tickets per region for anyone that has previously applied or applies for this year’s awards program (applicants will receive more information after applications close).
What awardees can expect
Each region will host two awardees for a four-day immersive visit, guided by the region’s Field Blends Community Partner, Maryam + Company, and a network of local leaders who helped shape the original Field Blends programs.
While each itinerary will reflect the unique character of its region, awardees can expect experiences that may include:
• Vineyard and farm visits and hands-on time with growers and winemakers
• Conversations with regional leaders shaping the future of the industry
• Meals and gatherings that reflect the culture and community of the region
• Educational opportunities about water sources, first peoples, local food systems
Field Blends has always been about more than seeing a place: it’s about understanding the people, challenges, and possibilities that define it.
For The Collab Year, awardees will also participate in a virtual cross-region welcome session, connecting all eight participants and introducing them to Community Partners from each region, creating a shared cohort experience even though each pair will travel to a different destination.
Throughout the experience, awardees will also have opportunities to connect with Field Blends alumni and regional leaders who have helped shape the program over the past five years.
Who Should APply
Field Blends Trip Awards are designed for wine professionals who are actively shaping the culture and future of the beverage industry.
For Field Blends: The Collab Year, applicants must have at least three years of experience working in beverage, hospitality, wine media, or a closely related field.
This shift reflects something we’ve observed over the years: many of the professionals who benefit most from immersive regional access are junior managers, emerging leaders, and independent voices whose titles don’t always align with traditional industry travel opportunities.
You might be:
• A sommelier or beverage director building a thoughtful wine program
• A retail buyer shaping how customers discover new regions
• A wine writer, educator, or media professional telling stories about the industry
• A hospitality leader creating meaningful guest experiences
• A founder, consultant, or event professional building new pathways for wine culture
If you’ve spent three or more years showing up for this industry, we consider that meaningful commitment.
In other words: you don’t need the fanciest title to be a “real one” in our book.
Field Blends Trip Awards are open to applicants across the United States. The program prioritizes individuals from underrepresented communities, including but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color; persons from racially diverse or intersectional communities; persons with disabilities; and persons from LGBTQ+ communities within the wine industry.
Applicants will submit one application and may rank their top two preferred regions. Final placements will be determined by the Field Blends selection committee in collaboration with regional partners. This year we are also offering two equity discount tickets per region for anyone that has previously applied or applies for this year’s awards program (applicants will receive more information after applications close).
Community Partners
Community and connection are at the heart of Field Blends. On these grounds, we collaborate with regional experts who are intimately familiar with our destinations to design purposeful, one-of-a-kind experiences that draw on the best of local hospitality. Our Community Partners help push the dialogue and close the knowledge gap between consumer and maker – an important next step in the evolution of different wine regions.
Fiona’s commitment to innovation, community, and authenticity colors everything she does. As a Community Partner for Field Blends: Walla Walla, Fiona’s mission is to shine a light on the young wine community and showcase the work they’re doing to make the world of wine more equitable and enjoyable for all.
Owner + Winemaker of SMAK Wines
Walla Walla, Washington
With the goal of making wine accessible to everyone, educating through words and events is not something Maiah takes lightly. Her work focuses on broadening the narrative of wine by looking at how history has shaped where we are today. As the Community Partner for Field Blends: Finger Lakes, Maiah aims to spotlight the beauty and whimsy of the region, and share stories of phenomenally talented growers and makers crafting wines there.
Writer, Beverage Education Manager at New York Kitchen
Finger Lakes, New York
Being Community Partner for Field Blends: Michigan was a homecoming for Simonne. After gaining over a decade of experience in wine regions around the world, Simonne brings greater visibility to her home state's best-kept appellations. She believes Michigan wine’s approachability will entice the next generation of wine drinkers while championing diversity beyond vinifera. Simonne’s work centers the experience of fellow 1st generation kids, ensuring that barriers do not mar entry into the wine biz for future generations.
Winemaker, Co-Founder of Natural Action, Founder of Cal Poly BIPOC Scholarship Program
Gerardo Espinosa, project manager at an architectural firm turned winemaker, embodies passion, heritage, and dedication to the Lodi community and broader California wine industry. As Community Partner for Field Blends: Lodi, Gerardo’s collaborative approach and commitment to fostering connection highlights that Lodi isn’t just a place where grapes are grown and wine is made; it’s a community where history, creativity, and heritage come together in every glass.
Co-founder and Winemaker, Lodi Crush; Winemaker, Anaya Vineyards