HEALDSBURG, Calif., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- If you have a way with words — or with images, video or food for that matter — DaVinci wines is looking for you.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110426/CG88329)

The Italian wine brand is searching for writers, culinary aficionados, artists and filmmakers to travel to Vinci, Italy — home to the historic Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci, where DaVinci wines are produced — to gather, bring to life, and share stories of the Tuscan town's dynamic people and place.  Vinci is a small town in the heart of Tuscany made famous by its celebrated son, Leonardo da Vinci. But it's the stories of today's Tuscan wine country that DaVinci wines is interested in.

In July, four selected "DaVinci Storytellers" will spend one week in Vinci and will have unparalleled access to rich history from multiple generations of wine grape growers, dynamic culinary experiences with local chefs and insider access to the area's robust art culture.

DaVinci will send you on the experience and cover the cost of flights, accommodations, meals and activities while in Vinci; each DaVinci Storyteller, in turn, will express their experience in Tuscany using their creative talents. The resulting stories, art or other creations will be shared by the DaVinci Storytellers through their social media networks as well as the DaVinci website and Facebook page, and the media.

"We're looking for people with a real gift for telling stories through a variety of creative expressions, whether they're just learning their craft, working as a professional or pursuing it as a hobby," says Courtney Klipping, Senior Marketing Manager at E&J Gallo Winery.  "They'll spend a week soaking up creative inspiration in Vinci with the goal of creating short stories, essays, paintings, photographs, recipes, videos — you name it — to share with the world and to bring to life the story of DaVinci."

Four DaVinci Storytellers will be chosen, one from each of the following categories:

• Language Arts such as an author, blogger, journalist or poet;
• Culinary Arts such as a chef, recipe developer, or food stylist;
• Visual Arts such as photographer or painter; and
• Documentary such as a videographer or filmmaker

The applicants will be judged in four areas: a personal "pitch" (why they'd make a great DaVinci Storyteller), samples of work, social media influence and summary of experience and endorsements.  A great applicant will not only be talented in their form of creative expression, but also will be creative, inspired and adventurous, passionate about wine and Italian culture and active in sharing their creativity with others via social media.

Now through May 31st applications are being accepted on the DaVinci Facebook page.  To apply and view the official terms and conditions, please visit www.facebook.com/davinciwine.

About DaVinci: Nestled near the Tuscan hillside town of Vinci – historic home of Leonardo da Vinci – Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci brings together 200 passionate local winegrowers, who contribute their finest grapes to an extraordinary collection of authentic Italian wines. Rooted in centuries of winemaking tradition, DaVinci wines embody the rolling hills and majestic vineyards of Tuscany. Learn more at www.davinciwine.com

Italian Table Wine, ©2011 DaVinci USA, Healdsburg, CA.  All rights reserved.

Media contact:
Cristina Dayton/ Fleishman-Hillard
916.492.5331/cristina.dayton@fleishman.com

SOURCE DaVinci