Media Moment – Emily Cappiello

August 4, 2026

Thanks for being our guest this month! Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your role?

I’m a freelance journalist, publicist and founder of Emily Jane Communications, where I specialize in food, wine, travel and housewares. On any given day, I might be pitching a new kitchen product, interviewing a winemaker in Europe, writing a feature for Travel + Leisure, or helping a client find the story behind their brand. I love connecting people with ideas, whether that’s introducing readers to an incredible bottle of wine or helping a company tell its story in a way that resonates.

How long have you been writing/reporting and what led you to this field? 

Almost 20 years as a journalist, if you can believe it! Wild to me! As a kid, I was constantly reading—everything from novels to the local newspaper, which I’d read cover to cover as a teenager. I was always writing, too, whether it was short stories, poems or whatever idea popped into my head. I eventually realized that while I loved creative writing, I was even more fascinated by real people and real experiences. Journalism felt like the perfect marriage of creativity and curiosity. It gives me the framework to ask questions, uncover details and shape them into stories that help readers understand a place, a person or an idea in a new way.

What topics or stories are you most excited to report on for your audiences?

More than anything, I love telling stories that make readers feel like they’re right there with me. Whether I’m writing about a tucked-away wine region, a remarkable hotel, a family recipe or a destination halfway around the world, my goal is always the same: to create a sense of place and discovery. If someone finishes one of my stories feeling inspired, then I’ve done my job.

What is one of the most memorable stories you’ve written so far?

One of the most meaningful stories I’ve written was a feature for Travel + Leisure about travel groups created specifically for young widows. It combined reporting with a small piece of my own story, but the heart of the article belonged to the women who generously shared how travel helped them rediscover confidence, friendship and a sense of self after loss. It reminded me that some of the best stories aren’t just informative—they create connection. Knowing that readers, especially those in the young widow community, felt understood after reading it is something I’ll always carry with me.

Tell us – we promise not to hold it against you – what is your biggest PR pet peeve?

As someone who works on both sides of the journalist/PR relationship, I have a few. First, please don’t email me asking, “What are you working on?” If you’ve looked at my MuckRack, you know what I cover. Second, once I’ve told you a story isn’t the right fit or I simply don’t have the bandwidth, trust that answer. I try to be transparent because I respect your time, so a dozen follow-up emails usually won’t change the outcome. And finally, please don’t ask me when a story is publishing—I genuinely don’t know. Journalists work on editorial timelines, not publication schedules, and we’re often just as surprised as everyone else when a story goes live.

What is one thing most people might be surprised to learn about you?

I was actually on the pre-dental track in college and fully intended to become a dentist—following in my grandpa and dad’s footsteps—before realizing halfway through that my heart was in writing instead. I feel like, in the end, I got the better end of the deal! I can’t imagine spending my days in an office looking at teeth anymore.

What are your favorite local (to you or here in the Hudson Valley) hotspots that all locals and visitors alike ought to check out?

Woodstock and Beacon are probably my two favorites because they strike the perfect balance between great food, shopping and a slower pace. In Woodstock, I never skip a meal at Sylvia’s, cocktails at Small Talk are a must, and Good Night is next on my list. In Beacon, I love grabbing a drink at Wonderbar, dinner at Melzingah Tap House or The Roundhouse, and wandering Main Street’s shops.

I’m also a huge fan of the region’s wineries, especially Milea Estate Vineyard, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery and Hudson-Chatham Winery. For a cozy dinner, Canoe Hill in Millbrook never disappoints, and if you’re looking for the perfect nightcap, The Bar at The Maker Hotel in Hudson is hard to beat. I also never miss Cafe Mutton, browsing the vintage shops in Kingston, or making my own candle at Poured Candle Bar. I’ve heard incredible things about Kinderhook’s growing food scene, so that’s next on my list—I love having an excuse to discover somewhere new.

 After a long day or week, how do you unwind and relax?

You’ll usually find me with my two huskies, Maya and Spruce, planning my next girls adventure, hosting my family for dinner or card games or convincing my partner we have to go on a new trip. I also love cooking at home, taking a SoulCycle class to clear my head, or getting outside—whether that’s a walk on the beach or just spending time in my garden. I also love a good Elin Hilderbrand book and reality TV show.