About Us ~ History

Entering its 43rd year, the American Wine Society is the oldest and largest consumer based wine education organization in North America.  Membership is open to the general public and has been established for those who have a keen interest in wines and the wine culture.

The American Wine Society was organized in 1967 as a non-profit, educational, consumer-oriented organization for those interested in learning more about all aspects of wine. On October 7, 1967, a group of some two hundred wine enthusiasts gathered at Dr. Konstantin Frank’s vineyard on Keuka Lake near Hammondsport, NY for the AWS’ initial meeting.

Through a system of a board of directors, an executive director, regional vice presidents, and chapter chairmen, the Society has grown into a nation-wide organization of amateur grape growers, winemakers, and wine appreciators interested in learning more about the history, production, appreciation, and use of wines. The Society has also attracted wine educators and professionals in wine related sciences, as well as the wine trade itself, extending the Society to a much broader membership base than traditional wine clubs.  Through recent years, the addition of members who have an avid interest in wines and the wine culture has made the Society even more valuable in the wine industry.

In 1973, the Society was incorporated in the state of Michigan, and the bylaws legally established the terms of office and the various officers of the Society. This governing body consists of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, two directors-at-large, and an executive director. In the spring of 1974, the first AWS Journal was published, replacing the “Vintage Newsletter” published by the AWS from the spring of 1969 through the winter of 1973.

Today, The AWS Wine Journal has expanded to a magazine format and features authoritative articles on all aspects of wine knowledge,  receiving much acclaim not only from the membership but from academic institutions, and the media as well. The AWS Wine Journal is catalogued by the Library of Congress and is also on file at the US Department of Agriculture and other technical libraries.

The American Wine Society also publishes unique special bulletins and manuals for grape growers, winemakers, and wine appreciators. AWS members receive newsletters and The Wine Journal Magazine at no additional charge, and the manuals and other publications are available at a nominal charge.

Each fall the Society hosts a commercial and amateur wine competition, with  AWS wine judge training graduates serving as the judges.  This esteemed competition is renowned and respected throughout North America.

In November of each year, the Society hosts a three-day narional conference with two full days of educational seminars, nearly 50 to choose from.  Winery owners, pioneers in the various aspects of the wine industry, and renowned wine makers are selected to present sessions during this national event.  Also, a program educating members to become  AWS trained wine judges is conducted on the Thursday preceding the Friday and Saturday seminars.

Conferences are held around the United States in selected locations that are conducive to the needs of the largest consumer based wine education conference in the United States.  The 2010 National Conference is being held Nov. 11 - 13 in Cincinnati, Ohio..