AWS News – June 2026

IN THIS ISSUE

Help choose the organization’s new leaders

This summer you will have the opportunity to select national officers for the Board of Directors. You will also vote on a proposed amendment to the AWS bylaws.

From the desk of the Executive Director

Natalie Dippenaar highlights several initiatives under way at the National Office and offers insight into ongoing and potential new member benefits.

It’s time to lock in your National Conference plans

Act now to reserve your room at our group discount rate, and get ready for registration this month.

Recognize others for their contributions to AWS

The deadline is quickly approaching to nominate someone for Regional Ambassador and Chapter Chair of the Year for 2026, so act now.

More ‘Welcomes’ are ‘Here’ for you

The list of wineries in our member benefit program keeps growing, with 7 new additions.

2026 NTP update: Central Italy is pouring

Chapters showed up for this one with a remarkable response, but tasting is only half the job. Be sure to report your scores.

Update on the AWSEF 2026 scholarship program

With 26 requests for 8 available graduate scholarships, applications are under review. Also, consider your donation for our Silent Auction.

Winemaker’s corner: Tricks and pitfalls of juice to better wine

In his latest column, Kevin Kourofsky discusses the challenges of working directly with juice and his approach to making better wine from it.

Accent on education

Do you know what a vigneron is, or what one does? Hint: It’s wine-related.

Chapter events

As members Marched in to April, they May have been surprised that June was just around the corner. Read what they have been doing recently at various events.

From the desk of the Executive Director

Natalie Dippenaar, AWS Executive Director

Hello,

At the National Office, our latest projects include setting up automated renewal emails to ensure everyone receives timely notifications about expiration, helping the governance committee prepare for the elections, and conference preparation and planning.

One conference item I want to highlight — aside from the amazing hotel, river views, fantastic sunny Florida weather, and great sessions to be curated by Melissa Bartlett and Graydon Vandament — is the keynote presentation this year.

Sponsored by Sip and Savor and co-funded by the European Union (EU), this will bring a selection of wines and salumi from Roero, Italy, for a food-and-wine pairing for all attendees. Even more exciting, the presenter for this session is Dana Beninati from the Food Network and Dine With Dana!

National Tasting Project

As I mentioned in the last issue, the window for ordering wine ran through June 15. But even though the ordering deadline passed, you might still be able to order while supplies last. That said, I was amazed to hear about the unexpectedly high demand. You can read more about this in Dennis Fraley’s NTP article below.

Member benefits

• Riedel trial tasting and discount. Northern Virginia chapter chair Graydon Vandament has been instrumental in building a relationship with Riedel for the AWS. He’s organized a trial chapter tasting hosted by Riedel in which Riedel brings the wine and the glasses, and participants get to keep the set; this encourages Riedel’s participation at the National Conference to do the same. In addition, Graydon is negotiating a discount for all members when they shop directly on Riedel’s website. If you’re interested, reach out to Graydon at awsgraydon@gmail.com for more details. We will add information to the Members Benefits page as soon as it is ready!
• Book offer. Nick Rowan extended the 10% discount on his book, Japanese Wine: History, Regions, Wineries through June, so I can offer it one more time. If you are interested in learning more about the wines and wine regions of Japan, this is a can’t-miss, limited-time opportunity.
• Wine education. The Society of Wine Educators is hosting its first conference since 2022, and our members can join SWE by taking advantage of an AWS-member discount. Check the Society’s website for details regarding the agenda and pricing.

Until next time,
Natalie

It’s time to lock in your National Conference plans

The 2026 Conference Committee is working hard to plan and organize this year’s National Conference in beautiful Jacksonville, Florida. We are excited about this year’s program of events and can’t wait to share them with all of you.

Reserve your room and register

Room reservations are available through the website link Group Booking | Hyatt Events. Enjoy panoramic views of the St. Johns River, the largest event space in Northeast Florida, comfortable guest rooms — and maybe even see a dolphin or two while enjoying the view. Discount room availability is limited so don’t delay!

Full conference registration is scheduled for June 30. When you register, you also will select the conference sessions you want to attend. Session descriptions are now available!

Then, get ready to enjoy

Our Welcome Reception on Thursday and lunch on Friday will be sponsored by our friends at A.G Mac Import Company, and will include wineries from Macedonia, Albania and New Zealand. We were blown away by the wines they shared at the 2025 National Conference and look forward to exploring the offerings of those regions even further.

To get the festivities started, the Welcome Reception will also be a beach party! Dress in your best and brightest beach attire. What better way to kick off a Florida conference than with bright floral shirts and wine?

Diane Meyer, Conference Coordinator

A new sponsor for 2026 is Sip and Savor: pairing wines and deli meats, offering a session for all conference attendees on Friday, October 23, during the second session of the daytime slot. The speaker will be Dana Beninati, MBA, DipWSET, who is an educator, journalist, producer, and resident sommelier for the Food Network. We are honored to be a stop on Sip and Savor’s campaign tour.

Another longtime friend of the AWS, Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery, will be the lunch sponsor on Saturday. Raffaldini is one of the first East Coast wineries to cultivate Italian varietals. We are excited to welcome them back and look forward to tasting what they have been up to.

We are still adding and creating more opportunities to deliver a top-level experience to everyone who attends. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at diane@americanwinesociety.org.

Recognize others for their contributions to AWS

At the National Conference each year, AWS recognizes people who have distinguished themselves as Regional Ambassador or Chapter Chair within our organization. The time to nominate someone for these awards is here, with the July 31 deadline just weeks away.

Regional Ambassador and Chapter Chair of the Year

The AWS each year recognizes within our organization a Regional Ambassador and an Outstanding Chapter Chair. To identify nominees for 2026, focus for each award on someone who:

• Goes above and beyond for your region or chapter.
• Communicates regularly with updates from the National Office and/or the Board and other project leaders.
• Reaches out to check on how you are doing as a chapter or as a member and offers recommendations and resources to help with tastings, membership, growth opportunities, events/activities, etc.
• Is easily approachable and responds in a timely manner with a smile.

If you wish to nominate someone for either Regional Ambassador or Outstanding Chapter Chair (you can submit one name for your Regional Ambassador and a separate one for your Chapter Chair) please enter your nomination at https://americanwinesociety.org/awardnomination.

(Note that these awards are distinct from the Award of Merit and Outstanding Member. This year’s winners for Award of Merit and Outstanding Member already have been selected and will be announced soon.)

More ‘Welcomes’ are ‘Here’ for you

The Welcome Here program added 7 new sign-ups recently, bringing the total to 208 nationwide.

Of those, 4 are in the Monterey, California, area. Many thanks to the Monterey Chapter for spreading the word about the American Wine Society. Also, congratulations to Arnie Schloemann, the regional ambassador for Connecticut, and chair of the AWS Marketing Committee and Hartford (CT) Chapter, for opening his Crush Winery.

The new sign-ups are:

• Lepe Cellars, Carmel Valley, CA
• Chesebro Winery and Cedar Lane Vineyard, Carmel Valley, CA
• Parsonage Winery, Carmel Valley, CA
• Regan Vineyards Winery, Watsonville, CA
• Aspirations Winery, Clearwater, FL
• Crush Winery, Wallingford, CT
• Secret Gardens Winery & Farm, Sebring, FL

For two-way benefits, include a winery visit in your travels

Welcome Here brings benefits to both AWS members and to participating wineries and wine shops. Members get special recognition from the wineries, and the wineries in turn get recognition in AWS social media, emails and on our website. For more information and a complete list of wineries go to https://americanwinesociety.org/aws-welcome/.

Welcome Here is one of the many benefits of AWS membership. When you go to a participating winery, they will know that you are ready to learn about and participate in the love of wine.

With more than 200 winery tasting rooms/wine shops in more than 30 states/commonwealths around the country, you have many opportunities to support the wineries that support the AWS. As you travel around the country make it a point to stop by wineries that have signed up for Welcome Here.

2026 NTP Update: Central Italy is pouring

Dennis Fraley, NTP Coordinator

The response to the 2026 National Tasting Project (NTP) has been remarkable. We have shipped more than twice the wine compared with previous years, which tells us something important: Chapters are showing up for this one. That enthusiasm came with a welcome challenge. Demand outpaced our expectations, and a few of the original vintages were exhausted. Our retail partner, Emily Garrison at Shiraz at Home, worked hard to source the same wines from the same producers in alternate vintages when needed. If your chapter has not yet ordered, be aware that the window closed on June 15, but you might still be able to order while supplies last.

Submit your scores as the final step

For chapters that have already held their tastings, thank you. Now comes the part where we need your help: Please submit your scores by September 15. After all, the NTP is a collaborative tasting by AWS members from multiple chapters to learn about and taste the same wines and compare their scores using the AWS wine evaluation format. Because of this, your feedback matters. The data that you submit strengthens the program, helps us advocate to the wine industry on behalf of AWS, and shapes what we build for future years. Even if it feels like a small thing, reporting your scores is one of the most valuable contributions you can make.

There’s always time to consider NTP

If your chapter did not participate this year, take a few minutes to explore what you missed. The full educational materials for Central Italy are available here. You will find background on the regions, the grapes, food pairings, and cultural context. It is a resource worth bookmarking even if you are not tasting the wines this year. Finally, if this update has you thinking about next year, good. The 2027 NTP is already in early planning, and we would love to see even more chapters join the program. Keep an eye on ntp.americanwinesociety.org for announcements. Thank you for making the NTP what it is.

Update on the AWSEF 2026 scholarship program

Wow! AWSEF Vice President Isabelle Lesschaeve counted 26 requests for 8 available graduate scholarships by the time this year’s application period closed on March 31. As reported in the last issue of the newsletter, this is a record number of applications. It’s a great example of the program’s importance in supporting educational and research activities to help advance the sciences to achieve a world-class North American wine industry. There were an equal number of master’s and doctoral candidates applying. According to our rules, previous candidates can resubmit for additional support.

Keeping members familiar with recipients

New this year will be a session for top-scoring submissions to provide an update at the 2026 AWS National Conference regarding their research. If you’d like a primer on the kind of academic projects we support, you can watch a video here featuring last year’s recipients. The research projects reflect the myriad challenges facing those growing grapes today, and focus on areas so important to the North American wine industry. To date, 25 universities and their graduate students have received more than $600,000 in research grants from the AWSEF.

Getting ready for the AWSEF Silent Auction

A major source of funding for these scholarships is the AWSEF Silent Auction held at the National Conference each year. Please start thinking now about items you might wish to donate to the Silent Auction this year; you can submit anything that is wine-related. Items typically fall into 3 main categories:

• Wine. This can include single or multiple bottles of wine, and magnums or larger formats are always desirable
• Wine accessories and related items. These include wine-themed clothing and jewelry; glassware (glasses and decanters); wine books (typically about winemaking, wine regions, and grape varieties; and things such as wine openers and bottle stoppers.
• Wine experiences. These typically include wine tastings, winery/vineyard tours, and wine dinners.

You can bring the items to the National Conference or mail them to AWSEF. You can find the 2026 donation form on our website.

Winemaker’s corner: Tricks and pitfalls of juice to better wine

Kevin Kourofsky

Many winemakers believe you must work with whole grapes to make good wine. However, Kevin Kourofsky has learned that working directly with juice can fill certain niches in his cellar. In his latest column, he discusses the challenges of working with juice and his approach to making better wine from it. Read more here

Accent on education

A vigneron is the French word for a person who both cultivates grapes in a vineyard and produces wine from them, managing the entire process from vine to bottle. Unlike a vintner, who may only make wine, a vigneron often specializes in artisanal, estate-grown, and terroir-driven wines, often emphasizing sustainable or traditional practices.

Key aspects of a vigneron:

• Role. Both viticulturist (grower) and winemaker, combining field work with cellar management.
• Responsibility. The vigneron handles harvesting, vinification, and bottling, often living amongst the vines.
• Significance. Historically linked to the French rural tradition of working the land, vignerons are key to producing specialized or, in some regions, cooperative wines.

Thanks to the San Luis Obispo (CA) Chapter for creating this feature.

Chapter events

MARCH

The Fleur de Lis (KY) Chapter of Louisville held its latest tasting on March 21, hosted by Jim and Charlie Leason. The theme for this tasting was “Jims Favorite Reds.” Six wines were poured and a blind tasting was conducted. Below are our ratings for the wines, from highest to lowest.

• 2022 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California, $78 (1)
• 2023, Rombauer Zinfadel, Napa, California, $36 (2)
• 2017 Robert Foley Merlot, Napa, California, $62 (3)
• 2020 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello, Montalcino, Italy, $68
• 2023 Belle Glos Clark and Telephone Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, California, $46
• 2022 Zichichi Estate Petite Sirah, Healdsburg, Sonoma, California, $50

The San Luis Obispo (CA) Chapter conducted a bus trip on March 28 with stops at Thibido/Écluse Wineries (Willow Creek District), Oso Libre Winery (Adelaida District), and Boutz Estate Vineyards (Adelaida District). Many thanks to Mike Botwin for organizing another fun and educational outing, as he arranged for the winemakers and/or owners to share their wine-making philosophies, family histories, and how they entered the wine business.

At the shared tasting room of Thibido and Écluse wineries, the tasting room staff poured 3 wines from each winery—a mix of Bordeaux and Rhône varieties—and winemaker Anthony De Luca let us sample wine directly from a tank that was ready for bottling.

At Oso Libre Ranch and Winery, hosted by winemaker and partner Michael Barreto, the tasting menu included both Bordeaux and Rhône varietals. This stop also included lunch.

The final stop was Boutz Estate Vineyards, with tasting at their beautiful hilltop home of owner/operator James Boutzoukas and his son, Manoli. The tasting Bordeaux and Rhône varieties, along with limited quantities of Greek wine grapes  (including Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Vidiano, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, and Liatiko) were a hit with our group.

At the Northern Virginia (NoVA) Chapter in March, Heidi Mullholland, a wine consultant and frequent AWS presenter, shared her knowledge and expertise on the Wines of Herzegovina. Dating back to Roman times, this region is gaining recognition for its unique, local grape varietals, like Blatina, which makes robust reds and Žilavka, which makes crisp whites.

These wines reflect the country’s diverse terroir, and with minimal intervention to preserve their authentic flavors, are beginning to attract more attention among wine lovers for their distinctive character and quality.

The March event wrapped up an exciting first quarter of the year, following a January meeting that featured member Mitch Luxenberg leading an in-depth exploration of the Ribera del Duero region of northern Spain that focused on Verdejo and a variety of Tempranillo’s from the area, and a February event when Steve and Barb Taylor traveled north from the Ocean Isle Beach chapter in North Carolina and did a fascinating presentation on The Lost Wines of Bordeaux.

APRIL

Ann and David Derrick hosted a “white Burgundy” tasting on April 1 for 18 members and guests of the Thomas Jefferson (KY) Chapter, an event complemented by the lush beauty of the Derrick’s natural backyard waterfall.

We started with an introductory sparkling wine of Albert Bichot, Cremant de Bourgogne, Brut Reserve, which hails from the Protegee Region of Burgundy. Then, members compared and contrasted white Burgundy from throughout the region, located about 200 miles southeast of Paris.

The 6 wines tasted all feature the Chardonnay grape, the predominant fruit for white wines the world over.

• 2023 Laurent Pinson Chablis, $41
• 2024 Domaine Sallet Macon Uchizy, $22 (1-tie)
• 2023 Domaine Barraud Pouilly Fuisse, $47 (1-tie)
• 2020 Albert Bichot Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes, $25
• 2023 Cave Hautes Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits, $41
• 2023 Pierre Girardin Eclat de Calcaire, $64 (3)

On April 12, the Monterey (CA) Chapter hosted Lopai Cellars in Pacific Grove, CA. Discovered by chapter board member Bob Kramer and organized by chapter vice chair Sharon Houy, 26 members and guests provided appetizers to amplify this tasting.

Paul Lopez and his son Brian, the “Lopai,” purchased their vineyard in 2019, producing their first wines in 2023. They are located on the picturesque west side of the highly respected Willow Creek District in the Paso Robles AVA, while their tasting room is only a few miles from town.

Their story begins with their ancestors who settled in the San Luis Obispo area in the 1860’s, farming the land before there was the plethora of vineyards we see today. Paul brings a wealth of winemaking experience, having worked with some of the most esteemed labels in Paso Robles. He educated us on the impact of watering on the growth of the roots. While they do some watering, they are learning they need far less of it, preferring to stress the root to dig deeper for nutrients.

• 2023 Rose, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, $35
• 2023 La Lomita Albariño, Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo Coast, $50
• 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, $80
• 2021 Estate Syrah, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, $80 (2)
• 2021 Estate Petite Sirah, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, $80 (1)
• 2021 Nocturnes, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, $80

The City of Palms, Fort Myers (FL) Chapter met on Friday, April 17, at the home of chapter co–chairs Jay and Carolyn Nemia, for a Zoom presentation by guest presenter, Stephen Reustle, winemaker/co-owner of Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards in the Umpqua Valley AVA of Oregon.

The 14 attendees started with appetizers to paired with a 2024 Reustle Viognier Estate Selection as we settled in for Stephen’s presentation and blind tasting titled “Old World versus New World Wine Challenge.” After learning about Oregon’s wine regions, we discussed Austria’s Gruner Veltliner, Burgundy’s Pinot Noir, and Northern Rhone’s Syrah and their counterparts in the Pacific Northwest.

Stephen led us through a 6-wine side-by-side blind tasting. The pairings were:

Pairing 1

• 2023 Alzinger Gruner Veltliner, Wachau Valley, Austria, $80
• 2023 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Gruner Veltliner Estate Selection, Umpqua Valley, $37 (winner)

Pairing 2

• 2023 Reustle Prayer Rock VY Pinot Noir, Umpqua Valley, $49
• 2023 Bachelet-Monnot, Maranges 1er Cru, Pinot Noir, Burgundy France, $69 (winner)

Pairing 3

• 2023 Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyard Winemaker’s Reserve Syrah, Umpqua Valley, $49 (winner)
• 2023 Domaine Vincent Paris, Granit 60, Syrah, Northern Rhone Valley, France, $60

The 50 Shades of Grapes (NJ) Chapter held its April event at La Campagnola in Shamong, New Jersey, as 24 members attended a multi course dinner with Balkan wines from Croatia and Montenegro.

Balkan wines are gaining global attention for their bold character, indigenous grape varieties, and excellent value, blending centuries-old traditions with modern winemaking. Among the region’s standout producers, Plantaže Winery in Montenegro is especially notable, cultivating vineyards in Europe’s largest single vineyard estate.

Our multi-course wine dinner showcased a refined progression of flavors paired with standout food selections from Croatia and Montenegro, highlighting wines from Plantaže Winery. The wines were:

• 2019 Jagunic Three Star Brut from Croatia
• 2024 Plantaže Krstac from Montenegro
• 2024 Plantaže Chardonnay from Montenegro
• 2019 Plantaže Vranac from Montenegro: (1-tie)
• 2023 Frankovic Muskat Luna Blanca from Croatia (1-tie)

The San Diego (CA) Chapter discovered the breadth of Nebbiolo from northern Italy in April. Nebbiolo characteristics include pale garnet color; floral, red fruit, tar, and earthy aromas and tastes; high tannins; high acidity; medium to full body; exceptional aging; and terror-expressive.

We explored the key Nebbiolo growing regions:- Barolo DOCG (Piedmont), Barbaresco DOCG (Piedmont), Northern Piedmont (Alto Piedmont), and Valtellina (Lombardy).

Styles of Nebbiolo – Langhe Nebbiolo (fruitier, fresher, & early drinking), Nebbiolo d’Alba (mid-weight expression & more approachable tannins), and Alphin Nebbiolo (lighter body, high acid, floral, & mineral). The wines were:

• 2024 Mauro Molino Langhe, $25
• 2021 Nino Negri Mazer Valtellina Superiore, $29
• 2018 Boca Vallana, $43
• 2016 Rovelloti Chioso Dei Pomi Ghemme, $50
• 2021 Adriano Sanadaive, $36
• 2019 Arnaldo Rivera Barolo, $36 (1)

The Carroll County (MD) Chapter offers thanks to Dottie and Dale Piper for house hosting Dan Reppe’s AI-enhanced and very entertaining presentation of Rioja wines during its tasting in April.

• 2024 Latitud 42 Rioja Rosado Tempranillo, $14
• 2022 La Tercera Rioja Joven Tempranillo, $10
• 2018 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva Blend, $22 (2)
• 2020 Asua Rioja Reserva Blend, $30
• 2019 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza, $45 (1)
• 2018 Asua Gran Reserva Tempranillo, $40

It was a great tasting presentation by Dan, which included a bottle of 2004 Urbina Gran Reserva Especial Tempranillo from the collection of John Pardoe, which he bought in 2005 for$101. Opened it just in time, in our opinion; it was delicious!

John Hames raided his cellar for the Springfield, (OH) Chapter tasting on April 25. He selected 8 California Cabernet Sauvignons with 9-to-26 years of age and served them blind.

He also gave everyone a list of the wines, the various vintages, and the bottle prices if you wanted to buy them today. The tasters had to match the winery, vintage, and price to each wine. To make it more fun, every correct “guess” earned a point, and the highest point total won a prize.

The undisclosed twist in the tasting was that one of the wines came from a 3-liter bottle; enough wine to fill a 750-ml bottle had been removed for the tasting using a Coravin.

The winner’s prize was the 3-liter bottle with the remaining wine in it.  Votes for favorite Cabernet Sauvignon were all over the map, with Charles Krug edging out Rocca Family Vineyards by one vote.

Wines tasted with prices based on buying them today, not purchase price, were:

• 2013 Rocca Family Vineyards, $74 (2)
• 2017 Galante Vineyards Blackjack Pasture, $125
• 2012 Caymus Vineyards, $212
• 2011 Steven Kent Winery, $50
• 2014 Pellet Estate, $98
• 2013 Charles Krug, $82 (1)
• 2015 Gibbs, $45
• 2010 Estancia, $15

For April, Lehigh Valley (PA) Chapter members were introduced to the wines of Portugal, which is second only to Italy in the number of native grape varietals grown. Hosts Bill and Melissa Yenkevich took on the tasting challenge, with 10 wines featuring approximately 20 different grape varietals from 7 different regions. It also included some wine fermented in stainless and others in oak. – along with a white wine aged on 40% of the skins in an amphora, which brought in aspects of being an orange wine.

The tasting ended with a late-bottled vintage Port and a delicious meal at Casa de Italia Restaurant.

• 2024 Quinta do Perdigao, Encruzado, Dao, $30
• 2022 Quinta do Gradil, Viosinho, Lisboa; $17
• 2024 Herdade do Rocim, Amphora White, Alentejo, $23
• 2023 Carlos Raposo, Touriga National, Dao, $24
• 2009 Luis Pato, Vinha Barrio, Bairrada, $75 (3)
• 2018 Paulo Laureano, Vidigueira, Alentejo, $22 (2)
• 2022 Quinta de Ventozelo, Touriga Franca, Douro, $20 (5)
• 2017 Churchill’s Estates, Touriga National, Douro, $20 (4)
• 2021 Casa Ferreirinha, Red Blend, Douro, $69
• 2020 Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled, Vintage Port, Porto $26 (1)

Also, thanks to Ann Vlot and Matt Green for another delicious BYOB at Zio’s Pizzeria.

The April 19 meeting of the Dry Pond (WA) Chapter was held at the home of Dave and Renee Chesler. Tom and Pam Bilger brought wines from the Columbia River Valley and Walla Walla Valley in Washington state.

Tom and Pam lived in Richland, Washington, for 2 years, and they travel regularly to the area and belong to wine clubs at Fidelitas Winery on Red Mountain and Seven Hills Winery in Walla Walla.

Washington state wine regions are at approximately the same latitude as French wine regions – hence, big bold reds are prominent, although vineyards have had success with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, white Bordeaux blends, and single varietals besides Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, including Malbec, Syrah, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Grenache Noir, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir. Washington boasts more than 1,100 wineries (California has 5,000).

All wines received high scores from various reviewers. The scores were very close!

• 2023 Seven Hills Walla Walla Valley Merlot, $30 (2)
• 2023 L’Ecole Columbia Valley Frenchtown Red Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah and Grenache), $24 (1)
• 2022 Mark Ryan Columbia Valley Monkey Wrench Red Wine (76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot), $35
• 2022 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petit Verdot; $50
• 2022 Fidelitas Wines Quintessence Malbec, $60
• 2021 L’Ecole 41 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $32

The Venice (FL) Vinos Chapter held a tasting on Monday, April 27, at the home of Deb and Mike Watchowski in Venice. The theme was “wines from southern Spain”. Fourteen members enjoyed wine and paired food selections and learned about the area where the wines originate.

• Villi Conchi Brut sparkling, Penedes (starter wine), $18
• 2023 Almodi Terra Alta Petit White blend, Catalunya, $13
• 2024 Parcelica La Rosita Rose, Yecia, $13
• 2018 J. Nacvascues La Pinada Bobal, Valencia, $15
• 2021 La Ventica Ribera Del Jucar Bobal, $14
• 2020 Finca Barcara Taba Monastrell, Jumilla, $16 (best wine, best value)
• 2018 Altavins Terra Alta Domus Pensi red blend, $27

Twenty-nine members of the North Wake (NC) Chapter met on April 26 at the home of Jim and Linda Kropp to taste 6 Italian wines in an event labeled “same grape/different process.”

The first 2 wines — a sparkling followed by a refreshing Soave Classico fermented in steel and aged 60 days — were from the Monte Tondo Winery in Verona. Then came 4 reds, Corvina-forward blends produced by the same winery, La Giaretta Vineyards in Valpolicella. The last three were from the same vintage; one was simply aged in steel, the second was a Ripasso Classico, the third was an Amarone, and the fourth was a dessert wine.

This tasting was an excellent example of how one grape can be used in several ways to produce different wines with different taste profiles—and prices:

• NV Monte Tondo Garganega Frizzante, $22
• 2024 Monte Tondo Soave Classico, $22
• 2022 La Giaretta Volpare Valpolicella, $18
• 2021 La Giaretta Valpolicella Ripasso Classico, $28 (2)
• 2021 La Giaretta Amarone della Valpolicella, $46 (1)
• 2021 La Giaretta Recioto della Valpolicella Classico, $38 (3)

Jim gave an informative presentation explaining the differences in the production of each wine. Jim and Linda also provided delicious and appropriate small plates to pair with the wines.

The April tasting of the San Luis Obispo (CA) Chapter focused on Rhône and derivative wine blends, notably GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre). Our guide and guest speaker for the blind tasting was member Jim Mueller.

The tasting started with a 2023 white Rhône ($58) from Domaine de la Solitude winery, Chateauneuf-du-Pape section of France. Its blend of Grenache Blanc(30%), Clairette (30%), Roussanne (25%), and Bourboulenc (15%) was quite refreshing. The GSM lineup was:

• 2024 Frequency Wine Company GSM (Grenache 50%, Syrah 30%, Mouvedre 20%), Santa Barbara County, $30
• 2022 Domaine la Bouïssiere Red Rhône Wine (Grenache 72%, Syrah 26%, Mouvedre 2%), Gigondas, France, $40
• 2022 Lindquist GSM (Grenache 55%, Syrah 30%, Mouvedre 15%), Central Coast, CA, $38 (2)
• 2023 Margerum “M5” (Grenache 45%, Syrah 32%, Mouvedre 10%, Counoise, 7%, Cinsault, 6%), Santa Barbara County, $32 (3)
• 2023 Sans Liege “The Offering” (Grenache 47%, Syrah 38%, Mouvedre 15%), Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, $30
• 2023 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret ‘Family Grown’ CB, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, $40
• 2023 Cass Winery GSM, Geneseo District, Paso Robles, $26 (1)
• 2023 Tablas Creek Vineyard “Côtes de Tablas“ (Grenache 66%, Syrah 18%, Counoise 8%, Mouvedre 8%), Adelaida District, Paso Robles. $44
• 2020 Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour, France, $27

MAY

On May 1, the Monterey (CA) Chapter conducted its monthly meeting at the Shale Canyon Wines Tasting Room in charming Carmel-By-The-Sea. Organized by board member Janet Torelli, a certified sommelier, we were hosted by Janice Parise of Shale Canyon, who gave 26 members and guests an exceptional overview of Shale Canyon’s history and award winning wines.

Shale Canyon is located in the Arroyo Seco AVA, along the floor of the Salinas Valley, an area known for some of the finest vines in Monterey County. Unlike most of the AVA vineyards, which are deeply stressed by the cold, fog, and wind from the frigid Monterey Bay, Shale Canyon is located in a gorge and is protected from the dramatic climate shifts. This allows it to produce Bordeaux varietals and other big reds not typically grown in Monterey County. It is particularly known for its spectacular, award-winning Cabernet Franc.

• 2015 Shale Canyon Mourvèdre, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey, $30 (2)
• 2019 Shale Canyon Cabernet Franc, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey, $45 (1)
• 2015 Shale Canyon Malbec, Paicines AVA, San Benito, $32
• 2016 Shale Canyon Consortium, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey, $50
• 2015 Shale Canyon Tempranillo, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey, $30
• 2019 Shale Canyon Syrah, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey, $35

Jamie and Kathryn Hendon hosted the May tasting of the Thomas Jefferson (KY) Chapter of the American Wine Society on Sunday, May 3, for 18 attendees (16 members and 2 guests) in their lovely Anchorage, Kentucky, home. The event, themed White and Red Pinot Noirs, offered 6 wines.

• 2022 Planet Oregon Pinot Noir Rose Bubbles Willamette Valley Oregon, $16
• 2023 Amity Vineyards White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $20
• 2023Don Frederic Esmonin Les Genevrieres Pinot Noit, Burgundy, $26
• 2023 Franz Keller vom Loss Pinot Noir, Germany, $35 (3)
• 2023 Patricia Green Cellars Old Vine Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon, $45 (1)
• 2022 Sandhi St. Rita Hills Pinot Noir, Lompoc, California, $47 (2)

Accompanying the wines, the Hendons offered a delicious lunch of grilled chicken breast, Italian sausage, a refreshing bean salad, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

The Southport (NC) Chapter met on Friday, May 8, at the St. James Community Center in Southport. It was hosted by co-chairs Dave and; Vicki Caruso (Co-Chairs). We had 70 members of our Chapter, and 1 guest in attendance.

The theme for the evening was “Wines of South Africa.” John Sporing, founder of A Life Well Drunk, LLC, provided a detailed history of South African wines from the Cape area, defined regions/districts/wards for the attendees, and mapped out the vineyards where their grapes are cultivated. The following wines were tasted and discussed:

• NV Boschendal Brut Rosé
• 2024 Batten Sauvignon Blanc
• 2023 Raats Original Chenin Blanc
• 2022 Kanonkop Estate Pinotage
• 2018 De Toren Edition Z
• 2020 Glenelly Lady May

On May 8, the Dayton (OH) Chapter was treated to a tasting of 4 aged Barolos and 4 aged Brunello di Montalcino wines that John Hames pulled from his cellar. After presenting information about the two regions, John poured the wines for a blind tasting.  Members were challenged to determine which ones were Barolo and which were Brunello, as well as guessing the vintage and deciding which were their favorites.

Unfortunately, one of the wines was corked but the others were in great shape. Wines tasted (in the order poured):

• 2013 Vitanza Brunello di Montalcino
• 2013 Querciola Barolo
• 2007 Capanna Brunello di Montalcino (2)
• 2014 Michael Chiarlo Barolo
• 2006 Ciabot Berton Barolo (1)
• 2007 Scopone Brunello di Montalcino
• 2009 Banfi Brunello di Montalcino
• 2001 Tenimenti Barolo (corked L)

But, we weren’t done yet! Peter Oberbeck then shared a 1971 Prunotto Barolo and a 1975 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino from his cellar, and they were wonderful!  What a great way to let AWS members experience how well these wines can age.

In May, the 50 Shades of Grapes (NJ) Chapter met at Tomasello Winery in Hammonton, New Jersey, for a private toast with ‘Bubbles and Brie’ before dinner and a night of opera.

‘Totally Tenors’ are in their 28th year performing, and these matinee’ afternoon events are a wonderful combination of Tomasello wines, fine food ,and, of course, spectacular opera!

The Venice (FL) Vinos Chapter tasting on Sunday, May 17, at the home of Debbie and Terry Rogers in Venice was themed “wines from Oregon and Washington state.” Debbie cooked a honey-baked ham and provided desert. Another 14 members brought appetizers and other food pairings to share with our wines:

• 2024 Samuel Robert Rose, Willamette Valley, $16 (best value)
• 2024 Cardwell Hill Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $18
• 2024 Dom Loubejac Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $20
• 2021 Vincadia by Charles Smith Pinot Noir, Columbia Valley, $15
• 2019 Gordon Estate Syrah, Columbia Valley, $22
• 2022 Crossfork Creek Cabernet, Yakima Valley, $25
• 2024 Camaraderie Cellars Grace Bordeaux Blend, Columbia Valley, $35 (best wine)

For its May tasting, the San Diego (CA) Chapter traveled metaphorically through northern Spain from the Atlantic Coast to the Mediterranean. The presenters re-lived their private, guided wine tour from September, when they visited 4 wineries, and we explored 4 additional wineries.

Regional stops included Ribera Del Duoro (Pesquera, Carraovejas, Tr3s Manos, Protos), Rioja (Muga, Ramon Bilbao, R.Lopes de Heredia – Tondonia), and Penedes – Cava (Pares Balta, Freixenet and Segura Viudas). They also toured Bilbao and San Sebastian in Basque Country and sampled regional Txakolina wines along with a paella cooking class.

The wines were:

• 2021 Segura Viudas Herded Reserva Cava, Catalunya, $29
• 2024 Ramon Bilbao Early Harvest Verdejo, Rueda, $19
• 2024 Castillo de Maetierra Atlantis Albariño, Rias Baixas, $22
• 2024 Hiruzta Txakoli Rose, (55% Hondarrabi Beltza, 45% Hondarrabi Zuri) Getariako Txakolina, $26
• 2021Muga Reserva Tempranillo, Rioja, $32
• Protos Reserva 5-year Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, $48
• Pasquera Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero Tinto, $31
• Clos Berenguer Clos de Tafall (43% old vine Garnacha, 21% Syrah, 18% Carineña/Carigna), and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon), Priorat, $22

Our favorite wines were the Albariño and the Priorat red blend.

On May 17, 29 North Wake (NC) Chapter members and guests celebrated Oregon Wine Month at the Heritage View Clubhouse in Wake Forest.

We tasted 7 wines presented by Nate Mosser of Winestore Raleigh. Six were from the Willamette Valley, and one (a 2024 Albarino) was from the Columbia Gorge AVA. We tasted four whites and three Pinot Noirs.

One of the more interesting wines was a white Pinot Noir, which we could compare to the traditional red Pinots. Nate provided great information on all the wineries and the specific winemaking notes for each of the wines.

The Oregon wine industry has grown significantly in the last 50 years. In 1970, the state had just 5 wineries, but today it is home to more than 1,000. The 3 main regions are the Willamette Valley AVA, which produces 77% of the state’s wines and 84% of the state’s Pinot Noir; the Columbia Gorge AVA; and the Southern Oregon AVA. Each has several sub-AVAs. Pinot Noir is Oregon’s most widely planted grape, followed by Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.

The wines we tasted were:

• 2024 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Blanc (Chehalem Mountains), $18
• 2023 Willamette Valley Vineyards White Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley), $25
• 2024 Grochau Cellars Albarino (Columbia River Gorge), $22
• 2022 Arterberry Maresh ‘Petite Tan Fruit’ Chardonnay (Dundee Hills), $18
• 2023 Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir (Yamhill-Carlton), $35 (2)
• 2024 Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills), $30 (3)
• 2021 Stoller Family Estate Reserve Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills), $37 (1)

The Triangle (NC) Chapter met on May 17 at the home of Jeff Price and Lisa Tillis in Zebulon, NC, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Judgement of Paris. This blind tasting of 4 Chardonnays and 5 red wines (4 Cabernet Sauvignons and 1 red blend) replicated the wines and wineries represented at the original Judgement of Paris on May 24, 1976.

Members scored the French and American wines based on our AWS scoring criteria. While the French judges in 1976 also used a 20-point scale based on appearance, aroma, taste, etc., their scale was not divided into specific categories.

In 1976, Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay won top honors for the white wines, besting five other California Chardonnays and four Chardonnays from Burgundy. The Stag’s Leap’s 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon SLV won top honors for the red wines, besting five other California wineries and 4 red wines from Bordeaux. This event showed the world that the US was moving past its reputation and could produce wines whose quality could match up against the world’s best.

The 30 AWS members who me blindly judged 9 of the 20 wines (but different vintages) offered in 1976.  It was a fun event for all with many of the members dressing for the period and the tasting table appropriately decorated.  After the scores were collected and tallied, the following results were announced — and Stag’s Leap took the overall win again!

Whites

• 2023 Joseph Drouhin Beaune Clos des Mouches Premier Cru Blanc Chardonay, France, $309 (1)
• 2023 Freemark Abbey Chardonna, America, $35 (2)
• 2024 Puligny-Montrachel Premier Cru Pucelles White Burgundy, France, $349 (3)
• 2022 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, America, $72

Reds

• 2022 Stag’s Leap SLV Cabernet Sauvignon, American, $250 (1)
• 2021 Grand Vin de leoville du Marquis de Las Cases, France, $300 (2)
• 2022 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon, America, $56 (3)
• 2020 Chateau Haut-Brion Premier Grand Cru Classe,’ France, $549
• 2021 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, France, $720

The City of Palms, Fort Myers (FL) Chapter met on Thursday, May 28, at the home of chapter co-chairs Jay and Carolyn Nemia, to participate in the 2026 AWS NTP: Central Italy.

Twelve members blind-tasted two white and four red wines representative of Tuscany and Umbria, two of the five regions in our Central Italy NTP. We used the prepared presentation, tasted wines from the official wine list, scored and discussed the wines, and enjoyed the tasting immensely. Before and after the official tasting, we dined foods typical of Tuscany and Umbria — all prepared in our home kitchens.

We also enjoyed the company of two guests, Jack and Cindy Sproehnle from the Venice Vinos (FL) Chapter. Jack is our West Florida regional ambassador as well as Venice Vinos Chapter chair.

The Lake Hickory Wine Society (NC) Chapter at its May meeting tasted wines from the country of Georgia.

Restaurant owner John Duke and chapter member Ray Mata toured the country along with representatives of World’s Finest Wines. John’s mission was to bring wines to Hickory that are unique offerings. And that he did!

Georgia, a country at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia located on the Black Sea coast, shares borders wtih Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. It is considered the “birthplace of wine” with a tradition of making wines dating back 8,000 years. It is especially know for using kvevri (clay vessels). It has more than 500 indigenous grape varieties — its signature grapes are Rkatsiteli and Saperavi, which are grown domestically in North Carolina and the Finger Lakes region of New York — and is famous for its dry amber (orange) wines.

With 64 people in attendance, we were served a very special Georgian wine dinner. Wines enjoyed with chef prepared traditional foods were:

• Marani Rose Brut and Marani Saperavi Rose
• Marani Gemieri white wine
• Dewino Goruli Mtsvane (dry white wine) -Katmis Mkhali
• 2019 Binekhi Kindzmarakuli (bold red)
• Vaziani Saperavi-Cabernet (red blend)
• 2013 Satrapezo Icewine

Reyna Jonas of Cutruzzola Vineyards in Cambria, California, was the guest speaker for the San Luis Obispo (CA) Chapter in May.

Before the tasting, attendees sampled a Cutruzzola Vineyards 2023 ‘Gloria’ Pinot Noir that was donated by Reyna. Cutruzzola vineyard (Koo-troot-ZOL-a) is in the hills above Cambria. The estate vineyard, named Riven Rock, was planted in 2001. It contains seven acres of vines populating south-facing slopes in a cool climate frequented by ocean breezes and morning fog. Lean, rocky, marine-origin soils and steep hillsides produce very small yields of extremely concentrated fruit, while the maritime influence keeps the acids fresh and vibrant. Riven Rock Vineyard has been dry farmed since 2012 and organic since 2022. The winery produces 500 to 700 cases annually.

The tasting, organized by chapter member Bob Simoni, was grouped into 3 flights, with 3 wineries representing each of the 3 Central Coast areas:

Flight 1: Santa Lucia Highlands

• 2021 Belle Glos Las Alturas, Santa Lucia Highlands, $50
• 2021 CRŪ Winery, Monterey County, $33
• 2022 Hahn S*L*H, Santa Lucia Highlands, $25 (2)

Flight 2: San Luis Obispo Coastal

• 2023 Talley Vineyards Estate, Arroyo Grande Valley, $46
• 2021 Cutruzzola Vineyards Estate Giacomino Reserve, Cambria, $62
• 2022 Wolff Vineyards Dijon Clones Estate, Edna Valley, $42 (3)

Flight 3: Santa Barbara County

• 2021 Hitching Post Cork Dancer, Santa Barbara County, $30 (1)
• 2022 Sanford Estate, Santa Rita Hills, $47
• 2020 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone, Santa Maria Valley, $60

For May, 38 members and guests of Lehigh Valley (PA) Chapter participated in a blind tasting comparing wines from Sonoma Valley and Columbia Valley. After a rosé ice breaker from each region, participants comparatively tasted in pairs and were challenged to identify the region each wine was from and which wine they preferred.

In general, wines from Sonoma are considered to be softer and fruit driven, with wines from the Walla Walla and Red Mountain regions considered to be more structured with firmer tannins. It was more challenging to identify the red wine regions. Below are the wines:

• 2023 Hartford Court, Chardonnay, Sonoma, $27
• 2023 L’Ecole, Chardonnay, Columbia, $25
• 2023 Goldschmidt, Merlot, Sonoma, $27 (5)
• 2022 Kiona, Merlot, Columbia, $26
• 2021 Dunham Cellars, Red Blend, Columbia, $22
• 2022 Blue Rock Baby Blue, Red Blend, Sonoma, $29 (4)
• 2021 Alexander Nicole Jet Black, Syrah, Columbia, $18 (3)
• 2017 Churchill’s Estates, Syrah, $35
• 2022 Kiona, Cab Sauv, Columbia, $30 (1)
• 2021 Cross Barn Hobbs, Cab Sauv, Sonoma, $37 (2)

Thanks Kathy and Mark Breloff, and Michele and Kevin Campbell, for hosting this wonderfully challenging event at Delizioso Italian Grill. Also, thanks to Ann Vlot & Matt Green for another delicious BYOB at Biaggio Pizzeria.

JUNE

The June 3 meeting for the Shallotte (NC) Chapter was “Little Known Spanish Wine,” with 15 members and 3 guests attending.

The wines were from the Castilla y Leon administrative region. The Toro and Rueda DO’s share a harsh, continental climate in Spain’s Castile and León region. Marked by hot summers (over 110 degrees F), freezing winters (10 degrees F), and very little rainfall (15 inches). Toro is slightly hotter and drier, producing bold reds, while Rueda’s cooler nights preserve the crisp acidity needed for white wines.

The Verdejo and Tinta de Toro grapes grow in Phylloxera-free vineyards in Castilla y Leon along the Douro River.

The Verdejo grape has been around since the Roman times, and was known as Dorado until the 20th century. It is one of Spain’s fastest growing white-grape varieties.

The red wine, Tinto de Toro, grows on 150-year old vines. Its origin dates to the second century B.C. This was also the wine that Christopher Columbus brought to America on his first voyage.

As of 2019, there were 13,942 acres of registered vineyards. Around 130 acres of these are old-bush vines of at least 50 years. White grapes account for only 865 acres. There are currently 63 registered wineries operating in the Toro DO.

The wines tasted were:

• 2019 Terra d’Uro Seleccion, $30
• 2020 Vatan, $40
• 2023 La Enfermera, $12
• 2021 Triton, $24
• 2022 Pallas, $17
• 2023 Nisia Verdejo, $18

On 5 June, 26 members and guests of the Monterey (CA) Chapter visited of Parsonage Winery in Carmel Valley, CA. Organized by chapter chair Sharon Houy, we were greeted by winemaker and son-in-law Frank Melicia and tasting room manager Summer Emmons.

The winery served a welcome pour of rosé wine, followed by a delicious Chardonnay before moving on to its voluptuous reds. They offered us a generous 20% discount. All of the wines in this tasting came from Monterey County.

Frank shared this family’s history with the winery, which was founded by Bill Parsons, his wife, Mary Ellen, and their 3 daughters in 1998. They planted 7 acres of grapevines —including Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot — just outside of Carmel Valley Village. They were the first to plant Syrah in Carmel Valley. At the time they planted, they were told that they wouldn’t be able to grow Cabernet Sauvignon there – that it would only grow in nearby Cachagua, but Parsonage has proved them wrong.

• 2024 Parsonage Rosé of Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, $30
• 2023 Parsonage “Wood” Reserve Chardonnay, Carmel Valley AVA, $52
• 2022 Parsonage Grenache-Syrah, Monterey County, $35
• 2022 Parsonage “Wildcard” Red Wine, Monterey County, $34
• 2023 Parsonage “The Sisters” Red Wine, Monterey County, $38
• 2021Parsonage Syrah, Monterey County, $42
• 2019 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, $30