Carl Willner, Christian Schiller and Ken Bensley of the German Wine Society/ Washington DC Chapter (Re-)elected to the National Board, USA, Germany

Pictures: The New National Board of the German Wine Society -  Beth Sheligo (President) and Carl Willner (First Vice President and Secretary), Jason Wilson (Web Master), Christian Schiller (with Annette Schiller). Not in the Pictures: Barry Boothe (Second Vice President) and Ken Belsley (Treasurer)

The German Wine Society in the USA was founded in 1977 when 83 graduates of the German Wine Academy were formally inducted in a ceremony at the German Embassy in Washington, DC. Those residing in the Baltimore/Washington area were the nucleus of the Ambassador Chapter, chartered on February 24, 1979 at its Inaugural Tasting. (The Ambassador Chapter evolved into the Capital Chapter in Washington DC, a few year later.) A special tasting and induction was held in Houston in 1978, proving national interest.

The Society functions as an association of autonomous local chapters, which are self-supporting and conduct meetings in accordance with the wishes of their memberships within the parameters of the National By-laws. Membership in the National society is a prerequisite for membership in a chapter. Members at large reside in cities where there is no local chapter.

The affairs of the National organization are managed by a Board of Directors, Officers and an Executive Committee, representing all areas where there are Chapters.

The 45th Anniversary Celebration of the German Wine Society took place at the German Embassy in Washington DC on October 7, 2022, organized by the German Wine Society/ Washington DC Chapter. 

See for more information her: 45th Anniversary of the German Wine Society at the German Embassy in Washington DC, October 7, 2022, Germany/ USA

At this occasion, a new National Board was elected. 

Three longtime directors, Executive Chair George Marling, Secretary/Treasurer Hanne Caraher, and Alice Fitz, have stepped down, and have been replaced with three new directors, Christian Schiller (Vice Chair of the Capital Chapter), Ken Belsley (Treasurer of the Capital Chapter), and wine writer Jason Wilson of the Delaware Valley Chapter, so that the National Board remains at full strength. 

The three remaining directors from the prior board, Beth Sheligo, Barry Boothe of the San Francisco Chapter and Carl Willner, were all re-elected as well.  

The National Board subsequently met on Zoom to choose officers on October 9, and reelected Beth Sheligo as National President, Carl Willner as 1st Vice President, and Barry Boothe as 2nd Vice President, while also selecting Ken Belsley as Treasurer and Carl Willner as Secretary to replace Hanne Caraher in her two roles.  

Jason Wilson agreed to take on the webmaster role and work to restore and update the National website, together with Carl Willner and Ken Belsley on a website committee.  

George Marling was awarded the honorary title of Emeritus Chair to enable him to have a continuing role in the Society at the National level, even though he is no longer an elected member of the Board.

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

45th Anniversary of the German Wine Society at the German Embassy in Washington DC, October 7, 2022, Germany/ USA 

The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference December 2021

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

German Wine Society Capital Chapter Membership Meeting 2022: Carl Willner Re-elected President and Christian Schiller Re-elected Vice-president, USA/ Germany Washington DC Downtown, USA/ Germany

Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia

Ho, Ho, Ho - German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Christmas Party at the Cosmos Club in Washington DC Downtown, USA/ Germany

The German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Presented: 2019 German Vintage Tasting with Phil Bernstein of MacArthur Beverages, Washington DC, USA

Tasting at Weingut Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe. with Anne Dönnhoff - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling 

Tasting at Weingut Jos. Jos. Prüm in Bernkastel-Wehlen, Mosel, with Amei Prüm - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling 

The New Classification of German Wines: The VDP Classification - Annette Schiller Conducting a Seminar at the 2016 National Convention of the American Wine Society in Los Angeles, USA

Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29  

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List