Announcement: The 58th American Wine Society (AWS) National Conference, November 6-8, 2025, Chantilly, Virginia, will include 3 Tastings led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours: (1) The Terroir Expressive Riesling Grape: A Deep Dive (2) Georgia: The Cradle of Wine (3) Pinot Noir: A Comparison of the Top Three Pinot Noir Regions in the World

Pictures:  The 2024 American Wine Society National Conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina/ USA with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

 

The 58th American Wine Society (AWS) National Conference will be held from November 6-8, 2025, in Chantilly, VA. The conference will take place at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles. The event includes a Virginia-focused reception on November 6th, featuring wine, cider, and mead from around Virginia. Attendance is expected to be around 800 wine lovers from all over the USA. 

Last year, the American Wine Society National Conference took place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. See: The 2024 American Wine Society National Conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina/ USA with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

This year, in Chantilly, Virginia, Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, will lead 3 tastings: 

The Terroir Expressive Riesling Grape: A Deep Dive

Georgia: The Cradle of Wine

 

Pinot Noir: A Comparison of the Top Three Pinot Noir Regions in the World

 

In addition, Annette and Christian Schiller will pour a selection of German wines at the Showcase of Wines event.   

The American Wine Society

The American Wine Society was founded 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, around 200 grape growers, home winemakers, and wine lovers gathered at Dr. Konstantin Frank’s vineyard on Keuka Lake near Hammondsport, NY for the AWS’ initial meeting.

In December of the same year, the thirteen charter members, led by Founder Dr. Konstantin Frank, met to determine the organization structure of AWS and elect officers. Now in its 49th year, the American Wine Society is the largest consumer based wine education organization in North America. Membership is open to anyone interested in wine and over 21 years of age.

In the early days, AWS members were located primarily in the eastern part of the country. As the society grew , we established chapters throughout the eastern U.S., then into the south and Midwest, and finally into western states. Today, the American Wine Society has over 5,000 members in 45 states and 120 chapters across the U.S.

Each November the Society hosts a three-day national conference with two full days of nearly 50 educational seminars to choose from. Winery owners, wine educators, and renowned wine makers are selected to present sessions during this national event. In addition, a program educating members to become AWS certified wine judges is conducted on the day preceding the seminars.

Annette Schiller's Sessions

 

Friday 

Session A4 Room: Washingtonian 1 

Title: The Terroir Expressive Riesling Grape: A Deep Dive
Presenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, ombiasy Wine Tours
Description: Germany is a unique wine-producing country situated in the northern most region where it is possible to grow quality wine. “Riesling,” Germany’s native and most-famous grape varietal is adapted perfectly to this cool climate. We will explore 6 Rieslings from 6 different regions ranging from 51° of latitude to 48.5° of latitude and will learn about the very different taste profiles that develop from the different climates and terroir.

 

Session C2 Room: Washingtonian 2
Title: Georgia: The Cradle of Wine
Presenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, ombiasy Wine Tours
Description: Looking back on 8,000 vintages? Yes, the country of Georgia has an uninterrupted tradition of viticulture and winemaking that spans 8,000 years. Until recently, Georgian wine was considered by many outsiders as being “too sweet and too high in alcohol.” That was partially true, because that was the type of wine that the giant state producers made for export to Russia during the days of the Soviet Union. However, even in the days when the country lived behind the Iron Curtain, traditional Georgian wines were quietly produced by winemakers that were uncompromisingly committed to quality. Today, vintners around the globe are rediscovering the originality of the Georgian way of winemaking. We will explore and taste a wide range of Georgian red and white wines, made in both the “traditional qvevri” and the “modern European” methods. Joining Annette for this presentation will be Special Guest Patrick Honnef, the General Manager and Winemaker of Chateau Mukhrani, one of the top wineries in Georgia. 

 

Saturday 

 

Session E2 Room: Grand Dominion 2, 4
Title: Pinot Noir: A Comparison of the Top Three Pinot Noir Regions in the World
Presenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, ombiasy Wine Tours
Description: Pinot Noir is one of the most difficult and temperamental grapes to grow, but the effort is worth it, because this varietal expresses site, climate and vintage better than any other red grape in the world. In this exciting presentation, you’ll learn more about this fantastic wine and have the opportunity to experience and compare wines from the three largest Pinot Noir growing regions in the world. You’ll sample a total of six Pinot Noirs from Burgundy, (# 1 world-wide), Oregon, (#2 world-wide), and Germany, (#3 world-wide). You’ll leave this session with a new-found understanding and appreciation for the character, diversity and charm of Pinot Noir.  

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2024 in Winston-Salem/ North Carolina/ USA

Discovery of the Off-the-Beaten-Path Wine Regions of France - Seminar at the American Wine Society National Conference 2024 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours

Germany’s Perfect Home for Pinot Grapes - Seminar at the American Wine Society National Conference 2024 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2023 in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA

Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Lemberger: A Grape’s Immigration Story From Central Europe To The US West Coast - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

Dive Deep Into Burgundy With Louis Jadot - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Thibaut Marquis, North America Export Manager, Louis Jadot, with Annette Schiller

A Journey Through The Loire Valley - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2022 in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State

The American Wine Society National Conference 2022 in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State - Seen through Christian Schiller`s Camera Lens

The End of the "Grosslage" in Germany - Seminar about the new German Wine Law of 2022 at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, led by Annette Schiller

Towards the Freedom to Make the Right Wine - Seminar at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2021 in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Annette Schiller`s 3 Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2021 in Atlantic City, New Jersey: Sparkling Wines, Austria, Bordeaux

All Sorts of Sparklers: How do the Bubbles get into that Bottle? - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the 2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City

The Wines of Austria - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the  2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City

Good Value Bordeaux Wines: Discover the Petits Châteaux - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the  2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City 

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2018 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in in Buffalo, New York State

The 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

VDP at AWS: Tasting Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, with Annette and Christian Schiller

"Abbey Wines”: The Importance of the Monasteries for the Development of Viticulture - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller

Burgundy Pinot Noir and German Pinot Noir: Differences and Similarities - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA, led by Annette Schiller

A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2017 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania

The 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

Showcase of Wines at the 2017 National Conference of the American Wine Society: Annette and Christian Schiller Present German/ VDP/ Loosen Bros. USA Wines

A Journey through the Vineyards of Alsace - A Tasting Seminar at the National Conference 2017 of the American Wine Society, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

Burgundy: What makes it so Special? - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

German Wines in the 21st Century - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2016 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in California

The 2016 American Wine Society National Conference in California, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the American Wine Society 2016 National Conference in Los Angeles, USA, led by Annette Schiller

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

The Insider’s View of Charles Krug Winery - Peter Mondavi Jr., Co-Proprietor, Charles Krug Winery

Château Climens, Premier Cru Barsac and Savory Dishes…who knew? - Bérénice Lurton, Owner of Château Climens and Tony Lawrence, Global Food & Wine Pairing Specialist