Monday, November 2, 2026

Sunday Greetings (November 1, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: Record-early Harvest in 2026 and 4 ombiasy Wine Tours in 2027








Dear wine friends,
 
I apologize for having been quiet for the last couple of months. 
 
In September I travelled with a fantastic group of wine enthusiasts to the Alto Adige - Trentino wine region in Northern Italy. This region is spectacular: stunning wines, great food, breathtakingly beautiful mountain scenery, a glimpse of the mighty Dolomite landscape and a unique bi-cultural area where Germanic and Italian traditions meet.
 
I also had several speaking engagements showing off great wines from Europe including seminars at the German Embassy in Washington DC, the French Embassy in Washington DC, and two seminars at the 59th National Conference of the American Wine Society (AWS) in Jacksonville, Florida.
 
Now, arriving in autumn, things quiet down, and a cozier atmosphere gradually takes hold here. The first wines from the new vintage 2026 have arrived in the cellars of the European wine makers after a roller coaster of an unusual growing and harvest season:

The summer: heat came early and stayed, drought followed
 
The defining feature was an early, intense heatwave. The heat arrived well before the critical ripening window, compressing a growing season that decades of warming had already shortened. The south of France took the worst early damage. In the Gard, Pyrénées-Orientales and Hérault, the consequences were described as catastrophic, with grapes scorched and leaves dried out within hours. Across the continent, heat and drought pushed grapes toward ripeness at extraordinary speed. The traditional gap between flowering and harvest, roughly 100 days two generations ago and closer to 90 more recently, fell toward just 80 days in 2026. In Germany the Rhein river showed record low water levels and boat traffic came to a halt.

The harvest: record-early picking
 
The year 2026 brought record early harvests across France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. In France, the first grapes were picked on July 15th, and Burgundy started around August 8th. Germany announced on August 28th that its main harvest had begun earlier than ever recorded across all 13 wine-growing regions, while parts of Switzerland were already picking in mid-August. In Italy, the harvest started up to 20 days early. 

What is means for the quality of the wines  
            
The common thread is low volume and high concentration. The main risk is that heat hikes up sugar build-up while reducing manic acid, which could lead to higher alcohol levels and wines with softer acidity. The winners here are cooler sites, older vines, and soils that hold moisture.
 

Mark your calendars for the wine tours in 2027. The tours are described on my website and the registrations are open: https://ombiasypr.com/

    Three Country Tour: Southern Germany, Switzerland, Alsace
Thursday, June 3 - Sunday, June 13, 2027   /   11 days – 10 nights
    Rhône Valley Tour: Northern Rhône, Southern Rhône, Provence
Sunday, June 20 – Thursday, July 01, 2027   /  12 days – 11nights
          Bordeaux Tour: Left Bank, Right Bank, Graves, Sauterne
Tuesday, August 31 – Thursday, September 08    /    10 days – 9 nights
  Alto-Adige Tour: Alto Adige, Trentino
Sunday, September 19 – Sunday September 26    /    08 days – 7 nights

 

Best regards
Annette

WINE EDUCATION ///  WINE TOURS
Annette Schiller, Diplom-Volkswirt
Professional Member and Wine Educator 
American Wine Society AWS
German Wine Society, DC, Board Member
ombiasy PR, LLC
Washington DC - Frankfurt am Main
T: +1 (703) 459.7513
T: + 49  177.337.0281
aschiller@ombiasypr.com
web: ombiasypr.com
blog: schiller-wine.blogspot.com    
 
Previous Sunday Greetings from Annette
 

Sunday Greetings (November 1, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: Record-early Harvest in 2026 and 4 ombiasy Wine Tours in 2027 Sunday Greetings (July 26, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: Climate Change, Extreme Weather, Hail in the Pfalz/ Germany and Weingut Juelg in Schweigen-Rechtenbach (July 26, 2026)  
Sunday Greetings (July 12, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: The Extremely Steep and Rocky Mittelrhein and Mosel Valley Vineyards and Upcoming Wine Tour through Alto Adige, Trentino and a Day in the Veneto Region to Taste Great Amarone Wines (September 06 - September 13)  
Sunday Greetings (June 28, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: Upcoming Wine Tour through Alto Adige, Trentino and a Day in the Veneto Region to Taste Great Amarone Wines (September 06 - September 13) 
Sunday Greetings (May 25, 2026) from Annette Schiller, ombiasy Wine Education and Wine Travel: Great Cool-climate wines from Trentino-Alto Adige (Italy) 
Sunday Greetings (March 22, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: Bordeaux, Michel Rolland, Dany Rolland, Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol  
Sunday Greetings (March 8, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: Greetings from Germany - Visit to Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau  
Sunday Greetings (March 1, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: Bordeaux Meets Riesling in Hattenheim, Rheingau, Germany  
Sunday Greetings (Feb. 22, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: I am talking about Tuscany (June 8 -18, 2026)!  
Sunday Greetings (Feb. 2, 2026) from ombiasy WineTours/ Annette Schiller - Focus Today: Germany Classic: 12 days, 11 nights - Sunday, June 28 - Thursday, July 09, 2026

German Wines from the VDP.Rheingau: Annette and Christian Schiller Pour Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines Tasting of the American Wine Society National Conference 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida








The 59th American Wine Society (AWS) National Conference was held from October 22-24, 202, at the 
Hyatt Regency Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida. Attendance was at around 350 wine lovers from all over the USA. 

Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy WineTours and member of the American Wine Society, led 2 wine tastings at the 2026 National Conference of the American Wine Society: (1) Bordeaux: Iconic Wines and Beyond and (2) Alpine Wines: Vine Growing on the Margins.

In addition, Annette and Christian Schiller poured a selection of German wines - all from the Rheingau and donated by the VDP. Rheingau - at the Showcase of Wines event during the second evening. 
 
Last year, the American Wine Society National Conference took place in Chantilly, Virginia, see: The 2025 American Wine Society National Conference in Chantilly/ Virginia/ USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

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.

The 59th American Wine Society National Conference in Jacksonville, Florida

Each November (or late October this year) 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.

Thursday and Friday were the days of wine judging. There were full-day courses for those who want to become a certified AWS Wine Judge. This is a 3-year program. Also, the Amateur and Commercial Wine Competitions took place on Thursday and earlier in the week.

Saturday and Sunday was filled with about 50 wine seminars, led by winery owners, wine educators, and renowned winemakers. The breakfasts, lunches, dinners and after-dinner gatherings provided ample opportunities to network with other AWS members.

Postings on schiller-wine 

This is the second in a series of postings related to the American Wine Society National Conference 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida: 

The 2026 American Wine Society National Conference in Jacksonville/ Florida/ USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

Bordeaux: Iconic Wines and Beyond - Seminar at the American Wine Society National Conference 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours 

Alpine Wines: Vine Growing on the Margins -  - Seminar at the American Wine Society National Conference 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours 

German Wines from the VDP.Rheingau: Annette and Christian Schiller Pour Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines Tasting of the American Wine Society National Conference 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida

Late-night Tasting of High-end and Older French and Californian Wines, with about 20 Wines Friends, Including 2 Winemakers - Joel Peterson, the Godfather of Zinfandel, and Chris Pearmund, Pearmund Cellars, Virginia - at the American Wine Society National Conference 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida: Part I (Thursday Evening) 

Late-night Tasting of High-end and Older French and Californian Wines, with about 20 Wines Friends, Including 2 Winemakers - Joel Peterson, the Godfather of Zinfandel, and Chris Pearmund, Pearmund Cellars, Virginia - at the American Wine Society National Conference 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida: Part II (Friday Evening)

The Joy of Wine - Celebrating Wine with Wine Friends: The Great Banquet  at the American Wine Society National Conference 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida 

German Wines from the VDP.Rheingau: Annette and Christian Schiller Pour Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines Tasting of the American Wine Society National Conference 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida 

The Table 





The Wines



The President of the AWS at the Table





Pouring and Tasting 







The 2026 American Wine Society National Conference in Jacksonville/ Florida/ USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

















Annette Schiller's Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2025  in in Chantilly, Virginia and other Related Postings on schiller-wine 

The 2025 American Wine Society National Conference in Chantilly/ Virginia/ USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

German Wines from Rheinland Pfalz - Mosel, Rheinhessen, Nahe, Pfalz: Annette and Christian Schiller Pour Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2025 American Wine Society National Conference in Chantilly, Virginia

The Terroir Expressive Riesling Grape: A Deep Dive - Seminar at the American Wine Society National Conference 2025 in Chantilly, Virginia, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours 

Georgia: The Cradle of Wine - Seminar at the American Wine Society National Conference 2025 in Chantilly, Virginia, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours and Patrick Honnef, CEO and Winemaker, Château Mukhrani, Georgia 
 
Pinot Noir: A Comparison of the Top Three Pinot Noir Regions in the World - Seminar at the American Wine Society National Conference 2025 in Chantilly, Virginia, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours 

Late-night Tasting of older French and Californian Wines, with about 20 Wine Friends, including 3 Winemakers - Joel Peterson, the Godfather of Zinfandel, Chris Pearmund, Pearmund Cellars, Virginia and Patrick Honnef, Château Mukhrani, Georgia - at the American Wine Society National Conference 2025 in Chantilly, Virginia

The Joy of Wine - Celebrating Wine with Wine Friends: The Grand Banquet at the American Wine Society National Conference 2025 in Chantilly, Virginia 

Winemaker Patrick Honnef, Château Mukhrani, Georgia (and previously Château d'Aiguilhe, Bordeaux), Shows his Wines (Current and Previous) at the American Wine Society National Conference 2025 in Chantilly 
 
Winemaker Michael Shaps, Virginia/ USA and Bourgogne/ France, Honored with 2025 American Wine Society Award of Merit at the American Wine Society National Conference 2025 in Chantilly, Virginia

Post-Conference Dinner with Patrick Honnef, CEO and Winemaker, Château Mukhrani, Georgia at our Home in McLean Virginia - American Wine Society National Conference 2025 in Chantilly, Virginia

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

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Manincor, a Biodynamic Pioneer and Flagship Winery of the Region, with Owner Count Michael Goess Enzenberg - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours












Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller, took place from Sunday, September 06 - Sunday, September 13, 2026.   
 
Being the northernmost wine region of Italy, Alto Adige is a very special place where Italian and German traditions merge. It is a fascinating and unique region in the Alpes. It boasts of an extraordinary variety of landscapes: snow-capped mountains in the Dolomites, fertile valleys, streams, century-old breathtakingly beautiful towns true to their hybrid Germanic-Italian culture. 
 
During this tour we did not change hotels. We stayed 7 nights at the famous, beautiful 5-star Art-Nouveau style Parkhotel Laurin in Bozen.
 
See:
 
Day 6 - Manincor, Dolomites, Kellerei Kurtatsch, Toma Weinbar
 
(1) Manincor. Cellar tour and tasting. The winery is highly regarded as a biodynamic pioneer of the region. One of the 3, 4 flagship wineries of Alto Adige. We had the pleasure of meeting Count Michael Goess Enzenberg, who recently has handed over the management of the estate to his son Kassian, who we had met at Ama in Washington DC earlier this year. 
 
(2) Lunch at Alpin Hut Oberholz up in the Dolomites 6300 feet above sea level. The view was breathtaking. We went up and down by chairlift. 
 
(3) Kellerei Kurtatsch Cantina Produttori Cortaccia . Founded in 1900, the Cantina Kurtatsch has evolved in a premier cooperative. The view there of the Adige valley is spectacular. 
 
(4) Toma Weinbar by Lisa, our to-go wine bar in Bozen, with Katharina Schiller and Cornelia Schiller Tremann
 
Manincor 
 
Manincor stands on the shores of Kalterer See / Lake Caldaro in South Tyrol's southern Überetsch district, its historic buildings dating to 1608, when Hieronymus Manincor received the estate from the Habsburg emperor for services to Austria. The name, from the Latin "man in cor," or "hand on heart," still appears in the family's coat of arms. Through marriage the property passed to the Counts of Enzenberg in the seventeenth century, and since 1991 it has been run by Count Michael Goëss-Enzenberg, a trained oenologist who took the estate from selling grapes to a local cooperative to bottling its own wine. 
 
Today his son Count Kassian Goëss-Enzensberg joined the business and travels the world to help promoting the Manincor wines. Between 2001 and 2004 Goëss-Enzenberg built a three-story, gravity-flow cellar almost entirely underground beneath the vineyards, its roof planted over to preserve the landscape above, and from 2005 to 2009 he converted all 125 acres of estate vineyards to organic and then biodynamic viticulture, work that includes composting, cover- crop sowing, and grazing chickens and sheep among the vines. Since 2009 the full range has carried Demeter biodynamic certification, making Manincor, alongside neighboring Alois Lageder, one of the two pioneering biodynamic estates of Alto Adige. 
 
The vineyards, spread across warm porphyry soils near Terlan and cooler clay near Caldaro, yield a broad range of whites and reds, with the blended "La Contessa" and single-vineyard "Mason di Mason" Pinot Noir among the estate's most distinctive bottlings. 
 
Fantastic Winemaker Dinner with Count Cassian Goess Enzenberg, Owner of Manincor, #worldclass Winemaker in Alto Adige, Italy, at Restaurant Ama in Washington DC, with Owner/ Chef Johanna Hellrigl (March 2026) 
 


 
See: Fantastic Winemaker Dinner with Count Cassian Goess Enzenberg, Owner of Manincor, #worldclass Winemaker in Alto Adige, Italy, at Restaurant Ama in Washington DC, with Owner/ Chef Johanna Hellrigl (March 2026) 
 
Arriving
 







Tour
 
 
(1) Manincor. Cellar tour and tasting. The winery is highly regarded as a biodynamic pioneer of the region. One of the 3, 4 flagship wineries of Alto Adige. We had the pleasure of meeting Count Michael Goess Enzenberg, who recently has handed over the management of the estate to his son Kassian, who we had met at Ama in Washington DC earlier this year. 
 



Cellar
 

















Vineyard
 






Tasting
 











Count Michael Goëss-Enzenberg 
 



 
Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours: Already Released and Forthcoming Postings
 
Meet and Greet in the Garden of Parkhotel Laurin in Bozen - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours 
 
After-dinner Wine at Toma by Lisa Wine Bar in Bozen - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours
 
Guided Visit of Oetzi, the Iceman in Bozen - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours 
 

Monastery Tour, Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at the Neustift Monastery in Brixen - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Granpanorama Hotel Sambergerhof, Famous for its Uninterrupted 54-kilometer Panoramic View of the Dolomites Chain - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours 

 
Lovely Al Fresco Dinner in the Alleys of Old Town Bolzano at Franziskaner Stuben - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours
 
 
Tour and Tasting at Kellerei/ Cantina Nals Margreid - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours
 
 

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Manincor, a Biodynamic Pioneer and Flagship Winery of the Region, with Owner Count Michael Goess Enzenberg - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours
 
Lunch at Alpin Hut Oberholz up in the Dolomites 6300 Feet Above Sea Level - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours 
 
Tasting at Cantina Kurtatsch, a Premier Cooperative, with a Spectacular View of Adige Valley - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours 
 
Extensive Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Alois Lageder, a Historic, Family-run Flagship Winery in Alto Adige, with Sarah Daval, Weinakademiker - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours
 
Tour and Tasting at Tenuta Hofstätter in Tramin, a Flagship Winery of the Alto Adige Region, a Pioneer of Vigna (Single Vineyard) Classification in Alto Adige, with Fourth-generation Owner Martin Hofstaetter - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy WineTours  
 
Farewell Dinner at Restaurant 1500 (1 Star Michelin) up in the Vigiljoch above Lana (Reachable only by Cable Car), with Chef Daniel Sanin and Sous-Chef Jonas Graber - Alto Adige 2026 by ombiasy 
WineTours