The Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar in Washington DC Affiliates with the American Wine Society (March 2026)

Pictures: Tour d'Horizon of the Red Wine Portfolio of the "Cool Climate Producer" Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Finger Lakes, New York State, USA, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours (December 2024) 

 

The Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar in Washington DC, which has been a presence in the DC area for over 55 years, providing the opportunity for wine tasting, appreciation, and education to members as well as the camaraderie and friendship that we all enjoy, affiliates with the American Wine Society.  

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.

    

    

    

          

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

Announcement by the Steering Committee of the Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar:

The Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar has been a presence in the DC area for over 55 years, providing the opportunity for wine tasting, appreciation, and education to members – as well as the camaraderie and friendship that we all enjoy.

 

Naturally, over the decades, things have changed – not the least of which have been our operating costs (including facility rental and insurance) and the prices our presenters face when buying the wines shared at our weekly meetings.  As you understand, these costs get passed along to you in the tasting fees you pay.  Aware of the cost trend, and the need to continue what we have traditionally provided to our members, the Steering Committee has made what we believe to be a prudent choice.

 

Effective later this year, WWCS will affiliate with the American Wine Society – a measure that will lower our costs and allow us to devote more of our income to you and the wine experience you want delivered weekly.

 

The largest single benefit of our decision is that, by being part of AWS, we can be covered by their group insurance.  By eliminating our insurance costs, we can save thousands of dollars annually, in turn precluding the need to increase weekly fees by $5 (or more) just to pay higher premiums.  Over the course of our season, that would mean about $200 we would not have to charge you. 

 

The only step we must ask you to take is to join the American Wine Society (https://americanwinesociety.org/join-now/).  The cost for an individual is only $59 per year (or $150 for three years); for couples, the cost is relatively less – $89 per year (or $239 for three years).  Again, this amount is much less than what we would need to charge to cover our own insurance premiums.

 

Membership in AWS also means

*    access to attend the meetings of other AWS chapters nationwide (there are six others in the Metro DC area)

*    recognition at wineries and wine-related businesses around the US, many of which offer discounts and/or free tastings to card-carrying members

*    discounts on wine tours, cruises, and other events

*    participation in the annual National Tasting Project

*    access to online education and discounts at the Napa Valley Wine Academy

 

Learn more about AWS during their “Get to Know Us” webinar at 8pm on March 9.  Follow this Zoom link: https://americanwinesociety.zoom.us/j/85717723278?pwd=7tBuEG9RLfV91hzYES4buTm09cVzxC.1.  The passcode is 737697.

 

In practical terms, nothing else about WWCS will change.  We will preserve our operational independence, remain who we’ve been for over six decades, and continue our meeting schedule and format.  What we will be able to do is devote more of what you pay to upgrading what we can source and serve, giving you the value and experience you expect every week.  Being part of AWS also would allow members of other nearby chapters to visit us, broadening our participation and revenue base, and reinforcing our value to the community of wine enthusiasts.

 

Thank you again for being a WWCS member.  I hope you agree that your Steering Committee has made the right choice.  If you have any questions or need more information, please contact me at your convenience.

 

Thanks, 

Jean, on behalf of the Steering Committee

WHERE & WHEN WE MEET: The Seminar meets at 7:45 PM every Tuesday (except for July, August and the weeks of December 25th and January 1st) at St. Patricks Episcopal Church at 4700 Whitehaven Pky, between Foxhall Road and MacArthur Blvd.

No reservations are required.

SNOW DAYS: Classes may be cancelled due to inclement weather based on the decision of St. Patricks Church and Day School. Cancellations will be announced in the Mailing List as soon as St. Patricks make the decision. 

Announcement by Graydon Vandament, President, Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Wine Society:

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that the Washington Wine & Cheese Seminar (WW&CS) is joining AWS.  This 50+ year old independent wine appreciation group meets weekly on Tuesday evenings in Georgetown.  I’ve attended a number of their meetings, and although their format is different from ours, the wine, the cheese and the comradery is wonderful. 

Several of our members, including Annette & Christian Schiller, Nancy Fleetwood and Paula Leonardo are also on the WW&CS Steering Committee.  Annette and Nancy recently approached me with questions about how AWS handles insurance and various other logistical chapter issues.  From our discussions, it immediately became obvious to me that having WW&CS affiliating itself with AWS would be very beneficial for both groups.  After meeting with them and laying out those benefits, the WW&CS board has voted to join AWS and is in the process of becoming our “DC chapter”. 

I look forward to having new members from the WW&CS come and join us for our chapter meetings and likewise having more of our members visit and join them for their meetings. 

As I mentioned, the WW&CS meets most Tuesday evenings throughout the year; although, they do go on hiatus during July and August and for certain Holidays.  Their meetings start at 7:45pm and take place at the St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church at 4700 Whitehaven Parkway, NW.  There is no advance sign-up or prepayment requirement.  You can simply show up and pay with cash when you arrive.  Meeting costs vary depending on the wines, but average around $30 per person.    That cost includes 4-5 wines, 2 types of complimentary cheeses, and plenty of fresh baguette bread.  If you have any immediate questions don’t hesitate to reach out to me, Annette, Christian, Nancy, or Paula. 

Next Tuesday’s WW&CS meeting on May 3^rd will focus on Spanish wines . . . (yum).   I plan to be there.  Come join me?

Steering Committee of the Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar: 

Fellow members of WWCS:

 

As I wrote in my letter to you on Sunday, March 8, Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar will affiliate with the American Wine Society later this year.  This will lower our costs and allow us to devote more of our income to you and the wine experience you want delivered weekly.

 

The only step we must ask you to take is to join the American Wine Society (https://americanwinesociety.org/join-now/).  The cost for an individual is only $59 per year (or $150 for three years); for couples, the cost is relatively less – $89 per year (or $239 for three years).  Again, this amount is much less than what we would need to charge over a season to cover our increased costs.

 

Nothing else about WWCS will change.  We will preserve our operational independence, remain who we’ve been for over six decades, and continue our meeting schedule and format.

 

To clarify our attendance policy going forward, it’s our expectation that, by the end of March, everyone who participates in our weekly seminars will have joined AWS.  Occasional guests will always be welcome, but after attending three seminars we would ask them to join AWS.  We would prefer to let attendance be on an honor system, without the need to monitor membership, so we ask members who bring guests to respect that guideline.

 

Thank you again for being a WWCS member.  If you have any questions or need more information, please contact me at your convenience.

 

Thanks,

Jean, on behalf of the Steering Committee:

Jean Bolan,     President	Howard Bender,     Vice President		Susan Gartner,     Secretary		Paula Leonardo,     Treasurer
Tom Ahern		Nancy Fleetwood		Kevin Maskornick
Al Navidi		Leo Raymond		Ken Sanford
Annette Schiller		Christian Schiller		Louise Shelley