Friday, October 30, 2026

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

















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 first 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 

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

Wednesday, October 21st 

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Registration Desk Open – 2nd Floor Skybridge Registration Desk 

5:00 pm – 7:30 pm Pre-Conference Boat Tour (Meet in Hotel Lobby) 

Arriving at the Hotel 





Delivering the Wines


At the Bar With Chef Tony


Thursday, October 22nd 

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Registration Desk Open – 2nd Floor Skybridge Registration Desk 

7:00 am – 5:00 pm Wine Judge Certification – Year 1 – Main Street 1 

7:00 am – 5:00 pm Wine Judge Certification – Year 2 – Main Street 2 

7:00 am – 5:00 pm Wine Judge Certification – Year 3 – Main Street 3 

8:00 am – 5:00 pm WineSmarts Level 1 – Main Street 4 

8:00 am – 5:00 pm WineSmarts Level 2 – Main Street 5 

8:30 am – 5:00 pm Pre-Conference St. Augustine Tour – Meet in Hotel Lobby) 

Annette Fine-tuning her Presentations


2:00 pm – 5:00 pm RA/VLT/Chapter Chair Meeting (optional if you want to attend a tour or education opportunities!) – Clearwater 

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm “First-Timers” Orientation – Daytona 

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm The Grapevine – Clearwater/Clearwater Terrace 

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Presidential Reception – Mathews 

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Welcome Reception – Grand 4-5 






10:00 pm – 12:00 am Hospitality Suite Open – Mathews 

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) 






Friday, October 23rd 

7:00 am – 5:00 pm Registration Desk Open (closed during meals) – 2nd Floor Skybridge Registration Desk 

7:30 am – 8:45 am Sparkling Wine Breakfast – Grand 4-5 



8:45 am – 6:00 pm Exhibits Open – Grand Foyer 

Ombiasy WineTours





8:45 am – 6:00 pm AWSEF Silent Auction Open– Grand Foyer 

8:30 am – 12:00 pm Wine Judge Certification Program 3rd Year Final Exam- Main Street 8 

9:00 am – 10:15 am - A Sessions 

11:00 am – 12:15 pm  B Session - Plenary

12:45 pm – 2:00 pm Luncheon & Business Meeting – Grand 4-5 



2:15 pm – 3:30 pm C Sessions 

4:15 pm – 5:30 pm  D Sessions

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







5:45 pm – 6:45 pm Amateur Wine Competition Awards – City Terrace 12 

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Showcase of Wines – Grand 4-5 

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









10:00 pm – 12:00 am Hospitality Suite Open – Mathews 

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)






Good Night


Saturday, October 24th 

7:00 am – 4:00 pm Registration Desk Open – 2nd Floor Skybridge Registration Desk 

7:30 am – 8:45 am Breakfast & AWSEF Annual Meeting – Grand 4-5 

8:45 am – 4:00 pm Exhibits Open – Grand Foyer

 9:00 am – 10:15 am E Sessions

11:00 am – 12:15 pm F Sessions 

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 










12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Awards Luncheon Best in Class Wine Competition Awards – Grand 4-5 Sponsored by Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery 




2:45 pm – 4:00 pm G Sessions 

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm NOW, YOU BE THE JUDGE! – Daytona 

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Apero before the Grand Banquet with Wine Friends



7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Grand Banquet – Grand 4-5 

Award of Merit - Chris Pearmund

Outstanding Member - Al Guber 
















10:00 pm – 12:00 am Hospitality Suite Open – River Terrace



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, ChĆ¢teau 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, ChĆ¢teau 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, ChĆ¢teau Mukhrani, Georgia (and previously ChĆ¢teau 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, ChĆ¢teau 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

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

KĆ©kfrankos - BlaufrƤnkisch - 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

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