Welcome to the American Wine Society website. We're sure that whatever your need for wine education, wine appreciation, AWS chapter and membership information, wine competition results, or links to wine industry information... we have it here for you.

The American Wine Society is devoted to educating people on all aspects of wine. Our members include wine novices, experts, grape growers, amateur and professional winemakers, chefs, wine appreciators, wine educators, restaurateurs and anyone wanting to learn more about wine and gastronomy.

If you are not a current member of the AWS and wish to join, simply go to our New Member registration form.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
The AWS 2008 National Conference Brochures will be mailed to all AWS Members on Thursday, August 21st. All conference brochures will be mailed first-class and members should receive theirs no later than Wed., August 27th. Registration for the conference will open on Thursday evening, August 28th.
If you have not received your brochure by Wed., August 27th, please contact the National Office.

The 2008 Conference Brochure will also be posted here on the AWS website after Thursday, August 28th.

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Hotel Named for 2008 National Conference

The Hyatt Regency has been selected for the 2008 AWS National Conference in Sacramento, CA and the reservation block is now open. Special room rates have been negotiated at $139 per night (regularly $209-$340 during this time), the conference dates have been set for Thursday, November 6th, beginning with a Welcome Reception from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and culminating on Saturday night, November 8th with the Grand Banquet.

Hotel reservations can be made by calling the Hyatt at 916-443-1234 and asking for the American Wine Society rate. Please note that there is a one night, non-refundable deposit to secure a room within the room block. This deposit policy is consist with other conference policies, and in response to many room cancellations in the past, which left the Society vulnerable to additional hotel charges.

The 2008 Conference sessions are being finalized and it is a FANTASTIC lineup. The California wineries and winemakers are really stepping up to the plate and will be a tremendous presence at this year's conference. Conference Registration materials are being prepared and this year will be mailed much earlier than in the past. The target date for distribution of the conference registration materials is mid August. For those making plans, we are also working with tour operators for area wine tours two days prior and two days following the conference.

The upcoming edition of the AWS Journal, which will be delivered in June, will feature Sacramento and give many conference highlights to anticipate. In the meantime, please make your reservations and join us in California in November!

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Amateur and Commercial Wine Competitions date set for 2008

Amateur Wine Competition:	DEADLINE FOR ENTRY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO WED., AUGUST 6TH.
Commercial Wine Competition:	DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 1ST.

The 2008 Amateur and Commercial Wine Competitions will be held September 19-21 at the Four Points Sheraton in Pittsburgh, PA. The Competition Chairs have been working diligently in planning the 2008 competitions, and we are pleased to announce that both the Amateur and Commercial Wine Competitions 2008 Entry Information is available on this website. Please click on Wine Competitions at the left of this page and follow the links to Entry Forms. We will also be mailing a copy of the Amateur Wine Competition Entry Information to each AWS household, and the Commercial Wine Competition Entry Information will be mailed to the commercial wineries. Both will be in the mail in the latter part of June. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Competition Chairs, as listed below:

Tom Cobett
Amateur Wine Competition Chair
giesser@aol.com

Matt & Carol Kristofik
Commercial Wine Competition Chairs
kristofik@americanwinesociety.org

Amateur Wine Competition:	DEADLINE FOR ENTRY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO WED., AUGUST 6TH.
Commercial Wine Competition:	DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 1ST.

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Have you checked out the new Journal?

It's hot off the press and in the hands of AWS members. A brand new look and feel for the AWS Journal, featuring full color! If you are an AWS member and have not received your Journal, please contact the National Office. If you are not a member, please consider joining and we will mail your copy to you immediately.

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2007 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition

The AWS Commercial Wine Competition was held October 5th-7th in Pittsburgh, PA. Hundreds of Commercial wines from all over the world were judged and the results were announced at the AWS National Conference at the Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 2nd. All medals will be shipped to all winners in late November.

Competition results are now available! Please click here for more information on this year's results.

For further information, please contact Matt or Carol Kristofik , CWC Chairs at kristofik@americanwinesociety.org

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2007 American Wine Society Amateur Wine Competition

The annual American Wine Society Amateur Wine Competition was held October 5th-7th in Pittsburgh, PA. Hundreds of Amateur wines were judged and scored and the results were announced at the AWS National Conference at the Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 2nd. All medals will be shipped to all winners in late November.

Competition results are now available! Please click here for more information on this year's results.

For further information, please contact Tom Cobett, AWC Chair at giesser@aol.com.

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2008 Membership Dues

To participate in local chapter activities, attend the national conference, or submit wines for the Amateur Wine Competition, active membership is required. Please peruse the website for additional information and we welcome you to contact our national office to answer any of your questions.