Winston-Salem, NC — The American Wine Society (AWS) is set to kick off its 57th annual national conference on Friday, Nov. 1, at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The three-day event, running through Nov. 3, will celebrate North Carolina’s expanding wine industry and spotlight more than 35 local wineries in addition to hosting industry experts and enthusiasts from across the country.
The conference registration fee of $675 includes access to a welcome reception featuring 36 North Carolina wineries on Friday night, a showcase of wines on Saturday, and a grand banquet on Sunday. Attendees can also explore the region’s wine landscape through pre-conference winery tours scheduled for today and Friday. In addition to tasting experiences, the event features competitions for commercial and amateur winemakers, “WineSmarts” educational sessions, and training for AWS’s Wine Judge Certification program.
North Carolina’s burgeoning wine industry, with close to 190 wineries generating an estimated $6.1 billion in annual economic impact, has attracted AWS back for a third conference in the state. With wine tourism growing along the East Coast — from Long Island, New York, to Virginia’s Charlottesville area — North Carolina is establishing itself as a serious destination for wine lovers.
Dan McLaughlin, co-founder of the Fine Wines of NC organization, which will present a Sunday session on the health benefits of Muscadine grapes, expressed excitement over AWS’s return. “We know people will be blown away by the quality and breadth of wines being produced here in North Carolina. Our members are both supporting and attending as sponsors,” he said.
Jay Raffaldini, owner of Raffaldini Vineyards in nearby Wilkes County, noted that this event marks AWS’s return to North Carolina after previous conferences in Charlotte in 2014 and Winston-Salem seven years earlier. “The fact that AWS is returning so soon and has chosen Winston-Salem again highlights the significance of our growing wine region. North Carolina is gaining recognition as a serious player in the non-West Coast wine industry,” Raffaldini said.
AWS Executive Director Natalie Dippenaar echoed that sentiment, stating, “North Carolina’s wine industry has grown phenomenally since we were here last. Both the number of wineries and the quality of the wine have reached new heights, which is why we felt compelled to return. So far, we have not been disappointed.”
Throughout the conference, attendees will have access to 42 sessions covering topics ranging from European and South African wines to winemaking trends across the U.S., including a specific focus on North Carolina’s wines. A 35-minute video showcasing North Carolina wineries and interviews with winemakers will provide additional insight into the region’s wine industry.
The response from both AWS members and local wineries has been overwhelmingly positive, with nearly 600 attendees anticipated. Local wineries expect this increased exposure to benefit their businesses well beyond the conference weekend. Raffaldini noted that past AWS presentations have spurred significant interest in North Carolina wine. In 2014, he discussed the Appassimento drying process, leading two families to eventually relocate to North Carolina, start their own vineyards, and adopt the same technique.
As AWS prepares for a memorable weekend in Winston-Salem, the conference underscores the growing influence of North Carolina’s wine industry and its future as a national wine destination.
You Might Be Interested In:
- How Many Calories in a Bottle of White Wine Chardonnay?
- Is Chardonnay a Good Wine? A Comprehensive Guide
- How Much Sugar is in Merlot Wine?
