American Wine Society National Conference

The American Wine Society National Conference is an annual educational wine conference held October 22–24, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida — drawing between 550 and 700 attendees each year. The conference is organized by the American Wine Society, a nonprofit founded in 1967 that describes itself as the oldest and largest consumer-based wine appreciation organization in North America, with more than 6,500 members across 180+ chapters in the United States.

The American Wine Society National Conference features nearly 50 educational sessions per event, alongside sit-down meals, walk-around tastings, and presentations from wine industry professionals and sponsors from around the globe. The program is structured to serve a wide range of participants — from beginners to professional winemakers — and covers topics spanning wine history, tasting technique, geography, and production. One-third of American Wine Society members are amateur winemakers, and the conference reflects that mix, blending structured learning with peer exchange and social tastings.

The conference is open to American Wine Society members and prospective attendees, though ticket pricing for the 2026 event has not yet been announced. The American Wine Society advises against making travel arrangements until the conference is formally announced and marketing begins. The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront is the confirmed venue for 2026; future years are already slated for Portland, Oregon (2027), the Poconos in Pennsylvania (2028), and Sandusky, Ohio (2029).

The American Wine Society has awarded its annual Award of Merit since 1971, recognizing contributors to winemaking, education, marketing, and writing — past recipients include Robert Mondavi, Warren Winiarski, and Gina Gallo. The organization holds the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar by Candid, placing it among fewer than 5 percent of U.S. nonprofits at that disclosure level.