Fairfax County has cultivated an economic win by landing a role as host of the American Wine Society’s annual conference.
The gathering of winemakers, restaurants and connoisseurs, which typically draws more than 650 attendees, will be held this fall at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles Hotel in Chantilly, according to Visit Fairfax, which anticipates that the event will generate at least $1 million in economic impacts.
This will be the second time that Fairfax County has hosted the AWS National Wine Conference, following a previous stay in 2015. Though the conference isn’t coming up until Nov. 6-8, planning has already gotten underway.
“We are thrilled and excited to welcome the American Wine Society back to Fairfax County after 10 years,” Visit Fairfax President and CEO Barry Biggar said in a statement. “Virginia is one of the fastest growing wine regions in the United States. Given Fairfax County’s two wineries, which each have unique historic ties, plus the proximity to an abundance of nearby wineries in the Northern Virginia region, this truly is an ideal spot for the Wine Society to hold this exciting event.”
Biggar added that he hopes many of the conference attendees “will come early or stay longer to explore even more” of Fairfax County.
A nonprofit with more than 180 chapters nationwide, the American Wine Society promotes wine culture, history and education through tastings, classes, training and other events. Its 7,000-plus members are mostly enthusiasts, but they also include wineries, chefs, educators and both professional and amateur winemakers, according to its website.
The annual conference for members will include dozens of sessions about Virginia’s wine industry, tours, classes, and commercial and amateur competitions.
Visit Fairfax, which worked with the Virginia Wine Board to attract the conference, says the county’s central location, “outstanding facilities” and proximity to more than 50 wineries and vineyards helped seal the deal.
Though its suburban environment doesn’t seem compatible with the large amounts of space and pastoral aura generally associated with wineries, a few businesses have managed to establish a foothold in Fairfax County: The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville, Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton and Woodlawn Press Winery off of Richmond Highway.
Dean Gruenburg, general manager of facilities and production for The Winery at Bull Run, says the business has been a longtime member of the AWS and is “thrilled” that the conference will be coming to “our backyard.”
“The American Wine Society is one of the premier organizations for wine enthusiasts in the United States and around the world,” Gruenburg said. “We extend a warm welcome to all members and convention attendees. We look forward to seeing you at both The Winery at Bull Run and the convention!”
Paradise Springs Winery owner Kirk Wiles says Fairfax County landing the conference is “a big deal” that reflects how the wine industry has grown locally and across the state.
“I think it’s a real testament to our wine region and everything going on here,” he told FFXnow.
When it opened in 2010, Paradise Springs was the first winery in Fairfax County and the 156th in Virginia, according to Wiles. Now, the state has more than 300 wineries, and just last year, the Clifton establishment got a chance to promote its offerings on a global stage as one of six Virginia wineries represented at the Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, a trade show held in France.
Wiles hopes the AWS conference will further raise awareness of the Commonwealth’s burgeoning wine scene.
“We’re excited that the American Wine Society is coming. I think it’s a great honor that they’re coming to Virginia and certainly to Fairfax County,” Wiles said. “I look forward to working with them in any capacity and hosting them at the winery. I think it’s a great recognition to the great wines coming out of Virginia, and certainly, Paradise Springs has been at the forefront of that for many years.”
