The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association (ASWA) promotes wine from the eastern United States. Established in 1973 as the Vinifera Wine Growers Association, we continue to advocate for planting world-class vinifera wine grapes and quality hybrid and native varietals, producing outstanding commercial wines, and growing a thriving wine industry along the eastern seaboard.
Our mission is to increase awareness of the fine wines of the Atlantic seaboard through trade and consumer education. ASWA liaises with national, state, and regional wine organizations to identify opportunities to highlight the wines and winemakers working on the Atlantic Coast.
To help identify the best of the best, ASWA holds an annual wine competition, the largest in the nation focused exclusively on the wines of the East Coast. The competition is held in late summer and judged by a panel of professionals hailing from all parts of the country.
ASWA hosts an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill every year after the completion of the competition under the auspices of the Congressional Wine Caucus. ASWA then pours the top wines at special events around the country to promote the quality of the wines being produced on the East Coast.
In addition to conducting tastings, seminars, and media events around the country, ASWA organizes the Virginia Wine Festival, the longest-running consumer wine show in the Commonwealth of Virginia, founded in 1975.
*Discover the exciting wines of the Atlantic Seaboard!*
To become a member of the association, wineries need simply take part in our wine competition or in the Virginia Wine Festival. Regardless of participation, our educational and promotional efforts encompass the full scope of East Coast wine production.
