AtlanticSeaboard
Wine Association

The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association (ASWA) is one of the oldest wine organizations located on the East Coast. Established in 1973 as the Vinifera Wine Growers Association (VWGA), it was an early supporter of planting world-class Vinifera wine grapes, the production of quality commercial wines, and the building of a wine industry along the Eastern seaboard. Today, the ASWA is a national and international wine trade association that works with state and national legislatures to resolve issues that challenge the U.S. wine industry.

Virginia Wines Featured at the U.S. Foreign Affairs Day:

May 7, 2010

View of the elegantly appointed Benjamin Franklin diplomatic reception room on the top floor of the U.S. Department of State building in Washington, D.C. where some 250 representatives of the American Foreign Service community enjoyed the annual Foreign Affairs Day luncheon, accompanied by award-winning Virginia wines.

For the fifth straight year, Virginia wine was featured as the wines to complement the annual U.S. Foreign Affairs Day special diplomatic luncheon in the elegant Benjamin Franklin reception room atop the Department of State building in Washington, D.C.

The wines selected for this year’s luncheon enjoyed by the 250 invited guests, representing all sectors of the U.S. foreign affairs community, were the 2008 Viognier from Horton Cellars, Gordonsville, Virginia, and the 2008 Reserve Viognier from Barboursville Vineyards, Barboursville, Virginia.

The highly sought after official luncheon tickets noted the wine donation given by the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association. Also adorning each of the ten-person luncheon tables were table cards listing each of the two wineries and their wines, as well as the ASWA as donor.

The morning program started at 9:00 a.m. with a current review of major international concerns and challenges facing the United States given by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, which was followed by a number of separate regional geographic and policy issue briefings.

Joining the toast to the various representatives of the U.S. Foreign Affairs Community attending this year’s May 7th Foreign Affairs Day luncheon is Gordon W. Murchie, President Emeritus of the VWGA/ASWA, and Carl Brandhorst, President of the ASWA, seated at right.

Over a thousand retired Foreign Service personnel, current members of the State Department and other related foreign affairs agencies and organizations attended this annual meeting.

During the luncheon’s welcoming remarks given by the Director-General of the Foreign Service, Nancy J. Powell, the following comments on the luncheon wines were included: “Accompanying today’s luncheon for the fifth straight year, our palates will have the pleasure of tasting award-winning Viogniers from two Virginia wineries, Horton Cellars and Barboursville Vineyards, being donated by the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association. The President Emeritus of this wine trade association, one of the oldest on the east coast, is retired Foreign Service officer, Gordon W. Murchie, who, with colleagues, is here with us again today. Gordon, join me in toasting the continued good health and success of all of us here who represent our nation’s Foreign Affairs community.”