Our mission is built on passion.

The AFWC was co-founded by Shari Gherman, Monty Preiser, and Sara Preiser, who have each been in the wine industry for more than 30 years. AFWC began in 2007 and has become the most influential wine invitational in the country. Since its inception, more than $1,100,000 has been donated by AFWC to multiple charities.

 AFWC hosts three different wine judging’s, The Invitational, THE Rosé, and All Americas.

All of our events are proudly hosted by Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The judging takes place in the State of the Art Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory, a fully-operational restaurant that serves as an on-site laboratory in which students can get the experience of operating a restaurant. The Advanced Food Laboratory and the Mel Dick Wine Tower provide students with dedicated spaces to practice their skills in the areas of food and beverage management.