Susan R. Lin MW and Dr. Liz Thach MW Launch Asian Wine Association of America
Image credit: Susan R. Lin MW and Dr. Liz Thach MW
After months of planning, the steering committee for the new Asian Wine Association of America (AWAA) awaawine.org is excited to announce the official launch of the organization, which is currently in its initial funding phase.
“We are thrilled to bring Asian Wine Association of America to life,” reported Susan R. Lin, MW, President of AWAA. “Our mission is to champion the wines and heritage of Asian American and Asian vintners in the U.S.”
She continued that the association accomplishes this through “bringing wine into Asian cultures and Asian made wines in the U.S. to the greater community through advocacy, engagement, and fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity in the wine industry.”
Currently, there are estimated to be over 200 Asian affiliated wineries in the U.S. According to the Wine Market Council, around 5% of U.S. wine drinkers are Asian, which is over 4.25 million consumers. Having Asians embrace wine as much as the average American could lead to100,000+ new wine drinkers and 5,000 Asian restaurants with more extensive wine lists.
The Vision
Susan R. Lin, MW, Dr. Liz Thach, MW and a dedicated group of individuals worked to establish Asian Wine Association of America and a Board of Directors has been formed. During the months of discussion and organizational planning, the steering committee, with input from Asian American wineries, decided that the concept of an association was viable, and that there were many positive potential outcomes. They agreed on the AWAA Mission Statement and four key principles, listed below:
AWAA Mission Statement:
The Asian Wine Association of America champions the wines and heritage of Asian American and Asian vintners in the US through advocacy, community engagement, and professional development, fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity in the wine industry.
1) Promotion & Marketing Efforts: Create promotional opportunities for Asian American
and Asian owned wine businesses, helping them gain visibility and thrive in the
marketplace.
2) Outreach Through Events & Tastings: Host tasting sessions and events that connect
consumers and the wine and restaurant trade, showcasing the richness and diversity of
wines by Asian American and Asian vintners.
3) Communicate Wine & Asian Food Culture: Explore and promote the exciting
possibilities of pairing Asian cuisine with wine while championing Asian American
wines with all styles of cuisines.
4) Uplift Future Generations With Professional Development: Recognize the vital
contributions that Asians make to the wine industry, advocating for a culture
of excellence and quality while promoting all voices within the community, regardless of
ethnicity. Empower the next generation by offering professional development resources
to Asian Americans pursuing careers in the wine industry.
Launching the AWAA Non-Profit Organization
“We have launched a funding campaign to cover the legal costs of drawing up the paperwork for a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association and other logistical costs of establishing AWAA,” explained Susan R. Lin, MW.
“Please consider supporting us with a gift at https://www.gofundme.com/f/awaawine. Your contribution will help us grow,” concluded Lin.
Membership will be open to anyone who wants to support the mission of the Asian Wine Association of America. The organization is dedicated to being inclusive and championing diversity.
Information courtesy of Susan R. Lin MW and Dr. Liz Thach MW