(cranton, PA –  The American Wine Society, the largest wine consumer group in the United States, has added to its ranks the membership of the Tasters Guild International.

The combination gives the American Wine Society in excess of 8,000 members active in 180 local chapters around the country.

“Through this agreement, we are able to offer more tasting and educational opportunities while growing our community of wine appreciators,” said David Falchek, American Wine Society executive director.

The Tasters Guild will continue promoting wine-related travel, gastronomy and other activities. The membership merger provides a permanent home for the network of wine lovers which the Tasters Guild has built up since its founding.

“Tasters Guild is excited to combine memberships with the American Wine Society,” said Tasters Guild President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Borrello. “We’re all about wine and food education, travel, and meeting interesting people. Tasters Guild and AWS is the perfect combination to provide these benefits to the consumer – and we all have fun in the process.”

The AWS was founded in New York in 1967, as an educational non-profit with the mission of promoting wine appreciation. The Tasters Guild was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1987 and grew to more than 2,000 members and more than 20 chapters.