Michael Bryan is the Founder & Executive 
Director of the Atlanta Wine School (AWS). Founded in 2003, AWS is the only private wine-centric institution in the Southeast for consumers and the trade, providing a continuous learning experience with renowned international speakers. Since inception, AWS has connected with tens of thousands around wine pleasure.
Bryan speaks on wine-related subject matter for approximately 150 private, public, and trade events per year. Bryan has attained five (5) credentials from industry-recognized wine qualification organizations: The Society of Wine Educators, The Court of Master Sommeliers, The Wine Spirit Education Trust of London, The Spanish Wine Academy, and L’ecole du Vin Bordeaux. Bryan has appeared in numerous regional and national publications, along with radio & television spots, including guest “wine guy” on Alton Brown’s Good Eats, The Wall Street Journal, and The Home Shopping Network.
He is the publisher & editor of a monthly eNewsletter called Connect With Wine to over 27,000 wine enthusiasts with subscribers in seven countries. Since 2005, the eNewsletter has featured Jane’s Monthly Dozen, a wine review column from Atlanta’s longest running wine reviewer, Jane Garvey.
Bryan has toured all but three of the major wine regions in the world, and in 2009, began taking guests to wine country four to five times per year. Bryan created the “AWS Wine Room” during June of 2007 in Roswell, Georgia, where courses and private events center on wine. The Society of Wine Educator’s CSW (wine expert) Training Program targeted at the wine professional was launched in November, 2007–the first of it’s kind in North America. AWS accounted for 25% of the new CSW credentials issued worldwide in 2009.
Bryan’s deep-rooted passion around wine lead to the creation of AWS’ parent company, Connect With Wine, LLC in 2002, an organization that uses wine to foster connections with people on multiple levels. He believes, like a fine wine, life must be full, rich and balanced. AWS embodies his passion and allows him to share it with a great number of people.
Credentials:
Certified Specialist of Wine
Certified Sommelier
Advanced Certificate (with Merit) from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Spanish Wine Educator
International Bordeaux Wine Educator
