FALLS — Two years ago if you asked Ed Perry anything about wine, he would tell you he knows there is red and white wine.

Fast forward to today and the Falls resident is now more knowledgeable than ever about the alcoholic drink, having attended wine club meetings.

Now, Perry and his friend Jim Powell, of Avoca, are starting the Greater Pittston American Wine Society.

“The society is a group of people who get together who are interested in wine and learning about wine,” Perry said. “We will meet once a month, have a presenter come in who will explain a particular type of wine and then the members will all share it, comment about it and learn about it. It’s a social and educational club.”

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The club will hold its first meeting Thursday, Jan. 21 at Bartolai Winery in Harding.

Perry said to start the club the duo had to register online through the American Wine Society, something they were able to do at no cost.

“We gave them a call, Jim went through all the different things to make us a member and make us a chapter and it was really just getting a hold of them and getting the okay,” he said. “Now, if you go on their website, we are a chapter to join.”

According to information provided by Powell, the American Wine Society was organized in 1967 as a non-profit, educational, consumer-oriented organization for those interested in learning more about wine.

Now in its 49th year, the American Wine Society is the largest consumer-based wine education organization in North America.

Powell will serve as president of the Greater Pittston American Wine Society while Perry will serve as vice president.

It was at a wine club in Scranton where the two friends met.

“One day I was talking to my wife and I was getting interested in wine and I told her there was an Electric City Wine Club, which was Scranton,” Perry said. “I went to the one meeting and the first gentleman I meet is Jim Powell. We became good friends and he said he belonged to the Diamond Wine Society in Wilkes-Barre and now I belong in both.”

The two friends said with Greater Pittston being in the middle of both Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, it made sense to share what they love with friends and family in the area without having to travel.

The first meeting will serve as a meet-and-greet, Perry said, as well as an opportunity for participants to learn about the wines and olive oils at Bartolai Winery and how store owner Ray Bartolai makes wine.

“We hope everyone comes out and supports us,” he said. “We hope we have as many members as people who want to join. We don’t turn away anyone and its not a pressure situation where everyone knows about wine, except you; it’s for the beginners. If you know a lot, we’re interested to hear what you know about.”

Greater Pittston American Wine Society holding first meeting on Jan. 21

By Jimmy Fisher

jfisher@timesleader.com

Want to go?

The inaugural meeting of the Greater Pittston American Wine Society will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21 Bartolai Winery, 2377 Rt. 92 & Coolidge Ave, Harding. The cost for all will be $10 at the door to offset the cost of supplies and chapter startup. Bring a glass and RSVP by Saturday, Jan. 16 by emailing Jim Powell at jimp215@verizon.ney or Ed Perry at eperry@midafg.com. The club is for ages 21 and older.

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher