About Us

American Wine School was founded in 2002 by Marianne. Since then, more than 10,000 wine enthusiasts have attended American Wine School classes, educational events and tastings held in seven states. Whether you know a little or a lot about wine, the American Wine School offers a systematic approach that can help you build your wine knowledge. For the more serious wine student, the American Wine School offers an internationally recognized program of study through its affiliation with the prestigious Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). The American Wine School began as the Cleveland Wine School and still maintains its headquarters in Beachwood, Ohio on Cleveland’s east side.

Brandon Ford, Wine Consultant & Educator

WSET Advance Certificated and Cleveland Wine School Captain, Brandon has plans to pursue the WSET Diploma and is currently studying for the Certified Specialist of Wine. By day, Brandon works as Legal Counsel for a chemical company in Cleveland. He is an undergraduate of Case Western Reserve University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He also holds a Juris Doctor and a MBA from The University of Akron. His hobbies include collecting wine, running, reading and family time with his wife and son. Brandon's interest in wine began after a summer long trip in Europe. Brandon can be found consulting at Cellar Door Tasting Room during weekends and special events. Brandon is one of a handful of graduates who teaches at the American Wine School on a regular basis.







Jerry Frantz, Wine Consultant

By day, Jerry manages the Entrepreneur-in-Residence team at Jumpstart, Inc., a venture development organization that funds early stage technology companies based in Northeast Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a MBA from Columbia University. Jerry is a Cleveland native, but enjoyed his 15+ years in the “big apple” working for Radio City Music Hall, Classic Sports Network and Bristol-Myers. In addition to his busy career, Jerry finds time to handle all marketing & new business development for the Cleveland & American Wine Schools. In 2007, Jerry earned the WSET Advanced Certification and is currently studying for the Certified Specialist of Wine. Jerry’s love for wine has grown
as a result of his wife’s thirst for wine education.





Paul Giudici, Wine Consultant

Paul has always enjoyed wine and started his quest for wine education over the past two year by exploring his ancestry. “Since I'm Italian & French, you inevitably end up exploring wine… for me, you can almost feel the history, heritage, and passion that went into making a great bottle of wine.”  Paul decided to study wine after Tasting Consultant Bill Snodgrass gave him a bottle of Luce a few years ago. That, plus an amazing trip to Napa with the Marianne, forever sealed the deal. He tells people “the trip was a religious experience!”  A 1997 Graduate of Ohio University where he majored in Communication Systems Management and minored in Business Administration, Paul continued his education (this time in wine) by earning the Advanced Certificate from WSET. He is currently an IT Engineering Consultant and his hobbies outside wine include music, movies & traveling.





Carolyn Spengler, Wine Consultant

Currently studying for the Certified Specialist of Wine, Carolyn completed the WSET Advanced Certification and the Master Sommelier Introductory Certificate. Most recently, she became authorized to teach classes for the French Wine Academy at the Cleveland Wine School.  By day, Carolyn works in Information Technology as a Database Systems Analyst. Although wine is Carolyn’s main hobby, she also enjoys cycling, cooking and keeping up with her two children and husband. A Pennsylvania native, Carolyn has made Cleveland her home since 1978. She fell into the world of wine when Marianne first opened her doors in 2002. When not with her children Christian 8, Mary 10 and Ken 40ish, you’ll find her chatting up wine at Cellar Door Tasting Room.

Tuli Banerjee, Wine Consultant

Tuli owes her entrée into wine to the fact that she has never been afraid to ask questions and enjoys independently researching wines. After three years of working the Fabulous Food Show as a Wine Captain and visiting Napa Valley, Tuli decided to take the plunge and enrolled in WSET. She received her Intermediate Certification in the fall of 2008 and is currently studying for the Advance. In her spare time, she holds wine tasting parties for friends introducing them to good but affordable wines. Outside of wine, Tuli enjoys oil painting, drawing, golf, independent films, classic and modern music. By day, she works as a financial analyst for a healthcare insurance company in Cleveland.





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