The Team and Story behind americanwine.club

Martin-Sebastian Abel

Founder | Managing Director

Martin-Sebastian Abel, known to most as Marty, is the visionary behind americanwine.club. A certified American Wine Expert, WSET Level 2 graduate, and Assistant Sommelier in training. After spending time with his wife Alex in Upstate New York, Marty fell in love with cool-climate viticulture. From the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes to the heritage vineyards of the West Coast, he experienced firsthand the depth and diversity that American wine has to offer.

Back in Europe, he tried to order a few cases from some of his favorite producers but quickly realized how inaccessible many American wines still are outside the U.S. He decided to something about it. With a background in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and transatlantic affairs, Marty founded americanwine.club to bridge that gap and bring the soul of American viticulture to European tables.

His mission goes beyond importing wine: Marty is a dedicated transatlanticist, having taken part in several U.S. exchange programs, including the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) by the U.S. Department of State. He also serves on the board of the Circle of Friends at AmerikaHaus NRW, a leading forum for German-American dialogue and cultural exchange.

At americanwine.club, Marty curates each wine selection personally, guided by a simple philosophy: highlight producers who are independent, terroir-driven, and focused on quality and sustainability.

Jan Lampe

Partner | CSO

Jan is a longtime friend and trusted advisor of founder Martin‑Sebastian Abel, with whom he studied at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management. Their shared passion for wine, business, and good food has shaped americanwine.club from the beginning. In 2026, Jan officially joined as a shareholder and assumed the role of Chief Strategy Officer to help guide the company’s long‑term vision.

Jan is WSET Level 2 certified and a trained Assistant Sommelier (IHK). Based in Berlin, Jan leads on growth strategy, partnerships, and organizational development, helping americanwine.club mature into a high-integrity wine business that stays true to its roots. 

Outside the wine world, Jan has worked at the intersection of law, innovation, and business strategy. He studied law in Germany and China and earned his MBA at WHU along with a Certificate in Global Management from INSEAD. He also completed executive programs at Harvard, including Negotiation Dynamics and the Program on Negotiation. This international and interdisciplinary background allows him to bring structure, foresight, and strategic clarity to the team.

Hi again, and welcome back. I’m grateful you’ve found your way, because this project is more than a shop, it’s part of my story. For years, wine was a quiet passion that connected me to places, people, and memories. Over time, it became a calling, and I knew I wanted to share the beauty of American winemaking with Europe.

The roots of this passion lie in my many travels across the United States. I remember walking the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma, exploring the Finger Lakes, and tasting bold reds in Washington State. Yet what moved me most were the people: the growers and dreamers. Wine is about more than bottles and vintages. It’s about resilience, creativity, and the relationships that make life richer.

What struck me about America is its spirit of possibility and the way people value connection. That spirit inspired me to create a place to bring not only wines but stories that celebrate friendship and remind us that a glass of wine is never just a drink, it is part of our culture. Cheers and enjoy! 

My wine journey

From a spark in Napa to sharing small, sustainable American wines across Europe.

Napa Valley – Where it all began

On a fellowship weekend in Napa, bold California reds lit the spark. One visit turned into a deep curiosity about how place, people, and craft shape a wine.

Learning by tasting – from enthusiasm to study

Dozens of tastings later, I swapped guessing for note-taking and maps. That curiosity grew into structured learning and a lifelong habit of careful tasting. I decided to pursue the WSET Lv. 2 and the Assistant Sommelier at IHK Koblenz. 

Finger Lakes

Working in Upstate New York, I fell in love with the Finger Lakes. My wife and I were at a start-up — a spin-off of a major German DAX company. While this experience itself was underwhelming and ultimately unsuccessful, we met wonderful people we never want to miss again.

One of them was Eric, a former chef who became an entrepreneur and now advises other founders. As we were looking for houses, we met a real estate broker named Heather, who heard about my interest in wine. She introduced us to some of her favorite Finger Lakes bottles. Heather also recommended an Italian spot in Watkins Glen — Jerlando’s — where we met Jessie Garcia from Heron Hill Winery. She invited us to Keuka Lake to taste their wines.

Crisp Rieslings, elegant Pinots, and winemakers who put soul into every bottle — the cool-climate character of the Finger Lakes has stayed with me ever since.

Back home – continuing exploring and education

Back home in Germany, I wanted to keep growing on my wine journey. That’s when I enrolled with the Napa Valley Wine Academy, where I earned my certification as an American Wine Expert. Today, I’m continuing my studies and working towards the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines — a challenging but rewarding step deeper into the world of wine.

Along the way, I came across Amble Wine, created by Léa Gatinois. Her maps, quiz workbooks, and flashcards have been an invaluable part of my studies — practical, beautifully designed, and truly effective. I’m especially glad that Léa has now become a partner of americanwine.club. You can even find her learning tools right here in our shop, alongside the wines themselves.

Our Partners

Everything we do is grounded in the principles of shared value creation. None of this would be possible without the trust and support of our partners. This is our moment to raise a glass to them.

Präsentstudio Sönnecken

Founded in 1920 in Hagen, Germany, our fulfillment partner is a family-owned and inclusive business committed to quality and reliability.

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Stefan Hilchenbach

Stefan brings years of design experience from a range of industries. The wine world might be a new chapter for him, yet his creative touch speaks for itself.

listit.de – Shopverzeichnis

K&U-Weinhalle

An open-minded and welcoming organization. When I reached out about featuring Corison here, I received not just support but genuine help, even with logistics.

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