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The Orange County Wine Society, a non-profit organization that promotes the knowledge and appreciation of wines, is dedicated to raising funds for college scholarships for institutions throughout California. The volunteers of the organization, while enjoying social events, wine tastings and trips throughout the year, is best known for coordinating the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition and running the wine courtyard at the fair each year. Within the OCWS lies an active home winemaking group which, along with their passion for making fine wines, runs the Homewine Competition which is also highlighted annually at the OC Fair.

The varied interests and social opportunities offered through the OCWS has something for everyone, from people just beginning to find enjoyment with wine in their lives and wanting to learn more to the well versed fine wine lover looking to share their passion with others of like mind.

Learning the Ropes
Home Winemakers by Ed Reyes “Learning the ropes” is an old nautical term for someone learning how to handle ropes and rigging on a sailing ship. It’s an apt term for someone learning a new skill, like winemaking. The newest OCWS winemaker, John Kienstra, sat down in his living room… Read more: Learning the Ropes
President’s Message
By Carolyn Christian In 1976, a group of home winemakers decided to embark on a journey to support wine education. That journey was the beginning of the Orange County Wine Society. In partnership with the OC Fair, they started the OC Fair Wine Competitions, one focusing on amateur wines and… Read more: President’s Message
History of the OCWS Mini-Tastings
By Hank Bruce – Member of the 50th Anniversary Committee The OCWS was founded in 1976. Early OCWS wine programs included wine and food pairings by founding member Judi (Collins) Brady and near founding member Jane (Mc Grath) Goodnight. Even up to the late 1980s, the near monthly OCWS wine… Read more: History of the OCWS Mini-Tastings
Going Once, Going Twice… SOLD!
Wine Auction By Carolyn Christian 2025 has been a great year for the OCWS Wine Auction! I am so proud of this year’s amazing Wine Auction committee and the event volunteers who worked so hard to present an incredibly successful event. Despite a few behind-the-scenes challenges this year, the event… Read more: Going Once, Going Twice… SOLD!
Beaujolais Rocks!
I recently attended an education seminar on Beaujolais Appellations d’Origine Controlee (AOC) and was immediately struck by their emphasis on SOIL. Their welcoming poster boards read: “To understand our terroir, we must go back 180 million years ago to the marine invasion of the Jurassic Period”; “It took 300 million… Read more: Beaujolais Rocks!
Volunteers needed before, during annual event
It’s hard to believe it’s time for volunteer signups for the 49th OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition. We have signups online this month, same as in previous years. CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP. We try to flexible and ask the same of our volunteers. We can work together to make this… Read more: Volunteers needed before, during annual event
What to know about Courtyard Volunteering
It is once again fair time. The Orange County Fair is set to run July 18 through August 17 and is our organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s theme is “Find Your Happy.”Not only does The Courtyard provide operating revenue for OCWS, it is the face of our… Read more: What to know about Courtyard Volunteering
RBS Training
The OC Fair is just around the corner. The largest OCWS fundraising effort of the year will be taking place for a total of 23 days, Wednesdays through Sundays, July 18 through Aug. 17.Volunteering at The Courtyard is a unique and fun experience. All courtyard volunteers handling wine in any… Read more: RBS Training
Volunteers Needed for Home Wine Competition
The 49th Annual OC Fair Home Wine Competition will be held on Saturday, June 7, at the OC Fair and Event Center. The OCWS Winemakers Group sponsors this event, which is one of the largest amateur winemaking competitions in California. We need volunteers in many areas to help make this… Read more: Volunteers Needed for Home Wine Competition