About Us
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.
Current News
Homegrown Varietals
Inspiration comes in many forms but a visit to a winery in Temecula was all Jeff George and Cindy Schult needed to start their venture in home winemaking several years […]
President’s Message
By Carolyn Christian This past month was, like most Junes, an incredibly busy month filled with our two flagship events, the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition and the OC Fair […]
Events at the Fair and Courtyard
Courtyard Feature Winery and Seminars (Click the chart below to enlarge) Hanger Concerts July 19 Start Making Sense The Talking Heads Tribute July 20 Hollywood U2 The World’s Greatest U2 […]
Event Wrapups
Commercial competition wrapup The 48th annual Commercial Wine Competition was held on June 1-2 at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa. The weekend found 88 professional winemakers and winery principals […]
Plan Now For OC Fair Visits, Volunteer Opportunities
The 2024 Orange County Fair is right around the corner. The fair, with the theme “Always a Good Time,” runs from Friday, July 19 through Sunday, August 18, with Monday […]
Help With The Courtyard Set Up, Tear Down, Decorating
Courtyard Set-Up If you enjoy using power drills and stepladders, and wearing clothes you don’t mind getting grubby, this event is for you. We are already working to get The […]
Scholarship Spotlight
OCWS funds scholarships for eight California colleges and universities, including Allan Hancock College (AHC), which offers multiple degrees and certificates in viticulture, enology, wine and food pairing, and wine business. […]
Bitten by the Winemaking Bug
After months of preparation, the 48th annual OC Fair Home Wine Competition is in the history books. (See Kevin Donnelly’s accompanying competition “wrap up” article). Now, my work starts for […]
Wine Wisdom
YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT … The first vitis vinifera grape, known as the Mission grape, was planted in the “New World” in the 1500s which country: […]
The Orange County Wine Society and the Orange County Fair (Part 1)
Since the inception of the Orange County Wine Society in 1976, there has been a mutually rewarding association with the Orange County Fair. COMMERCIAL WINE COMPETITION DEBUTS In 1977, the […]
