October 2018

President’s Wine Snips – 2018-2019 President, Bill Redding and BOD

Greetings to everyone on behalf of the OCWS Board of Directors. A special thanks  is extended to Jim Beard, Fran Gitsham, and Rich Skoczylas for their outstanding leadership and service over the past six years.

At the Annual Installation Dinner last month, our new Board members were introduced: Leslie Hodowanec, Mel Jay, and Sara Yeoman. This year’s Officers were also introduced: President—Bill Redding, Vice President—Ken Scott, Treasurer—Brian McDonald, and Secretary—George Cravens. The Board Members’ contact information is in every newsletter. Please feel free to introduce yourself to this year’s Board at upcoming OCWS events.

For those who don’t know me personally, my wife, Carolyn, and I have been members since 2001. Since that time, we have taken an incredible journey through the OCWS. We have learned a great deal about wine, winemaking, California’s wine industry, and have had the opportunity to meet many of California’s premier winemakers who graciously assist in judging at the Commercial Wine Competition each year. Just as importantly, we have come to know numerous people, many of whom we now count as friends. It is my sincere hope that our members participate in the many activities that are available as attendees, volunteers, or as members of the various committees that make events possible each year.

The success of the OCWS over time is due to the tremendous support of its members. Last year, members contributed 20,682 volunteer hours. As a non-profit educational foundation, we have contributed scholarship funding totaling over $633,000 to select California colleges and universities in support of students who will become the next generation working in California’s wine industry and the culinary arts.

Upcoming activities are posted on our website at ocws.org and in our newsletter. The Wine Press is mailed out at the beginning of each month.

Please join your fellow members at one of our upcoming events. Cheers!

– Bill Redding, President

2019 OCWS Winery Program: Save the Dates

The Orange County Wine Society starts its 2019 Winery Program in January. This annual series promotes the knowledge of winemaking, viticulture, and wine appreciation. It comprises several wine tastings to introduce our members to different wines made by award-winning wineries from some of the best wine producing regions in California.

We invite the winemakers to come and talk about their wines and to answer your questions. This is a great benefit that we provide our members. If you consider that if you visit a winery, how often do you have the ability to hear and talk personally with the winemakers themselves? Save the Friday dates and mark your calendars to attend.

Friday, January 11, 2019: Buttonwood Winery

Friday, February 22, 2019: Francis Ford Coppola*

Friday, March 15, 2019: Red Soles Winery

Friday, April 12, 2019: Trentadue Winery

Friday, May 10, 2019: Monte de Oro Winery

The evening of the tasting, you can order the wines at a discounted price. The wines will then be shipped directly to your home.

Our Winery Program is an opportunity to attend a tasting in our local area by a well-known and established winery or a newer winery just starting, but one that produces outstanding wines. We bring you award-winning wineries so you can taste their wines, learn if you enjoy a particular style, and order the wines served that evening.

New Members. If you joined after our May 2018 tasting, and when you attend your first Winery Program tasting in 2019, we will gift you with a bottle of wine.

Look for information about each tasting in The Wine Press or on the Wine Society website. We hold our Winery Program events at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel in Costa Mesa. Each tasting starts with a light dinner and self-parking is included in the price. With our large membership and limited attendance space, we encourage you to sign up early.

*Special February tasting tied to the Hollywood Oscar presentations in March.

– Rich Skoczylas, Winery Program Coordinator

In Memoriam: Paul Peal

The OCWS mourns the loss of OCWS member, Paul Peal, the recipient of the 2015 President’s Award. Paul’s extraordinary volunteerism, warm and gentle demeanor, and tireless efforts spoke volumes regarding his devotion to the success of the Wine Society.

Paul, a longtime member along with his wife, Janet Owen Peal, will be remembered for his huge heart and amazing ability to build and repair anything and everything imaginable. His handiwork can be seen in every physical aspect of the organization from the OCWS office to The Courtyard and well beyond.

The family requests that any donations in his memory be made by helping a veteran, supporting a student, or donating to the OCWS scholarship fund.

Paul will be sorely missed by all who had the great fortune to have crossed paths with him in life. Cheers, our friend!

 

 

Oktoberween 2018 Wrap Up

The OCWS Oktoberween themed Membership BBQ was held October 14 at The Courtyard under clear skies and comfortable temperatures.

It was a tremendous success with over 150 members attending and over $2,000 raised for the OCWS Scholarship Fund from the Wine Wall and silent auction.

This year’s event maintained our long-standing tradition of great food, good music, and the bringing together of our members for an afternoon of fun and comradery.

I would like to give special thanks to the following members who helped make it such a success:

  • Betty Jo and Jay Newell: Decorations and making all of the gift baskets
  • Irene and Ken Scott: Decorations and games development
  • Liz and Lloyd Corbett: Coordinating the Wine Wall, silent auction, and OCWS logo merchandising
  • Jim and Linda Downey: Making the homemade German Potato Salad and Sauerkraut
  • Robyn and Dean Strom: Donation of soft drinks
  • Sara Yeoman: Event MC (Mistress of Ceremonies)
  • Lynda Edwards and Rochelle Randel: Administration, event ticketing and tracking
  • Brian McDonald: Leader of the Grilling Team, invaluable help in menu planning and shopping
  • Jolen Zeroski: Volunteer Coordinator

And to all the volunteers who gave their time in support of the event and helped to “make it happen” – Thank You!!

– Terry McLean, Event Chair