November 2023

Magic of the Holidays

Enjoy the festive spirit with fun activities at these Southern California wineries.

‘Tis the season to be jolly – or merry – or whatever adjective suits you best to get you into joyful spirits this time of year.

And while typically the holiday season is reserved for children and the excitement of what gifts they will receive, adults can have fun too, right?

Wineries are no exception. All across California, commercial winemakers know how to make it a December to remember by hosting festive events or offering special treats not just for their club members but for the public as well.

So if you are feeling jolly and up for making a trip to a winery in Orange County or farther afield in Solvang, here are some ideas to warm your cockles.

Over at Peltzer Family Cellars in Temecula, they celebrate over a six-week period with “Christmas on the Farm.” There is a 120×65-foot ice rink for the kids – or kids at heart – local food trucks peppered throughout the property and local live music. And if you are looking for a “holidate,” there’s a wine and cupcake pairing at the winery on Dec. 28. For $30, guests get three mini cupcakes and receive three 2-ounce tastings.

A little farther south at San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa, they offer a seasonal hot spiced wine kit, just right for those chilly evenings. The $48 kit is a blend of passionfruit wine, red wine and mulling spices. The winery also has a tasting room in Seaport Village and is a prime viewing spot for the annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights that features more than 80 boats. The parade will be on December 10 and 17.

Back in Orange County, Frisby Cellars has its 10th Annual Christmas in the Cellar at its Rancho Mission Viejo location on December 10 from 12-4 p.m. Attendees can sip and shop as local vendors set up tables in the cellar and hawk their wares. There also will be a DJ pumping up the jam and of course a slew of treats to go with the array of wine.

Bellante Family Winery in Mission Viejo has two events that might strike your interest. The winery hosts a succulent Christmas tree workshop that aims to make your desk at work or your dinner table the envy of others. The workshop is $110 plus tax and includes all the materials needed to make your tree, a glass of wine and cheese and charcuterie. The event will be held on December 5 from 6-8:30 p.m. The winery also has its 4th Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange on December 22, beginning at 5 p.m. Amateur bakers are asked to bring about a dozen cookies to share and make sure to don your ugly Christmas sweater since the winner will be rewarded with a prize.

And, if there’s one place that is a perfect Winter Wonderland setting in California it is Solvang. The Danish hamlet known for its renowned wineries and its fabled Aebleskivers takes it up a notch during the holidays with its Julefest celebration.

Head on up the first weekend of December for the tree lighting and parade as more than 400 participants cruise down the town’s main avenues. If you can’t make it, then try one of the candlelight tours on Dec. 8-9, 15-16 and 18-23, beginning at 5 p.m. as participants sing carols and learn Danish traditions as they comb the streets (and maybe stop in at one of the more than dozen tasting rooms). You can also be on the hunt for the elusive Nisser – aka Danish gnomes – that are hidden throughout the town. Find them all and you get a special gift.

So many decisions for us wine lovers and so little time. Happy Holidays to all and enjoy the good times.

November 26, 2023
By
Members Corner
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President’s Message – Carolyn Christian

As I reflect back on this remarkable year, I am reminded of just how amazing this organization is, not just because of the astounding things we accomplish as an all-volunteer organization, but because of the wonderful people who make it happen.

We are an organization of over 1,000 individuals who are drawn together by our love and appreciation of wine. I am truly honored to be at the helm of such an amazing group of people who are so dedicated to this organization and help steer it in the right direction. After more than three decades of being an OCWS member, it warms my heart to see the ongoing commitment of so many to this incredibly unique nonprofit.

Magnitude of our Impact

Our organization has donated over $780,000 to college and universities that are training the next generation of enologists, viticulturalists and culinary professionals. There is still an opportunity to donate to our scholarship fund before the end of the year (donations are eligible for tax deductions). You can bring your check to one of our holiday events or go online to donate and generate a receipt.

Success of OCWS Events

This was our 47th year hosting the OC Fair Commercial and Home Wine competitions. The Commercial Competition judged 2,260 California wines, while the Home Wine Competition judged 598 California wines. We also sold over 1,200 lots of wine at our annual wine auction. Over 360 volunteers made this year’s competitions and auction successful with a record number of new members volunteering.

We also have touched the lives and shared our wine knowledge with tens of thousands of people at the OC Fair and brought in over 250 new members to the OCWS. The Courtyard continues to be an incredibly successful venture for the organization.

New this Year

We started doing OCWS Outings events at our local wineries in the OC with great success. Our events have included the continuation of an incredible array of wineries showcasing their wines at the Winery Programs, Featured Winery Program, Mini-Tastings and Varietal Hours.

Thanks to our Volunteers

I am so thankful to our Board of Directors, whose leadership of our many events make my job so rewarding. We have a number of new faces this year taking on leadership roles for our many events and committees (see the Responsibilities List on our website).

As you enjoy the various holiday events that the OCWS has planned for December, please take time to look around at the attendees who also volunteer their time to put together events. It is our members who make us what we are today.

Looking Forward to 2024

We have so many exciting things in store, including starting off the year with a Bubbles n’ Brunch at  Citrus City Grille in Orange and a winery program featuring Once & Future Wine Company run by Joel Peterson, a longtime supporter of our organization. I urge you to look at the newsletter and emails announcing our various events and sign up early, as they often sell out.

Celebrating OCWS History

We have launched a new project to gather and archive the organization’s history as we approach our 50th anniversary within the next few years. Please help us in preserving our amazing history by donating requested items such as old newsletters prior to 2000, photos and video, event programs, wine award books and other memorabilia (we will be putting out calls for specific items in the newsletter).

I encourage all of you to volunteer for upcoming events and be part of the magic-making that occurs with the OCWS.

Grateful for All Members

I wish all of you a most joyous holiday season, whatever holidays you, your family and your friends celebrate. We have much to be grateful for. I find it no coincidence that when people toast, it is usually with a glass of wine, and for the OCWS, wine is truly the elixir that brings us together in one amazing organization. Happy holidays and Happy New Year to all!

November 26, 2023
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President's Message
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November 2023 Holiday Mini-Tasting Results:

The November Mini-Tasting was held at six sites (members’ homes) across the county, with roughly 100 people enjoying 10 wines selected to pair with holiday dishes and comfort food. The attendees each contributed a dish and each site voted for their favorite who was awarded a bottle of wine as “Chef of the Evening.”

The wines were served in five blind flights of two wines each and the attendees judged each wine and voted for their favorites. There were several proprietary red blends in the wine lineup along with Pinot Noir, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel.

The overall winner was an Estate Syrah from Halter Ranch in Paso Robles, followed by David Phinney’s “Eight Years in the Desert” and two Petite Sirahs. All 10 wines were purchased at Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa.

The three favorite wines across the six host sites:

Place Wine & Winery YR PRICE DESCRIPTION
1st Halter Ranch

 

Estate Syrah

 

Adelaida District

Paso Robles

 

92 points

Wine Enthusiast

 2019 $41.95 This is a rich and roasty style of Syrah, starting with aromas of cocoa nibs, carob and espresso beans as well as blackberry paste and baking spice. Cocoa and coffee flavors give a nutty tone to the palate, which is warmed up by chai spices.
2nd Orin Swift

 

Eight Years in the Desert

 

California Red Wine

St. Helena, Ca.

 2022 $40.99 The nose is rife with notes of ripe blueberry, black plum, wild raspberry, espresso bean, sweet oak and a hint of crème de menthe and cedar. Bright acidity throughout the palate, the wine closes with round, ripe tannins, fresh pluot and dark chocolate.
Blend: Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah.
3rd Rodney’s Vineyard

 

Epiphany

Petite Sirah

Los Olivos, Ca.

 

Santa Barbara County

 2019 $51.95 Deep powerful wine with inky dark fruit, lavender, chocolate, and black pepper. This friendly, heady Petite has a ton to offer.

In addition, attendees brought a delicious dish to share and then voted on a Chef of the Evening. The results of the Chef of the Evening at each host site are:

  • Hosts Chris & Hank Bruce:

Ronna Rowe – Artichoke Dip

 Host Lora Cross:

Germaine Romano – Salmon on a bed of Tropical Rice

 Hosts Denise Casad & Dan Weddell:

Adrienne Davis – Creamed Corn

  • Hosts Beverly Genis & Bob Topham:

Barbara Greenfield – “Super” Salad

  • Hosts Virginia & Karl Kawai:

Eric Kalnes – Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Fig reduction

 Hosts Don & Elee Phillips:

          Kathleen Alva & Paul Wooldridge – Ribs

Congratulations to all the winners!  A big thank you to the hosts!

—George Cravens, OCWS Director

November 26, 2023
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Mini Tastings
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Unique Gifts for Every Wine Lover on you List

1 Chateau Spill Red Wine Stain Remover    
$8.95
HateStains.com
This may look like a bottle of wine but
don’t be fooled! The 4 oz. spray stain
remover can actually clean up a bottle of
spilled wine. Removes both fresh stains
and set-in markings on rugs, carpeting,
clothing and other textiles.

2 Wine and the White House: A History
$29.95
Amazon.com
Where there was a U.S. president,
there was a bottle of wine—or two
or three. This impressive pictorial
tome explores the fine wines
produced in the United States
that were served at the White
House—and the glassware
used to enjoy them. Also
includes toasts and detailed
menus that went along with
state dinners, diplomatic events
and other significant happenings.

3 Le Creuset Champagne Stopper
$50
WilliamsSonoma.com
Keep the bubbles bubbling with this crafty
stopper featuring an airtight rubber seal that
anchors to the bottle where everyday stoppers
are unable to latch on.

4 Ceramic Wine Bottle Holders
$30-$45
Instagram.com/waterimages
Wine stays cool and tablecloths stain
free with WineKeeps from our very
own OCWS member Wendy Taylor
—custom, handmade ceramic wine
bottle holders. They can be stored in
the freezer then used tableside to help
chilled bottles stay cold. To order, email
wtaylor@waterimages.com

5 Reclaimed Wine Barrel Lazy Susan
$209.99
TouchofClass.com
Perfect for a bar or dining
room, this 21” walnut tray
rotates to allow easy access to
a bottle of wine, wine glasses,
napkins or whatever else you
may have on the table.

November 26, 2023
By
Wine Lover Gifts
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Scholarship donation reminder

Just a friendly reminder that it is not too late to make a donation to the OCWS Scholarship Fund in 2023.  There are several ways to donate:

  1. Bring a check to a holiday event – Make your check out to OCWS (please write Scholarship Donation on the memo line and add the name of a specific school, if you want it to go to only one of the schools supported). I will be in attendance at the holiday events and will be happy to accept your donation check. A donation letter will be sent to you.
  2. Mail a check – Complete your check using the same instructions as above and mail it to the OCWS office at OCWS, P.O. Box 11059 Costa Mesa, CA 92627  Attn: Scholarship Fund  A donation letter will be sent to you.
  3. Donate Online – Logon to your account at ocws.org and go to the scholarship donation page: ocws.org/product/scholarship-donations/ You can make your donation online and print a receipt for tax purposes at the same time.

—Damian Christian, OCWS Scholarship Chair

November 26, 2023
By
Scholarship News
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