Thank you to all of our Orange County Wine Society members who sent in their electronic votes for the Board of Directors this past month. The new electronic election was flawless, and I want to congratulate both Carolyn Christian and Fred Heinecke as they join me in our 2020-2021 Board term. I am honored to […]

I had the honor and distinct pleasure to interview the brave and dynamic team of Roger and Janice Mattar and Doris and John Severs, winemakers and owners of Big Nose Family Winery who, this month, will be presenting their wines to the OCWS membership via our Virtual Winery Program. I call them brave, as they […]

Our members have been pleased to learn about the scholarship colleges and universities the OCWS has supported since 1981, beginning with two colleges. Benefits of OCWS membership include the enjoyment of knowing about our contributions to the students in the educational world of campus agriculture, business and research, and their appreciation of our generosity. This […]

Thanks to all of our members who joined the virtual Annual Business Meeting on Friday, September 11. Highlights of the year’s past events and the financial health of the organization were reviewed. A recording of this meeting will be available on the OCWS website to those of you who missed the live meeting. Special thanks […]

In looking to find some fun alternatives to The Courtyard at the OC Fair that, sadly, were not able to  be held this year, Summer Sunday Seminars were created. Ten weeks of entertaining seminars were developed by a talented team of people who combined their passion for the OC Fair seminars and their love of […]

While our most volunteer-intensive events weren’t held this year, there were still a number of members who put in significant time helping plan and run the events that we did have. As the organization has only part-time employees, it relies on our volunteers for everything from guiding and managing our organization to planning and running […]

Scholarships are important to the core of the OCWS, especially to the dedicated students we support. Due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of scholarship fundraising sources, the scholarship account has only 10% of what we funded last year at this time. We have lost the top three and more of five sources that account for […]

These past months have been challenging for all of us in the Orange County Wine Society. This has caused the OCWS to rely more heavily on our older methods and get creative with new ways to keep in touch with our members. Our last in-person Quarterly Meeting was held in February, and we all miss […]

August 21, 2020 Dear Leslie Hodowanec, I want to express my sincere gratitude for selecting me to receive the Orange County Wine Society, Inc scholarship. I was excited to be chosen and I am deeply grateful for your support, especially because I took a great class Fall 2019, Bar Management with Professor Yates, and I […]

Cameron Wilson OCC Student July 14, 2020 Dear Mrs. Leslie Hodowanec,             I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for selecting me for the Orange County Wine Society scholarship. I am grateful to you and your organization for selecting me.             I am currently enrolled in the advanced baking and pastry program […]