Wendy

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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One of Our Own… Gone Commercial

Big Nose Winery is an offspring from one of our very own home winemakers. I am sure you know him. Roger Mattar.

He and his wife Janice have been making home wine in Orange County since 2012. It became a passion that arose from traveling around wine country. Every vacation involved wineries and wine tasting. Intrigued with the concept, they decided to try it for themselves.

From the beginning, though, they sought out experienced assistance. They discovered OCWS and encountered some great mentors along the way. For Roger, making wine was like raising children. He nurtured them during fermentation. At night, he couldn’t sleep, thinking about them. And, like well-cared-for children, the Mattars’ wines were excellent.

Deciding to enter his ‘progeny’ in the Orange County Home Wine Competition, he earned a Double Gold for his Merlot. They continued to produce award-wining wines, garnering multiple medals from various competitions.

But Roger wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to know more about winemaking. Whereupon he completed a three-year enology program at Missouri State University in 2018 (fellow winemakers take note)!

Immediately, they took the plunge. They took their winemaking skills commercial, obtaining their commercial license and creating Big Nose Winery that same year. And you gotta love their simple silhouette-like logo.

It wasn’t until 2021 that they found their new home. Janice liked the Temecula area so when a place came available, they went for it in October that year.

Today, the Mattars make Bordeaux-style wines focusing on red varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. They also produce some wonderful whites such as Viognier and Pinot Grigio.

They purchase grapes as they cannot grow their own. Of course, that works in their favor. Roger is able to pick and choose the grapes he wants to use, thus getting the best from all parts of California. They acquire grapes from as far south as San Diego to up north from Sonoma. And, of course, he does get some varietals locally in Temecula.

Already, he has expanded his production to include Petit Sirah, Petit Verdot and, coming either this year or next, Tannat. They produce a rosé and a dessert wine as well.

Additionally, he and Janice are experimenting with blends. It’s a team effort that includes experience, planning and the necessary tasting trials. Big Nose Meritage is one such mastered blend, but their latest, a quite superb blend, is Sumptuous.

The wines are truly excellent. They continue to earn Double Golds and other awards at the OCWS competitions, but this time in the Commercial Competition.

Roger told me he does not have a favorite. Says Roger, “they are all my babies. I like them all. But some are easier than others.”

I think we know where he’s going with that.

When I asked Roger if he had any advice for the newbies to winemaking, he suggests, “Find a mentor. There are a lot in the Orange County Wine Society.”

As we finished our tasting experience, I asked him what his family thought about his new career path. He said they were a family-oriented group and he was fully supported. He added that food is family. “We share the same passion,” he told me. As concerns the Big Nose wines, his closing remark, “Aroma comes first.”

As it turns out, this is where the Big Nose Winery name derives from: “the name was chosen with the wines’ aroma in mind taking special note of your senses while indulging in your wine tasting experience.”

Having visited Big Nose Winery a few times now, we are starting to encounter repeat customers, a true sign of producing a successful product. One such return customer told me that the wines from Big Nose Winery are some of the best in the Temecula Valley. I’d say that’s a great endorsement.

Go see Roger and Janice and try the wines. You will find their quaint, rustic and charming tasting room in The Hotel Temecula. It is part of a structure dating back to 1883, in Old Town Temecula on Main Street. They’re open Thursday through Sunday. Check out their website – bignosefamilywinery.com – for more complete information.

By W. Scott Harral

October 27, 2023
By
Featured Member, Winery Industry
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2024 OCWS Winery Program

Award-Winning Wineries

This annual program series promotes the knowledge of winemaking, viticulture and wine appreciation. It introduces our members to different wines made from the best wine-producing regions in California.

Save the Friday dates below and mark your calendars to attend. Look for information about each tasting in The Wine Press and sign up on the website. Signups will be limited this year!

Dates                                                           Winery

January 19, 2024                                Once and Future Wine

February 9, 2024                                           Bella Grace

March 8, 2024                                              Double Bond

April 12, 2024                                                San Pasqual

May 10, 2024                                                 San Simeon

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 with the opportunity to meet the winemakers. When you visit a winery, how often are you able to hear and talk personally with the winemakers themselves? You can do that by participating in this program.

Having these award-winning wineries gives our members the chance to taste their wines and learn if you enjoy a particular style. At the end of the evening, you may order the wines, usually at a discounted price. The wine will then be shipped directly to your home.

We will hold our Winery Program on Friday evenings at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel in Costa Mesa. Each tasting starts with a light, sit-down plated dinner with this meal served to you at your table. With our large membership and limited attendance space, we encourage you to sign up early. Self-parking is included in the price.

—Rich Skoczylas, OCWS Director and Winery Program Coordinator

October 27, 2023
By
Winery Program
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President’s Message

As I begin my term as your new president, I am thankful for the many OCWS leaders who have come before me and I am humbled by the dedication and determination of so many who have helped maintain the OCWS as a viable and active organization.

In my first President’s Message, I would like to outline my goals for this next year. They are an extension of my marketing work with the organization and serving as vice president this past year.

First, I would like to continue the vision of my predecessor, Fran Gitsham, for a cohesive and kind organization focused on wine as a shared interest. With so much negativity and divisiveness in the world, I believe it is more important than ever to focus on what we have in common, and for the OCWS, it is the enthusiasm for wine and sharing our knowledge and appreciation that brings us together.

My second goal is to continue to keep the organization financially successful. I am very proud of how our organization pulled together and weathered a period that other organizations found so challenging. We have come out of it stronger and more resilient.

Next, I would like to increase our member involvement and engagement with more volunteers to share the work that we do and higher event attendance. I would also like to see our new members become more involved during their first year. We have already started to engage new members and you will see several new names on the List of Responsibilities this year. You also will see more opportunities to provide us with feedback in the months to come.

As someone who joined the OCWS in my 20s, I know the importance of attracting younger members to keep the organization vibrant and resilient. You will see some new ideas added to our existing offerings to help attract a new generation of wine enthusiasts. We will continue to participate in community events and bring in new members throughout the year, in addition to our annual recruitment during the OC Fair.

Another focus for me this year will be highlighting the Winemakers’ Group. You probably have already heard that our organization began with the home winemakers in the 1970s and they have grown with the organization over our 45+ year history. It is my hope that all OCWS members will be exposed to the incredible wines that our Winemakers’ Group members are making and that the group will find new students to mentor within the organization at large.

As marketing chair, I have been working to communicate with wineries about our amazing wine competition. Over the next year, you will see a concerted effort from the marketing committee to develop a comprehensive package of benefits for wineries entering the competition including added exposure to our members and the Southern California wine market.

Finally, as we near the 50th anniversary of the OCWS and the 50th Commercial Wine Competition, my goal this year is to begin plans for these celebrations with anniversary events and souvenir items.

In addition to my goals, I would also like to share exciting news about the 2023-24 OCWS Board of Directors. Last month, the Board announced a one-year appointment opportunity. After carefully considering the qualifications of seven amazing candidates who applied, the board chose Sue England to fill the open vacancy. We are all thrilled to welcome Sue to the board and I hope you will join us in congratulating her on her new role within the organization. She brings many years of experience in nonprofit management and has worked on several committees and in many volunteer positions with the OCWS.

I am so enthusiastic about the upcoming year and hope that you will join me in promoting the OCWS to prospective members and wineries. This year’s List of Responsibilities has been posted on our website and I invite you to review the list and contact the committee chairs if you are interested in participating. I am grateful to be able to share my vision and lead this organization that has been part of my life for over 37 years. I welcome your input and feedback and hope you will renew your commitment to this amazing all-volunteer organization that brings us all together in the name of wine and wine education.

Cheers to you all!

Carolyn Christian

October 26, 2023
By
President's Message
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Chef of the Evening – Berry Pavlova with Lemon Whipped Cream

The Chefs are:  Don & Mary Ann Mayer

This classic berry pavlova recipe filled with lemon whipped cream filling and garnished with assorted summer berries.

Pavlova (named after the ballerina Anna Pavlova) is a crisp,

yet soft meringue shell, fresh fruit topping, and some variety of whipped cream filling.

 Meringue Ingredients:

  • 4large egg whites room temperature
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • 1cup (200 g) fine caster or granulated sugar
  • ½teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Lemon Berry Filling:

  • 1¼cups (300 mL) heavy whipping cream cold
  • 3tablespoons high-quality store-bought or homemade lemon curd
  • 1teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • zestof 1 lemon
  • 2cups fresh mixed berries such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries
  • confectioner’s sugar for garnishing (optional)

Instructions 

Prepare the Meringue Shell: Preheat your oven to 275°F with a rack in the center position. Using parchment paper, trace a 8-inch diameter circle on the paper with a pencil. Flip the parchment paper over, so that the pencil side is facing down.

Place the egg whites and salt in the bowl. Whisk over medium speed until the egg whites soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Increase the speed to high. Slowly add the sugar, sprinkling in one tablespoon at a time, and continue beating for roughly 3 minutes. Continue to whisk over high speed until the meringue mixture reaches stiff peaks and is glossy, an additional 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the vanilla extract, cornstarch and lemon juice, and whisk on high speed for an additional minute until well combined. Fold with a spatula to ensure that all the ingredients are incorporated well.

Gently transfer the meringue to the center of the circle on the parchment-lined sheet pan. Smooth the meringue into a thick disk using the edges of the circle as a rough guide. The meringue should be roughly about 2½ to 3 inches tall.

Bake the meringue until crisp, pale in color, and dry to touch, roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and prop open the oven door. Allow the meringue to cool completely in the oven, about 1 to 1½ hours. It should be crisp, dry to touch, and have a slightly cracked appearance.

 Prepare the lemon berry filling: Just before serving, place the chilled heavy cream in a clean bowl and beat the cream, starting at a low speed and gradually increasing to high, until it reaches soft peaks. Using a spatula, fold in the lemon curd, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

 Carefully transfer the meringue shell to a flat serving platter; meringues are very fragile, so you may want to use the parchment paper to do this or alternatively, serve it on the sheet pan. Top the meringue with the lemon curd cream, followed by the mixed berries, and dust with powdered sugar.

Serve in large scoops. Pavlova is best enjoyed the day it is baked, as meringue will gain moisture and lose its crispness with time; leftovers can be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

October 23, 2023
By
Recipes
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The Game Was On at The Fall Membership Social

Would it rain with cool temperatures and wind? Would it be sunny and warm? The weather was questionable and no one was quite sure for the weather that day. So, we moved the Fall Membership Social inside the Huntington Beach Building for the party on Sept. 30. The Cooks Caucus set up in The Courtyard and brought pop-ups to cover themselves for the many hours they were there to prepare the food for the 200+ attendees. People started showing up at 10 a.m. to cook, set up the tables, decorate, and be ready to welcome everyone for “The Game is On” event.

The band, the Three 2 Sevens, were on fire and the dance floor was crowded with dancers enjoying the music!

There were contests to enter and drawings for prizes. Eleven lucky people won the prize of their choice. We also had wine prizes for the ‘get to know everyone’ game and one wine given for a drawing that included all the volunteers who helped with the event, including members of the Cooks Caucus. Games were set out on the other side of the band for corn hole and ring toss.

We had excellent wine from the cellar at the wine carts, along with fabulous wine by the Home Winemakers group. Many members of that group brought their wine to share with all! Part of the game was to find a person who makes their own wine, which succeeded in many new members meeting home winemakers.

Everyone wore something to represent their favorite sport or team. Football, baseball, soccer, golf, marathon runners, NASCAR and much more were represented! What a great time!

Once again, Rochelle Randel set up and ran the Wine Wall. Many of our members brought wine to donate to the Wine Wall. There were so many donations, most of the wine from the Cellar was sent back for future events. Thank you to everyone who donated. The Wine Wall made about $1,000, which will be all for the scholarship fund!

A huge thank you goes out to all the people who volunteered to move tables, decorate, serve wine, cook delicious food, serve the delicious food, work the sign-in table and clean up! The Orange County Wine Society is made up of dedicated, helpful people who give their time so all can enjoy the events. Thank you so much for helping to make ‘The Game is On’ so successful!

—Alice Polser, Event Chair

October 23, 2023
By
Members Corner
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UPDATE: 2023 OCWS Scholarship Program

As 2023 comes to an end and we start a new board year, the scholarship program reins will be handed from Leslie Hodowanec to Damian Christian.

Under Leslie’s leadership over the past few years, the program has continued a successful tradition of supporting eight California colleges and universities that have wine-related degree programs including enology, viticulture, wine marketing and culinary arts. This year, the program surpassed the three-quarters of a million-dollar mark, garnering $781,423 since 1996.

Starting with just a few institutions at its inception including University of California, Davis, and California State University, Fresno, the program now provides funding for eight institutions.

Institution 2023 Scholarship Donation
Allan Hancock College $5,200
Cal Poly Institute, Pomona $5,100
Cal Poly Institute, San Luis Obispo $5,100
California State University, Fresno $6,100
Orange Coast College $5,600
University of California, Davis $5,100
Napa Valley College $5,100
California State University, Sonoma

(Chris Cunningham Memorial Scholarship)

 $2,410
TOTAL $39,710

Program funds come from a variety of sources in addition to the organization’s general funds. These general funds include monies earned through membership dues, The Courtyard and the Wine Auction. Also, each year, at the OC Fair Commercial Competition, judges are offered the opportunity to donate back their stipend to the scholarship fund. The recipient institution for these funds rotates each year, giving each the opportunity to benefit from the funds over the years. In addition, the tips that the public gives to The Courtyard volunteers during the OC Fair are also slated for scholarships. In recent years, the Featured Winery Program at the OC Fair has been added to the list of funds that are directly applied to the scholarship program. Funds from the famous Wine Wall that Rochelle Randel runs during the Spring and Fall social events are also added directly to the fund.

As the year draws to a close, we want to remind everyone about another source of income for our Scholarship Fund and that is your generous donations. Don’t forget that donating to a nonprofit 501 (C)(3) like OCWS for the Scholarship Fund may be used as a tax deduction (please check with your tax specialist to confirm eligibility).

Year-end donations to our scholarship fund can be made online at ocws.org or by sending a check to the OCWS office at PO Box 11059, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 and can be made online at ocws.org/scholarship and you can print your own tax receipt. Checks also will be accepted at the Holiday Dinner Dance and Winemakers’ Holiday Potluck Party. Your donation can be made to the Scholarship Fund in general, or you may designate a specific institution to receive your donation. Please indicate “scholarship fund” on the memo line of your check and indicate specific institutions (if you wish to designate where your funds go). Thank you in advance for your generous donation and your support of the OCWS Scholarship Fund throughout the year. Whether you volunteer your time to these activities or provide donations, you are contributing to a worthwhile cause that furthers our educational mission.

— Damian Christian, Scholarship Chairs

October 23, 2023
By
Members Corner
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Volunteers Who Made a Difference This Year

The OCWS relies on our volunteers for everything from guiding and managing our organization to planning and
running our events. Most volunteer work is done “behind the scenes” and unnoticed by many. In recognition of
their hours of service, the Wine Society rewards our volunteers with store credit, redeemable for admission to OCWS
events. The credit, which is available on your “My Account” page, will be good until Oct. 1, 2024.
The credit may not be used for membership renewal or to purchase merchandise. Our volunteers make this the
successful organization that it is. We couldn’t exist without our volunteers! We encourage you to get involved. It is
a great way to see how the organization works and meet fellow members. Thank you to the following volunteers for
their efforts during the 2022-2023 year.

—Rochelle Randel,
Business Administrator

$50 Credit

Chris Bruce
Hank Bruce
Jim Burk
Damian Christian
Liz Corbett
Lloyd Corbett
Kevin Coy
Maria Coy
Lynda Edwards
Wendy Eld
Sue England
Yale Finkle
Carol Frank
Jane Goodnight
Larry Graham
Scott Green
Greg Hagadorn
Kelly Haggard
Leslie Hodowanec
Helga Hrowal
Mike Iglesias
Virginia Kawai
Cheryl Knapp
Ken Knapp
Theresa Lane
Kevin Lite
John Molina
Mary Mulcahey
Betty Jo Newell
Jay Newell
Marcy Ott
George Ott
Cathy Painter
Lee Painter
Maia Pehrson
Don Phillips
Alice Polser
Glenn Polser
Bruce Powers
Sam Puzzo
Rochelle Randel
Bill Redding
Carolyn Redding
Ed Reyes
Janet Riordan
Greg Risling
Cathy Risling
Peter Schlundt-Bodien
Dave Stancil
Tami Stancil
Robyn Strom
Dean Strom
Stacey Taylor
Wendy Taylor
Bob Topham
Daniel Vlahovic
Richard Ward
Dave White
Sara Yeoman
Courtney

$25 Credit

Dino Amico
Greg Basille
Dawn Bergen-Iglesias
Leslie Brown
Pam Carter
Anna Christie
Adrienne Davis
Ray Davis
Sharon Finkle
Ellen Flynn
Gloria Franklin
Lorriane Hammonds
Cheryl Heinecke
Will Holsinger
Lynelle Hustrulid
Michael Johnson
Karl Kawai
Michael Koval
Kathy Krieger
Ellie Phillips
Laurie Preuss
Roger Reiss
Walter Reiss
Debbie Renne
Terry Rose
Craig Rowe
Ronna Rowe
Scott Sayre
Tricia Shelton
Linda Shepard
Jack Shepard
Tom Tippett
Deborah Webber
Barbara White
Tony Wieczorek
Jolen Zeroski

$10 Credit

Adrienne Amico
Zach Anderson
Shilo Bartlett
Brigit Beaudette
Mike Beaudette
Laura Brown
Judy Chapel
Eva Cheung
Shelley Cohen
Louis Cohen
Chris Danoff
Stephanie Djang
Dan Donati
Liane Donati
Kate English
Charles English
Carol Esslinger
Claude Fusaro
Kathy Fusaro
Bonnie Gausewitz
Bev Genis
Alison Godleski
Mark Godleski
Kay Gooding
John Goodnight
Jerry Guerin
Maryetta Hall
Scott Harral
Donna Hisey
Shelly Jayne
CL Keedy
Jim Kerins
Laurie Kjar-Reiss
Roxanne Korzeniowski
Shannon Logsdon
Alicia Lopez
Mike MacKenzie
Cathy MacKenzie
Don Mayer
Robin McCormick
John Nation
Cyndi Nelson
Alison Painter
Mike Paz
Janet Peal
Dorothy Pemberton
David Price
Stephanie Richards
Kim Rizzuto
Steven Rizzuto
Manny Robledo
Denise Scandura
John Scandura
Denise Scott
Irene Scott
Raul Serna
JoBeth Skaggs
Chris Snyder
Robert Soule
Jodi Theissen
Mark Theissen
Darwin Thompson
Evelyn Thompson
Nicole Tormey
Nancy Unterreiner
Gerard Unterreiner
Sharone Vearrier
Michael Webber
Dave Wiegand
Elena Yuasa

October 23, 2023
By
Volunteer
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Join the Club by Greg Risling

Whether it’s lunch under a big oak tree or a private tasting overlooking a valley, wine club benefits can make it worth the commitment.

Chances are – at one time or another – you have joined a wine club.

The inevitable lure for us oenophiles was most certainly the wine itself. Whether it was your favorite varietal that hit your palette just right during a tasting or a varied selection of wines that intrigued you, wine clubs also tend to have a host of benefits that aim at retaining newly minted members.

But what about the clubs that have a special touch – that something extra which might get you to join?

At Sunce Winery in Santa Rosa, members can get a complimentary sunset cruise in San Francisco Bay. Bushong Vintage Company in Paso Robles offers an annual Winter Vinyl Package where customers get three red wines and a new, collectible record picked by owner Jason Bushong himself. How about virtual tastings with comedian Martin Short and late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel at Hall Wines in Saint Helena? And, over at Eberle Winery, also in Paso Robles, military and law enforcement get a whopping 40 percent off purchases that also applies for the wine club.

Discounts are usually the biggest appeal people are given when they join a club. It often ranges between 10 and 30 percent, often with free shipping or maybe even a local pickup where members get to taste the most recent releases.

Of course, joining a wine club usually means free tastings at the winery itself. And given that some tastings for visitors in Napa, Sonoma or elsewhere can be north of $50-$100, it makes sense to join a club and get shipments 2-3 times a year.

OCWS members Dino and Adrienne Amico have some sage advice for fellow members when it comes to shipping.

“We have our wines shipped to a FedEx store near our home so we don’t have to be home to sign for the delivery,” Adrienne says. “FedEx keeps the box in its air conditioned space and allows us five days to pick it up before returning it to the sender.”

Joining a club also means that you part of a new family. However, with larger corporations snatching up wineries across California, that family feel has been tougher to retain.

At Navarro Vineyards and Winery, owners Aaron Bennett and his sister Sarah Cahn-Bennett enjoy giving members a sneak peak into what goes into making their wines.

At Navarro Vineyards and Winery in Mendocino County, family is the name of the game. Aaron Bennett and his sister, Sarah Cahn-Bennett, run the winery after it was founded in the early 1970s by their parents Ted Bennett and Deborah Cahn.

The winery’s pre-release tasting program centers on a direct relationship between the winemaker and the customer and during each release, Ted and Deborah delve deeper into stories of the 20-25 wines they produce, giving members a behind-the-scenes look of what it takes to make each wine.

Aaron says Navarro tries to make the wines affordable while not cutting corners to ensure people get the highest quality wine.

“It was important for us that access to those wines should not be elitist,” he says. “Additionally, I believe our members generally have an appreciation for multiple varietals and an eagerness to learn and try different wine and different styles. We’re constantly keeping our ears to the ground and experimenting with different approaches.”

The answer is simple for Mike Owen, president and CEO of Crystal Basin Cellars in El Dorado County, when asked to describe the typical club member for his winery.

“Over 21 with lips,” cracks Mike. “Some people are very curious in a wine-centric way and others like the social aspect and our ‘Cheers’-like approach to hospitality.”

Mike added that Crystal Basin allows customers to swap out wines in the same categories to fit their particular favorites; members can skip up to a year of shipments so they can retain club benefits; and there are two programs that reward members referring friends, including a $100 discount on a case of wine.

OCWS members Cathy and Lee Painter belong to several wine clubs. While they have leaned toward smaller, family-owned wineries, they have enjoyed Onx Wines, located in the Tin City area of Paso Robles. Before getting your shipment, Onx lets you order two-once sample bottles and also host a Zoom tasting with the winemakers and cooking classes.

“They provide a bottle of white or rose to drink while cooking and a bottle of red to have with dinner, plus a pack of all the ingredients for the meal,” Lee says. “We’ve done four of these, making seared duck breast, homemade pasta, paella and Christmas cookies.”

Paula Baker, office manager at Fallbrook Winery in San Diego County, says the winery strives to keep its “small town, friendly vibe” – right down to guests getting greeted by Cooper – the winery’s beloved dog that likes to herd folks into the tasting room.

Members at Fallbrook also can swap out different varietals for their quarterly shipment that best suits them. They can get intimate seating in the cave, invites to club parties and small group tastings with winemaker Euan Parker or another member of the production team.

“Friendly, knowledgeable staff make members feel like part of a close-knit family – which they are, really!” says Paula. “We welcome everyone with a smile.”

The good news for those wanting to join a wine club is that there is no shortage of choices and with a little research and ample time to taste, a suitable match is only a click away.

 

Joining a Wine Club: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

With thousands of wineries
throughout the state of California, choosing the wine club
that’s right for you can be
daunting. Before you commit,
consider the following:
Shipping can really add up. Be
sure yours is included.
• • •
A club that offers quarterly
shipments will typically cost
twice as much as biannual shipments simply because you’re
getting more bottles. Know how
much you’re willing to spend.
• • •
Do you prefer whites over reds
and avoid rose varietals?
Customized allocations may
be just your thing.
• • •
Look into discounts on future
orders, incentives for referring
a friend and even free bottles.
• • •
Private tours, invite-only parties
and lunch in the vineyard are
great reasons to join.
• • •
Consider the cancellation and
return policies before you
decide whether the membership works for you

 

September 25, 2023
By
Featured Wineries
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