History

OCWS History & Fun Facts

The OC Wine Society has been around since the mid-1970s and was founded by a group of home winemakers. Over the years, we have developed into one of the largest wine enthusiast groups in the nation. As we approach our 50th anniversary, the History Committee is gathering information to share about our organization’s history.

The number of entries in the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition has varied over the years. In the 1980s, we even had 16 wine coolers entered into the competition.

The committee is asking members to share their historical photos, event programs and fond memories. This month we would like to encourage long-time members to help us gather old paper issues of our newsletter, The Wine Press, from 1976 to 2005. You can either scan a good-quality copy of the newsletter or bring it to us to scan for you. Please contact us if you have any historical information to contribute.

–Carolyn Christian, Hank Bruce, Jane Goodnight, Linda Flemins, OCWS History Committee

OCWS History and Fun Facts

The OC Wine Society has been around since the mid-1970s and was founded by a group of home winemakers. As we approach our 50th anniversary, the History Committee is gathering information to share about our organization’s history.  Here are a few fun facts about the organization:

1976 – Orange County Wine Guild formed (now called Orange County Wine Society)

1977 – The 1st OC Fair Commercial Competition (hosted by OCWS) included two varietals: Chenin Blanc and Gamay Beaujolais

1981 – OCWS first began serving wine at the OC Fair in the Wine Garden

1997 – OCWS first began their website in 1997

Look for more exciting historical facts about the OCWS in the newsletter.  The committee is currently gathering historical information and would also like to ask members to share their historical photos, event programs and fond memories. Please contact us if you have any information to contribute.

OCWS History Committee: Carolyn Christian, Hank Bruce, Jane Goodnight, Linda Flemins