Category: Members Corner

Results from the Sept. 6 Gold Medal Mini-Tasting are in. With 10 wines evaluated by 160 people across 10 host sites, the results show a clear hierarchy among the wines. The ratings, which were tallied to determine a total score, highlight several standout performers. The 2023 Petit Verdot by ZD Wines emerged as the undisputed champion, accumulating the highest total score of 111 total points with seven of the 10 sites ranking this wine in their Top 3. The Malbec from Lucas & Lewellen scored the 2nd highest points with a total of 101 with six of the 10 sites placing this wine in the top three. This was followed by a Cabernet Sauvignon by Honig, which scored 81 points, with four sites ranking this wine in the Top 3. The Sauzao, from Lewis Grace is a wine varietal with Portuguese origins that was rated the 4th highest scoring wine, with four sites scoring it very high offset by four sites that scored it very low.  

As one would expect from this Gold Medal Tasting, where nine of the 10 wines were rated as Double Gold, each of the 10 wines were rated in the top three when looking across the 10 host sites. In fact, five of the 10 wines received votes for being a No. 1 choice, and seven of the wines received second place votes. Of the 10 wines, nine were scored as a No. 3 choice. These results support the common notion that great wine is what you like.

I hope everyone enjoyed the selection of wines for the event, and look for the article on the next Mini Tasting scheduled for Nov. 15. 

–Don Mayer, OCWS Mini-Tasting Chair 

CHEFS OF THE EVENING

What happens when you get more than 200 volunteers working nearly 1,500 shifts, pouring over 7,000 bottles of wine?

Another successful year at The Courtyard at the OC Fair!

Over the course of 23 days, the Orange County Wine Society educated fairgoers, featured wineries from across the state and welcomed new members.

The year-round efforts of The Courtyard Committee paid off in spades. Helmed by OCWS Board Member and Courtyard Chair Fred Heinecke, the committee comprised of nearly 20 dedicated members worked tirelessly to make the annual fair run a seamless affair.

While volunteers look forward to earning free vouchers to taste award-winning wines or a host of varietals, here is a different kind of taste worth savoring:

There were 41,644 transactions, 208 volunteers who worked 1,486 shifts. There were 7,505 tastings of award-winning wine, 11,405 varietals, 2,849 Champagne splits, 2,600 glasses of premium red and 3,751 glasses of premium red.

One hundred and thirty-seven bottles of red wine were sold, while there were 156 bottles of white wine sold.

Concert specials, you ask? There were 2,887. Nearly 2,000 glasses of house wine were poured and the Taste of Fair weighed in with 2,045.  And 47 cases of Govino glasses were sold.

The best-selling white wine was the 2024 Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc at 53 cases and the performing red was the 2022 Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon at 44 cases.

Joining the OCWS ranks were 179 new members – 53 dual memberships and 73 single memberships.

Sixteen seminars were held and 10 of those were sold out. Even more promising is that most of the seminars were nearly comprised equally of curious fairgoers and OCWS members.

Over at the Featured Winery Program, Liz and Lloyd Corbett did another fantastic job of bringing 15 wineries to The Courtyard. If you didn’t get to visit the booth during the weekend, you missed out on some screaming deals.

Bella Grace Winery offered 30 percent off and a flat shipping fee. Sculpterra gave half off a case and only $25 shipping, while Macchia gave steep discounts on their entire selection of wines, with one OCWS member, who also is a Macchia club member, to exclaim that the deals at the OC Fair were better than the club discounts. Eberle offered a 20 percent cut to everyone and a 40 percent discount to military and police. Wine Guy and Wine Gal Winery offered a second case of wine free with a purchase of a case of wine for $450.

All that to say that the Featured Winery Program raked in $30,361, 31 percent higher than in 2024, with the proceeds going to the OCWS Scholarship Fund. And good news! Eberle, Sculpterra, Macchia, San Simeon and Bella Grace have already signed up to return in 2026.

Combined with the $16,586 collected in the donation jars and credit card tips, nearly $47,000 was raised for the Scholarship Fund – and that doesn’t even account for the counter sales, which will be revealed at the Annual Business Meeting.

To all those who helped at the fair, the OCWS board and The Courtyard Committee extend a heartfelt thanks and appreciation. For those who haven’t yet volunteered, there will be no better time to experience the fun and camaraderie the fair provides next year as the OCWS celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

By Carolyn Christian

It has been an incredible year for the Orange County Wine Society. On Aug. 2, OCWS graced the front page of the OC Register. What a truly proud moment to receive such recognition from our local newspaper. The headline read, “Afficianados Take Their Wine Seriously,” and the story covered  many aspects of our organization including The Courtyard operations and Wine Seminars during the OC Fair, the Commercial Wine Competition, the OCWS Scholarship Fund and much more. While the article captured all the work we do, it was the photos that captured another aspect of our organization: all the joy we bring to people. Whether it is helping increase sales of the limited production and boutique wineries that enter our competition, to the students who benefit from our scholarships, to the general public who simply feel a sense of happiness when tasting the amazing California wines we serve.  What we do truly pairs wine education and fun and binds us together.

The Courtyard

The Courtyard has been one of many success stories this year. While the wine industry continues to see a decline in sales across the country, our numbers have increased. We owe many thanks to Fred Heinecke, Fran Gitsham and all of those who helped make the The Courtyard at the OC Fair happen. We had a record-breaking year, raising funds and recruiting members. A special shout out to Liz and Lloyd Corbett and their team for the amazing Featured Winery Program to support our Scholarship Fund and to Ed Reyes and Sara Yeoman and their team for the incredible wine seminars.

Board Elections and Bylaw Changes

Each September, we have board elections to replace three outgoing board members and present any proposed bylaw changes to the membership for a vote. This year the terms are ending for Rich Skoczylas, Linda Flemins and John Lane. I would personally like to thank Rich, Linda and John for their years of service to the organization. Candidate statements are posted on our website, and you will have an opportunity to hear them speak at the Annual Business Meeting. Ballots will be emailed in September. Now is a good time to log on to your account to confirm your email address.

50^th Anniversary

Next year marks our 50^th anniversary as a nonprofit organization. We would appreciate your input and ask that you share your memories of the organization by going to OCWS.ws/50^th and completing our survey. Look for more information next month on our 50^th Anniversary Fund with your chance to donate to preserving the OCWS archives for the future and obtaining our 50^th anniversary logo merchandise.

Closing

As I close this year as president of this remarkable organization, I am reminded of what an amazing group of people we have. Whatever our backgrounds or beliefs, we all share a common love of wine and the willingness to share our wine journey experiences with each other. It always astonishes me (and others) that this organization is made up of over 1,000 members who come together to put on such amazing events.  or those new to the organization because of the OC Fair, I welcome you to this organization and wish you all a wonderful wine journey. Cheers to all!

Welcome to OCWS! We’re excited to have you as a member and want to ensure you feel supported and connected from the very start.

What Is the New Member Friend Program?

The New Member Friend Program is designed to help you get the most out of your OCWS experience. As a new member, you can be paired with a New Member Volunteer who will guide you through your first events, answer your questions and provide a friendly face to greet you.

How It Works

• Are you interested in attending an event but unsure how to sign up, what to bring or how things work?
• Do you have questions about your membership or upcoming activities?
• Would you like someone to meet you at an event and help you get oriented?

If so, simply contact the OCWS office at office@ocws.org and let us know you’d like to participate. Please include your preferred form of communication (text, phone or email), and we’ll match you with a New Member Volunteer who will reach out to you directly.

Participation in the New Member Friend Program is completely optional.

Discover OCWS Events

To explore all OCWS events and sign up, visit our OCWS Events Page. Please log in to your account to view event details and register. If you have any trouble with your account, our website experts at the OCWS office are here to help—just email office@ocws.org or call (714) 708-1636.

We’re Here for You

Our goal is to welcome you and help you make the most of your OCWS membership. Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re glad you’re here.

–Alice Polser, OCWS Membership Member Liaison

Members join the Wine Searcher Group on the OCWS Facebook page and accept the challenge to taste the 150 different varietals that were judged at this year’s OCWS Commercial Wine Competition.  Then share your experiences with your fellow Searchers! Get the list, available of the Facebook group page, and start exploring!

OCWS aims to reach $1 million in donations

Currently, the OCWS scholarship fund has awarded over $946,000 since 1981. We have a goal to reach the $1 million dollar mark for our 50^th anniversary in 2026.  This is just a friendly reminder that the OCWS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and contributions to our scholarship fund are tax deductible.  (But please check with your tax expert). Don’t wait until the end of the year! It is a good time to make a donation to the OCWS Scholarship Fund.  There are several ways to donate:

1. 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.
2. Donate Online – Log on 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, Scholarship Chair

By Carolyn Christian

OCWS is a truly unique nonprofit volunteer organization that works like a well-oiled machine operating events throughout the year like the OC Fair Commercial and Home Wine Competitions, the Courtyard at the OC Fair, the Wine Auction, and a host of dozens of wine events and celebrations that focus on wine education and fundraising. The organization was started in 1976 by home winemakers who partnered with the OC Fair to start the wine competitions that we know today and develop wine education for the public at the OC Fair. But the greatest expansion of the OCWS educational mission came in 1981 with the start of the OCWS Scholarship Program.

California Wineries That Entered The Competition

Without the amazing wineries that participate in the competition, we would not be the organization that we are today. During these tough times for the wine industry, we ask that you support the wineries that enter their wines. Interact with them on our social media platforms by reacting to our posts and their posts, search for your next wine purchase on our interactive website – WineCompetition.com – and plan your next vacation to one of the many amazing wine regions right here in California. If you aren’t already following us on Facebook or Instagram, make sure you connect with us soon – @ocwinesociety.

OCWS Photographer

I am pleased to announce that Sue England has agreed to take on the position of OCWS photographer. Given the many hours dedicated by Jim Burk to this role over several decades, we have made the decision to move from a single photographer to a photography committee to handle all the jobs covered by Jim in the past. Sue will be chairing that committee and working with several photographers to cover all the OCWS events throughout the year.  Many thanks to Jim Burk for his years of commitment to the organization, and thank you to Sue for stepping up for this role.

50^th Anniversary Logo Contest and Memory Sharing

As we approach our 50^th Anniversary in 2026, I would like to announce the 50th Anniversary Logo Design Contest for OCWS. Every five years, we celebrate a milestone, and this one is no exception. The winner will receive two tickets to a Winery Program of their choice in 2026.  Please submit your print-ready design to history@OCWS.org by Aug. 18. Both a color and black-and-white version are appreciated. The winner will be announced at the Annual Business Meeting on Sept. 5.

                In preparation for our big anniversary in 2026, I also invite you to share your memories of the organization and your ideas on events and souvenirs to help us commemorate this major milestone. Use this link to share your ideas: OCWS.ws/50th.

Annual Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting will be held on Sept. 5 via Zoom. The OCWS board has found that this format works well for this annual review of the organization’s finances and activities. 

Election Time

We have an election for board members coming up this fall. I encourage those of you who have ever considered getting more involved to throw your hat in the ring. Serving on the board does require a time commitment but it is a very rewarding experience to be part of the leadership of this organization. Greg Hagadorn’s article in this issue will provide more details on the process. Candidates will be able to present their qualifications to OCWS members at the Annual Business Meeting on Sept. 5.

Thank you all!

We are so fortunate to have over 1,000 members who help us run this organization, and I am truly honored to serve OCWS president. Please join me in thanking all the volunteers who make this organization what it is today. I hope to see you in August at the OC Fair so we can raise a glass of wine and toast this amazing organization!  Cheers to you all!

Scholarship Fund

In 1981, OCWS donated scholarship funds to two California institutions: UC Davis and California State University Fresno.  Both locations ran enology and viticulture programs.  The organization donated $1,000 to each university for the first few years, increasing to $1,500 and then to $2,000 each by 1986.  In 1987, OCWS conducted a “Guess the Number of Corks” in a 5-gallon carboy and netted $350 for the scholarship fund.

In the early 1990s, OCWS added Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, and Orange Coast College to its scholarship recipient list, supporting wine marketing, enology and viticulture at SLO, hospitality at Pomona, and culinary arts at OCC.  The Los Angeles Culinary Arts Institute received scholarship funds in 1992 and was then removed from the scholarship program the following year.  Allan Hancock College was added in 1999; Napa Valley College was added in 2005, and California State University Sonoma was added in early 2000s.

Funds for the OCWS Scholarship Program come from a variety of sources, including special auctions at the Spring and Fall Socials, the Featured Winery Program at the OC Fair, donations from members throughout the year, and donations from the public during the OC Fair.  Most recently, members have been recycling cans and bottles and donating proceeds to our scholarship program. In addition, at the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition, judges are invited to donate their honorarium to the scholarship program, which is then given in rotation to a different school each year.  Over the years, we have also had special memorial scholarships including the Marino Family Scholarship Fund and the Chris Cunningham Endowment Scholarship Fund.

The amount donated each year in scholarships has increased from $2,000 in the first year of the program to $49,507 this year. Funds have generally increased from year to year except for a few years, most notably 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic when there were no funds brought in by the OC Fair or Wine Auction. With our current total donations reaching over $940,000, we plan to reach the $1 million mark next year for our 50^th Anniversary.  We hope you will donate to the program through one of the many methods we have available.

Donate Today Online Or mail a check – Make your check out to OCWS and mail it to the OCWS office at

OCWS
P.O. Box 11059 Costa Mesa, CA
92627 Attn: Scholarship Fund

Either way, a donation letter will be sent to you.

During our most recent Mini Tasting, our panel of experts concluded by a wide margin that Inland wineries were preferred over Coastal wineries. Summarizing the points in the table below, Coastal wines scored a total of 216 points across the seven sites; conversely, the Inland wines scored 363 points.

Of course, the wines themselves are really the deciding factor in this comparison, as is the lose definition of Coastal versus Inland. It is easy to distinguish between Lodi (inland) versus Paso Robles, but is Paso more coastal compared to Napa, which is regarded inland? Someone here is seriously challenged with geography!

What is absolutely clear is the Beckman Cabernet was the highest scored wine followed by the Klinker Brick Zinfandel, both inland wines. Also noteworthy is the strong preference for the Zins and Cabernets over the Merlots, Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. I think the one thing we can conclude is that people like what they like, and basis the turnout of this sold-out event, they like the Mini Tasting.

Our Gold Medal Event is scheduled for Sept. 6 and sign-ups are available now. This is our most popular event, so sign up early to increase your chances for your preferred location.