Members Corner

Stellar Cellars – Beacon of Flights

Unlike a traditional lighthouse that warns ships they are close to the shore, the beacon at Mike Paz’s home in Yorba Linda serves a completely different purpose – it’s time to make or drink wine.

When he’s in the cellar, the 15-foot-high tower built with stacked stone and adorned with the colorful bottoms of wine bottles, is illuminated signaling Paz is inside.

Curious neighbors had to know what was going on, so they stopped by and they were fortunate they did.

Not only does he make wine out of his 93 square-foot cellar located in his yard, he also has a wide selection of fine wine that will delight any palate.

“When the light is on, my wife knows I’m in the cellar,” Paz cracked. “Neighbors would come over to see what I was making and word started to spread.”

The cellar, which serves as a laboratory as well as storage, cost $5,000 to build and was partly inspired by Paz’s desire to make wine in 2010. As a member of the Orange County Wine Society, he and other members would go on trips to different regions in California to learn about winemaking.

“For me, it was about developing relationships with winemakers,” Paz said. “I want to know the latest and greatest techniques. They give you a lot of hints are are able to share ideas.”

His cellar can accommodate about 300 bottles and about 85 percent of his collection is wine made under his label — Paz-Espana.

Paz’s grandfather designed a house for a man in Mexico who opened his doors to those who were persecuted for their religious beliefs during the Cristeros War. In 1977, Paz was able to make the trek to Polanco, Mexico and visit the home.

When he knocked on the door to the tri-level house that sat on a corner (similar to the Flatiron Building), the man who was well into his 90s, let Paz inside for a tour. He also gave Paz a sheet with his grandfather’s original drawing that now serves as the design for the wine label along with the family coat of arms from Spain.

Paz makes about eight to 10 cases of wine a year, primarily reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. He has quite a few medals from home wine competitions but maybe most impressive is winning a Double Gold and being named Best in Class at the California State Fair in 2017 for his Chardonnay.

“You eventually become your own critic,” Paz said of his wines. “I’ve learned you can’t make good wine from bad grapes.”

His cellar is always 85-90 percent stocked and the star of his collection is a bottle of the renowned Sassicaia. Much of the wine he produces he shares with others or gives away. His niece is getting married soon and take a guess what the guests will be drinking?

As for those neighbors, they not only drink the wine, they have helped Paz along the way.

“They feel like they are part of it. It’s something they would never experience,” Paz said. “There’s a whole romance to wine. It becomes a talking point, a conversation starter and it’s something we all enjoy.”

President’s Message

By Carolyn Christian

We are off to an amazing start for 2024 with several stellar OCWS events in January, including an amazing Bubble ‘n’ Brunch at the Citrus City Grille and the Winery Program featuring Once and Future Wine Company and veteran winemaker Joel Peterson.

Both events sold out! We also hosted two fun and informative Varietal Hours featuring new wines for the new year and hard-to-pronounce varietals. Our quality wine programs are reflective of our 48 years of experience and our dedicated volunteers who make our events such great successes. It truly warms my heart to lead this amazing organization!

February Events

February is the month dedicated to LOVE and nothing says LOVE like wine! This month promises to be another great month for OCWS events that you will just LOVE – with a winery program from award-winning Bella Grace Vineyards and a mini-outing at the local DeFalco Family Wines.

We highly recommend calling the OCWS to be put on the waitlist for our events, as we do have cancellations and try to accommodate as many people as possible. Our next mini-tasting—Old World Europe vs. California wines—still has spots available, so sign up soon. And everyone is always welcome to participate in our Monday evening Varietal Hours via Zoom. February’s themes are Bordeaux and Women of Color wines.

 Future Events

We have dozens of upcoming events beyond February, but they do sell out, so please check the newsletter for information on future events and sign up on our website as early as possible!

Future events include more Winery Programs (through May), the Spring Social on April 6, the Wine Auction on April 20 and the next Bubbles ‘n’ Brunch on May 5.

For those who want to try their hand at making wine, the Winemakers’ Group provides education, equipment and guidance.

Details for all the events mentioned can be found in this newsletter and on our website at OCWS.org (logon required). Trouble logging on? Please contact our office for assistance.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our organization is more than just fun wine events. We are an all-volunteer organization that puts on incredible wine events! On behalf of the OCWS, I would like to thank everyone who contributes their time to the organization each year.

The number of volunteer opportunities with OCWS are endless! Consider volunteering at one of our events for set up, check in, pouring wine or clean up. We have dozens of volunteer opportunities for our larger events as well. The Wine Auction, OC Fair Commercial Competition, OC Fair Home Wine Competition and Wine Courtyard at the OC Fair have both active and sedentary positions. These events provide unique experiences to learn more about wine, meet OCWS members and winemakers and share in the organization’s success.

To volunteer for an event, please check the event articles posted online for instructions on how to volunteer or contact the event chair.

 Communications

It is important to stay informed of our upcoming events. We communicate with our membership through Constant Contact, the announcement of our monthly newsletter, weekly upcoming event reminders and emails on specific events. If you are not receiving these announcements, please check your spam folder or contact our office for assistance. While your logon to our website is only available using the primary member’s email, our eblasts are sent to both members and co-members, if we have emails for each on file. Please log on to your OCWS account to check your member and co-member emails listed in your profile.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our future events!  Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

 

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

Flavors of Italia

In Our Own Backyard:  DeFalco Family Wines

Winemaking has long been a family tradition for Gus DeFalco. Growing up in Toronto, a young Gus remembers waiting at the train station for the precious cargo – California grapes – an event that became a family tradition.

His family hailed from Italy and relocated to the popular Canadian city. There, Gus learned the tools of the trade but it also instilled in him the communal aspect of the hobby he grew to love. There was the backyard crush, fermenting in the basement and then pressing the grapes before they were placed into barrels.

He eventually landed in Southern California as a teen, living with his aunt. So enamored with the area, he decided to stay and his family followed thereafter.

Gus and a friend opened a pizzeria in Alhambra before he was drafted into the Army. When he returned, his interest in winemaking only intensified – hence he joined home winemaking groups in the Orange County Wine Society and Cellar Masters.

He improved his skills at UC Davis and Fresno State. During this time, he connected with growers who he still has relationships with today.

“I’ve known some of them for 20 plus years and I get grapes from the same rows,” Gus said. “It really is about the people and who you know. That’s how it all begins.”

He credits the home winemaking groups for refining his craft and propelling his to another level.

“You can’t fail making wine with the OCWS home wine group; there’s like 500 years combined experience and when you combine that with getting great grapes, making wine is a piece of cake,” he said. “I would have made wine regardless but I wouldn’t have gotten to this point. The support has been tremendous.”

Gus decided to venture out on his own and started Orange Coast Winery in Newport Beach more than a decade ago. The winery has been a mainstay in Orange County and Gus is proud of what he accomplished. He later passed the reins to Doug and Debbie Wiens, who have their own well-known winery in Temecula.

Although Gus never thought he would be winemaking for a living, he still wanted to have a hand in the game. This past April, he and his wife, Jennifer, opened DeFalco Family Foods & Wines in Fountain Valley. He calls it a “winery with an Italian mini-mart,” equipped with homemade Italian foods and wines.

Winemaker Gus DeFalco shares his pride and joy with a group of customers at his Fountain Valley establishment.

Only open for five hours on Saturdays – similar to a farmers market — the store has an intimate tasting room that can hold 16 people around a large table in the center of the room. Gus is both winemaker and server as he tells guests about each of the 12 varietals – six whites and six reds – he pours.

“I love the people part of it and sharing what I made with them,” he said. “People are probably coming in here not thinking much of the wine but they are pleasantly surprised.”

One recent afternoon, a group of women were enjoying the wine and the camaraderie when Gus asked one of them as they left what they thought of the wine.

“I’d give the wine a 9 (out of 10),” she replied as Gus beamed in appreciation.

It would be hard to escape the tasting room without picking anything up from the store. There are a host of sauces, heat-and-eat entrees, pastas, salad dressings, cookies and even a limoncello tiramisu (see sidebar for recipe). The couple offer three wines, three sauces, three pastas and three packages of cookies for $125.

Gus says he plans to produce about 1,000 cases of wine in 2024 and hopes that word of mouth helps drive customers to his store. He envisions that reservations will be needed every Saturday for his intimate tasting room.

“I’m at my pinnacle right now,” he said. “This is exactly what I wanted.”

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.

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

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

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

Scholarship Winners: Where Are They Now?

Grit & Grace

Much like a wine can evolve over time, so has wine consultant Tymari LoRe’s appreciation for the industry and the imprint she is leaving on the Santa Ynez Valley.

LoRe grew up in Orange County – shout out to Cypress – and her first interaction with wine was working for her uncle at a winery. There she learned how wine serves as a conduit to uniting us.

“My favorite part of the industry is that it brings people together from all walks of life,” she said. “Wine is meant to be shared and enjoyed by people and fosters camaraderie.”

LoRe attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she double majored in enology and wine business. She received a scholarship from the Orange County Wine Society that allowed her to buy the necessary books to continue her studies.

Along the way, she landed three internships that provided her the tools for winemaking. LoRe traveled to Europe where she studied winemaking for seven to eight months before finding herself in Santa Barbara County.

She became associate winemaker at Kita Wines, which was run by Tara Gomez, the first Native American winemaker recognized by the California Legislature.

“It was really a cool combination of spirituality and the winemaking portion that flowed very well together,” LoRe said.

She also cut her teeth at Folded Hill Winery, owned by Kim and Andrew Busch – yes, those Buschs of Budweiser fame. LoRe was part of the winery’s management and spent about five years before she found her true calling of helping smaller wineries find their niche in the market.

“I had this love of seeing these brands launch and I felt there was a lack of that space in the industry,” LoRe said.

She started LoRe Consulting Group in 2021 and provides a host of services from designing and laying out an actual winery to creating business models that optimizes sales and forecasts income.

Tymari LoRe helps start-up wineries create their own business plan through her consulting firm based in Santa Barbara County

“What I’ve found by mistake is that wineries don’t have a plan. If you don’t know how to stand out, you will ultimately get lost in the fray,” LoRe said. “I want to make sure they don’t fall into a hole.”

She strives to get as much knowledge about what a winemaker wants and she believes each of her clients should have a unique story and niche. One of her main challenges is connecting the dots – or grapes – to help a winery push their brand forward and upward for maximum exposure.

LoRe has found a home in Santa Barbara County, which she says has the highest number of women in the wine industry across California. She says the region is finally getting the recognition it deserves and is not just a pit stop for those traveling to Paso Robles.

She hopes that her experience and knowledge will boost the profile and the margins of smaller wineries that will benefit not only her and the winemaker but the public as well.

“Being able to work with people who I felt didn’t get the right opportunity to showcase their strengths is very rewarding,” she said. “I want to see them grow and evolve and I’m there to help them get to that point.”

Greg Risling