The Featured Winery Program

For the past several years, the dynamic duo of Lloyd and Liz Corbett have delivered an extra special treat for both OCWS members and Orange County Fair attendees.

Entering its sixth year, the Featured Winery Program has brought some of the top winemakers in California right to The Courtyard. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 3-8 p.m., winemakers are providing some of their very best vintages while giving the public an opportunity to learn more about their winery and giving them an opportunity to join their wine club or get discounts if they visit their tasting rooms.

The idea behind the program was simple – to give OCWS another opportunity to contribute to its robust scholarship program. All the proceeds go toward the scholarship program and by last count that amount has swelled to more than $16,000.

“We wanted to give the wineries – especially the smaller ones with no marketing budget – a means of meeting the public and an opportunity for the public to meet the winemakers,” Liz said. “This establishes a personal bond and an opportunity to learn more about the history of the winemakers, his/her successes and challenges and so much more.”

This year’s lineup boasts some recognizable names and some boutique wineries that are sure to intrigue those who are keen to learn about a winery they may never have heard about.  The opening weekend has a stellar lineup with Macchia Winery, Graveyard Vineyards and Double Bond Winery. The program rounds out on the last weekend with Boisset Collection, Dark Star Cellars and San Pasqual Winery.

So if you are volunteering at The Courtyard on the weekend, make sure to stop by the Featured Winery station and enjoy some of California’s finest offerings while contributing to a good cause.

“We get such a huge feeling of satisfaction when we see the interaction,” Liz added. “We enjoy being part of the OCWS and contributing to its ongoing success.”

List of featured wineries at this year’s fair

July 19                    Macchia Winery

July 20                    Graveyard Vineyards

July 21                    Cuatro Dias Wines

July 26                    San Simeon Wines

July 27                    Sycamore Ranch Vineyard & Winery

July 28                    Cordon of Santa Barbara

Aug. 2                     Fallbrook Winery

Aug. 3                     Bella Grace Vineyards

Aug. 4                     Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery

Aug. 9                    Defiance Vineyard

Aug. 10                  915 Lincoln

Aug. 11                  Eberle Winery

Aug. 16                 Boisset Collection

Aug. 17                 Dark Star Cellars

Aug. 18                 San Pasqual Winery

– Liz & Lloyd Corbett,
Featured Winery Program Co-chairs