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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260410T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260410T213000
DTSTAMP:20260403T191735
CREATED:20251125T012048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T211310Z
UID:10000580-1775845800-1775856600@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Winery Program - Dry Creek
DESCRIPTION:Join us to hear the story of Dry Creek Vineyard and the Stare Wallace family. It isn’t one of fairy tales. Their story is about a dedicated family working day and night for five decades to turn what many considered an idealistic pipedream into a reality that revolutionized the California wine industry\, making Double Gold wine. \nAfter a trip to California\, founder Dave Stare packed up his wife and kids in a mint green station wagon to carve out his path in the wine industry. Upon his arrival\, Dave began taking winemaking classes at UC Davis as a graduate student. On the weekends\, he spent time looking at vineyard land from Monterey to Mendocino. When Dave saw a rundown 55-acre prune orchard across the street from the Dry Creek General Store in Sonoma\, Dave realized that he had found his dream location. \nToday the 185-acre Dry Creek Vineyard is one of the last truly private\, family-owned\, iconic wineries consistently producing 90+ point wines. The second generation is firmly committed to a “no compromises” philosophy producing world class\, appellation-focused\, varietal-defining wines. They have shifted their winemaking practices and vineyard management to maximize flavors and reflect their home region. To sum it all up\, in a world where things are getting bigger and faster\, this legacy wine family is taking a smaller and slower approach. \nThis evening starts with a light\, sit down plated dinner. The cost of the meal and tasting is $70 for members and $75 for guests. \n\nThe hotel room location will be announced in April\nDoors will open at 6 p.m.\nDinner begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. (You can bring wine to have with dinner)\nAfter dinner\, we will have a short presentation about upcoming event.\nFollowed by the winery presentation and tasting.\n\nThe menu selections are listed below. Dinner will start with a salad of baby spinach salad\, candied pecans\, wild strawberries\, sweet onions and vinaigrette dressing. The dinner entrée selections are: \n\nFried chicken breast with white pepper gravy\, mashed potatoes and green beans\nSeared local halibut\, grilled corn salsa\, wild rice pilaf\, honey-roasted tri-color carrots\nGrilled eggplant steak\, summer squash\, snow-pea confit\, basil-infused Marinara sauce (VEGETARIAN)\n\nBe sure to pick up your meal ticket at the check-in table to show the waiter your entrée. Please select your meal carefully. Meals are ordered in advance and cannot be changed at the event. Be sure to wear your name badge. \nSign up on the OCWS website to attend this event. Attendees will self-park in the hotel garage. Bring your parking ticket to the event. Instructions will be provided for validating free parking. \nVolunteers are needed\, please indicate when you sign up to attend this event: \n\nHelp to place agendas on tables\nHelp with check-in from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.\nHelp to pour wine for the tasting\n\nMembers may bring their own wine to enjoy and share during dinner. Please drink responsibly. \nBecause we contract each meal that you selected with the hotel\, the last day to sign up\, change your entrée\, or cancel and receive a refund is Sunday\, April 5. \n– CL Keedy\, Rich Skoczylas\, Winery Program Co-Coordinators
URL:https://ocws.org/events/winery-program-dry-creek/
LOCATION:Hilton Hotel\, 3050 Bristol Street\, Costa Mesa\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Winery Program
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dry-CreekLogo.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Rich Skoczylas":MAILTO:rich@ocws.org
GEO:33.6411316;-117.9186689
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Hilton Hotel 3050 Bristol Street Costa Mesa CA United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3050 Bristol Street:geo:-117.9186689,33.6411316
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260414T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260414T200000
DTSTAMP:20260403T191735
CREATED:20260328T192427Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260328T192427Z
UID:10000596-1776193200-1776196800@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Varietal Hour – Out of Business Wineries
DESCRIPTION:As we continue to celebrate OCWS 50th anniversary\, Varietal Hours continue with new themes and new attendees. If you haven’t joined our Varietal Hours by now\, here is your chance. We have exciting new themes and have new members joining us at every meeting. We predict that 2026 will be filled with more exciting themes and revelations about wine. \nAnd the best thing? They are FREE. What started as a way of gathering during the COVID quarantines has blossomed into quality time with friends\, both old and new. And the things we have learned and been taught by this group are priceless. \nSo picture this… Your own comfortable furniture. A glass of wine in your hand. Right there in your own house with friends\, old and new. And here’s the best part: You don’t even have to clean up anyone’s mess. We’re always happy to have new members join the fun and meet some people who enjoy wine. \nEach event has a theme\, but we never “kick anyone off the island\,” so it never matters if you follow the theme. Part of the fun is finding a wine to fit the theme. The setting is very casual with stories told about each of the wines we’re drinking\, what we do (or don’t) like about them\, where we got them\, and more. Varietal Hours will be held every other Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m.\nAll you need is a computer (or phone) and internet connection. If you are new to the Varietal Hours or to Zoom\, please feel free to contact Don Phillips at don@OCWS.org for help and information\, even if it means contacting him days before the event and he will walk you through the process and even do a short Zoom meeting\, just for you\, to get you comfortable with the process. \nThe event is open to all OCWS members\, but sign-ups are required. Please log on to the OCWS website to register for the event no later than 7 p.m. (24 hours before the event)\, the Monday night before the event. Couples only need to sign up for one person since this event is via Zoom. A link for the Zoom meeting will be emailed to you on the day of the event.\n–Don Phillips\, OCWS Varietal Hours Chair \n7 p.m. April 14\nTHEME: Out-of-Business Wineries (Grocery Outlet)\nHOST: David Price\n7 p.m. April 28\nTHEME: Wines that Pair with Music (bring music)\nHOST: James Aralis\n7 p.m. May 12\nTHEME: Small Producers (under 10\,000 cases)\nHOSTS: Paul & Jill Garfield\n7 p.m. May 26\nTHEME: Claret (What is it?)\nHOST: Your Name Here! \nWe promise you four things:\nNo. 1: You will have fun.\nNo. 2: You might just learn something\, OR you might teach us something.\nNo. 3: You won’t regret spending that hour of your life.\nNo. 4: You won’t even have to drive home!
URL:https://ocws.org/events/varietal-hour-out-of-business-wineries/
LOCATION:Zoom Meeting
CATEGORIES:Varietal Hour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Varietal-Hour.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260418T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260418T180000
DTSTAMP:20260403T191735
CREATED:20260121T192459Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T161310Z
UID:10000590-1776510000-1776535200@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Wine Auction In Person - Your Cellar Will Thank You!
DESCRIPTION:The OCWS In-Person Wine Auction is one of the most anticipated events of the year and the second-largest fundraiser for the Orange County Wine Society. Held each spring\, this signature event helps us make room in our cellar for the upcoming 2026 OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition and Wine Courtyard while directly supporting OCWS’s educational mission. \nProceeds from the Wine Auction fund OCWS educational programming for members and the public throughout the year\, as well as our highly regarded OCWS Scholarship Program. Through this program\, we support students at eight California institutions offering degrees in enology\, viticulture\, and culinary arts—and this year we proudly surpassed $1 million in total scholarship donations since 1981. The auction is also a valuable member benefit\, offering the opportunity to purchase award-winning wines from last year’s competition at well below retail prices. \nEvent Details – In-Person Auction\n• Saturday\, April 18\, 2026\n• 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM\n• OC Fair & Event Center – Huntington Beach Building \nIf you’ve never attended\, the OCWS Wine Auction is a must-do experience. Enjoy a full day of exceptional wines from our cellar\, a wide array of appetizers\, entrées\, and desserts\, and the excitement of live and silent bidding—all in support of a cause you care about. Please note that early checkout is not available\, so plan to stay until 6:00 PM. This year\, our new Point of Sale system will make checkout faster and more efficient than ever. \nThe in-person auction will showcase more than 900 wine lots and winery and food experiences\, with each wine lot consisting of four bottles offered through either silent or live auction formats. Whether you’re adding a few bottles or stocking up by the case\, there’s something for every wine enthusiast. \nWinery & Food Experiences\nBe sure to explore exclusive winery tours\, winemaker dinners\, and other memorable experiences available only through the auction. Interested in donating a winery or food experience? Submit your item(s) via our online form at ocws.ws/auctiondonation. Donations may be tax deductible (consult your tax professional). \nVIP Experience\nMembers who spent more than $1\,000 at the 2025 Wine Auction will receive a special VIP experience in 2026\, including early check-in\, a SWAG bag\, concierge service\, and VIP checkout. \nTickets & Pricing – In-Person\n• In-Person Auction Ticket: $27.84 + $2.16 CA Sales Tax (same $30 total as last year)\n• Buyer’s Premium: 4% added to all auction purchases\n• CA Sales Tax: Applies at checkout for all purchases \nVolunteer opportunities are available before\, during\, and after the in-person auction and can be selected here. \nPlan for the full day (no early checkouts) —you’ll be glad you did. We look forward to raising a glass with you in person on April 18th. Cheers!
URL:https://ocws.org/events/wine-auction-3/
LOCATION:Huntington Beach Building (next to Wine Courtyard)
CATEGORIES:Auction
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Auction2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260425T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260425T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T191735
CREATED:20260326T212206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T212206Z
UID:10000594-1777118400-1777132800@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Quarterly Meeting & Potluck
DESCRIPTION:The next winemakers’ quarterly meeting and potluck will be on Saturday\, April 25\, from noon – 4 p.m. Signups are now open on the OCWS website. The Silverado Canyon location will be announced one week prior to the event.\nAll OCWS members are welcome\, you don’t have to be a winemaker to attend. The OCWS member cost to attend is $12 per person. A member can purchase a ticket for a non-member for $18.\nEach attendee or couple is asked to bring a potluck dish (appetizer\, salad\, side dish or dessert) ready to serve a small portion to eight people. Please bring any serving utensils necessary for your dish and a bottle of wine per person (homemade or commercial) to share. Plates\, napkins and tableware will be furnished.\nFor new and aspiring winemakers\, this is your chance to meet\, mingle and learn from our experienced winemakers. We will have a short meeting to discuss the 2026 Home Wine Competition and announce upcoming events.\nAttendance at this event is extremely limited so sign up now. Volunteers are needed to help set up prior to and help clean up after the event. You can sign up to help when you register to attend the event. See you all there. Cheers!\n—Ed Reyes\,\ned@OCWS.org
URL:https://ocws.org/events/quarterly-meeting-potluck/
LOCATION:Location Announced One Week Prior to Event\, CA\, 92627\, United States
CATEGORIES:Homewine,Winemakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200229_142205-scaled.jpg
GEO:33.6496252;-117.9190418
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260428T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260428T200000
DTSTAMP:20260403T191735
CREATED:20260328T192902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260328T195101Z
UID:10000597-1777402800-1777406400@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Varietal Hour – Wine that Pair With Music
DESCRIPTION:As we continue to celebrate OCWS 50th anniversary\, Varietal Hours continue with new themes and new attendees. If you haven’t joined our Varietal Hours by now\, here is your chance. We have exciting new themes and have new members joining us at every meeting. We predict that 2026 will be filled with more exciting themes and revelations about wine. \nAnd the best thing? They are FREE. What started as a way of gathering during the COVID quarantines has blossomed into quality time with friends\, both old and new. And the things we have learned and been taught by this group are priceless. \nSo picture this… Your own comfortable furniture. A glass of wine in your hand. Right there in your own house with friends\, old and new. And here’s the best part: You don’t even have to clean up anyone’s mess. We’re always happy to have new members join the fun and meet some people who enjoy wine. \nEach event has a theme\, but we never “kick anyone off the island\,” so it never matters if you follow the theme. Part of the fun is finding a wine to fit the theme. The setting is very casual with stories told about each of the wines we’re drinking\, what we do (or don’t) like about them\, where we got them\, and more. Varietal Hours will be held every other Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m.\nAll you need is a computer (or phone) and internet connection. If you are new to the Varietal Hours or to Zoom\, please feel free to contact Don Phillips at don@OCWS.org for help and information\, even if it means contacting him days before the event and he will walk you through the process and even do a short Zoom meeting\, just for you\, to get you comfortable with the process. \nThe event is open to all OCWS members\, but sign-ups are required. Please log on to the OCWS website to register for the event no later than 7 p.m. (24 hours before the event)\, the Monday night before the event. Couples only need to sign up for one person since this event is via Zoom. A link for the Zoom meeting will be emailed to you on the day of the event.\n–Don Phillips\, OCWS Varietal Hours Chair \n7 p.m. April 14\nTHEME: Out-of-Business Wineries (Grocery Outlet)\nHOST: David Price\n7 p.m. April 28\nTHEME: Wines that Pair with Music (bring music)\nHOST: James Aralis\n7 p.m. May 12\nTHEME: Small Producers (under 10\,000 cases)\nHOSTS: Paul & Jill Garfield\n7 p.m. May 26\nTHEME: Claret (What is it?)\nHOST: Your Name Here! \nWe promise you four things:\nNo. 1: You will have fun.\nNo. 2: You might just learn something\, OR you might teach us something.\nNo. 3: You won’t regret spending that hour of your life.\nNo. 4: You won’t even have to drive home!
URL:https://ocws.org/events/ocws-varietal-hour-wine-that-pair-with-music/
LOCATION:Zoom Meeting
CATEGORIES:Varietal Hour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Varietal-Hour.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260502T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260502T210000
DTSTAMP:20260403T191735
CREATED:20260121T193415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T144219Z
UID:10000592-1777744800-1777755600@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Mini-Tasting - A Tale of Two Sides: Exploring the Paso Robles Divide
DESCRIPTION:The Paso Robles wine region is famously defined by a geographic split that creates two remarkably different expressions of California wine. \nWhile Highway 101 serves as the manmade boundary\, the true divider is the Salinas River\, which separates the rugged\, high-elevation West side from the rolling\, sun-drenched East side. For any enthusiast\, a side-by-side tasting is the ultimate way to witness how a mere 10 miles can transform the character of a grape\, shifting a wine from a profile of stony minerality to one of lush\, jammy opulence. This is the theme of our next Mini Tasting to be held on May 2. \nOn the West side\, the proximity to the Pacific Ocean is the defining feature. Cool marine air and fog pour through the Templeton Gap\, a break in the Santa Lucia Mountains\, significantly lowering daytime temperatures and preserving the natural acidity in the grapes. The terrain here is steep and mountainous\, characterized by rare calcareous limestone soils—ancient seabed deposits that provide a distinct mineral “grip” and structural elegance. As you taste these wines\, look for higher acidity\, refined tannins and complex\, savory notes\, particularly in the Rhône-style blends and hillside Cabernets that call this cooler half home. \nIn contrast\, the East side offers a warmer\, more Mediterranean landscape of gentle hills and alluvial plains. Without the direct coastal breeze found in the West\, the vines bask in intense heat\, leading to ultra-ripe fruit with high sugar content and softer\, more approachable tannins. The soils here are deeper\, composed of sandy loams and clays that retain heat well into the night. This environment produces the “classic” Paso Robles power: bold\, fruit-forward Zinfandels and plush\, velvety Cabernet Sauvignons that burst with flavors of black cherry\, plum and chocolate. \nUltimately\, this “East versus West” tasting will be a masterclass in terroir. By comparing five wines from each side\, you will notice that the West side often emphasizes “tension” and “freshness\,” while the East side celebrates “richness” and “generosity.” Neither side is objectively better\, but each tells a different story of the Paso Robles landscape. \nWhether you prefer the structured\, flinty reds of the mountains or the sun-baked\, hedonistic pours of the valley\, this side-by-side experience will highlight why Paso Robles remains one of the most diverse and exciting wine regions in the world.
URL:https://ocws.org/events/mini-tasting/
LOCATION:Various locations at members homes.
CATEGORIES:Mini-Tasting,Wine Tasting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/iStock_000055334810_Double-e1458436907747-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260512T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260512T200000
DTSTAMP:20260403T191735
CREATED:20260328T193349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260328T195024Z
UID:10000598-1778612400-1778616000@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Varietal Hour – Small Producers (Under 10\,000 Cases)
DESCRIPTION:As we continue to celebrate OCWS 50th anniversary\, Varietal Hours continue with new themes and new attendees. If you haven’t joined our Varietal Hours by now\, here is your chance. We have exciting new themes and have new members joining us at every meeting. We predict that 2026 will be filled with more exciting themes and revelations about wine. \nAnd the best thing? They are FREE. What started as a way of gathering during the COVID quarantines has blossomed into quality time with friends\, both old and new. And the things we have learned and been taught by this group are priceless. \nSo picture this… Your own comfortable furniture. A glass of wine in your hand. Right there in your own house with friends\, old and new. And here’s the best part: You don’t even have to clean up anyone’s mess. We’re always happy to have new members join the fun and meet some people who enjoy wine. \nEach event has a theme\, but we never “kick anyone off the island\,” so it never matters if you follow the theme. Part of the fun is finding a wine to fit the theme. The setting is very casual with stories told about each of the wines we’re drinking\, what we do (or don’t) like about them\, where we got them\, and more. Varietal Hours will be held every other Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m.\nAll you need is a computer (or phone) and internet connection. If you are new to the Varietal Hours or to Zoom\, please feel free to contact Don Phillips at don@OCWS.org for help and information\, even if it means contacting him days before the event and he will walk you through the process and even do a short Zoom meeting\, just for you\, to get you comfortable with the process. \nThe event is open to all OCWS members\, but sign-ups are required. Please log on to the OCWS website to register for the event no later than 7 p.m. (24 hours before the event)\, the Monday night before the event. Couples only need to sign up for one person since this event is via Zoom. A link for the Zoom meeting will be emailed to you on the day of the event.\n–Don Phillips\, OCWS Varietal Hours Chair \n7 p.m. April 14\nTHEME: Out-of-Business Wineries (Grocery Outlet)\nHOST: David Price\n7 p.m. April 28\nTHEME: Wines that Pair with Music (bring music)\nHOST: James Aralis\n7 p.m. May 12\nTHEME: Small Producers (under 10\,000 cases)\nHOSTS: Paul & Jill Garfield\n7 p.m. May 26\nTHEME: Claret (What is it?)\nHOST: Your Name Here! \nWe promise you four things:\nNo. 1: You will have fun.\nNo. 2: You might just learn something\, OR you might teach us something.\nNo. 3: You won’t regret spending that hour of your life.\nNo. 4: You won’t even have to drive home!
URL:https://ocws.org/events/ocws-varietal-hour-small-producers-under-10000-cases/
LOCATION:Zoom Meeting
CATEGORIES:Varietal Hour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Varietal-Hour.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260526T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260526T200000
DTSTAMP:20260403T191736
CREATED:20260328T193934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T173551Z
UID:10000599-1779822000-1779825600@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Varietal Hour - Claret (What is it?)
DESCRIPTION:As we continue to celebrate OCWS 50th anniversary\, Varietal Hours continue with new themes and new attendees. If you haven’t joined our Varietal Hours by now\, here is your chance. We have exciting new themes and have new members joining us at every meeting. We predict that 2026 will be filled with more exciting themes and revelations about wine. \nAnd the best thing? They are FREE. What started as a way of gathering during the COVID quarantines has blossomed into quality time with friends\, both old and new. And the things we have learned and been taught by this group are priceless. \nSo picture this… Your own comfortable furniture. A glass of wine in your hand. Right there in your own house with friends\, old and new. And here’s the best part: You don’t even have to clean up anyone’s mess. We’re always happy to have new members join the fun and meet some people who enjoy wine. \nEach event has a theme\, but we never “kick anyone off the island\,” so it never matters if you follow the theme. Part of the fun is finding a wine to fit the theme. The setting is very casual with stories told about each of the wines we’re drinking\, what we do (or don’t) like about them\, where we got them\, and more. Varietal Hours will be held every other Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m.\nAll you need is a computer (or phone) and internet connection. If you are new to the Varietal Hours or to Zoom\, please feel free to contact Don Phillips at don@OCWS.org for help and information\, even if it means contacting him days before the event and he will walk you through the process and even do a short Zoom meeting\, just for you\, to get you comfortable with the process. \nThe event is open to all OCWS members\, but sign-ups are required. Please log on to the OCWS website to register for the event no later than 7 p.m. (24 hours before the event)\, the Monday night before the event. Couples only need to sign up for one person since this event is via Zoom. A link for the Zoom meeting will be emailed to you on the day of the event.\n–Don Phillips\, OCWS Varietal Hours Chair \n7 p.m. April 14\nTHEME: Out-of-Business Wineries (Grocery Outlet)\nHOST: David Price\n7 p.m. April 28\nTHEME: Wines that Pair with Music (bring music)\nHOST: James Aralis\n7 p.m. May 12\nTHEME: Small Producers (under 10\,000 cases)\nHOSTS: Paul & Jill Garfield\n7 p.m. May 26\nTHEME: Claret (What is it?)\nHOST: CL Keedy \nWe promise you four things:\nNo. 1: You will have fun.\nNo. 2: You might just learn something\, OR you might teach us something.\nNo. 3: You won’t regret spending that hour of your life.\nNo. 4: You won’t even have to drive home!
URL:https://ocws.org/events/varietal-hour-claret-what-is-it/
LOCATION:Zoom Meeting
CATEGORIES:Varietal Hour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Varietal-Hour.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260530
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20260403T191736
CREATED:20260121T193004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260221T200608Z
UID:10000591-1780099200-1780271999@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Commercial Wine Competition
DESCRIPTION:Save The Date \nThe 50th Annual OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition will be held May 30th and 31st\, 2026 at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa. \nThe Orange County Wine Society and the OC Fair and Event Center sponsor the largest California-only wine competition in the world.  There are no entry fees and the wines are judged by professional winemakers or winery principals. Wines are cataloged by varietal\, price and sugar levels. \nWines entered will be highlighted and available for tasting and purchase by the glass at The Wine Courtyard at the OC Fair staffed by OCWS volunteers. The 2026 OC Fair runs for 23 days\, Wednesdays through Sundays\, July 17th through August 16th\, 2026. \nFor more information on the 2026 Competition\, contact info@winecompetition.com. \nOC Fair Commercial Wine Competition\n88 Fair Drive\nCosta Mesa\, CA 92626\n714-708-1636
URL:https://ocws.org/events/commercial-wine-competition/
LOCATION:Hilton Hotel\, 3050 Bristol Street\, Costa Mesa\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Competition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Wine-Comp.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Fran Gitsham":MAILTO:Fran@ocws.org
GEO:33.6411316;-117.9186689
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Hilton Hotel 3050 Bristol Street Costa Mesa CA United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3050 Bristol Street:geo:-117.9186689,33.6411316
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260606
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260607
DTSTAMP:20260403T191736
CREATED:20260327T200719Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T171159Z
UID:10000595-1780704000-1780790399@ocws.org
SUMMARY:Gearing Up for the 50th Anniversary Home Wine Competition
DESCRIPTION:Home Wine Competition Entry Tips \nWinemakers\, the entry deadline for the 50th annual OC Fair Home Wine Competition is May 22. New this year is a Best of Show Rose award to go with Best of Show awards for red\, white\, fruit and dessert wines. If you plan to submit wines\, here are some things you can do to give them their best chance to show well.\nMake sure you’re using sound winemaking practices. This means tasting regularly\, topping off carboys or barrels and maintaining SO2 to prevent oxidation and spoilage. Oxidized wine is a common fault and it can happen to any wine. I’ve tasted commercial wines that suffered from oxidation\, right out of the bottle.\nIf you haven’t bottled the wine yet\, you’ll need to do it soon. Taste your wine before bottling to make sure there’s nothing wrong with it. Notice I said taste\, not drink. As tempting as it is\, don’t drink during bottling. It’s too easy to make a mistake or forget a critical step with a foggy mind. I celebrate with a cold beer after bottling.\nWhen it comes to bottling\, make sure that’s the only thing you’re doing on bottling day. Make any chemical additions or adjustments at least a week prior to bottling. This will allow enough time for those changes to integrate into the wine. If you’re making a blend\, your blending components and their percentages should already be determined. You don’t want to be figuring out your blend at the last minute.\nResist the urge to submit anything that has just been bottled. Bottle shock is a real phenomenon. I’ve found my red wines need at least 30 to 45 days to recover after bottling.\nDon’t skimp on packaging if you’re shipping your wine to the competition. You want your wine to get here safely after all your effort. You can also deliver submissions to the OCWS office\, Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Competition wines are stored in a temperature-controlled environment after they’re received so you don’t have to worry about exposure to extreme temperatures.\nIf you’re entering the label competition\, send an original label. It shows much better than a photocopy. Make sure the label is entered into its correct category. Sometimes labels have characteristics that might make it a worthy contender in more than one category\, say both humorous and viticultural. In this case I recommend entering it into the category where it makes the better impression.\nFinally\, make sure you complete the entry form clearly and thoughtfully. Enter your wines into their correct categories. If you’re entering a specific varietal wine\, say Zinfandel\, make sure there is at least 75% of that varietal in the wine. Rose wines should be entered as such so they’re not judged against their red counterparts. Specify the grape’s AVA\, if applicable\, and vintage in the entry form “description” section.\nIf you’re entering a blend\, be sure to specify the percentages of each blend component in the “description” section as well. Fruit wines should be entered into their appropriate category. Note the wine’s sweetness level and enter that into the appropriate category. All that information will be on the judges’ score sheets for their consideration.\nI know a lot of this isn’t rocket science. But by putting care into your wine and thoughtfulness into the entry process beforehand\, you can help them to show their best on competition day.\n—Ed Reyes\,\ned@OCWS.org \nThe OC Fair Home Wine Competition is Saturday\, June 6 at the OC Fair and Event Center. To learn more about serving as a judge for the competition\, contact John Lane at John@OCWS.org.
URL:https://ocws.org/events/gearing-up-for-the-50th-oc-fair-competition/
LOCATION:Courtyard of the OC Fair Grounds\, 88 Fair Dr.\, Costa Mesa\, CA\, 92626\, United States
CATEGORIES:Competition,Winemakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ocws.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HomeWinemakers-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Kevin Donnelly":MAILTO:KevinDonnelly@ocws.org
GEO:33.6684775;-117.9046209
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