Wine seminars are a big part of The Courtyard experience at the OC Fair. They help fulfill the OCWS mission of wine education.
According to Larry Graham, OCWS historian and longtime chairman of The Courtyard, the first seminars were started in 2000. Early seminars were pretty basic then. Most focused on a single varietal such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay, or on a style of wine such as Rhone. Some were simply about red or white wines.
Then around 2002, Graham, then-OCWS president, asked member, Carol Frank, to conduct a food and wine pairing seminar at the fair. She changed it to “Cheese and Wine Pairing” as she thought people could relate better to that. She still gives that seminar, one of the longest-running seminars in the lineup.
Another longtime seminar in the mix is “Gold Medal Award-Winning Wines.” Seminar presenter Bill Redding says the seminar showcases outstanding wines from California wineries from this year’s Commercial Wine Competition. Redding was asked to give the seminar when he was Cellarmaster. It was originally created and given by legendary OCWS member Chris Cunningham when he was Courtyard Chairman.
Drawing from the interest in pairing food and wine, many current seminars prominently feature unique foods. “Snack Foods and Wine Pairing”, created by Ken Knapp, is a newer seminar inspired by that trend. So is Carolyn Christian’s “BBQ and Wine Pairing.”
“People talk about what foods to pair with different wines, but sometimes they forget that the sauce also plays an important role in the pairing,” she said.
Some seminars were inspired by out-of-the-box ideas from OCWS members or unlikely events. Seminar presenter Ed Reyes says that while working at the fair about 15 years ago, “several of us served guests who happened to have fair food while tasting at the awards bar. We started asking each other, what would you pair with such and such? We made a list of 20-25 pairings and tried a few of them during the fair.” Thus, “Fair Food and Wine Pairing” was born.
“Grapes and Grains” was originally an OCWS Zoom webinar, presented during COVID by Sara Yeoman. It was inspired by her knowledge of beer, gleaned while working in the food service industry. People have heard of pairing wine and food, she says. You can also pair beer with food. This seminar pairs wine with food then beer with the same food.
“Sparkling and Sweets” is another seminar that came to life during the pandemic. It was originally a holiday-themed webinar inspired by presenter Fran Gitsham’s love of Champagne and sparkling beverages. That webinar was also the inspiration for “Is it Sparkling or Champagne?” in which a variety of foods are paired with a variety of bubblies.
Whatever the origin, fair seminars today have evolved to incorporate the “over the top” aspect of the fair experience. Sara Yeoman, seminar committee chair, said the events should be fun.
“People come to the fair to be entertained,” Yeoman said. “We want the seminars to be an extension of that experience.”
A former college instructor, Carolyn Christian says the seminars provide a learning opportunity that stays in people’s minds.
“The best learning occurs when people have an opportunity to experience (what) they’re being taught,” Carolyn said.
Seminars have also evolved as the public’s knowledge of wine has grown. Seminars like “New and Unusual Wine Varietals” “Italian Varietals” “Summer White Wines” or “California Wine Regions” offer the chance to explore wines or wine regions that people might not have known about or were unwilling to try a few years ago.
Beyond the educational aspect, seminars are geared to showcase the partnership between the OCWS and other fair vendors. Much of the seminar food as well as the beer for “Grapes and Grains” is donated by fair vendors. To reciprocate, these vendors are promoted during the seminars and with signage in The Courtyard. Seminars have also helped strengthened the ties between the OCWS and the OC Fair. In recent years, the fair has promoted the seminars on their website and has included them in their weekly “fair events” calendar.
Featured wineries are involved in seminars too. All 3 p.m. seminars will feature a wine donated by that day’s featured winery. Representatives from the winery are also invited to speak at the seminar and seminar participants are encouraged to visit them after the seminar. Of course, seminars have always been a great way to attract new OCWS members.
This year, OCWS members will present 16 seminars which weave fun and memorable experiences with wine education. Wine seminars will be held in The Courtyard on Saturdays and Sundays at 1p.m. and 3 p.m. beginning the second weekend of the fair. All seminars are $30 and include food or an assortment of snacks. All include 8 to 9, one-ounce wine or beer tastes.
Seminar tickets are only available The Courtyard. Tickets for all seminars go on sale the first day of the fair. Many sell out quickly so get yours right away.
This year, make the wine seminars part of your courtyard experience at the OC Fair.