WINEMAKERS GROUP
Thanks to All Who Contribute to Our Success
In this season of giving thanks, I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize those who helped make the Winemakers Group successful in 2025.
First of all, we just finished our annual grape purchase. It’s at the core of what our group is all about. Organizing this program is a HUGE job and I cannot thank Bruce Powers enough for taking the lead on this. If that wasn’t enough, he graciously allowed us to use his home as the grape delivery/pickup point for literally, tons of grapes. This year our winemakers bought five tons of red grapes and another 275 gallons of white juice.
There’s another aspect to this that many may not realize. Grapes are harvested when Mother Nature says they’re ready. If the grower determines they must be picked on a Tuesday morning, that’s when we have to go get them. So, on short notice someone from our group must make the pickup run.
Many thanks to Bruce for making three trips up to Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards in Buellton to pick up Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay. Bruce also made a run to Solterra Winery in Encinitas to pick up Merlot and Grenache. Thanks to Don Phillips for putting together the yeast and additive packets that were supplied with the grape orders.
Another huge event for the Winemakers Group is the annual OC Fair Home Wine Competition. Thanks to Kevin Donnelly, chairman and principal organizer for this year’s 49th annual event. Planning for the event begins in January and many people work tirelessly behind the scenes for months before competition day.
Among those who deserve recognition this year are John Lane, Director of Judging, and Stacey Taylor, Competition Software Developer and Director of Wine Administration. Other key volunteers included Teri Lane, Scoring Chair, Charyl Knapp, Volunteer Coordinator, and Wendy Taylor, Label Competition Coordinator.
Thanks also to Jerry Guerin, Judging Seminar Instructor and the Awards Mailing Team led by Lynda Edwards and John Kienstra. Other critical team members included Carolyn Christian, Competition Marketing Director and Fran Gitsham, OCFEC Liaison. A big thank you also goes out to our OCWS Cook’s Caucus who provided breakfast and lunch for almost 200 people on competition day. The competition is successful through the hard work and dedication of so many people, especially our competition day volunteers.
Throughout the year the Winemakers Group conducts programs and provides education to help us winemakers improve our craft. Special thanks to our SO2 testing team, Mike Paz and Ed Petros, who conduct quarterly SO2 testing for the group. I also want to thank John Lane and Kevin Donnelly for giving winemaking seminars throughout the year. Thanks to Kevin Donnelly, Robin McCormick and Don Phillips for hosting quarterly potlucks. Thanks to Carolyn and Damian Christian for opening up their home for our citrus winemaking seminar. Thanks to Kevin Donnely for organizing our annual Holiday Party. By the way, this year’s event is coming up fast. Sign up for it today on the OCWS website.
I appreciate the support and continued involvement of both Kevin Donnelly and Bill Forsch who ran the group before me. The Winemakers Group, like the Wine Society as a whole, could not run without the help of all who step up to organize and run our winemakers’ activities. We appreciate everyone’s help and welcome newcomers who want to get involved. We look forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2026.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
—Ed Reyes, ed@ocws.org