A Fun New Year’s Resolution
To me, a resolution is about change. It’s about incorporating a new idea or behavior into my life in such a way that it becomes permanent. And hopefully, I become a better person for doing it.
That said, I don’t like the idea of making a New Year’s resolution. I can make a change anytime. I don’t have to wait for the calendar to flip over to January to do it. Besides, there’s a certain rigidity to New Year’s resolutions. If you don’t start it in January, then it seems like you have to wait an entire year before the opportunity comes up again. Or if you don’t stay with it then somehow, it’s considered a failure. And, let’s face it, the most common resolutions have more to do with self-deprivation than with having fun.
Well, here’s something fun you can resolve to do in 2026 and you can start doing it any time. It’s learning more about wine. What, wait! Isn’t that why we all joined the OCWS, to learn about wine? Well, yes.
There are opportunities to learn about wine year-round in the OCWS. In fact, you can learn about wine at every event. You can taste unfamiliar varietals at many events. You can also find wines from small producers you may have never heard of at just about any OCWS event.
Now let me present you with this: If you had the opportunity to taste wines from micro-micro wineries you’ve never heard of, would you go for it? I bet you would. Well, all of us OCWS home winemakers have our own micro-micro wineries. But you probably never thought of it that way.
When you go wine tasting wouldn’t you love the chance to talk to the winemaker and ask questions about their wines? Well, you don’t have to travel far to ask us about winemaking or our wines.
You’ll find us pouring our wines for you at OCWS events. There you can taste wines produced by local micro-micro wineries, ask the winemakers questions and learn about wine from the people who make it. I guarantee you’ll get a greater appreciation of wine and the winemaking process when you talk to us.
Resolve to attend winemaker group events in 2026. This year we’re planning to pour our wines at the OCWS Spring and Fall member events. Everyone is welcome to attend our potluck meetings throughout the year where you can taste our wines. We’re planning winemaking classes for beginners. And you can volunteer at the OC Fair Home Wine Competition in June where you’ll get to taste award-winning wines made by home winemakers from all over California.
What a fun resolution! The great thing about this one is you don’t have to start on January 1. Jump in and attend any time. And if you miss an event, there’s always another one coming up.
I hope to see you at an upcoming winemaker event. Cheers and Happy New Year!
—Ed Reyes, ed@ocws.org