About Us

The Orange County Wine Society, a non-profit organization that promotes the knowledge and appreciation of wines, is dedicated to raising funds for college scholarships for institutions throughout California. The volunteers of the organization, while enjoying social events, wine tastings and trips throughout the year, is best known for coordinating the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition and running the wine courtyard at the fair each year. Within the OCWS lies an active home winemaking group which, along with their passion for making fine wines, runs the Homewine Competition which is also highlighted annually at the OC Fair.

The varied interests and social opportunities offered through the OCWS has something for everyone, from people just beginning to find enjoyment with wine in their lives and wanting to learn more to the well versed fine wine lover looking to share their passion with others of like mind.

Happy Harvest
By Ed Reyes For OCWS winemaker, Bruce Powers, his day begins at 4 a.m. when he leaves his Orange Park Acres home. There’s someone with him in the rental cargo van he picked up the evening before and it is loaded with storage tanks to hold nearly 275 gallons of… Read more: Happy Harvest
President’s Message
By Fred HeineckeThis is my first President’s Message and I want to begin by telling you how honored I am to be your president for the 2025/26 board year and to thank some hardworking members.Thanks to Carolyn Christian for the past two years of nonstop effort and leadership as President.… Read more: President’s Message
50th Anniversary Logo Contest
We had multiple amazing entries for our recent logo contest several members. Thank you all for your submissions; it was difficult to pick a winner with so many great logo ideas. We are pleased to announce the winner of the 50th Anniversary Logo Contest is John Goodnight. As a thank… Read more: 50th Anniversary Logo Contest
Chef of the Evening
Smoked Salmon Dip Ingredients2 cups (16 oz.) whole milkricotta8 oz. cream cheese, softened2 Tbsp. lemon juice1/2 teaspoon kosher salt4 oz. smoked salmon, chopped1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion1 Tbsp. capers1 tsp. lemon zest (from half alarge lemon)1/2 teaspoon Everything BagelseasoningCucumber slicesLemon wedges1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dillBagel crisps or crackers (I… Read more: Chef of the Evening
Photo of the Month – October 2025
Scholarship Update
By Damian J. Christian With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it is a good time to make a donation to the OCWS Scholarship Fund. Currently, the OCWS scholarship fund has awarded over $946,000 since 1981. We hope reach $1 million in our 50th anniversary in 2026. This is… Read more: Scholarship Update
Photo Contest and Candids
Harvest & Hues: A Wine Lover’s Photo ChallengeShow us your best wine-inspired shots in the November OCWS Photo Contest. Whether it’s the warm glow of autumn leaves in the vineyard, the cheerful clink of glasses, or the perfect swirl in a glass, we want to see how you capture the magic… Read more: Photo Contest and Candids
Wine Corks
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