This month, we will have the last Winery Program Tasting event for this business year featuring Alexander Valley Vineyards. Alexander Valley Vineyards is a family-owned wine estate. The estate was once the original homestead of Cyrus Alexander, and the namesake of this prominent appellation—Alexander Valley. The winery has been in operation since 1975.

Don’t miss out on what is sure to be an enjoyable tasting event.

The Commercial Competition and Home Wine Competition Committees and supporting work groups are working very hard to prepare for the wine judging competitions that will occur in June. Requests for volunteer help have been published in The Wine Press or mailed to your home. If you haven’t replied to the volunteer request, please do so. Time is of the essence!

As I wrote in my column last month, the OCWS is seeking candidates for the Board of Directors. Directors with three-year terms expiring this year include Larry Graham, Craig Rowe, and Dean Strom. While the By-laws state that interested members have to declare their candidacy two weeks prior to the Annual Business meeting, there is nothing stopping anyone from declaring anytime before that date. Read the article in this newsletter for more details.

The 2008 Orange County Fair starts on Friday, July 11, and ends on Sunday, August 3. Revenue generated through wine sales at The Courtyard enables the OCWS to fund two Wine Competitions, our Scholarship Program, and support the general budgetary needs of the Wine Society. The Courtyard is the Wine Society’s largest annual fundraising activity. If you plan to volunteer to work The Courtyard this year, remember that the TIPS alcohol server training is required. All training must be completed in early June so that the necessary volunteer credentials can be requested from the Orange County Fair & Events Center.

Finally, I am happy to report that the OCWS is donating $29,000 to 7 schools in 2008 to fund scholarships in Enology, Viticulture, Wine Marketing, and the Culinary Arts. Recipient colleges include Allen Hancock College, Cal Poly – Pomona, Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo, Cal State – Fresno, Orange Coast College, UC – Davis, and Napa Valley College. Also, $2,200 from un-cashed judges’ honoraria checks from the Commercial Competition will fund the annual Judges’ Scholarship. This year, the recipient is Napa Valley College.

Cheers,