California Gold: An OCWS Wine Classic Event"
see our Classic flyer!

The Wine Classic is now just one short month away and your Wine Classic Committee is putting marketing strategies into action in an attempt to sell more tickets to this year's event. This public wine tasting event, one of two such events we host throughout the year, is set for Sunday, August 16, again at the Anaheim Hilton in the California Ballroom. Tell your neighbors, tell your friends, tell those sitting next to you at wine tastings and at restaurants!

Please help us market this event. We'll be asking for your assistance in talking about and selling Wine Classic tickets during The Courtyard at the OC Fair. Please wear one of our "Ask me about the…Wine Classic" buttons while working The Courtyard. If you worked the Wine Competition, you saw these buttons and hopefully, asked one of our committee members about the event. We will be giving away two Wine Classic tickets to the two top Wine Classic salespersons at The Courtyard. I hope that salesperson will be you! If you would like Wine Classic flyers to pass out at work, to your neighbors, or to events that you attend, please get a hold of me and I'll work out a way to get the flyers to you. We can use everyone's help on this one to make it one of the best ever.

Ticket prices will once again be $45 for members, $50 for non-members, and $25 for designated drivers. We're also offering the member price of $45 per person with groups of 10 or more. After July 31, tickets will increase to $60. Price will again include a Riedel wine glass, over 100 award-winning wineries, 10 to 15 local outstanding restaurants, an exceptional silent auction and raffle, and several vendors. You'll also be able to enjoy member Rich Skoczylas' outstanding chocolate creations. You can't beat the price enjoying outstanding food and award-winning California wine for three hours on a Sunday afternoon.

The purpose of The Wine Classic event is to feature many of the award-winning wineries from the annual Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition. There will be plenty of Gold Medal California wineries serving at this event. We hold this event to showcase the award-winning wineries to the public, to showcase the OCWS, and to raise funds for our Scholarship Program. Please mark you calendars, tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your co-workers, and those sitting beside you at your local wine bar and restaurant.

Volunteer application forms have already started to arrive at the OCWS Office. Remember, it's first come, first served to fill those volunteer spots. Send your application in soon if you are looking for a specific volunteer position. But don't worry, there are close to 125 volunteer positions available for the Wine Classic. Which means that we really need your help and support to fill all those positions. All shifts require a two-hour commitment. In turn, you'll receive a $20 rebate off of your admission ticket. OCWS member Agnes Grogan has graciously accepted the Volunteer Coordinator position and she's happily awaiting your volunteer application forms. For additional volunteer information, please contact Agnes at vgassoc@verizon.net.

Just a reminder that all volunteers must pay for their ticket to the event before their volunteer request will be processed. Please make sure to list your e-mail address on the sign-up form as it is much easier to send your assignment confirmation via e-mail. Also, please do not discount your ticket price when purchasing your ticket. Rebates will be sent to volunteers after the event.

Remember, we're always looking for new restaurant and food purveyors. Once again, if you recruit a restaurant or food purveyor that agrees to participate in the Wine Classic, you'll receive two free tickets! Please ask your local restaurant managers and owners. Tell them we will return to them with a large party of OCWS members and friends for dinner as part of our Dine With Wine Program, will list them in the event program, and will link their website to the OCWS website.

Kevin Coy