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During the early 2000s, the OCWS continued to offer the usual events such as the Wine Auction, Annual Barbecue, Catalina Island Wine Festival, Champagne Brunch, Chili Cook-off, Grub & Grogger, Holiday Dinner, Installation Dinner, and Mini-Tastings. New events were added and an additional college was added to our Scholarship Program. Further, the Wine Society continued to sponsor the Wine Extraordinaire and Wine Classic plus both the Commercial and Homewine Competitions. Our web site continued to grow allowing members to sign-up and pay for events using credit cards thanks to the efforts of Judy Fox. The Wine Society membership stabilized at about 1,100 members and Janet Hammond continued as our full-time Office Administrator and our office moved to a new building on the Fair Grounds. John Goodnight continued to volunteer as our Editor and Publisher of the monthly newsletter, The Wine Press. Board Year 2000 to 2001 During this period, Dennis Esslinger (October 2000 – September 2001) was elected President with myself as Vice President, Tim Morgan as Treasurer, and Karen Ward as Secretary. During Dennis’ administration, the OCWS celebrated it’s 25th Anniversary and the winning logo designed by Marjorie Trout was displayed on various items including the Commercial Wine Competition Award Book. Also during his term, the grand Napa Wine Odyssey Tour was held during April 5-8, 2001, thanks to the planning efforts of Judy Fox and Sam Puzzo. This sold-out trip included winery tours, tastings, and elegant winery diners. Board Year 2001 to 2002 J. David Hirstein was elected President the next year (October 2001 – September 2002) with myself again serving as Vice President, and Tim Morgan again serving as Treasurer, and Ronnie Johnson as Secretary. During David’s term, the attendance at most OCWS events quickly sold out, for the first time, Wine Courtyard revenue exceeded $150,000. Our Scholarship funding increased to $28,000 and Sonoma State University was added to our list of schools. Board Year 2002 to 2003 Dennis Esslinger was again elected as President the following year (October 2002 – September 2003) and myself again served as his Vice President. Tim Morgan returned as Treasurer and Karen Ward assumed the duties as Society Secretary. Highlights of this year included several new proposed by-laws managed by Larry Fox relating to membership status and election of officers to the Board of Directors. Judy Fox was busy expanding the services of the OCWS web site that was experiencing nearly 1,000 “hits” per month. Jim Burk volunteered to serve as our official photographer as George Hammond announced his move to the East Coast. Board Year 2003 to 2004 Larry Fox was elected President the following year (October 2003 – September 2004) with myself again serving as Vice President, Tim Morgan continuing as Treasurer, and Craig Rowe serving as Secretary. During this year, additional major OCWS trips were planned with the assistance of Barbara Greenfield. Craig and Ronna Rowe organized and conducted an awesome trip to Yosemite National Park for the Vintner’s Holiday at the Ahwahnee from November 28 to December 1. In the spring, Walt Thurner planned and directed an eventful Wine Tasting Tour of Sonoma County on March 25 to 28, that included winery tours, tastings, and dinners with the winemakers. Also Tim Morgan planned and hosted the first Riedel Stemware 101 Program with Dana Ginavan of Riedel Crystal of America presenting a glassware comparison program. Finally, our Scholarship program was increased again and for the first time a Competition Judge’s Scholarship was awarded using funds donated by the Judges during the Commercial Wine Competition. Board Year 2004 to 2005 Larry Fox was again elected President (October 2004 – September 2005) with Craig Rowe as Vice President, Walt Thurner as Treasurer, and Carolyn Schoff as Secretary. Another Riedel Stemware Seminar was held in September thanks to the efforts of Tim Morgan and we had the rare opportunity to have George Riedel present the stemware comparison program. During this year, the OCWS office moved from the Little Theater to our new facilities in the second floor of the Memorial Gardens. A contest was held to design the logo for our upcoming 30th Anniversary and again Marjorie Trout won the contest. Wine Courtyard revenue for the first time exceeded $200,000 and we had to conduct alcohol server training for all Courtyard volunteers and managers. Thanks to the efforts of Craig Rowe and Karen Ward, we conducted TIPS training over a three month period and were able to successfully certify over 250 members. The two grand tastings, the Wine Extraordinaire and the Wine Classic continued and both were held at the Anaheim Hilton and Towers where they remain today. Serving as chairs of the Extraordinaire were Karen Ward, Larry Pierce, Ronnie Johnson, Jerry Williams, and Carolyn Schoff. The Extraordinaire continued to grow in attendance and Riedel stemware was added to showcase the wines. David Hirstein, Ronnie Johnson, Larry Pierce, Walt Thurner, and Carolyn Schoff chaired the Classics. The Classics also grew in attendance and featured over 100 wineries and 30 food purveyors. During this period, Dennis Esslinger, Carol Frank, or myself arranged the monthly programs. These programs included our 25th Anniversary Tasting with Kent Roseblum in May 2001, and a unique wine and cheese pairing conducted by Beringer Winery. Recently, Carol Frank was able to find a new hotel to host our Winery Tasting Programs that was more centrally located for the convenience of our members. In 2005, the Orange County Fair started at 17 days, but soon expanded to 21 days (closed Mondays) where it remains today. The Courtyard Chairs included Jim Hume, Craig Rowe, and myself. Major revenue increases continued each year paralleling increases in Fair attendance culminating in over 1 million people attending the Fair in 2005 and Courtyard revenue exceeding $204,000. The Commercial Wine Competition ranged from 2,700 to over 3,300 entries and over 1,100 awards with 80 to over 100 different varietals and styles of wine. The host hotel for the Competition remained at the Hilton, Costa Mesa, and is scheduled to remain at the same facility until at least 2010. During the period, Dennis Esslinger served as Chair of the Competition for one year while I served for four years and continue as Chair today. Sam Puzzo served as Director of Judges for one year and Dennis Esslinger was selected to serve as the next Director of Judges and continues in this position today. The Award Book format was continued in its new book form and used a color picture on the cover page selected by a photo contest from among members. The number of judges averaged over 90 and included such notables as David Cofran (Silver Oak/Strata), Etienne Cowper (Mt. Palomar), Karen Ernsberger (Benziger), Massinmo Monticelli, Oded Shakked (J Winery), Michael Silacci (Opus One), Stephen Tebb (Clos La Chance), Gideon Beinstock (Renaissance), Jon Emmerich (Silverado), Steve Lohr (J. Lohr), Michael Beaulac (St. Supery), Lum Eisenman (Belle Marie), Justin Weibel, Norman Yost (Flying Goat), Phil Baily, Erica Mandl (Korbel), and Paul Clifton (HRM Rex Goliath). Many of these judges continue to help us each year during the Commercial Wine Competition. The Steering Committee continued during this period with either Sam Puzzo or Dennis Esslinger serving as Chair. Chuck Hanson continued his long-term support on the committee and remains as the only member of the Steering Committee to serve every year since the establishment of the Competition. Jeri Wilson retired in 2004 after serving every year since the Committee’s founding in 1977. During this period, both the OCWS President and Competition Chairs joined the committee each year. The Homewine Group continued during this period under the leadership of Jim Graver and annual Homewine Competitions continued on the Fair Grounds. The group continued to sponsor several events for home winemakers to allow them to test and assess the progress of their wines. These events included Wine Labs, Judging Seminars, Home Winemakers Day, Pre-Crush and Winemaking Seminars, and tours of Santa Barbara and California State University at Fresno. Through this period, the typically OCWS annual events continued. Charley Owen continued to help organize the Wine Auctions under the supervision of the Cellarmasters. The number of silent and verbal lots continued to grow and John Goodnight continued as the Auctioneer during the verbal lot bidding. The Grub & Groggers were chaired by Carolyn Schoff, Tim Morgan, and Karen Ward and were subsequently renamed Dine With Wine. Chairs for the Champagne Brunch included Ronnie Johnson, Karen Ward, and Carol Frank and both entrée and dessert competitions were held at the events. Karen Ward, Jim Beard, or myself chaired Mini-Tastings. An average of six Mini-Tastings were held each year including the annual tasting of gold medal-winning wines in June and Zinfandel wines in October. Ronnie Johnson, Tim Morgan, Walt Thurner, Larry Fox, Jim Beard, and Carolyn Schoff chaired the Annual Barbecue. In 2004, the Barbecue was combined with the Chili Cook-Off due to several conflicts in dates among competing events. David Hirstein, Larry Pierce, Larry Fox, and Walt Thurner chaired the Chili Cook-offs. During this period, the Wine Society unfortunately lost more of its long-term active members. They are remembered for their contributions and will remain in our memories. This is the final article on the history of the OCWS. I would like to thank past Historians, especially Vivien Owen, for her photo albums, and John Goodnight for providing me copies of the newsletters for the past five years. These materials and the many pictures have been invaluable in preparing this article and keeping a viable record of the Wine Society.
Larry Graham |
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Orange County Wine Society, PO Box 11059
Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Office Ph: 714.708.1636
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