Winemakers Group Happenings

Home Winemakers Competition Meeting
Thursday, February 16
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
OCWS Office

OC Fair and Event Center

We are about to begin our plans for our 36th Orange County Fair Homewine Competition. Last year, we had 702 entries from all parts of California. The Homewine Competition is one of the largest and most highly recognized competitions in California. Our goal is not to have the largest competition, but instead to have a quality and credible competition that California amateur winemakers respect. Our reputation comes from the many members who provide the time and effort that goes into making this event a premier competition.

We need assistance in planning for this event. The areas of focus are Judging and Judging Seminar, Scoring, Stewarding, Reception, Wine Administration, Awards, and Homewine Exhibit. We invite you to our first meeting and hope you will be assisting on one of the committees to help make this event as noteworthy and professional as our Commercial Competition.

You don’t have to be a winemaker to participate in this event. As this is an early gathering, we will provide something to eat, but please bring some wine to share. Please RSVP to Jim Graver at 949.581.9599, or email him at winemaster72@earthlink.net.

Winemaker’s Potluck and Wine Tasting
Saturday, February 11

1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Hosted by Ed and Debbie Reyes
26121 Talega Avenue
Laguna Hills

The Winemakers Group will be having their next Potluck and SO2 Testing on February 11, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., with SO2 testing starting at 11:00 a.m. Time will be given to review the programs for this year. Bring your favorite main dish, appetizer, salad, side dish, or dessert, and a bottle of wine to share. Plates, napkins, and tableware will be furnished. We will be able to heat up any food if needed.

Please RSVP: If you plan on attending, please send your reservation via e-mail to Jim Graver so that we can plan accordingly. If you have not made your reservation, do it now.

Sulfur Dioxide SO2 Wine Testing
Saturday, February 11
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Our next SO2 wine testing will be on the same day and location as the potluck except it will start at 11:00 a.m. This continues to be a very important service we do for the group so each winemaker knows how much sulfite to periodically add to the wines for protection against unwanted bacteria and yeast. We expect to be conducting the next test lab in May or June.

Contact Jerry Guerin at jeromeguerin@earthlink.net if you are going to have wine tested and the quantity. This is important to ensure that we have enough supplies to do the testing. In the past, some would bring samples without letting us know and we were unable to accommodate everyone. The normal fee continues to be $3 per sample for those who give Jerry advance notice of the number of samples to be tested. There will be an additional charge of $2 for any additional wines tested not originally scheduled as time and supplies allow.

Fresno State Seminar
Saturday, March 24
Fresno, CA

The Winemakers Group is organizing a Fresno State Seminar on Berry Development and Managing Flavor Development in the Vineyard and Winery. The price for the Seminar will be $175 per person. The price includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and the seminar. In addition, for those who would like to attend, Professor Ken Fugelsang will be having his retirement dinner Saturday evening for an additional charge; cost to be determined.

The seminar attendance is limited from 15 persons minimum to 30 persons maximum, so make your reservations now with Jim Graver.

Potluck
Saturday, May 19
Roadrunner Ridge Winery
Rainbow, CA

A special potluck will be held in May at the Roadrunner Ridge Winery. Roadrunner Ridge is now a commercial winery established by amateur winemakers and OCWS members, Jim and Judi Brady. This potluck will include some of the experts in the fields of winemaking and growing grapes. Details will be in a future newsletter.

Future Winemaker Group Events…

DATE	EVENT
February 11	Quarterly Potluck, Wine Tasting, and SO2 Testing
February 16	Homewine Competition Planning Meeting
February (Date TBA)	Wine Lab Seminar & Workshop
March 18	Wine Extraordinaire
March 24	Fresno State Seminar
April (Date TBA)	Group Cork and Bottle Purchase
May 19	Quarterly Potluck at Roadrunner Ridge Winery

For the Winemakers Group,
Rich Skoczylas

Winemakers Group Happenings

Home Winemakers Competition Meeting Thursday, February 16 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. OCWS Office

OC Fair and Event Center

Winemaker’s Potluck and Wine Tasting Saturday, February 11

1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Hosted by Ed and Debbie Reyes 26121 Talega Avenue Laguna Hills

Sulfur Dioxide SO2 Wine Testing Saturday, February 11 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Fresno State Seminar Saturday, March 24 Fresno, CA

Potluck Saturday, May 19 Roadrunner Ridge Winery Rainbow, CA