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.

Last Chance to Enter into the Home Wine Competition
Time is running out for home winemakers to enter your wines into this year’s OC Fair Home Wine Competition. Online entries must be submitted and all wines received by May 22. Don’t miss this opportunity to compete for bragging rights with your fellow winemakers. Awards include Best of Show, Double… Read more: Last Chance to Enter into the Home Wine Competition
2026 OCWS Wine Auction: Expanding Online, Thriving In Person
By Carolyn Christian 2026 marked an exciting and successful year for the OCWS Wine Auction, highlighted by the addition of our first-ever Online Wine Auction, which expanded participation and created even more opportunities for members to engage, bid and win. I am incredibly proud of this year’s auction committee and… Read more: 2026 OCWS Wine Auction: Expanding Online, Thriving In Person
Wine Wisdom: The Hybrid and the General
Last October when I walked into the Dome des Invalides in Paris, France, to see Napolean Bonaparte’s tomb, the last thing I was expecting was to see the name of a hybrid grape adorning the poignant imagery of a French Army general’s tomb. The general was Marechal Foch and the… Read more: Wine Wisdom: The Hybrid and the General
Defying Expectation
Independent. Focused. Confident. Determined. These are all characteristics of the fictional character Clementine Carter, who was Doc Holiday’s one-time love interest in the iconic Western “My Darling Clementine.” Those same attributes best describe Sonja Magdevski, who drew inspiration from that film for her winery bearing the same name in Los… Read more: Defying Expectation
President’s Message
By Fred Heinecke There are big things going on for the 50th anniversary at The Courtyard. We are about three months away from the July 17opening day and I want to take this time to give some insight about The Courtyard and what goes into the preparations for our biggest… Read more: President’s Message
The Courtyard Sign-ups Begin This Month
Ensure that your mailing address (OCWS website, My Profile) we have on file is correct to receive Courtyard information and fair credentials. A Responsible Beverage Server (RBS) Certification is required to sign up and work at The Courtyard. Please make sure your RBS certification is completed before sign-ups start so… Read more: The Courtyard Sign-ups Begin This Month
Winning Recipe: Carol Shelton Black Magic Cupcakes
INGREDIENTS 1 box Betty Crocker chocolatefudge cake mix1/4 cup water (warm to bloom chocolateand Zin)1/2 cup canola oil3 eggs (room temperature)3/4 cup Carol Shelton Black Magic LateHarvest ZinFrosting2 cups powdered sugar3 tsp. cocoa powder (I use Ghirardelli)1 stick of butter (room temperature)1/4 cup Carol Shelton Black Magic LateHarvest Dessert Wine… Read more: Winning Recipe: Carol Shelton Black Magic Cupcakes