Guests will sip through some of the world’s most interesting wines at the historic property, with many local favorites among the mix
After 12 years in Los Angeles, the LAWineFest team is heading south for the first OCWineFest, led by wine expert and writer, Dr. Joel M. Fisher. They’ll be pouring, sipping and mingling November 4 and 5 on the historic grounds of A Stone’s Throw Winery in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. It kicks off November 3 with a black tie optional charity dinner at Sundried Tomato to raise funds for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
OCWineFest blazes the trail to bring wine and people together – from the novice to the aficionado – in a fun and accessible way, balancing fun, exploration and education with wine tastings, food pairings, and talks led by sommeliers and winemakers. The event will also feature gourmet goodies, food trucks and luxury products from a variety of vendors.
Tickets for OCWineFest are currently $70 for GA, and $100 for All Access, (which provides early entry Saturday and access to the boutique wineries, which have exclusive limited production wines). All tickets include a glass provided by Tossware and unlimited tastings. Designated drivers are appreciated, and their tickets cost only $20. Seminars cost $20. Tickets for the special fundraising dinner for LLS Friday are $150 each with table sponsorships also available. More info at www.ocwinefest.com.
List of participating wineries:
- Armagnac (liquer)
- Fallbrook Winery (Fallbrook)
- Josh Cellars
- Leese-Fitch Winery
- Los Angeles International Competition (20-25 top medal winners)
- Moobuzz Wines
- Navarro Vineyards and Winery (Anderson Valley)
- Old World Vines (Greek wines)
- PB Importers (Twickel & Takler wines from Ezekszard wine region in Hungary)
- PRP Wine International (OC, bringing French Wines)
- Rancho Capistrano Winery (OC)
- San Antonio Wineries (Los Angeles)
- Schlossadler International Wines (Croatian wines)
- Simply Vino
- South Coast Winery (Temecula)
- The Wine Caterers (Southern California)
- Wilson Creek Winery (Temecula)
- Yarden (Israel)
Breweries
- Highwater Brewing
- Newport Beach Brewing
- The Bruery
- The Bruery Terreux
- Lagunitas Brewing
Boutique Wineries (open to All Access passholders)
- A Stone’s Throw Winery (Orange County)
- Ascension Cellars (Paso Robles)
- Bellante Family Winery (Orange County)
- Cloak & Dagger (Templeton/Paso Robles)
- Color Wine (OC)
- Cowboy Canyon Winery (Orange County)
- Frisby Cellars Winery (Orange County)
- Giracci Vineyards and Farms (Orange County)
- Lucky Dogg Winery (Solvang)
- Newport Beach Vineyards (Orange County)
- Vinemark Cellars (Thousand Oaks)
- Wedell Cellars (Arroyo Grande/San Luis Obispo)
Web: www.ocwinefest.com
Facebook: OCWineFest
Instagram: @OCWineFest
Twitter: @OCWineFest
ABOUT OCWINEFEST:
Coming off the heels of LAWineFest’s 12th successful year, the team is proud to present the OCWineFest, following in the footsteps of Los Angeles’ popular event, which blazed a trail to bring wine and people together in an inviting and accessible way. Now a local institution, we’re known to reliably deliver an event that balances fun, exploration and education. This year’s inaugural OCWineFest will take place November 4-5 at A Stone’s Throw Winery in historic San Juan Capistrano.
ABOUT DR. JOEL M. FISHER, LAWineFest/OCWineFest Founder & CEO
Joel M. Fisher, PhD is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, The Circle of Wine Writers (UK), and the International Federation of Wine and Spirits Writers. He was awarded a Wine Enthusiast Media Scholarship at the Culinary Institute of America.
Dr. Fisher has written for the Culinary Connection of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of California, for the Beverly Hills Courier, and the Underground Wine Letter. He has taught at Cordon Bleu in Pasadena and in the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California — Los Angeles. He was a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine. He is a Sommelier for the Escoffier Association of Southern California, a member of The Tasting Panel (formerly the Bon Appetit Tasting Panel) and a Wine Host for CRN’s What’s Cooking Show.
Dr. Fisher co-led a program for chefs and culinary students to the Culinary Olympics in Germany, and to wineries in Burgundy and Champagne, and a study-abroad program called “Wine and Cuisine of Iberia” in Spain and Portugal.
ABOUT A STONE’S THROW WINERY
A Stone’s Throw Winery was originally founded in 2002 out of Trabuco Canyon and operated as a small boutique winery called Hamilton Oaks Vineyard and Winery Inc. In 2012 the winery opened a second tasting room as Hamilton Oaks San Juan in the historic Swanner House in San Juan Capistrano, on the 3-acre property among the orange groves. In 2016 a group of former Marines and retired Marines formed a new partnership with Giracci Vineyards and Farms to establish A Stone’s Throw Winery. The winery is thrilled to have the expertise of the Giracci Team and the support of some-hard charging Marines.
ABOUT OUR CHARITABLE BENEFICIARY:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. Its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and is the leading source of free blood cancer education and support services for patients, survivors, families, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
