February 5, 2026 — The Orange County Wine Society (OCWS) is proud to announce $50,375 in scholarship donations for the 2026–2027 academic year, supporting students pursuing careers in enology, viticulture, wine-related studies, and culinary arts across California.
With this year’s awards, OCWS has now contributed more than $1,008,795 in scholarships since 1981, benefiting students at eight California colleges and universities. Reaching the $1 million milestone is especially meaningful as OCWS celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2026, marking five decades of advancing wine education and supporting the future of the wine industry.
“OCWS is deeply committed to investing in the next generation of winemakers, grape growers, and culinary professionals,” said Dr. Damian Christian, OCWS Scholarship Chair. “Our scholarship program reflects our long-standing mission to foster education and opportunity within California’s vibrant wine community.”
2026-27 Scholarship Donation Breakdown
| Institution | Program | Donation Amount |
| Allan Hancock College | Enology and Viticulture | $6,000 |
| Cal Poly Pomona | Enology and Viticulture | $5,805 |
| Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | Enology and Viticulture | $5,805 |
| Cal State University – Fresno | Enology and Viticulture | $5,805 |
| Cal State University – Sonoma | Wine Business | $5,805 |
| Napa Valley College | Enology and Viticulture | $9,405 |
| Orange Coast College | Culinary Arts | $5,845 |
| University of California – Davis | Enology and Viticulture | $5,905 |
Advancing Wine Education for 50 Years
OCWS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting wine education for both its members and the public. In addition to its scholarship program, OCWS fulfills its mission through the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition and Home Wine Competition, now in their 50th year.
During the OC Fair, OCWS volunteers operate the popular Wine Courtyard, where fairgoers can taste award-winning California wines, attend educational seminars, and engage directly with featured wineries. Throughout the year, OCWS also offers educational programming for its 1,000 wine enthusiast members, covering wine tasting, evaluation, commercial wine production, and home winemaking.
About the Orange County Wine Society
Founded in 1976, the Orange County Wine Society, Inc. is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of wine, enology, and viticulture. For the past 50 years, OCWS has proudly served as the nonprofit partner and co-sponsor of the OC Fair’s wine competitions and continues to champion wine education across California.
Learn more at ocws.org.
