May 13, 2026 (Costa Mesa, CA) — Time is running out. California wineries have just days left to enter the 50th Annual OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition, hosted by the Orange County Wine Society (OCWS) in partnership with the OC Fair. Entries close this Friday, May 15—and entry is completely free.
Now in its 50th year, this landmark competition stands as one of California’s most respected and enduring double-blind wine evaluations—judged exclusively by professional winemakers and winery owners.
With more than 2,400 entries annually, the competition brings together wineries of all sizes—from well-established producers to emerging boutique labels—offering a rare opportunity to gain meaningful exposure in one of the nation’s most influential wine markets.
Enter—Before It’s Too Late
This is more than a competition—it’s a powerful platform for visibility, credibility, and direct consumer connection.
- No Entry Fee – Submit your wines at no cost
- Professional Double-Blind Judging – Evaluated impartially by winemakers and winery owners
- Fair & Relevant Comparisons – Judged by varietal, price, and sugar level
- Prestigious Awards – Bronze, Silver, Gold, Double Gold, and Best of Class honors across 20 categories
- High-Impact Exposure – Results published on WineCompetition.com with searchable features for consumers
- OC Fair Showcase – Winning wines poured at the OC Fair Wine Courtyard (July 17–August 16, 2026), reaching hundreds of thousands of engaged attendees
From classic varietals to sparkling, dessert, infused, low- and no-alcohol wines, the competition reflects the full diversity and innovation of California winemaking.
Don’t Miss This Milestone Year
“Reaching our 50th year is an incredible milestone,” said Carolyn Christian, OCWS Marketing Chair / Past President. “This is a moment for wineries to be part of something truly special—while putting their wines in front of a highly engaged audience. While other competitions are declining, we are still thriving.”
Fran Gitsham, OCWS Vice President / Past President and Competition Chair, added, “This competition continues to provide meaningful exposure for wineries while connecting thousands of wine lovers with award-winning wines at the OC Fair.”
Enter Now Before the Deadline
Online Entry Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026
Wine Delivery Deadline: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Judging: May 30–31, 2026
For full entry details and submission information, visit: OCWineCompetition.com
Concerned about meeting the deadline? Contact us at: Teri@ocws.org or call 714-708-1636
About the Orange County Wine Society
The Orange County Wine Society (OCWS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with over 1,000 members who volunteer their time to support California’s wine industry. OCWS hosts both the OC Fair Commercial and Home Wine Competitions – the largest of their kind dedicated exclusively to California wines. Since 1981, OCWS has donated over $1,008,795 in scholarships to eight California colleges and universities with wine-related.
