Winemakers Celebrate One Year in Newport

Most secrets shouldn't be shared, but it would be an injustice not to mention a hideaway in Newport Beach where wine lovers enjoy the offerings of the Orange Coast Winery.

Husband and wife team Doug and Debbie Wiens took ownership of the winery a year ago from longtime Newport Beach resident Gus DeFalco. At a special event last week, the Wiens celebrated their one-year anniversary with the launch of their new craft beer service.

"I'm the front person of the duo. Doug is your typical genius," Debbie Wiens told Patch. "He likes to be back in his man cave, or in his case in his wine cave, and he doesn't always prefer to be out front, but he is very passionate."

The Wiens are no strangers to wine. They are also the founders of Wiens Family Cellar in Temecula where they also make their own wine. They say Orange Coast Winery was the perfect way to share their award winning wines with the residents of Orange County.

It's harvest season in Temecula, so Doug Wiens spends most of his time at the Wiens Family Cellar keeping up the high standard that Inland Empire magazine put on him as Winemaker of the Year. Three of their wines were also winners at the Orange County Fair this year, including their Sauvignon Blanc, winning a bronze and their Petite Syrah, which won a silver.

"It's a lot of hard work and you have to be completely committed," Debbie Wiens said about the couple's ventures.

Orange Coast Winery is an Urban Micro-Winery, which now serves their own micro-brew beer, and offers guests six tastings and a souvenir wine glass for a low fee. The winery also serves various types of cheese and flatbreads to pair. 

The winery also has some new projects in the works. The Wiens say they are partnering with the makers of the classic surfing movie, Endless Summer, to use the artwork from the film's label on their new Endless Summer white and Endless Summer red wines. 

"We are very excited," Debbie Wiens said. "We'll be screening the movie here a couple of times a year."

The Wiens are also dedicating some of their time to hosting local charity events every month. This month the Wiens are supporting the International Princess Project which works to make change for the women living in India who have been affected by human trafficking. The Princess Project sells punjammies, or pajama bottoms, made by women in India to raise money for the cause.

The duo is supporting the project's 5th annual Fabric of Freedom on Saturday at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach. Tickets are still available.

The winery also partners with local restaurants, including Bayside, Woody's Wharf and The Alley, that offer free corkage if you bring in a bottle of Wiens wine. Orange Coast Winery is located at 869 West 16th Street in Newport Beach. For more information, call 949-645-0400.