Created by Christopher Trela and Noelle Novoa (see bios below), OC Wine Magazine was launched in March of 2007 as part of OC Menus Magazine, a Churm Media publication.
As of July 2008, OC Wine is now a separate online magazine that offers feature articles on wine-related topics, including wineery profiles, wine getaways and local wine events. Our OC Wine Blog reports on our adventures out and about during our wine-tasting travels. Other sections of the site are updated as often as possible.
Check back regularly and watch us grow as we strive to provide OC with fun and informative articles on wine, as well as a guide on where to go to taste and buy wine.
Enjoy!
Chris and Noelle
CHRISTOPHER TRELA is an award-winning writer and photographer. He's the author of the book Newport Beach Centennial: Celebrating a Century, and the owner of TrelaVisions Creative Services, specializing in writing, publicity and photography.
As a journalist, Christopher has had more than 1,500 articles published in various newspapers and magazines over the past 20 years. Christopher has written the Slice of Orange column for Coast Magazine since 2001, and has contributed arts, food and wine, health, fitness, business and travel articles to OC Metro, OC Menus, OC Family, Coast Magazine, Performing Arts Magazine, Westways Magazine, Avenues Magazine, and many others.
As a photographer, his work has appeared in the L.A. Times, The Orange County Register, OC Metro, Coast, and many other publications throughout Southern California.
Christopher was awarded a Certificate of Completion from the Paso Robles Wine University, where he studied viticulture, wine tasting analysis, and other wine-related topics. He regularly visits and writes about the Napa, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez and Temecula wine regions.
His favorite wines are Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Zinfandel, and classic blends.
NOELLE NOVOA is a graduate of Chapman University (BA in Public Relations & Advertising), and has gained an impressive amount of marketing, PR and writing experience with a variety of local organizations. At Chapman University, she designed and edited newsletters, flyers and brochures for the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, and re-developed content and layout for the Dodge College of Public Relations & Advertising website. While at Chapman, Noelle was vice-president of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and was one of the top seeds on the women’s tennis team all four years. She served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (a subdivision of NCAA), and made the National Dean’s List and the Dean’s Advisory Council.
For the Newport Beach Film Festival, Noelle served as the Executive Assistant to CEO Greg Schwenk during the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Festivals. She also helped to create and execute guerilla marketing tactics for niche markets, and headed a student marketing team at Chapman University whose purpose was to create and implement ways to increase awareness of the festival. Internships at Porter Novelli in Irvine during 2004 and at Pacific Symphony during 2003 allowed Noelle to gain practical media-relations experience. Her PR campaign for the Pacific Symphony’s arts-X-press education program increased media coverage by 40%.
Noelle has gained wine knowledge through repeat visits to wine country tasting rooms and by talking to wine makers and winery owners. Her favorite wines are Merlot, Pinot Grigio and Champagne.
