Fess Parker Winery
Our Story Driving north along the pastoral Foxen Canyon Wine Trail feels like traveling back to California's early days. Rolling hills frame vast meadows, deer and wildlife roam free, and pristine landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see. This peaceful environment enticed the late Fess Parker into buying a 714-acre ranch here back in 1988. The Texas-born actor, who played the television roles of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone in the 1950s and 1960s, had moved his family to Santa Barbara in the early 1960s and begun construction of a blufftop home. When heavy rains caused it to collapse onto the beach, he revised his plans and headed inland. There, he discovered the Foxen Canyon property, where he initially planned to run cattle, plant a few grapes to sell to other vintners, and establish a small winery. Parker, an only child, dreamed of starting a family business that he could pass on to future generations. He asked his children to join him, and they planted a five-acre experimental Riesling vineyard in 1989. Eli, his son, started as assistant winemaker and spent three years under the tutelage of acclaimed enologist Jed Steele before taking the helm. Eli then planted more vines and started a four-year project to build a cutting-edge winery and tasting room. Eli Parker and his sister Ashley continue to stay involved as stewards of the family's vision for the winery while Ashley's husband Tim Snider serves as President and oversees day-to-day operations. The family's vineyard is the 120-acre Rodney's Vineyard, named after Fess Parker's late son-in-law, at the 400-acre Foxen Canyon Road estate where the winery is located. They also source grapes from Camp Four vineyard in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, which Parker planted in 1998 as well as vineyards in the cooler Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Blair Fox assumed the role of head winemaker in 2005. In recent years, the winery has sharpened its focus to produce more small-lot, vineyard-designated wines made from high-quality Rhone and Burgundian varietals, which have won awards in national wine competitions. Completed in 1994, the new winery and tasting room are loosely designed after an Australian sheep station, with a grand stone fireplace, stone floors, and a wraparound veranda with picnic tables. The spacious complex is set amid an acre of meticulously landscaped grounds that border the vineyard. The amphitheater-style lawn, rimmed by mature oaks, provides a serene setting for picnics, summer evening performances by Shakespeare Santa Barbara, and other events. Indoors, visitors taste the latest vintages at a worn knotty pine bar, surrounded by photos of Fess Parker as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone and other memorabilia related to the actor's television roles.
Fess Parker 'Santa Barbara' Chardonnay 2018
$13.95 $17.07
10d
California » Santa Barbara County
Vinous 90 "...a gorgeous appellation-level wine. Light tropical notes, lemon confit, white flowers, tangerine and mint are all pushed forward. Oily and nicely textured in the
Fess Parker 'The Big Easy' Syrah Blend 2017
$23.95 $32.00
7eCalifornia » Santa Barbara County
COLOR: opaque purple AROMAS: blackberry, black cherry, plum, boysenberry, vanilla, baking spices, smoked chocolate, anise FLAVORS: blueberry, blackberry, dark chocolate, plum, smoked meat, vanilla
Fess Parker Marcella's White Blend 2016
$13.95 $18.13
75bCalifornia » Santa Barbara County
Wine Enthusiast 90 Aromas of melon, yellow peach, lemon rind and chalky minerality lead into a palate loaded with ripe stone-fruit flavors that are balanced by
Fess Parker 'Santa Barbara' Chardonnay 2017
California » Santa Barbara County
Wine Enthusiast 89 "This is a steal for under 20, offering aromas of apple flesh, ripe pear, brioche and yellow grapefruit on the nose. The palate
Fess Parker 'Parker Station' Pinot Noir 2017
The Tasting Panel 92 This multi-appellated Pinot Noir has a perfume of cherry pie with dashes of clove and nutmeg. Husky notes of cedar-plum and herbs
Fess Parker 'The Big Easy' Syrah Blend 2016
Vinous 95 "The 2016 The Big Easy is fabulous. Rich, powerful and flamboyant to its core the Big Easy hits the palate with tremendous fruit
Fess Parker 'Parker Station' Pinot Noir 2016
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, red plum, earth and light vanilla will be found on the nose. This Pinot Noir has a lively acidity and
Fess Parker 'Santa Barbara' Chardonnay 2016
Wine Advocate 89 " Offering up white peaches and fresh pineapple on the nose with hints of nutmeg and coriander seed, the 2016 Chardonnay Santa Barbara
Fess Parker 'Marcella's' White Blend 2015
California » Santa Barbara County
Vinous 90 "The 2015 Marcella's, Fess Parker's white Rhône blend, is gorgeous. Soft, open-knit and expressive, the 2015 offers striking depth, nuance and freshness. Apricot, mint,
Fess Parker 'Santa Barbara' Chardonnay 2015
Wine Advocate 87 A rock-solid white that sells for a song is the 2015 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County (90% Chardonnay, 4% Pinot Blanc, 3% Viognier and
Fess Parker 'Parker Station' Pinot Noir 2015
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, red plum, earth and light vanilla will be found on the nose. This Pinot Noir has a lively acidity and
Fess Parker 'Ashleys' Chardonnay 2015
Wine Enthusiast 92 " Fresh aromas of salty lemon cream, wet slate and riverstones, as well as a touch of slightly sour yogurt, show on the
Fess Parker 'The Big Easy' Syrah Blend 2015
Wine Advocate 90 A rich, port-like red with no hard edges, the 2015 The Big Easy offers up an inky nose of plum preserve, fruit liqueur
Fess Parker Ashley's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
Wine Enthusiast 93 "This elegant bottling is named after the late actor-turned-vintner's daughter, who still runs the company. It features well-integrated aromas of cherry, rhubarb and
Fess Parker 'Santa Barbara' Chardonnay 2014
A terrific value in Chardonnay, the 2014 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County is juicy, medium to full-bodied, sweetly fruited and offers terrific notes of white peach,
Fess Parker 'Parker Station' Pinot Noir 2014
Winemaker's Notes: On the nose, aromas of cherry, strawberry, earth, forest floor, cinnamon and vanilla can be detected. This Pinot Noir has a lively acidity and
Fess Parker 'Ashleys' Chardonnay 2014
Wine Advocate 92 Always one of my favorite whites from Fess Parker, the 2014 Chardonnay Ashley’s Vineyard is primarily from the Rancho Las Hermanas Vineyard in
Fess Parker Big Easy Syrah Blend 2014
Wine Enthusiast 89 "The nose of this New Orleans inspired blend is juicy and fruit forward, with blackberry jam, black plum and a light licorice scents.
Fess Parker 'Ashley's Vyd' Pinot Noir 2014
Wine Advocate 92 “Fess Parker's 2014 Pinot Noir Ashley’s Vineyard, which is all from the Rancho Las Hermanas Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, is a
Fess Parker 'Parker Station' Pinot Noir 2013
"This medium to full-bodied Pinot Noir displays enticing cherry, plum and strawberry fruit flavors on the nose and palate complemented by nuances of spice, clove
Fess Parker 'Santa Barbara' Chardonnay 2013
" Aromas of citrus, lemon cream and honey combine with toasty oak, nutmeg, yellow apple and orange blossom to create this refreshing Chardonnay. On the
Fess Parker 'Ashleys' Chardonnay 2013
Wine Advocate 93 points The deepest gold-colored wine in the lineup, the 2013 Chardonnay Ashley's Vineyard spent eight months in 51% new French oak, with the
Fess Parker 'The Big Easy' Syrah 2013
Wine Advocate 92 Always a big, bombastic beauty that’s over flowing with fruit and texture, the 2013 Syrah The Big Easy offers up lots of plum,
Fess Parker 'Ashley's Vyd' Pinot Noir 2013
Wine Enthusiast 92 "There's a feral quality to this single-vineyard bottling, with dried rose petals, damp pine needles, dehydrated shiitake mushrooms and touches of violet,
Fess Parker Riesling 2012
Wine Spectator 86 " The ripe melon, peach and nectarine flavors are pure and juicy, complemented by notes of candied citrus peel on the finish. Drink