Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard Celebrates 25th anniversary in 2014
Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard has announced it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout the calendar year of 2014. The late Fess Parker’s children, Ashley and Eli, along with son-in-law Tim Snider, and winemaker Blair Fox, will be hosting a series of events in the marketplace, as well as at the winery, throughout 2014.
The Fess Parker family’s unique brand of hospitality has evolved thoughtfully over the last 25 years. Established by the late iconic American actor, Fess Parker, the winery soon became a focal point for laid-back, friendly customer service, with the actor himself often receiving guests in the tasting room and encouraging them to enjoy the more simple aspects of daily living and hospitality through turns of phrase that later became known as Fessisms. Among his more popular Fessisms were: “Enjoy the warm company of family and friends as much as possible, around a table with good food, drink, stories and song,” “Help others in need-whenever possible, outside of anyone’s view,” and “Never be too busy, famous or important to have time for strangers who want to talk to you (or sing to you).”
After establishing the winery in 1989, the Fess Parker family went on to establish the Epiphany wine brand, with son Eli at the helm, which today finds its home in the small, charming township of Los Olivos. The new Epiphany Tasting Room recently debuted, designed by Oliva Villaluz, whose work includes the Sunset Marquis (West Hollywood) and The Crescent Hotel (Beverly Hills).
Also in Los Olivos is the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Spa, owned and operated by the Fess Parker family, including third generation member, Kris Parker, Eli’s son and Fess Parker’s grandson.
The Fess Parker family will next launch a subterranean craft brew and spirits bar beneath the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn’s first floor, which will be similar to a speakeasy, with little or no signage leading to an underground lounge.
The family continues to have a presence in Santa Barbara proper, as well, with the Fess Parker Resort on the Waterfront. Recently renovated, the resort maintains a strong presence by the Fess Parker family, with a bar called “The Set”, featuring a gallery of photos from Fess Parker’s time on various movie sets. Several luxurious resort buildings are named for grape varieties featured under the Fess Parker and Epiphany labels.
The winery, located along the Foxen Canyon corridor of Santa Barbara County, has evolved over the years to include a full-time, in-house Chef, who prepares food for the winery’s special events. The winery has also expanded its vineyard holdings to include coveted sites within the celebrated Santa Ynez Valley and Sta. Rita Hills appellations. In the latter, winemaker Blair Fox works with newer vineyard sources, planted almost entirely in diatomaceous earth, resulting in wines of restraint, energy and a brisk minerality. “We are keen to honor Fess’ friendly legacy of warm, down-to-earth hospitality, while constantly moving forward enologically with terroir-driven wines that truly capture the essence of their vineyard sites,” says son-in-law and winery president, Tim Snider.
To learn more about upcoming events, please visit http://www.fessparkerwines.com/Winery/Events