Fess Parker Winery Kicks Off 35th Anniversary Year in a Big Way
'Big Bottle Bash' in Los Olivos Features Large-Format Library Wines
The new year marks the 35th anniversary for Fess Parker Winery, and the family-owned winery kicked off the celebration with a Big Bottle Bash on Saturday, January 13. I was among the lucky guests in the production room in Los Olivos who were treated to a wide variety of rare selections from their library inventory of large-format wines, including magnums, 3Ls, and even a 5L or two!
I started out my sampling with bubbles. The 2015 Fesstivity Anniversary Cuvée (1.5L) tickled my taste buds deliciously, and the 2016 Fesstivity Anniversary Cuvée (1.5L) was smoother and an even better representation of why the 17th-century monk Dom Pierre Pérignon so famously followed his first sip of Champagne with the words, “Come quickly, I am tasting stars.”
Also on the menu, poured by winemaker Blair Fox — who could impressively recite from memory the weather, time of harvest, and other growing conditions from each year — was the very smooth 2012 Pinot Noir, Pommard Clone (1.5L); the 30 percent whole-cluster 2016 Pinot Noir, Parker West (1.5L); the robust 2018 Pinot Noir from Sanford & Benedict (1.5L); and my personal favorite pour of the day, the fruit-forward 2017 Pinot Noir, Ashley’s 30th Anniversary (1.5L).
The cozy porch at Fess Parker Winery in Los Olivos and special edition T-shirt for Fess Parker Winery’s 35th anniversary | Photo: Leslie Dinaberg
There were lots of other great things to try (including several syrahs and cabs I sadly had to skip in order to continue with the rest of my day). I did, however, have a bit of the 2019 The Big Easy (1.5L), a longtime favorite wine which indeed does go down easy, particularly paired with the excellent chili, that just happened to be handmade by Spencer Shull, Fess Parker’s grandson.
Stay tuned for more information on the anniversary year’s festivities. I’m told we can expect some exciting new experiences, events, and even a new proprietary red blend to be rolling out this year. For more information, see fessparker.com.
Premier Events
Sun, Apr 28
6:00 PM
Santa Barbara
AHA! Presents: Sing It Out!
Thu, May 02
5:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Things with Wings at Art & Soul
Sat, May 04
10:00 AM
Lompoc
RocketTown Comic Con 2024
Sun, Apr 28
11:00 AM
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2024
Wed, May 01
7:30 PM
Santa Barbara
American Theatre Guild Presents “Come From Away”
Thu, May 02
5:00 PM
Santa Barbara
100th Birthday Tribute for James Galanos
Thu, May 02
5:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Meet the Creator of The Caregiver Oracle Deck
Fri, May 03
4:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Fair+Expo “Double Thrill Double Fun”
Fri, May 03
8:00 PM
Santa barbara
Performance by Marca MP
Sat, May 04
10:00 AM
Solvang
Touch A Truck
Sat, May 04
11:00 AM
Santa Barbara
Mental Wellness Center’s 28th Annual Arts Faire
Sat, May 04
11:00 AM
Santa Barbara
Community History Day
Sat, May 04
3:00 PM
Solvang
The SYV Chorale Presents Disney Magic Concert
Sun, Apr 28 6:00 PM
Santa Barbara
AHA! Presents: Sing It Out!
Thu, May 02 5:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Things with Wings at Art & Soul
Sat, May 04 10:00 AM
Lompoc
RocketTown Comic Con 2024
Sun, Apr 28 11:00 AM
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2024
Wed, May 01 7:30 PM
Santa Barbara
American Theatre Guild Presents “Come From Away”
Thu, May 02 5:00 PM
Santa Barbara
100th Birthday Tribute for James Galanos
Thu, May 02 5:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Meet the Creator of The Caregiver Oracle Deck
Fri, May 03 4:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Fair+Expo “Double Thrill Double Fun”
Fri, May 03 8:00 PM
Santa barbara
Performance by Marca MP
Sat, May 04 10:00 AM
Solvang
Touch A Truck
Sat, May 04 11:00 AM
Santa Barbara
Mental Wellness Center’s 28th Annual Arts Faire
Sat, May 04 11:00 AM
Santa Barbara
Community History Day
Sat, May 04 3:00 PM
Solvang
You must be logged in to post a comment.