Source: 80% Rodney’s Vineyard, 20% Camp Four Vineyard Both in the Santa Ynez Valley
Blend: 96%Viognier, 4%Roussanne
Barrel Aging: 9 Months in 1 year old & older French Burgundy oak barrels
Case Production: 3690 Cases
TASTING NOTES: This refreshing Viognier offers aromas of white peaches, vanilla, cashew, Maui Gold pineapple and white flowers. Flavors of pineapple, stone fruit such as white peach, vanilla and butterscotch will be found on the palate. This wine has great balance with fresh acidity that leads to a zesty finish!
Fess Parker, TV Star / Fess Parker, Winemaker
When Fess Parker was cast in the roll of Davy Crockett in the mid-1950’s, it caused an international sensation and changed his life forever. The characters Fess portrayed, Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, inspired generations of Americans. Throughout the late 1950’s and 1960’s Fess was at the pinnacle of a television career that has an unprecedented impact upon American popular culture. But is was Fess’ entrepreneurial spirit that prompted his leaving Hollywood to go into business for himself. The traits that Crockett and Boone embodied - integrity, resourcefulness and good humor -- carried over to Fess’ personal life and formed the foundation upon which the family business was built.
The purchase of 714 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley changed the course of the Parker family’s history. Realizing the potential of Santa Barbara County as a premium grape-growing region, Fess and his son, Eli, originally set out in 1989 to plant a small vineyard and sell fruit to local producers. But, as Fess’ daughter, Ashley explains, “ Fess is from Texas, so he can’t do anything small.“ The Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard now farms almost 700 acres on four vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County.
Working as a family has always been a great source of pride and pleasure for the Parker family. Eli Parker began in the family business as assistant winemaker in 1989. After several years of learning the craft at the side of renowned and accomplished winemakers, Eli took the reigns as winemaker himself with the 1995 vintage. A leader of the winery since it’s inception, it was in 1996 that Eli formally assumed the title and responsibilities of President. In the early 1990’s, Ashley ran the first tastings out of the barrel room and represented the winery at trade shows. In 1998, Ashley became Eli’s partner, working on the public relations and sales and marketing teams. The presence of Fess and his wife Marcy as the founding visionaries of the winery is a vital and enduring one. First-class hospitality has always been at the core of their ventures, first as hoteliers and eventually with the opening of the winery.
Rodney's Vineyard: The estate vineyard, named in honor of Fess’s late son-in-law, was the first vineyard developed, and it surrounds the winery. With a total of 118 acres planted — approximately 31 acres on the valley floor, and the balance on the expansive upper mesa behind the winery — this vineyard provides the foundation of our Rhone wine program and has already produced several award winning Syrah and Viognier bottlings.
BLAIR FOX - Head Winemaker
Blair Fox was recently awarded the Andre Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year Award at the 2008 San Francisco International Wine Competition!
Graduating from UC Davis in 1999 with a combined degree in Viticulture and Enology, Blair Fox gained winemaking experience at Sunstone Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley (1999-2001), and at Haselgrove Winery – a custom-crush winery in McLaren Vale, Australia (2003). He also traveled through France’s Rhône Valley before returning to his hometown of Santa Barbara. He then joined Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard as Associate Winemaker, overseeing the Rhône varietal wines. Fox had previously consulted in the vineyard for the winery’s 2002 harvest. “Having focused on the winery’s estate Syrah and Rhône varietal vineyards, I’m excited to add on the responsibility for Ashley’s and Bien Nacido vineyards and control the Burgundian part of our portfolio (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay),” said Fox. “The vineyards and clonal selection here are of such high quality, and the Parkers are a great family to work for.” Fox continues the stylistic direction set by Eli Parker when capturing the terroir of the vineyards. (Information found on the Fess Parker Website - also note that Blair Fox also is the owner/winemaker of Blair Fox Cellars).
"A very fine Viognier, one of the best of the vintage, that takes the variety's exotic, sometimes over the top richness and controls it with crisp coastal acidity and a deft touch of minerals. Elegant and interesting, it displays utterly dry flavors of Meyer lemon, lime, fig, date, honeysuckle, vanilla, spice and flint flavors. Drink now for freshness." 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
