SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013
FESS files head WINEMAKER As the 2012 holiday season fades to memory, I m pondering what 2013 holds for the Parker and Snider families. We have witnessed new marriages, welcomed new grandchildren, and continue to watch the third generation of our family mature to adulthood. For several years, we have tried to assemble the entire family for Eli Parker a photograph, and I m happy to announce that we have finally accomplished this seemingly simple task. Only one thing would make this shot better and that would be having Dad in it. Even so, I know that he is pleased that we were able to gather together. As I get older, I find that I appreciate these family photos more and more. When I look at my old pictures, all I can see is what I used to be but am no longer. I think: What I can see is what I am not. Aleksandar Hemon Eli Parker With my fifteenth vintage behind me, I can look back on the 2012 Harvest with fondness. This harvest was one with a generous yield, excellent concentration and wonderful flavors at lower sugars. We saw nice warm temperatures, which slowly ripened the grapes and led to a long hang time. All of this created extraordinary wines, and I am looking forward to watching them develop in the barrel. We have dutifully cleaned the winery and all of the crush equipment and put it to bed, not to be used until next harvest. We are also preparing the 2012 Riesling for bottling in the near future. All of the 2011 red Rhone varietals like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Cinsault and Petite Sirah are aging nicely in barrel and tasting delicious. They won t be blended and bottled for a few more months, but we will continue to top them and assess them for quality. With winter and the cold, the vines go into dormancy and are pruned. This is the process of removing last year s growth and allowing the new buds to push out for this year s new growth and new crop. Hopefully the 2013 Harvest will be as good as the 2012. I hope you enjoy the wines, and from the whole team here at Fess Parker Winery, Cheers! Blair Fox Blair Fox 1 Spring Newsletter 2013 P.O. Box 908 Los Olivos, CA 93441 (805)688.1545 (800)841.1104 FAX (805)686.1130 www.fessparkerwines.com
from the desk of Tim PRESIDENT Over time, through different events, great Release Day weekends, individual visits and shared bottles of wine, many personal relationships have been formed between our Wine Club members and the Fess Parker family. We appreciate your warmth and loyalty over the years and, in some respects, view you as shareholders in the winery. In this spirit, we offer this brief letter updating you on the winery s progress. We are very excited to announce that 2012 was one of the most successful years in the history of the winery. We were able to make great progress on many fronts. We updated & upgraded the tasting room experience with new, polished look. In May, we completed a total renovation of the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn, which cemented its reputation as the finest accommodations available in SB wine country! We introduced several new events such as October-Fess, quarterly pick-up parties, and several Fess Parker after dark evening mixers (most of these featuring the culinary talents of Barrett Crandell). We were able to expand our market presence both home and abroad; examples include having our Chardonnay poured by-the-glass in all Roy s of Hawaii restaurants, being a featured wine at the Calgary Stampede, and shipping our first order to China. Blair & the winemaking team continued to raise the bar on wine quality and style earning fantastic accolades, most recently a 90-point/best value Tim Snider review on our new Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (in your fall club shipment) from Wine Spectator. In 2013, we again have put together an ambitious plan. We have been working more closely than ever with our partners at The Fess Parker Resort in Santa Barbara to create new experiences for our Wine Club members and to help host our first annual Summer-Fess in August! The Epiphany tasting room will be relocated across the street in Los Olivos to an even better venue. We intend to explore new packaging including wine-on-tap (cool & cutting edge; not to worry, everything s still available in bottle) and bring new & exciting wine offers to our members via our Bin 2860 wine shop. Finally, we have challenged our winemakers to explore new, different styles of Pinot Noir and blends to add to our already diverse portfolio; the early indications are that these will be exciting wines to taste. Thank you for your ongoing support, and best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013. We hope to see you in Los Olivos soon. Tim Snider Tim Snider upcoming EVENTS Big Easy Release Party Saturday, February 9, 2013 6:30pm to 8:30pm Join us for a Mardi Gras inspired party celebrating the release of our 2010 vintage of The Big Easy! Come be among the first to try the new vintage and enjoy Cajun themed appetizers by Chef Barrett, music and fun. Visit with our head Winemaker Blair Fox and the Fess Parker Winery Team while enjoying Mardi Gras here in Santa Barbara County wine country! Cost: $ 40 Non-Members $ 35 Wine Club Members Location: Barrel Room Pinot Tasting in Barrel Room Saturday, February 23, 2013 12pm to 4p m Pinot lovers This one is for you! Taste our entire portfolio of Pinot Noirs in our Estate Barrel Room and discover the unique characteristics that make up each individual vineyard. No Pinot will be left un-opened! We will showcase the quality of our vineyard selections and explore clones such as our 115 and Pommard. Cost: $ 15 Non-Members No cost to Wine Club Members Location: Barrel Room Annual Release Day Barbecue Friday Sunday, April 26, 27, 28, 2013 11am to 3pm Attention all Wine Club Members! Mark your calendars and start planning your trip for the 14 th Annual Release Day BBQ! Look for your invitations in March! Wine Club members are welcome to bring guests again this year. Cost for guests will be $ 25 per person. (Guests can attend on Friday & Sunday only, and will receive a $ 10 off coupon toward any purchase.) We look forward to seeing you! Location: Tent Pad For all events on this page, please RSVP to Elaina at 1-888-877-3335 or email her at elaina@fessparker.com For updates on winery and regional events please check out our website at www.fessparkerwines.com Bourbon Street Dazzle by Diane Millsap S p r i n g N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 3 2
the Innside scoop The His & Hers Package For him (or her) A round of golf at the highly acclaimed La Purisima golf course. For her (or him) Pampering at Champagne Spa & Boutique with a choice of a 50-minute Vino Therapy Massage or a 50-minute Purifying Facial. Includes: One night luxury accommodations for two Breakfast for two at Petros Los Olivos One round of golf for one person with golf cart at La Purisima Golf Course (our guest services staff will help you with your tee time reservation) Choice of one 50-minute Vino Therapy Massage for one person or one 50-minute Purifying Facial for one person Wine tasting for two at Fess Parker Winery, BiN 2860 International Wine Shop, Epiphany Cellars and E&T Wines Starting at $ 445* Fess Parker s Wine Country Inn *Package pricing is for two guests. Packages available Sunday through Thursday only. Packages & discounts may not be available during special events & holidays. Rates do not include applicable taxes. All packages subject to availability. For reservations call 800.446.2455 2860 Grand Avenue Los Olivos, CA 93441 3 Spring Newsletter 2013
available NOW Prices subject to change. All of the wines listed below are available through our website at www.fessparkerwines.com or for you traditionalists out there, through our tasting room at 800-841-1104. Shipping is available to the following states only: AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IA, KS, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NV, NY, NM, ND, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV and WY Retail Bottle/Case WINE CLUB Bottle/Case 2011 CHARDONNAY Santa Barbara County... $19 / $205.20... $15.20 / $182.40 2011 CHARDONNAY Ashley s... $35 / $378.00... $28.00 / $336.00 2011 CHARDONNAY Bien Nacido Vineyard... $35 / $378.00... $28.00 / $336.00 2010 CHARDONNAY Sierra Madre Vineyard... $35 / $378.00... $28.00 / $336.00 2011 RIESLING Santa Barbara County... $15 / $162.00... $12.00 / $144.40 2011 DRY RIESLING Rodney s Vineyard... $24 / $259.20... $19.20 / $230.40 2009 VIOGNIER Santa Barbara County... $25 / $270.00... $20.00 / $240.00 2010 VIOGNIER Rodney s Vineyard... $35 / $378.00... $28.00 / $336.00 2009 PINOT NOIR Santa Barbara County... $29 / $313.20... $23.20 / $278.40 2009 PINOT NOIR American Tradition Reserve... $40 / $432.00... $32.00 / $384.00 2010 PINOT NOIR Bien Nacido Vineyard... $55 / $594.00... $44.00 / $528.00 2009 PINOT NOIR Ashley s... $50 / $540.00... $40.00 / $480.00 2010 PINOT NOIR Clone 115... $55 / $594.00... $44.00 / $528.00 2010 PINOT NOIR Pommard Clone... $55 / $594.00... $44.00 / $528.00 2010 SYRAH Santa Barbara County... $28 / $302.40... $22.40 / $268.80 2010 SYRAH Rodney s Vineyard... $49 / $529.20... $39.20 / $470.40 2009 THE BIG EASY... $35 / $378.00... $28.00 / $336.00 FRONTIER RED Lot 123... $13 / $140.40... $10.40 / $124.80 TRADITIONS Port style wine (500mL)... $20 / $216.00... $16.00 / $192.00 S p r i n g N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 3 4
Spring 2013 Wine Club CHARTER CLUB 1 Red + 1 White 2011 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay $ 35 2010 Rodney s Vineyard Syrah $ 49 Retail Price: $84 Club Price: $63 WHITE WINE CLUB 2 Whites 2012 Rodney s Vineyard Dry Riesling $ 24 2011 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay $ 35 Retail Price: $59 Club Price: $44.25 REDS ONLY CLUB 2 Reds 2010 Rodney s Vineyard Syrah $ 49 2010 The Big Easy $ 35 Retail Price: $84 Club Price: $63 QUAD CLUB 2 Reds + 2 Whites 2012 Rodney s Vineyard Dry Riesling $ 24 2011 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay $ 35 2010 Rodney s Vineyard Syrah $ 49 2010 The Big Easy $ 35 Retail Price: $143 Club Price: $107.25 in this SHIPMENT 2011 Bien Nacido Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Vineyard Source: 100% Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley Composition: 100% Chardonnay Harvest Dates: 10/4/11 Harvest Brix: 21.6 Barrel Aging: 100% barrel fermented in 25% new French oak & 25% 1-year-old French oak barrels Alcohol: 13.7% alcohol by volume ph: 3.38 T.A.: 0.640g/100ml Production: 400 cases Color: Light straw Aromas: Pear Honey Lemon Golden delicious apple Vanilla Cinnamon/ Nutmeg Light toast Flavors: Pear Apple Cream Citrus Apple pie spice 2010 The Big Easy Red Wine Santa Barbara County Vanilla Lemon zest Touch of oak Refreshing Acidity Vineyard Source: 65% Camp 4 Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley, 30% Rodney s Vineyard from the Fess Parker Estate in the Santa Ynez Valley & 5% Hampton Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley Composition: 66% Syrah, 19% Petite Sirah, 15% Grenache Barrel Aging: Aged 20 months in 40% new French & American oak Alcohol: 14.9% alcohol by volume ph: 3.72 T.A.: 0.609g/100ml Production: 5,066 cases 2012 Rodney s Vineyard Dry Riesling Santa Ynez Valley Vineyard Source: 100% Rodney s Vineyard from the Fess Parker Estate in the Santa Ynez Valley Composition: 100 % Riesling Barrel Aging: 100% Stainless steel fermented and aged Bottling Date: 1/21/13 Alcohol: 12.0% alcohol by volume ph: 2.98 T.A.: 0.742 g/100ml Production: 600 cases Color: Straw Aromas: White flowers Gardenia Jasmine Candied citrus Ginger Mandarin orange zest 2010 Rodney s Vineyard Syrah Santa Barbara County Flavors: Lime Lemon grass Mineral Lemon zest White peach Vineyard Source: 100% Rodney s Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley Composition: 97% Syrah, 3% Petite Sirah Blocks Used: 82% ROD-F, 14% ROD-J, 4% ROD-Q Harvest Date: 10/29/10 11/30/10 Harvest Brix: 25.1 26.9 Barrel Aging: 100% Barrel fermented; Aged 20 months in 66% new French oak, 6% 1-year-old French oak, 28% 2-year-old or older French oak barrels Alcohol: 14.9% alcohol by volume ph: 3.52 T.A.: 0.544g/100ml Bottling Date: 8/1/12 Production: 695 cases Prices are subject to change and do not include shipping or taxes required by each state. If you are not receiving emails regarding shipping dates, tracking information, or special offers please email wineclub@fessparker.com and let us know. 5 Spring Newsletter 2013 Color: Opaque dark purple Aromas: Blackberry Plum Smoked meat Acacia flower Vanilla Pepper Black cherry Flavors: Blueberry Blackberry Dark chocolate Black cherry Allspice Vanilla Color: Opaque garnet Aromas: Black pepper Smoke Tar Blueberry Black cherry Floral Lavender Blackberry Flavors: Black cherry Blackberry Plum Dark Chocolate Dried herbes de Province Smoked meat For further information please call your Wine Club Coordinator, Elaina, directly at her toll free number 888-877-3335. Receipts for Wine Club shipments are not included in the package due to time constraints. See cost per shipment under each Club Offering at left. The amount will show on your next credit card statement.
recent PRESS 92 points - 2010 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir Showy and extremely well done in this style, this nicely oaky red weaves together a delicious mix of flavors, with glimpses of plum, black cherry, black tea, anise and mocha. Drink now through 2020. 90 points - 2010 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir Tightly wound, with taut dark berry, raspberry, fresh earth, cedar and cola flavors. Gaining depth and persistence, this is long on the finish. Drink now through 2019. 89 points - 2010 Rodney s Vineyard Viognier Terrific, lip-smacking acidity leads the way here, followed by juicy peach, pear and apple flavors, highlighted by some lemon zest. Crisp and clean, with plenty of intensity. Drink now. 91 points - 2009 Rodney s Vineyard Syrah Opaque purple. Expansive black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by potpourri and sandalwood, with smoke and cracked pepper nuances in the background. Big and lush, offering potent cassis and boysenberry flavors and hints of star anise and bitter chocolate. Soft tannins add shape to the impressively long, sappy finish. 90 points - 2011 Ashley s Chardonnay Light yellow-gold. Fresh pineapple and peach aromas are complicated by floral honey, orange zest and dusty minerals. Fleshy and round, offering sappy melon and pit fruit flavors and a touch of candied ginger. A supple, intensely fruity style of California chardonnay, with very good finishing lift and precision. 91 points - 2010 Clone 115 Pinot Noir This very dark purple colored Pinot Noir from Fess Parker is really good. It opens with a boysenberry jam and cherry-coke like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, very jammy and fruit forward. The flavor profile is a ripe black raspberry with notes of blackberry. I also detected some black licorice, black cherry, and a hint of old oak in the background. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins and flavors are pleasantly prolonged and linger. This Pinot would be perfect with roast pork loin with fig chutney and a balsamic reduction sauce. Enjoy Ken Gold Medal - 2010 The Big Easy Gold Medal/Class Champion - 2010 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir S p r i n g N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 3 6
P.O. Box 908 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd. Los Olivos, California 93441 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA PERMIT NO. 7 Warning: Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Printed on recycled paper.