Fess Parker Winery
2010 Ashley's Vineyard Pinot Noir

92 Points - Wine Spectator
Gold Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition

The "Sta. Rita Hills" AVA, in the cool, foggy valley near Santa Barbara, is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting Pinot Noir growing regions in California.  With its cool climate, the grapes ripen evenly, yielding balanced wines whether the grapes are picked early for lighter style wine, or later for a bigger style.  Fess Parker, one of the early wineries in this region tends toward the latter style, with ripe, rich wines sure to please California Pinot fans.  Their 2010 Ashley's Vineyard Pinot, always a standout in their line-up, was recently scored 92 points by Wine Spectator.

The 2010 Fess Parker Ashley's Pinot Noir is medium ruby in color, with aromas of black cherry, red currant, lilac, and a spicy, almost grilled meat note.  The palate is rich and intense, with blackberry and raspberry flavors joined by notes of clove, charcoal, and baking spice.  Good acidity hold things together, and the finish goes on and on with ripe fruit and spice lingering for minutes.  An exceptional Pinot Noir. Will pair exceptionally well with Roasted Duck, Fillet Mignon or Grilled Portobello Mushrooms. Drink now through 2020.

Vineyard Source:  Ashley's Vineyard
Appellation:  Sta. Rita Hills
Composition:  100% Pinot Noir
Barrel Aging:  16 Months In 50% New French Oak
Cooperage:  Francois Freres, Remond, Seguin Moreau, Mercury
Harvest Date:  October 4 - October 13
Clone Selection:  Pommard & Clone 115
Tons Per Acre:  1.8 – 2.7
Brix:  24.4 – 25.7
Alcohol:  14.3%
p.H.:  3.61 T.A.: .625 G/100Ml

Tasting Notes  PDF

About The Winery...

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. So too did the purchase of 714 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley change 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.

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 -- L-R Tim Snider, Fess Parker, Ashley Parker Snider, Eli Parker carried over to Fess’ personal life and formed the foundation upon which the family business was built. First-class hospitality has always been at the core of their ventures, first as hoteliers and eventually with the opening of the winery.

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.

More at www.fessparker.com.

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