Sun rising over Rodney s Vineyard on a foggy winter morning

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1 N E W S L E T T E R Sun rising over Rodney s Vineyard on a foggy winter morning Recent Press Lunch in the Vineyard What s New in the World of Parker? Notes from the Head Winemaker Wine Club Staff Wine Pick Release Day BBQ Family Lunch Series WINTER 2016

2 Recent Press & What s New 2013 Parker West Vineyard Chardonnay 92 points This wine comes from a single vineyard in the western part of the appellation. Aromas suggest honeysuckle, lemon cream sauce and a wild array of garden herbs and spices, from scallions and green garlic to fresh oregano. It s light and bright on the palate, with a steely focus of lime juice on peach The Big Easy 91 points Violet, lavender, elderflower, charred beef and olallieberries show on the dynamic nose of this wine that the late actor s family makes as a homage to New Orleans. There is a density of fruit on the palate, with long-lingering smoked berries that go deep into the finish Rodney s Syrah 90 points Smoke meets game on the nose of this wine from a vineyard named after Fess Parker s late son-in-law, along with blueberry and asphalt aromas. The flavors are rich and dense, with blackberry, tart boysenberry and more smoked meat, proving the perfect pairing for hearty fare Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 88 points /Editors Choice This wine s light and refreshing nose cuts between orange-blossom ripeness, lime-juice sharpness, chalky minerality and a touch of milk fat. There is good energy on the palate, powered by tart green apple rinds and citrus zest Marcella s 88 points This easy-drinking blend of 86% Viognier, 8% Roussanne, 3% Marsanne and 3% Grenache Blanc featuring a sailboat painting by Santa Barbara artist Chris Potter offers aromas of flambéed bananas and toasted coconut on the nose. The palate shows grapefruit pith and the warmth of browned pears and seared red apples, seasoned with a nice sparkle of acidity. At Fess Parker, Lunch in the Vineyard Is a Lesson in Wine by Gabe Saglie, Senior Editor, Travelzoo Visit Gabe s Blog at /10/at-fess-parker-lunch-in-vineyard-is.html During the throes of the 2015 wine grape harvest, the popular winery, set along Santa Barbara wine country s Foxen Canyon, introduced the Harvest Lunch series. These intimate gatherings four in all featured a delicious sit-down lunch prepared by the winery s full-time chef, Barrett Crandall. And they included a behind-the-scenes peek at harvest time activity with winemaker Blair Fox. In mid-october, I got to attend the final harvest lunch, where the setting was an attraction all its own. We sat around a long white-clothed table, under a matching canopy, on the winery s brand new terrace. Opened in May, and adjacent to the tasting room that hosts hundreds of tasters each weekend, it s an open, airy, yet intimate space that creates a truly special tasting experience. Each lunch featured an exclusive menu. The theme for our gathering was Cassoulet, and Chef Barrett s hearty dish of white beans, sausage and breadcrumb topping, was delicious. It was paired with an autumn salad of frisée, apples, walnuts and dried cherries, and plenty of fresh baked breads. As we ate, Eli Parker, Fess Parker s son and the winery s CEO, and head winemaker Blair Fox, engaged us in conversation and offered insight into their business. Winery President Tim Snider (and husband to Fess Parker s daughter, Ashley), poured the 2013 Bien Nacido Vineyard pinot noir from magnums. And bottles of other award-winning Fess Parker wines Rodney s Vineyard viognier, Ashley s chardonnay and Rodney s vineyard syrah were spread across the table. On this sunny afternoon, and surrounded by a garden that supplied fresh produce for our lunch and by vines that have graced this property for more than 25 years, this really was an idyllic vineyard meal. After lunch, we followed Fox into the winery, where we witnessed wines being pumped from tanks to barrels, and then into the barrel room, where we learned about things like cooperage and fermentation. An insider peek that enhanced our appreciation of the wines in our glasses. And as we ended our tour, a telling Guests gather for Harvest Lunch. observation: the license plate on Fox s dusty truck reads SYRAHHH. And I thought to myself, Fess would be proud. Join us for our Spring Lunch series, more details in the events section or they can be found online on our events calendar at P.O. Box 908 Los Olivos, CA FAX

3 The World of Parker Boutique Hotel Project G reetings from Los Olivos! We hope that all of you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with friends and family! 2016 is off to a busy start with a lot of our focus Eli measuring for the new hotel being directed toward our boutique hotel project down in Santa Barbara. We were recently in front of the City Planning Commission, and have a few more hurdles to get over, but things are coming along well. We re hopeful that we might be breaking ground in early We flagged the site just prior to Thanksgiving, and then during the holidays Eli and I took a quick trip south of the border to tour some wonderful resorts and pick up some design ideas. We also did some research with an eye toward a signature cocktail for the new hotel, but don t worry, wine will always be our first love! As always, we thank you so much for you support of the winery and our other endeavors. None of this would be possible without you. Sincerely, Ashley Ashley Head Winemaker T he 2015 Harvest seems to be very much in the past! I remember years where we would still be punching down active fermentations and pressing off wines during Thanksgiving. Those days seem to be long gone with two of the earliest harvests on record. The 2015 harvest was the earliest and driest with a very Blair Fox light crop. We started harvesting the third day of August and were fini shed picking grapes by the first week of October! We saw our first little bit of rain in October although the month was very warm. We are finally starting to see some cooling in Nov ember with a little added rain. We really need rain this winter and coming spring to refill our groundwater reserves and reservoi rs. Hopefully El Nino comes as predicted and the vines will have ample soil moisture for the 2016 growing season. In the winery, we re cleaning and prep aring for an early bottling season. As we top all of our wines and stir the lees of the white wines, we are thinking about the holi days and being surrounded by family and friends. This is a grea t time of year to fill the house with beautiful aromas of mulled wine and spice. I usually like to use Syrah and Petite Sirah mixed with your favorite mulling spices, brown sugar and a littl e brandy. It is sure to warm your family up on a cold winter day. Thank you for being part of the Fess Parker Winery family and have a happy holiday! Cheers! Eli and Ashley in Cabo Blair Fox, Head Winemaker Wi n t e r N e w s l e t t e r

4 Avoid TWO NIGHT stay during our quiet time of year with an exclusive Wine Club Member experience at Fess Parker Winery wcrowds STARTING AT $512 Enjoy a tour of the winery and the rare opportunity to barrel taste several upcoming Fess Parker releases. Enjoy a cheese and charcuterie pla er for two by the outdoor fireplace before we transport you back to the Inn in our Mercedes sprinter van. PACKAGE VALID JANUARY 2 - MARCH 31, 2016, SUNDAY THRU THURSDAY, EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS Barrett Crandall - New Tasting Room Manager I f you ve been to one of our events in the last few years, you might recognize Mr. Crandall as our very own Chef Barrett, but he s served the winery in many different capacities since his start with us as a Tasting Room Consultant in From the Tasting Room he moved into the kitchen in 2010, cooking for events using the Culinary degree he earned from the California School of Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Barrett Crandall Bleu in Pasadena, CA. In early 2015 Barrett was promoted to Food & Events Manager and we are happy to announce that he is now our Tasting Room Manager. Barrett s excited for what s to come in the new year and is especially looking forward to being able to provide a variety of new experiences to each guest who comes through the door. Barrett s favorite parts of the job are sharing the Parker family s story, working with the talented winery staff and giving customers a memorable winery experience. A fun fact about Barrett: he actually met his beautiful wife Ivy in 2010 while working in the tasting room, as she was visiting the winery while 3 Wi n t e r N e w s l e t t e r on vacation from her home town of Chicago. She is quite the baker herself and can often be seen behind the scenes with Barrett helping out in the kitchen. Please be sure to Congratulate Barrett on his new position next time you see him in the tasting room. Staff Pick Assistant Winemaker Tyler Eck s Pick: A s we finally get some cool weather to relieve us from a record hot summer, it is nice to warm up with a more structured red wine. I like to pair the spice and dark berry Tyler Eck flavors of Rodney s Vineyard Syrah with hearty winter stews, to share with friends at holiday parties, and to relax with in front of the fireplace.

5 Available Now Prices subject to change. All of the wines listed below are available through our website at or for you traditionalists out there, through our tasting room at 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, NJ, NV, NY, NM, ND, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV and WY RETAIL Bottle/Case WINE CLUB Bottle/Case 2014 CHARDONNAY Santa Barbara County $19 / $ $15.20 / $ CHARDONNAY Ashley s $37 / $ $29.60 / $ CHARDONNAY Bien Nacido Vineyard $37 / $ $29.60 / $ CHARDONNAY Sierra Madre Vineyard $37 / $ $29.60 / $ RIESLING Santa Barbara County $15 / $ $12.00 / $ DRY RIESLING Rodney s Vineyard $24 / $ $19.20 / $ MARCELLA S Santa Barbara County $20 / $ $16.00 / $ VIOGNIER Santa Barbara County $28 / $ $22.40 / $ VIOGNIER Rodney s Vineyard $37 / $ $29.60 / $ PARKER FAMILY RESERVE WHITE Santa Barbara County $28 / $ $22.40 / $ MÉLANGE BLANC $24 / $ $19.20 / $ PINOT NOIR Sta. Rita Hills $30 / $ $24.00 / $ PINOT NOIR Ashley s $50 / $ $40.00 / $ PINOT NOIR Bien Nacido Vineyard $55 / $ $44.00 / $ PINOT NOIR Parker West Vineyard $55 / $ $44.00 / $ PINOT NOIR Clone $55 / $ $44.00 / $ PINOT NOIR Pommard Clone $55 / $ $44.00 / $ PINOT NOIR Older Barrel $55 / $ $44.00 / $ SYRAH Santa Barbara County $28 / $ $22.40 / $ SYRAH Rodney s Vineyard $49 / $ $39.20 / $ THE BIG EASY $35 / $ $28.00 / $ PARKER FAMILY RESERVE RED Santa Barbara County.. $28 / $ $22.40 / $ CROCKETT Rodney s Vineyard $80 / $ $64.00 / $ FRONTIER RED Lot $13 / $ $10.40 / $ TRADITIONS Port style wine (500mL) $24 / $ $19.20 / $ FINALE Sauternes style (375mL) $30 / $ $24.00 / $ Wi n t e r N e w s l e t t e r

6 In this Shipment W I N T E R Wine Club 2014 Santa Barbara County Viognier 2014 Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay Vineyard Sources: 57% Camp Four Vineyard and 43% Rodney s Vineyard both in Santa Ynez Valley appellation Vineyard Source: 100% Sierra Madre Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley Composition: 100% Chardonnay Harvest Date: 9/6/14 Harvest Brix: 24.0 Tons per Acre: 3.7 Barrel Aging: 100% barrel fermented and aged in 50% new Berthomieu and Mercurey French oak, 50% 1-year old and older French oak barrels Alcohol: 14.1% alcohol by volume ph: 3.25 T.A.: 0.716g/100ml Production: 196 cases Santa Ynez Valley Santa Maria Valley Composition: 100% Viognier CHARTER CLUB 1 Red + 1 White 2014 Santa Barbara County Viognier $ Ashley s Pinot Noir $50 Retail Price: $78 Club Price: $58.50 Harvest Date: 9/3/14 9/9/14 Harvest Brix: Barrel Aging: 80% barrel fermented and aged 9 months in 1-year and older French oak barrels and 20% stainless steel fermented Alcohol: 14.3% alcohol by volume ph: 3.22 T.A.: 0.679g/100ml WHITE WINE CLUB 2 Whites 2014 Santa Barbara County Viognier $28 Production: 1491 cases Color: Pale straw 2014 Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay $37 Retail Price: $65 Club Price: $48.75 Aromas: Honeysuckle Honeydew melon Yellow peach Jasmine Vanilla Brioche Flavors: Peach Nectarine Mandarin orange Creamy Bright acidity Touch of oak Fresh Color: Straw Aromas: Citrus Baked pear Red apple Cinnamon Fennel Honey Flavors Green apple Pear Lemon cream Graham cracker Pie crust Rich with bright acidity Mineral finish Creamy mouthfeel 2013 Ashley s Pinot Noir 2013 Ashley s Pinot Noir $50 Sta. Rita Hills 2013 The Big Easy 2013 The Big Easy $35 Vineyard Source: 100% from Ashley s Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills Blocks: 1, 4A, T, 8B, W Clone Selection: 114, 667, 777, 115, Pommard Composition: 100% Pinot Noir Harvest Date: 9/9/13 9/27/13 Harvest Brix: Tons per Acre: Barrel Aging: 18 months in 42% new French oak Cooperage: François Frères, Ermitage, Gillet, Seguin Moreau, Mercurey Alcohol: 14.1% alcohol by volume ph: 3.59 T.A.: 0.581g/100ml Production: 1461 cases Vineyard Sources: 50% from Rodney s Vineyard, 43% from Camp Four Vineyard, 4% Hampton Vineyard, all from Santa Ynez Valley and 3% from Stagecoach Vineyard in Napa Valley REDS ONLY CLUB 2 Reds Retail Price: $85 Club Price: $63.75 QUAD CLUB 2 Reds + 2 Whites 2014 Santa Barbara County Viognier $ Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay $ Ashley s Pinot Noir $ The Big Easy $35 Retail Price: $150 Club Price: $ Prices are subject to change and do not include shipping or taxes required by each state. If you are not receiving s regarding shipping dates, tracking information, or special offers please wineclub@fessparker.com and let us know. 5 Wi n t e r N e w s l e t t e r Color: Ruby garnet Aromas: Black cherry Black tea Black raspberry Forest floor Baking spices Cigar box Black plum Santa Barbara County Flavors: Black cherry Black raspberry Red plum Fennel Sage Vanilla Composition: 66% Syrah, 18% Petite Sirah, 16% Grenache Barrel Aging: 20 months in 58% new French & American oak Alcohol: 15.2% alcohol by volume ph: 3.81 T.A.: 0.607g/100ml Production: 3529 cases Color: Opaque dark purple Aromas: Blackberry Blueberry Pepper BBQ spices Herbes de Provence Floral/ violet Sage Vanilla Flavors: Blueberry Boysenberry Black plum Dark chocolate Grilled meat Touch of oak Round/soft tannin Good acidity Great ageability 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. For further information please call your Wine Club Coordinator, Elaina, directly at her toll free number

7 Upcoming Events 17 th Annual Release Day BBQ Fri, April 15 th, 2016 Sun, April 17 th, :00am to 3:00pm Venue: Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard Attention all Wine Club Members! Save the date for our 17 th Annual Release Day BBQ more details to follow as we get closer to the event! Select one of three days: Friday, April 15 th Saturday, April 16 th Sunday, April 17 th, :00am to 3:00pm Barbecue by Plemmon s Catering Live Music Ticket prices are $ 10 per Wine Club Member Any additional guests may attend Friday or Sunday for $ 35 per person.* Invitations will be sent out in March. We look forward to seeing you! Please contact Elaina at for details on Release Day Packages now available at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn! *Note: Cancellations for all events must be made 48 hours in advance to receive a refund. Photos at left: Tim, Blair, and Eli serving wine; pavilions at Release Day 2011; Barrel Room Dinner; Strolling and relaxing on the lawn Spring 2016 Family Luncheon Series Harvest Lunch in 2015 Fridays, April 29 th, May 20 th, June 17 th Venue: Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard Those of you who knew Fess know that breakfast, lunch and dinner were the most important times of the day. Because our Harvest Lunch Series proved to be such a success we ve decided to add a Spring Luncheon Series into the mix. Spring is a magical time in our valley. It s the best time to enjoy some green vistas and learn about what is happening in the vineyard. Lunch will include a brief vineyard tour explaining the intricacies of flowering, bud break, trellis systems and more. Our winemaking team will then give you a sneak peek at future releases with an opportunity to do a little barrel tasting. Lunch, the main event, will feature a seasonal wine country/family style lunch prepared by Chef Barrett. Members of the Parker family, winemaking team and tasting room consultants will be on hand to enjoy Chef Barrett s creations paired with a wide selection of our single vineyard wines. June 17 Hint: Bring Dad out to wine country for a long weekend kickstart the weekend with a Spring Family Lunch! $70 per person $ 48 per Wine Club Member Limited to 20 guests Reservations can be made with Elena by phone at , or by at Elena@fessparker.com Please check the website at fessparkerwines.com/events/ for up-to-date information on all events. Winter Newsletter

8 P.O. Box Foxen Canyon Rd. Los Olivos, California 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.