95 Points, Vinous
“The 2021 Big Easy is fabulous. In fact, this is one of the finest editions I have tasted of Fess Parker’s Grange-inspired wine. Succulent red-toned fruit, mint, plum, rose petal and a kiss of new American oak build into the heady, sumptuous finish.”
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Dark, plummy fruit aromas are layered in toasted herb and peppercorn on the complex nose of this bottling. The palate is fresh with dark red and purple fruits that ride lively acidity through a toasted-nut midpalate and a peppercorn finish.
Fess Parker Winery, established in 1989, is a prominent wine producer located on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail in Santa Barbara County, California. Founded by the late Fess Parker, known for his acting career, the winery is now operated by his family, including his son Eli Parker and daughter Ashley Parker Snider.
The estate is absolutely gorgeous and quite massive — encompassing nearly 700 acres of vineyards across four sites, with 110 planted acres surrounding the main winery. A key estate vineyard, Rodney’s Vineyard, named after Fess’s son-in-law, is recognized for its quality, particularly for Rhône varietals, and has been praised by critics like Robert Parker as “an emerging grand cru site.” The winery sources fruit from additional acclaimed vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley AVAs for their Burgundian offerings, maintaining long-term contracts.