Winemaker Notes
Aromas of black cherry, rose petal, red pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, forrest floor, earth and red currant. Flavors of black cherry, cranberry, dusty tannin, earthy, vanilla, clove and nutmeg.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Brought up in 40% new French oak for 16 months, the 2017 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard has plenty of toasty oak as well as ripe black raspberries, red plums, incense, dried violets, and salty, seaside aromas and flavors. It has the classic minerality and masculine style of the vintage yet also packs plenty of fruit.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Just bottled, the 2017 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard has a pale to medium ruby color and opens with notes of rose petal, dried leaves, charcuterie and pepper with roasted cranberries, red cherries and licorice. Medium-bodied with concentrated spiced fruits in the mouth, it's knit by firm, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long with a touch of oak influence—although this has plenty of fruit to soak that up.
Rating: 92+
Established in 1989, Fess Parker Winery is a multi-generational family owned and operated winery that has a rich heritage in Santa Barbara County. Fess Parker produces premium, small-lot, vineyard designated Burgundian varietals from the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley as well as Rhône varietals from their organically farmed, SIP Certified estate vineyard.
Outstanding fruit sources, including some of the finest vineyards in the county, coupled with skilled winemaking, led by Blair Fox, form the foundation for the winery’s success. Now three generations in, the Fess Parker Family is proud to carry on Fess’s legacy of wine heritage and hospitality in Santa Barbara.
Fess Parker Winery was proud to be named a Top 100 Winery in the World by Wine & Spirits Magazine in both 2022 and 2023.
Santa Maria Valley lies mainly in northern Santa Barbara County, with a small portion of it overlapping southern San Luis Obispo County. It is close to the Pacific, and runs east-west, which means warmer air in the eastern end draws cool air off the ocean in the west, and brings it through the valley. This effect, combined with abundant sunshine, lengthens the growing season. The longer growing season leads to long hang time, which promotes both ripeness and optimal acidity levels in grape berries. As early as the 1970’s, Santa Maria Valley was recognized as being a superior source of wine grapes, certainly including Chardonnay and Syrah. But arguably the top variety here is Pinot Noir.
Originally a domain primarily of growers, including the Miller Family of the justifiably famous Bien Nacido Vineyard, this AVA is now home to over 30 wineries. Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir consistently offers full flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry, often accompanied by notes of spice, cola, vanilla and earth. They show impressive balance and elegance, as well as great versatility with food.