Fess Parker Winery and Epiphany Cellars See Gold: Double Gold Success As The Wineries Triumph Again

SAN FRANCISCO, CA —August, 2007— After the success of last year, Fess Parker and Epiphany have again been honored at the San Francisco International Wine Competition – the nation’s largest and most prestigious wine competition. Held at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco on June 15-17 2007, this year’s competition was the biggest in its twenty-six year history, with over 1,000 wineries submitting wines from 21 countries.

The 2006 San Francisco International Wine Competition culminated in Eli Parker, the President and Director of Winemaking Operations of Fess Parker Winery and founder of Epiphany Cellars, being distinguished as Andre Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year. This year’s competition saw Eli, Head Winemaker Blair Fox, and the rest of the Fess Parker and Epiphany winemaking teams triumphing with no fewer than nine medals.

Among the highlights were Double Gold medals for Epiphany Revelation 2004 (a sweepstakes finalist last year) and Fess Parker Rodney’s Vineyard Syrah 2004 (a Best of Show Syrah last year). The Fess Parker Viognier 2005 and Epiphany Petite Sirah 2004 both won Gold. In addition, Silver medals were awarded to the Fess Parker Clone 115 Pinot Noir 2005, Ashley’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005, “The Big Easy” Syrah 2004; and to the Paradise Vineyard Syrah 2004 and Goodchild Vineyard Pinot Gris 2006 from Epiphany.

The awards are a testament to the success of Fess Parker Winery’s continuing evolution and their diverse portfolio. Later this summer, Epiphany will introduce a new line of unoaked wines named Purité. Crisp and impeccably food-friendly, they affirm to the terroir-minded versatility of the winemaking team, as well as their unstinting commitment to quality.


About Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard

Realizing the potential of Santa Barbara County as a premium grape growing region, Fess Parker and his son Eli originally set out in 1989 to plant a small vineyard and sell the fruit to local producers. The Fess Parker Winery subsequently expanded from its initial 5-acre home property to its current holdings of 350 acres in several key vineyards across the Santa Barbara County area. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Viognier are among the varietals grown that form the cornerstone of the production program.

With Eli (named the 2006 Andre Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year by the San Francisco International Wine Competition) as President and Director of Winemaking and Vineyard Operations, daughter Ashley as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, and Fess’s son-in-law Tim Snider as the winery’s General Manager and Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Fess Parker Winery is a close, family-run enterprise. Head Winemaker Blair Fox completed the team in 2005.

The presence of Fess and Marcy as the founding visionaries of the Fess Parker Winery is an enduring and important one. By providing upscale accommodations, fine dining and award-winning wines, the Parker family's dream of a world-class wine country experience in Santa Barbara County is now a reality. www.fessparker.com

About Epiphany Cellars

After years of enology and viticulture classes as well as apprenticeships, Eli Parker took his fascination with winemaking outside the Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard and created Epiphany Cellars. Eli crafts his wine from the phenomenal grapes harvested throughout Santa Barbara County. Most Epiphany wines are created from a single vineyard, while other wines such as the 2004 Revelation (San Francisco International Wine Competition Double Gold winner), are blends from three different vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley. Epiphany’s portfolio features an array of Rhone-inspired wines including Grenache Blanc, Grenache Rose, Roussane, Pinot Gris Petite Sirah, and Grenache and Syrah Blends. www.epiphanycellars.com

About the San Francisco International Wine Competition

The competition, established in 1981 under the direction of wine and food authority, Anthony Dias Blue, has evolved over the years to be one of the most important and comprehensive wine competitions in the world, both for the number of wines entered and the high level of expertise among 47 judges. This year the competition received submissions from over 1,000 wineries hailing from 21 different countries. www.sfwinecomp.com

For press information, visit http://www.charlescomm.com/clients/fess_parker.html, or call Kimberly Charles or Amelia Weir at Charles Communications Associates at 415-701-9463.

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