2023 Fess Parker - Chardonnay Parker West Sta. Rita Hills (750ml)
From Parker West Vineyard, the family's westernmost planting, this 2023 Chardonnay reflects the Sta. Rita Hills' cool, marine-influenced character. Parker West sits on sandy, windswept hillside soils just a few miles from the Pacific, where the marine influence lengthens the growing season and preserves natural acidity. The wine comes from a family operation now run by three generations, with winemaker Blair Fox guiding production, and it upholds the estate's focus on small-lot, vineyard-designated wines drawn from Santa Barbara County's most respected sites. The fruit is hand harvested and fermentation is guided toward balance, then aged in a mix of French oak to add structure without masking the site's bright, expressive character.
Tasting notes
Generous notes of lemon cream, yellow peach, and golden apple unfold on the palate, layered with toasty oak and vanilla. Bright, refreshing acidity keeps the wine lively through a long finish.
Food pairings
- Pan-seared sea bass
- Roast chicken
- Lemony cream pasta
Wine details
- Bottle size: 750 ml
- Varietal: Chardonnay
- Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills, California
- Vineyard: Parker West Vineyard (the family's westernmost planting on sandy, windswept hillside soils near the Pacific)
- Harvest: Hand harvested
- Fermentation/Aging: Fermented with balance; aged in a mix of French oak