January 14, 2025 (Los Olivos, CA) — The multigenerational Fess Parker family is thrilled to celebrate 25 years of their boutique label, Epiphany. Initially envisioned as a creative outlet for producing Rhône varietals, Epiphany has since grown into a widely respected brand, renowned for its premium Rhône-based wines sourced primarily from the family’s estate vineyard, Rodney’s Vineyard, on the Fess Parker Home Ranch. This milestone is not only a celebration of Epiphany wines but also a testament to the Parker family’s dedication to growth and innovation.
The name “Epiphany” embodies the spirit of exploration and adventure that encouraged its creation. During a transformative family trip to Australia, the second generation of Parkers—Eli and Ashley Parker—along with Fess Parker Winery President Tim Snider, experienced a shared moment of inspiration while tasting the red Rhône blends of the Barossa Valley. This mutual revelation led Eli Parker to boldly embrace Rhône varietals in Santa Barbara County, at a time when these grapes were still emerging in the region. His dedication to crafting single-varietal offerings like Grenache Blanc, Grenache, Counoise, and Mourvèdre ultimately led to the birth of the Epiphany label. Its inaugural wine, aptly named “Revelation,” was a blend of Syrah and Grenache. Today, it remains Epiphany’s flagship wine, serving as a tribute to that transformative trip and the spirit of discovery instilled by family patriarch, Fess Parker.
Twenty-five years since its inception, Epiphany continues to craft small production, SIP Certified wines primarily from the family’s own Rodney’s Vineyard—a renowned site for growing quality Rhône varieties. At the helm of winemaking is longtime Head Winemaker Blair Fox, whose passion for Syrah and Rhône varietals shines through in every bottle. Under his expert guidance, Epiphany wines have earned critical acclaim, consistently ranking among the highest-scoring wines in the Fess Parker Family Portfolio.
“It has been an incredible journey to watch Epiphany evolve from a creative side project into a respected producer of Rhône varietal wines from Santa Barbara County,” shares Eli Parker. “What began as an opportunity for creative exploration quickly grew into a true passion for our entire team, and for 25 years we’ve been honored to share Epiphany wines with people from near and far. Our hope is that every new taster experiences their own ‘light bulb moment,’ discovering just how exceptional Rhône wines from Santa Barbara can be.”
Adds Ashley Parker Snider, “We’re incredibly proud of the wines we’ve crafted over the years and the new endeavors we’ve embraced as a family. It’s truly an honor to share our passion for Rhône grapes through the Epiphany label. While we cherish this anniversary and are grateful for this moment of reflection, our focus remains on the future—continuing to create exceptional Rhône wines that beautifully capture the essence of our region for the next 25 years and beyond.”
The Parker family plans to celebrate Epiphany’s 25th anniversary with events and celebrations throughout 2025. A collaborative “Rhône Rodeo” tasting with other Rhône producers in Santa Barbara County is slated for June, while “Throwback Thursday” tasting flights with library wines will be available throughout the year.
Epiphany’s tasting room, which is located in the heart of downtown Los Olivos at 2974 Grand Avenue, is home to the Epiphany lineup of wines. Guests visiting Epiphany will enjoy the newly remodeled outdoor tasting area. Epiphany wines can also be found in the Fess Parker Funk Zone tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara or in the Fess Parker Family Portfolio tasting room located in downtown Napa.
About The Fess Parker Family Portfolio
Since the late 1980s, Fess Parker and his family have cultivated a world-class hospitality portfolio around the beauty and bounty of Santa Barbara County. Under their Fess Parker Winery, Epiphany, and Fesstivity brands, the Parkers produce exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhône varietal wines, consistently earning critical acclaim from top critics around the world. In addition, the family crafts high-end Bordeaux varietal wines from prestigious sites in Napa Valley under their boutique Addendum by Fess Parker label. True leaders in hospitality, the Fess Parker family provides a complete wine country travel experience through their winery and hospitality ventures. For more information, please visit fessparker.com.
