Parable Wines Appoints Renowned Winemaker Jennifer Williams to Lead Winemaking Operations and Announces Release of 2025 McGah Sauvignon Blanc

June 9, 2026 (Calistoga, CA) — Parable Wines, the family-owned estate founded by the Eppright family, is proud to announce the appointment of Jennifer Williams as its new Winemaker. Williams, one of Napa Valley’s most respected and sought-after winemakers, will oversee all aspects of production, from the estate’s organic Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in Calistoga to the sourcing of premium fruit from throughout the region.

The appointment marks a significant milestone for Parable Wines as it embarks on construction of a state-of-the-art winery on the historic Silverado Trail. Coinciding with this milestone, Parable is also proud to debut the 2025 McGah Sauvignon Blanc, the first new vintage released under Williams’ meticulous technical oversight.

A Legacy of Excellence: From Spottswoode to Pahlmeyer

Williams’ career is defined by her tenure at some of the most iconic estates in the Napa Valley. She notably served as both Vineyard Manager and Winemaker at Spottswoode Estate (2006–2011), where she worked under the mentorship of Rosemary Cakebread and the Novak family. During her time at Spottswoode, she was instrumental in upholding the estate’s reputation for elegance and precision, crafting multiple 100-point wines that remain benchmarks for Napa Valley Cabernet.

Her expertise also includes a significant period at Pahlmeyer, where she continued to refine her style—balancing power with finesse. Her holistic approach to winemaking, which bridges the gap between the cellar and the soil, has earned her the distinction of being named a “Winemaker to Watch” by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Critical Acclaim at Arrow&Branch and Zeitgeist

In addition to her estate work, Williams has achieved remarkable success as a consulting winemaker and through her personal project, Zeitgeist Cellars, which she co-founded with her husband, Mark Porembski.

  • Arrow&Branch: Since joining in 2011, Williams has consistently produced top-tier Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Her wines here have frequently garnered scores in the 98–100 point range from critics like Jeb Dunnuck and Antonio Galloni, celebrated for their purity of fruit and structural integrity.
  • Zeitgeist Cellars: At her own label, Williams has demonstrated her versatility beyond Cabernet, producing highly-coveted 98 and 99-point wines, including the Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Franc and her celebrated heritage Chenin Blanc.

A Shared Vision and a New Release

“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer to the Parable family,” said Trey Eppright, Managing Partner of Parable Wines. “Her track record speaks for itself, but it is her deep respect for the land and her ability to tell the story of a vineyard through the bottle that makes her the perfect fit for what we are building here in Calistoga. Launching her tenure alongside the 2025 McGah Sauvignon Blanc beautifully sets the tone for the precision and bright vitality she brings to our white wine program.”

“I am honored to join the Eppright family at this exciting stage of Parable’s journey,” said Williams. “The property in Calistoga has incredible potential, and sourcing from premier regional sites like the McGah Vineyard allows us to craft multi-dimensional wines that reflect the unique spirit and history of Rutherford and Napa Valley.”


About Parable Wines
Founded in 2022 by the Eppright family, Parable Wines is located at the former Dutch Henry Winery property in Calistoga. The 10.5-acre estate is home to CCOF-certified organic Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards and a 4,400-square-foot wine cave. In addition to its estate holdings, Parable curates an elite portfolio of site-driven wines sourced from some of the most legendary, pedigree vineyards in Northern California—including the iconic Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, the historic McGah Family and Trailside vineyards in Rutherford, the high-altitude Antica vineyards on Atlas Peak, and the celebrated old-vine Ritchie Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Parable is dedicated to producing small-lot, terroir-expressive wines that illustrate the “parables” of the land and the people who farm it.   

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