Family Background and Roots
Fess Elisha Parker III (Eli Parker) carries on the heritage of his father, Fess Parker Jr., and grandfather, Fess Parker Sr., from Hollywood.Fess Parker Jr. founded a family business in 1988 by buying a 714-acre ranch in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Early on, the Parkers taught Eli hard labour, ethics, and inventiveness from cattle and vineyards to a small winery.
Education and Early Career
After studying viticulture and enology at UC Davis, Eli Parker trained with renowned winemakers. He was assistant winemaker at the family’s nascent enterprise and lead winemaker by 1995. Academic excellence and hands-on rigour earned him the 2006 André Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year Award, highlighting his technical expertise and creative vision.
Business Leadership and Roles
Eli is currently Co-CEO of Fespar Enterprises and President & Director of Winemaking at Fess Parker Winery. The family firm has grown from a single-label winery to a diverse hospitality and agriculture enterprise under his guidance. Together with his sister, Ashley Parker-Snider, they manage wineries, restaurants, resorts, and real estate, combining sophisticated strategy with a personal touch.
Key Ventures and Brands
- Fess Parker Winery: Santa Barbara County Burgundian variety has reached benchmark status with a 2008 Bien Nacido Chardonnay earning 96 points and ranking #2 in Wine Enthusiast’s Top-100 for 2010.
- Eli’s boutique Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier label Epiphany Winery (2000) shows his experimental ambition.
- Fesstivity (2015): A méthode champenoise sparkling wine that has grown to ~2,000 cases annually, catering to seasonal and celebratory markets.
- In 2017, the Parkers introduced premium Napa Cabernets to consumers in single-vineyard bottlings after entering the valley.
- Parker Station: Sells Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at ~$15 retail, totalling 25,000 cases per year and expanding revenue.
- Hospitality & Real Estate: Owns Wine Country Inn and Bear & Star in Los Olivos; partners to build a 58-room Santa Barbara beachfront hotel.
Business Strategies and Practices
Eli Parker’s success is built on:
- High-quality winemaking that expresses vineyard character, prioritising premium positioning over volume.
- Innovative and Diversification: Introducing new brands and styles to target various market segments, from expensive Napa Cabernets to mass-market products.
- Modernisation with Family Values: Integrating strategic planning and risk management while maintaining Parker’s honest and hands-on approach.
- Long-term thinking involves patience and resource allocation, deferring progress until optimal conditions are met.
- Ensure supply by securing long-term grape contracts to stabilise production in regions with limited plantings.
- Maximising brand and marketing synergy through heritage imagery, trade shows, and a strong wine club and tasting room network directed by Ashley Parker-Snider.
Other Successful Family Members
- Fess Parker Jr. (Father): He was a cultural figure as Disney’s Davy Crockett and NBC’s Daniel Boone. He started the Fess Parker Winery in 1989 and opened hotels including the Hilton Waterfront Santa Barbara.
- Ashley Parker-Snider (Sister): Co-CEO, VP of Marketing & Sales; created Fesstivity and Addendum; oversees family inns, events, and PR.
- Son Kristopher Parker founded Third Window Brewing in Santa Barbara, developing a craft-beer footprint.
- Katie Parker McDonald (Daughter) manages the family’s Wagyu beef program and ranch trail rides, advancing agritourism.
FAQ
What are Eli Parker’s most notable business achievements?
Eli turned a winery with only one label into a wine and hospitality empire with many other types of businesses. He was in charge of brands that won awards, like Bien Nacido Chardonnay, Epiphany Rhône wines, and Fesstivity effervescent. He also got into Napa Cabernets, value labels, inns, restaurants, and resort development.
Which strategic principles have driven his success?
He stresses high quality and terroir expression, a balance between innovation and diversification, modern business processes mixed with family values, long-term risk management, a steady supply of grapes, and a unified brand and marketing strategy.
Who in his family has also excelled in business?
Fess Parker Jr., his father, founded the winery and hospitality businesses after a successful acting career. His sister, Ashley Parker-Snider, manages hospitality, co-founds wine labels, and leads marketing. His children Kristopher and Katie are starting craft brewing and agritourism businesses.
