Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Fess Elisha Parker Iii |
| Also known as | Eli Parker |
| Parents | Fess Elisha Parker Jr. (1924 to 2010), Marcella Belle Rinehart (died 2019) |
| Sibling | Ashley Allen Rinehart |
| Children | Kristopher Parker, Katie Parker, Amanda Parker, Olivia Parker |
| Primary roles | Winemaker, vineyard director, company principal |
| Family enterprise founded | Ranch purchase 1988, wine production from 1989 |
| Notable recognitions | Competition honors 2006, Wine and Spirits Top 100 presence in early 2020s |
| Public activity | Tasting room events, winery leadership, local press features |
| Residence area | Foxen Canyon, Santa Barbara County, California region |
Early Life and Family Background
Born into a household with a television star as a father and a grounded family presence as a mother, Fess Elisha Parker Iii inherited both a name and a mission. The Parker household married show business and ranch life in 1960, and the family later translated that flair into a working ranch and winery. The move from Hollywood celebrity to agricultural stewardship was not sudden. It unfolded across decades. In 1988 the family purchased a large ranch on Foxen Canyon. By 1989 vines were set in the soil and a new chapter began.
Growing up amid that transformation shaped a practical sensibility. The son learned to read weather as easily as he once might have read a script. Work and family braided together. That braided life is visible in the way family members share leadership and how public events feel like family reunions with tasting glasses.
Career and Winemaking
Fess Elisha Parker Iii is an example of a working winery leader. He started off in operational positions before transitioning into winemaking leadership in the middle of the 1990s. He had positions as vineyard director, associate winemaker, and ultimately principal in charge of operations and winemaking. Part of the story is told by the numbers. There are hundreds of acres on the family property. After starting production in 1989, the winery expanded its product ranges under several different brands.
His career is punctuated with competitive results and awards. When an Epiphany wine won top white recognition in a significant competition in 2006, it was a noteworthy wine accolade. In the early 2020s, the family portfolio was acknowledged in industry rankings and lists. Awards, however, are but one metric. The growth of tasting rooms and the consistent production of several brands year after year demonstrate a firm that is growing with purpose.
Here, winemaking is a ritual as well as a science. Like a ledger, vines are charted, yields are noted, and fermentation is monitored. However, there is also space for art in the piece. Varietal experiments and small-lot releases demonstrate a desire to push limits while staying grounded.
Family Members and Personal Relationships
Family is the axis around which the enterprise turns. The Parker lineage unfolds across generations, and roles are shared.
| Family Member | Relationship to Fess Elisha Parker Iii | Public role |
|---|---|---|
| Fess Elisha Parker Jr. | Father | Actor turned founder figure of the family enterprise |
| Marcella Belle Rinehart | Mother | Family matriarch until 2019 |
| Ashley Allen Rinehart | Sister | Co-steward of family businesses |
| Tim Snider | Brother in law | Operational leader, often listed as winery president |
| Kristopher Parker | Son | Member of the extended family generation |
| Katie Parker | Daughter | Member of the extended family generation |
| Amanda Parker | Daughter | Member of the extended family generation |
| Olivia Parker | Daughter | Member of the extended family generation |
| Grandchildren | Next generation | Present in family timeline and celebrations |
The family moves as a unit across business decisions. Sister and brother collaborate. In-laws take executive posts. Children and grandchildren appear in family timelines and milestone events. The winery functions as a shared home and a shared vocation.
Business Operations and Financial Profile
The Parker company is not only one brand. It is a collection of tasting rooms, brands, and hospitality-related businesses. The 1988 purchase of the property laid the groundwork for several grape blocks and more than 700 acres according to some documents. Production started in 1989 and expanded into specialist releases and family labels throughout the years.
The decades are marked by a series of commercial actions. The 2010s and early 2020s saw the establishment of tasting rooms, renovations to beachside resort assets, and market expansion. In the middle of the 2020s, a downtown tasting room extension indicated further expansion beyond the initial county footprint.
There isn’t just one public individual with a high net worth. The public record places more emphasis on branded assets, land, and corporate holdings than on individual valuation. Nevertheless, the size of the holdings in land, production, and hospitality suggests a sizable family firm with a variety of revenue sources.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Parents married on January 18 |
| 1988 | Family purchased Foxen Canyon ranch acreage |
| 1989 | Planting and first wine production began |
| 1990s | Eli moved from assistant roles into principal winemaking duties |
| 2006 | Epiphany Grenache Blanc received major competition recognition |
| 2010 | Death of patriarch Fess Elisha Parker Jr. |
| 2019 | Death of matriarch Marcella Belle Rinehart |
| Early 2020s | Winery named among industry lists and continued releases |
| 2024 | Expanded tasting room footprint to new market locations |
The timeline reads like a ledger, a family album, and a vineyard plot map at once. Each date is a stitch in a larger tapestry.
Recent Public Presence and Media
The family is still present in trade publications, the local press, and social media sites that publicize wine releases and tasting events. The company conducts events where family leaders take the stage as hosts and produces small-batch wines. Local media coverage of new product launches and tasting rooms has persisted. The public narrative highlights a multigenerational handoff, continuity, and craftsmanship.
Legacy and Identity
Fess Elisha Parker Iii represents continuity in motion. He holds a famed name and reshapes it for contemporary agribusiness. The work is both heirloom preservation and active invention. Like a vine grafted to a new rootstock, tradition and innovation coexist. The family identity is public and private at once. Museums of memory and active cellars share the same house.
FAQ
Who is Fess Elisha Parker Iii?
Fess Elisha Parker Iii is the son of actor Fess Parker and Marcella Belle Rinehart and serves as a principal in the family wine and hospitality enterprise.
What is his role in the family business?
He has worked as winemaker, vineyard director, and a company principal responsible for winemaking and operations.
When did the family start producing wine commercially?
The family purchased their Foxen Canyon ranch in 1988 and began wine production in 1989.
Who are his immediate family members?
His immediate family includes his mother Marcella, his father Fess Parker, his sister Ashley Allen Rinehart, his brother in law Tim Snider, and his children Kristopher, Katie, Amanda, and Olivia.
Has he received awards for winemaking?
Yes, family labels won competition honors in 2006 and the portfolio earned industry recognition in the early 2020s.
Where is the family winery located?
The primary ranch and production are located on the Foxen Canyon wine trail in Santa Barbara County, California.
Are there hospitality assets associated with the family?
Yes, the enterprise has included tasting rooms, retail locations, and beachfront hospitality partnerships that underwent renovations and rebrandings.
Is his personal net worth publicly known?
No, precise personal net worth figures are not publicly disclosed; public information focuses on family property and business holdings.
