Harvest Stories. Tessa Marie of Tessa Marie Wines

Who doesn't love baby pictures?  Especially harvest baby pictures!  Many wine projects in Santa Barbara County are family-owned or have second or third generation connections to iconic wine figures.  When Tessa Marie Parker posted this picture last week we just had to find out more.  Who is this adorable little guy and how does someone with the last name Parker (from the iconic Fess Parker wine family) decide to also make wine? You can follow Tessa and the story of her harvest on her Instagram page @TessaMarieWines.

This photo is adorable!  Baby’s first harvest.  How hard was it to capture this pose?  What fruit is in the bins?  How did he get his name?

Foxen (9 months – born last harvest) is the happiest baby I know!  He is a natural and LOVES the camera. Vermentino for sparkling is in the bins and this is our first picking of the year.  Foxen's name came from a dream, before we knew he was a boy.  We thought how fitting!  (The family's Fess Parker Winery is located in Foxen Canyon on Foxen Canyon Road.)  It's powerful and meaningful.  His Full name is Foxen Parker Cody.

Many wineries and vineyards in Santa Barbara County are family-owned.  You are from a famous winemaking family and one of the youngest winemakers in Santa Barbara County.  Did you always want to be a winemaker? Tell us more.

I fell into this business right out of high school with the intention of working with my dad and making some Sangiovese for fun. I was always a creative person so this was a natural thing for me. Back then I never thought I could do this for a living so this is a dream come true! When my dad called me about a tasting room space in town I was blown away. I remember telling myself “I could do this!”. And honestly, I don’t know what else I would be doing… This job doesn’t get any cooler! I get to have my baby by my side and have fun doing it. 
    
Do you hope your children will someday get into the wine business too?  

I would love for Foxen to carry on the family tradition. This is a great business to be in, especially where we live. If anything it will be something he can do for fun or have the knowledge for. 
  
How is your harvest going?

This looks to be a good year (plus, I have a cute lil' assistant!). I am starting a month early compared to the past couple years so I am excited for what this vintage has to offer. Sangiovese is still on the vines and loving this heat! Hopefully I will harvest them in within a couple weeks.