How the Son of a Movie Star Created a Wine Empire

 

Fess Parker was a movie star in the 50’s and 60’s, famous for his portrayal of Davey Crockett and others. So how did a vineyard and winery in the midst of California wine country come to bear his name? For the answer, we turn to his son Eli Parker. He shares his philosophy for building the wine business and creating an aesthetic that communicates a sense of place and comfort.

This week’s episode also features a conversation with David Benzaquen, the CEO of PlantBased Solutions. As the trend of plant-based diets continues to grow, restaurants and food distributors have begun to take notice. What changes should restaurants make to their menus and how can businesses capitalize?

Finding Terroir Where You Are

terroir: [ter-wahr; French ter-war] noun

  1. the conditions in which a food is grown or produced and that give the food its unique characteristics.
  2. the conditions in which a food is grown or produced and that give the food its unique characteristics.

Much like wine, the environment that people come from gives us a sense of place and belonging in the world. The same can also be said for restaurants and wineries. Eli Parker has worked hard to ensure that no matter how big the Fess Parker Winery empire grows, it never becomes disconnected with its roots and origin.

Parker has utilized the design and decor of the winery and restaurant to tell the story of its location and create a comfortable environment for guests.

“People are always looking for comfort and a sense of place,” says Parker. But it extends beyond comfort. It’s important for Fess Parker Winery to reflect the environment that it was born out of.

“Chardonnay, for example, is grown and produced all over the world, but what makes it so unique and special is the expression of the local character.”

The Rapid Growth of Plant-based Diets

Plant-based diets are all the rage, but this isn’t just a passing fad, according to David Benzaquen of PlantBased Solutions. As this becomes the preferred method for meals for many people around the world, restaurants and food providers have begun to take notice.

“The real change is in the number of people realizing they can make a huge difference in their health and in the environment,” says Benzaquen. Specialty restaurants have been catering to this growing group of people, but now the more established and traditional eateries and food providers are hopping on board.

Benzaquen cites the changing attitudes of companies like Tyson and chefs like David Chang as evidence that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for what comes next in the space!

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Food & Beverage Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @FoodMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Class 8 trucks
Driving the Future at ACT Expo: Windrose Showcases Its Purpose-Built Electric Class 8 Trucks
July 1, 2025

At the ACT Expo, Hammer Down host Mike Bush dives deeper into the future of freight with a hands-on look at Windrose Technology’s electric Class 8 trucks. Joined by Joseph Jaramillo, Driver Supervisor at Talon Logistics, Mike takes a test drive to experience the smooth ride, dual digital displays, and unique features—like advanced regen modes and a…

Read More
ball valve
Zero-Friction Flow: Trillium Launches the Red Point® Non-Contact Rising Stem Ball Valve to Cut Downtime, Boost Safety, and Perform in Demanding Applications
June 30, 2025

Join host Michelle Dawn Mooney for this special episode of FlowCast by Trillium Flow Technologies, as she sits down with Fred Jansen, General Manager of Trillium’s Netherlands facility, and Pepijn Esman, Engineering Manager for Red Point, to unveil the non-contact Rising Stem Ball Valve (RSBV)—a breakthrough engineered for extreme-service applications across oil &…

Read More
student success
The AI-Powered Edge in Education: How LearningClues Is Enabling Student Success with Co-founder and CEO Dr. Perry Samson
June 30, 2025

As AI continues to reshape education, institutions face a growing challenge in ensuring students succeed without compromising engagement or integrity. Today’s college students are often juggling jobs, family, and coursework, leading to limited study time and increased dropout risk. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of full-time undergraduates and 74% of…

Read More
AI Strategist
Why Enterprises Need an AI Strategist and Why It Should Be a Marketer
June 30, 2025

In this episode of The Marketing AI SparkCast, Aby Varma, founder of Spark Novus, a leading consultancy that partners with marketing leaders to adopt and scale AI responsibly and strategically, talks with Nicola Smith, Senior AI Programs Advisor at Southwest Airlines. They explore how enterprises can move beyond tool experimentation to embed AI into…

Read More