June 10, 1999
NEWSFess! Just a four-letter word?
Foxen Trademark Update
If you're one of the Foxen Boys, Bill Wathen or Dick Dore, owners of Foxen Vineyard, the four letter word that starts with "F" is Fess!
Foxen has filed for a temporary restraining order to preclude Fess Parker's winery from distributing, marketing, or offering for sale any wine or wine-related product that uses the FOXEN name and trademark in a misleading way, according to the winery's attorney, Andra M. Vaccaro.
On a number of occasions, Fess Parker Winery president, Eli Parker, has told the press and has said on radio news programs that their winery has stopped offering the products for sale that have co-opted the trademark "FOXEN", specifically wines labeled "Fleur de FOXEN" and "FOXEN Cuvee" pending the resolution of this matter.
Meanwhile, Fess Parker's attorneys are opposing the restraining order and are continuing to challenge Foxen's exclusive rights to its trademark and trade name.
Is this just another example of Fess trying to beat the system at someone else's cost?
As Foxen's attorney Andra Vaccaro has pointed out, if Parker Winery truly has stopped selling and offering for sale the products at issue as Eli Parker has stated, then why is Parker Winery opposing the restraining order which would simply maintain the status quo?
In fact the reason why Foxen filed for the restraining order was that, despite Parker Winery's assurances, on May 25, Foxen learned that Parker Winery had just sent out a mass mailing of gift catalogues offering the "Fleur de FOXEN" for sale!
IN OTHER NEWS . . .
- According to the County Ag Commissioner's Office, the average price for a ton of winegrapes went to $1,509.93 in 1998, a dramatic increase from the $1,183.81 in 1997. Total earnings for winegrapes in the county were $59.1 million, compared with still a hefty $51.3 in 1997.
- And the long time rumor that Zaca Mesa Winery was in the throes of being sold to Australia's Southcorp Wines, a division of Southcorp Limited, a $1.7 billion conglomerate with a worldwide reputation in the wine business, most notably for brand names such as Penfolds has been put to rest. Zaca Mesa president, Jeff Maiken, made the announcement May 26 that the pending deal fell through.
- Hot fun in the summertime! Where is it? Is this California? With the fog, cloudiness and daytime highs wallowing in the 50s and 60s-inland temperatures mind you; not coastal temperatures-and rain in June, we will be lucky if we even have a grape harvest for 1999.
SUMMER FUN, DESPITE THE WEATHERAll phone numbers are area code 805 unless otherwise specified.
- Saturday, June 12, Cottonwood Canyon Winery in the Santa Maria Valley hosts a sparkling wine and barbecue bash in the vineyard. $29. Reservations required. 541-5868
- Thursday through Saturday, June 17-19, the largest celebration of Rhone wines in the world takes place in Paso Robles-the 7th annual Hospice du Rhone gala, a benefit for Hospice of San Luis Obispo. The three day extravaganza includes master seminars, a library tasting of older Rhone and Rhone-style wines, a barrel tasting, a barrel auction and the Grand Winetasting slated for Saturday afternoon from 3-6 p.m. 150 wineries from 8 countries will be participating, including twelve wineries from Santa Barbara County, the likes of Qupe, Jaffurs and Andrew Murray. For reservations and more information, call 239-1205, or e-mail mrviognier@aol.com
- Thursday, June 24, the Blue Shark Bistro in conjunction with Vons presents a wine dinner with Cambria Winery. $55 per person includes the tax but not the gratuity. Call 564-7100 for reservations and more information.
- Saturday, June 26, 3-7 p.m., Buttonwood Farm Winery and Richard Longoria Wines present "Red, White & Blues," featuring the Bernie Pearl Blues Band and special guest Karen Taylor in the vineyard at Buttonwood. $20 in advance; $24 at the door. To reserve tickets call 688-3032 or 688-0305.
Bon appetit!
Bob Senn writes The Independent's monthly wine column, "Grapevine," lives in the Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
