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Name Dispute Causes Rift Between Santa Barbara County Wineries
The Foxen and Fess Parker wineries, both in California's Santa Barbara County, are fighting over the use of the Foxen name on their wines. Foxen Winery co-owner Richard Dore has written a letter to neighboring wineries stating that the dispute began with the "unauthorized use of our registered trademark 'Foxen' on their Fess Parker Foxen Cuvee and Fleur de Foxen."
Foxen Cuvee is a Chardonnay-Viognier blend; Fleur de Foxen is made with Pinot Noir. Foxen Winery has expressed concern that consumers will be confused about the provenance of the Fess Parker wines.
"Our business lies on Foxen Canyon Road," said Fess Parker winemaker Eli Parker, whose actor-turned-vintner father owns the winery. "I feel strongly that we should be able to make a reference that our product hails from there. I'm disappointed that we couldn't sit down and iron out our differences."
Founded in 1986, Foxen Winery took its name from Benjamin Foxen, Richard Dore's great-great-grandfather, who settled in the area in the early 19th century. Foxen Canyon and Foxen Canyon Road are two geographical namesakes of the early settler. The winery currently makes Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Viognier.
Foxen Winery does not contest the use of "Foxen Canyon Road" on the labels of other wineries located there. "That's not an issue for us," said Jenny Williamson, Dore's wife. "But if you're going to use the word 'Foxen' as a proprietary name, it's a problem."
According to Williamson, Fess Parker is filing papers to challenge the Foxen trademark. She commented, "To say that [owners Richard Dore and Bill Wathen] are dismayed is an understatement."
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