When famed actor Fess Parker purchased his 714-acre ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley back in 1987, he had a great vision for the future of his family and Santa Barbara County as a whole. He pictured a multigenerational winery producing wines that would express the terroir of the land he so fervently loved and believed in. A warmhearted and hospitable man, he also dreamed of owning an unpretentious inn where guests could relax and truly experience Santa Barbara wine country. Today, Fess’s dreams are realized in Fess Parker Winery on the Foxen Canyon wine trail and just a few miles down the road at Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa in downtown Los Olivos.
Fess Parker Winery consistently creates wines of the highest quality. Led by a talented winemaking team that includes two former recipients of the André Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year Award—Eli Parker and Blair Fox—the wines are routine winners in all of the top tier wine competitions. Most recent examples are the 2010 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay which received 92 points from Wine & Spirits; the 2009 Ashley’s Pinot Noir which earned 91 points from wine critic James Suckling, 90 points from Robert Parker, and a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition; and the 2009 Viognier, which won Double Gold at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition and was recommended on winespectator.com as one of “12 California Whites for $40 or Less.” Perhaps wine critic Robert Parker said it best when he referred to Fess Parker wines as “some of the very finest values in California.”
The winery is found along the captivating Foxen Canyon wine trail, a narrow country road that winds past ranches peppered with grazing cattle and low-lying oak trees. Fess Parker Winery’s grounds serve as a pleasant place for a picnic, and on warm weekends there’s even an outdoor tasting bar. Inside, the newly renovated tasting room features a rugged yet modern décor and a friendly, welcoming staff of tasting consultants. Guests have a range of tasting opportunities. Besides dropping in anytime for a classic tasting, they can make an appointment for a private tour and tasting, private five-course food and wine pairing exploration, or even a VIP tasting in the revamped barrel room.
Just down the road, Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa is a sophisticated escape with 19 beautifully designed rooms. Beautifully decorated, each room has a fireplace. Guests come to this quaint, yet luxurious inn to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy the peacefulness of Santa Ynez Valley.
Besides delightfully appointed rooms, the inn features a luxurious day spa, a highly acclaimed restaurant, and many nearby recreational opportunities. The inn has an uncanny ability to coordinate all kinds of guest experiences, including spa, culinary, golf, and of course, wine tasting excursions. Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa graciously hosts meetings, events, and girlfriend getaways, too. Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa gives guests access to all the possibilities of the Santa Ynez Valley at their doorstep—including a host of tasting rooms just steps from the inn in downtown Los Olivos.