A Central California Jewel

Wine Country travel enlivens all of your senses and also quiets your nerves at the same time.  While wine tasting takes center stage, the first thing noted at the Fess Parker Winery & Vineyards and the companion Fess Parker Wine country Inn and Spa is your sense of sound.  It is quiet, except for a few birds chirping and the friendly dogs greeting each other, as the sun rises over the property’s home town of Los Olivos, California,

The Fess Parker Winery and Vineyards is described as the “Jewel of Foxen Canyon Road” in the heart of Santa Barbara’s wine country.  Tucked into the foothills overlooking the low mountains of the Santa Ynez Valley, the winery tasting room is stylish and sophisticated yet warm and approachable.   Not only are you served by knowledgeable staff in the tasting room, the winery also serves as an entertainment center with a picnic area and VIP Barrel Room Lounge.  You can pack and picnic and enjoy the outdoors. 

Fess Parker was a well known actor who played Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on successful television shows.  His family has established properties that are now renowned in the region. In addition to the winery and wine country inn, they also own the Fess Parker Double Tree-Hilton Resort in Santa Barbara.

 

 

 

 

“Fess envisioned growing grapes but not to this scale,” says Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard President, Tim Snider.  At the beginning of the winery business in the 1980’s, consumers still recognized the Fess Parker name.  However, the younger generations know Fess Parker as the name on the label of some extraordinary wine.  As they enjoy the wine they learn about the back story of his life as an actor. 

Snider became part of the Parker family after he met Fess’s daughter Ashley on a wine industry trip in Australia in 1999.    Tim and Ashley were married soon after.  Snider believes the winery is now cast in the lead role of Fess Parker’s legacy.  “Our family came in this business as a celebrity-family owned winery focused on quality and value.  We happened to have a founder who had a very successful acting career.  But today it’s not rooted in celebrity.” 

 

The wholly family owned and operated winery was established in 1989 and after several decades of hard work the name Fess Parker is now known to new generations as a world-class producer of Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The winemaking culture was originated by Fess Parker’s son, Eli who discovered a passion for winemaking at the outset of the business.  Eli Parker stepped aside as the winemaker with the 2005 vintage and turned over the reins to Blair Fox.  Both winemakers have won the prestigious Winemaker of the Year Award from the San Francisco Chronicle.

 

The Fess Parker Wine Country Inn is a Five Star boutique property located in the heart of Los Olivos.  Surrounded by the beauty of Santa Barbara wine country, this charming town is known for its tasting rooms, restaurants, and galleries.   

 

Guests at the19-room Inn enjoy luxurious rooms, the Champagne Spa and Boutique, the surprisingly hip Petros’ Restaurant specializing in Hellenic-California Cuisine, an outdoor patio with a warming fireplace, a library room , and the Bin 2860 International Wine Shop, showcasing wines from the region and from around the world.  Black and white photos of winemakers from the Santa Ynez Valley adorn the walls providing an introduction to the wine culture of the region. 

 

The American historical figure, Daniel Boone, who was portrayed by Fess Parker on television, would be pleased with the surroundings of this winery and inn. 

 

“One day, I undertook a tour through the country and the diversity and beauties of nature I met within this charming season expelled every gloomy and vexatious thought,” said Boone. 

www.fessparker.com

Traverse City Michigan's True North Wine Country

Traverse City, Michigan is a destination that changes noticeably with the seasons.  The slower tourist season from November until April brings cascades of snow offering a winter wonderland for those who enjoy skiing, ice fishing, and hunting.

As the climate changes in May and June with high temperatures in the 70’s and the summer months warm up to an average high temperature of 82 degrees, Traverse City is well established as one of America’s favorite destinations to celebrate spring and summer.   

The wine and food scene has exploded in the region.  Winemakers, chefs and local farmers are creating an experience that connects visitors to the land found amongst lakes, dunes, hills and sunlit fields.

Two of the area’s wine-growing regions, the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, are home to nearly 50 wineries. The wine culture was born out of the cherry industry.  Traverse City still grows 80% of the cherries sold in America.  Winemakers and vineyard managers have discovered that the ideal conditions for growing cherries such as sandy soil, elevation, location near water, and seasonable temperatures, are closely associated with the ideal conditions for growing wine grapes as found in other northern wine regions of the world.

25 years ago, Traverse City would not have been recognized as a wine country destination.  However, that has changed.  The surroundings of the white sand beaches, the blue waters of Lake Michigan, the golf courses, the hiking and biking trails have been joined by the addition of beautifully designed wineries that produce an almost European style wine, with a Northern Michigan character. 

As the industry flourishes, new wineries and tasting rooms are opening.  Additions to the scene include a new tasting room with panoramic views at Bluestone Vineyards.  Bluestone’s owner Tom Knighton says that the wineries of the Traverse Bay region are “making wines that people respect.”

 The cool climate viticulture allows winemakers to achieve a nice balance between fruit and acidity.  Rieslings, Gewürztraminers and Pinot Blancs are at the forefront of the Northern Michigan white wines.  Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gamay Noir, a Vinifera cultivar, are the leading varietals in red wines.

Dining on a waterfront is popular in this land of lakes.  Guests enjoy the sunset at the Boathouse overlooking the beautiful Bowers Harbor.  The 107 year old Riverside Inn is lovingly restored along the banks of the Leland River and offers an excellent selection of local wines.   Gastronomic destinations also include Leelanau Cheese, Grand Traverse Pie Company, and Tandem Ciders.

While Traverse City has long been popular as a driving destination by Midwesterners, the area’s growing reputation as a wine and food destination has led to impressive growth at the Cherry Capital Airport.  “People are choosing the ease and friendliness of traveling by air to Traverse City” says Brad Van Dommelen, Convention and Visitors Bureau president and CEO. 

“We consider the airport to be the first welcome mat to the region,” says airport spokesperson Susan Wilcox-Olson.  Traverse City connects direct to LaGuardia, Newark, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Denver.   The number of daily flights to Atlanta has more than doubled in the last 24 months. 

As a gateway to the local wine county, it seems only fitting that many of the acclaimed wines of Traverse City are offered for purchase at the airport gift shop after the friendly check point allowing travelers to bring wine on board.  “We want everyone to feel the heritage of the region, like they are walking down Main Street,” says Wilcox-Olson.

Air travel to a wine region like Traverse City is the recommended way to go if your drive is more than 1 day.  You will have plenty of time on the road while you are.  Touring the beautiful sights, visiting the excellent restaurants, and of course, wine tasting which has become the region’s newest claim to fame. 

Iron Chef Mario Batali, who has had a home in Traverse City for 15 years, remains an ambassador to the region.  “If you visit, you’ll understand there’s nothing this close to scratching those itches like Tuscany and Sonoma.  Traverse City is real and I love it.  It’s a remarkable place,” he says.

        Brys Estate Winery and Vineyards lets visitors celebrate summer on Old Mission Peninsula

     “We want to let visitors take part in this beautiful experience of visiting wine country,” says owner Tom Knighton of their new tasting room at Bluestone Vineyards

 

        Wining and dining at The Boat House is one of many outstanding local restaurants with waterfront seating

      The terminal at the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City.  The airport continues to see ridership gains

              Pedestrian-friendly downtown Traverse City blooms with pear and crabapple trees in the
         spring and  offers nearly 150 boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops and galleries.