{"id":9163,"date":"2018-06-25T18:21:01","date_gmt":"2018-06-26T01:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9163"},"modified":"2018-06-25T12:31:46","modified_gmt":"2018-06-25T19:31:46","slug":"cocktail-corner-get-the-vip-treatment-at-fess-parker-winery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9163","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Get the VIP Treatment at Fess Parker Winery"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Fess

Fess Parker Winery Barrel Room, photo by Rob Brown.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by\u00a0Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

It’s always lovely to visit Fess Parker<\/a>‘s bucolic 714-acre ranch in Los Olivos<\/a>, but they recently\u00a0refurbished the\u00a0VIP Barrel Room, which makes it an even better wine tasting experience.<\/p>\n

The tour starts with a video, shot by acclaimed photographer Rob Brown<\/a>, of the history of the ranch and Fess Parker’s development of the vineyard on\u00a0what is now known as the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail<\/a>. \u00a0Though Fess passed away in 2010, Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard<\/a> is still family owned and operated, as it has been since 1989.<\/p>\n

\"Fess

Fess Parker Winery, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

Following the video, we went into the barrel room for a\u00a0discussion of the cooperage selection, and the wine aging process, as well as a special barrel tasting. Our tour was just for my husband and I, but they can accommodate up to 12 guests.<\/p>\n

\"Tasting

Tasting at Fess Parker Winery, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

You then go into a seated tasting of some top notch wines, \u00a0accompanied by a selection of\u00a0<\/span>savory bites prepared by the culinary team at The Bear and Star<\/a> restaurant (another delicious Fess Parker family venture at the nearby\u00a0Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa<\/a> in Los Olivos). Among the six notable wines we tasted that day were the 2016 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills and the 2015 Ashley’s Pinot Noir, also from Sta. Rita Hills.<\/p>\n

\"Fess

Fess Parker Winery Barrel Room, photo by Peter Malinowski.<\/p><\/div>\n

Tasting in the sophisticated new barrel room\u2014designed in dramatic shades of red and black, which are warmed up by wood cabinetry and shelving\u2014definitely feels like you’re entering the inner sanctum of the winery, and creates a dynamic contrast to the more homespun vibe found in other, more public, parts of the winery, where tastings are also offered.<\/p>\n

\"Fess

Fess Parker Winery patio, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

The VIP Barrel Room Tasting and Tour is only available on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m., by reservation only, and is $50 for non-wine club members and $35 for wine club members. For more information, call\u00a0800\/841-1104 or email barrett@fessparker.com.<\/p>\n

Fess Parker Winery is located at 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the 12 other wineries on the Foxen Canyon Wine trail (one of the most beautiful ways to explore Santa Barbara Wine Country<\/a>, in my opinion) click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Fess

Fess Parker Winery, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

Cheers!\u00a0 Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more Cocktail Corner columns.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/p>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0mag<\/i>azine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie believes variety is the spice of life. Send your suggestions to Leslie@sbseasons.com.<\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a> on June 22, 2018.<\/p>\n

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