During a recent trip to Santa Barbara’s Santa Ynez Valley I experienced one of the most magical Winery tours I had ever enjoyed horseback riding at Fess Parker  Winery with Katie Parker, the grand-daughter of Founder, Fess Parker. After a two-hour ride we concluded the ride with a picnic on their farm with Chef John Cox, of Fess Parker’s The Bear & Star. See this amazing afternoon and the beautiful and delicious picnic Chef John Cox of Bear and the Star located in downtown Los Olivos in The Fess Farker Wine Country Inn created for us.

The Ranch gardens where our picnic lunch took place.

The chicken coups where Katie’s chickens produce the eggs which are also used at the Fess Parker’s The Bear & Star Restaurant located in Los Olivos in the Fess Parker Inn.

Katie feeding the chickens on the ranch.

Arriving to our amazing picnic lunch. Look at this set up. I love the vintage truck, the views of the gardens as well as the amazing fresh produce (from the Fess Parker Ranch) and flowers on the table. Kudos to Chef John and the team on this set up. It’s hard to believe I got to not only ride at The Fess Parker Ranch but then got lucky enough to join Chef John and Katie Parker and my friend Daisy for this amazing beyond memorable picnic lunch!!

Our hosts Katie Parker and Chef John Cox

Our lunch included an assortment of chicken, fish, salads, vegetables and a variety of home-made salad dressings. I ended up trying almost every dressing, each which was amazing so had a lot of salads with these delicious seasonal vegetables and smoked meats and fishes.

Chef John pouring us some delicious Fesstivity Sparkling Rose.  Fesstivity is served at the Fess Parker Bubble Lounge in downtown Los Olivos. Read more about The Bubble Lounge here.

A HUGE thanks to Chef John Fox, The Fess Parker Winery Team and The Bear & Star team for putting together this over the top beautiful and delicious picnic lunch. What a special way to experience Fess Parker Winery’s new gardens, ranch while getting to know Chef John and Katie in a super intimate  lovely experience. It’s really hard to put into words how special these few hours were riding through the vineyards, meeting the animals on the ranch and learning first hand from Katie Parker so much history of her grand father Fess Parker, the winery, the ranch and now all the amazing things they’re doing with Chef John Cox at their The Bear & Star Restaurant.

Thanks to the Fess Parker team & Bear & The Star for hosting me and my guest for this unforgettable visit!