What started as a quiet retirement plan in California wine country has grown into a large family-owned farming and hospitality business. When actor Fess Parker bought the 714-acre Foxen Canyon Ranch in 1988, he planned to raise a small herd of cattle, plant a few acres of grapes, and start a small family winery. According to the official history on the Fess Parker Winery site, the former Hollywood star, best known for playing Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, wanted to build a lasting family business that could be passed down through generations. Decades later, that first land purchase in Santa Barbara County has grown into a diverse group of businesses run directly by Parker's children and grandchildren. The enterprise includes award-winning vineyards, a high-end Wagyu cattle operation, boutique hospitality businesses, and a local craft brewery.
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