Fess Parker bought 714-acre ranch; family built vineyards and Wagyu business
Actor Fess Parker transformed a 714-acre ranch in California into a multi-generational family business focused on winemaking and hospitality. The enterprise has expanded to include sustainable vineyards, a Wagyu cattle operation, and craft brewing.
Why it matters
The story demonstrates the successful transition of a celebrity-owned property into a sustainable, diversified, and multi-generational business model.
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.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in