An Unforgettable Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Journey with Fess Parker Winery on a Princess Cruise

Embarking on a cruise with Princess Cruises offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore diverse destinations, and one of the most exciting aspects is stepping off the ship to immerse yourself in the local culture and landscapes. My recent West Coast Getaway Princess Cruise showcased the stunning beauty of the California coastline, leading us to enchanting ports like Santa Barbara and the renowned Ensenada wine country. As a devoted enthusiast of wine regions, I was absolutely thrilled to discover new places and, of course, indulge in their unique culinary and viticultural offerings.

This post is proudly part of a series sponsored by Princess Cruises, highlighting the incredible shore excursions available to make your cruising experience truly memorable.

Discovering the Charm of Santa Barbara: The American Riviera

One of the captivating ports of call during our cruise was Santa Barbara, a picturesque city nestled just north of Los Angeles. Often referred to as the “American Riviera,” its name alone evokes images of sun-drenched beaches, sophisticated architecture, and a laid-back yet luxurious lifestyle. This enticing description proved to be entirely accurate from the moment we arrived. Since our ship anchored offshore, we took comfortable tenders into the bustling port. The scene was breathtaking: an array of boats, from quaint fishing vessels to grand yachts, dotted the sparkling water, framed by majestic mountains and graceful palm trees. The vibrant atmosphere and stunning natural beauty immediately set the tone for a fantastic day.

The sky was a perfect, cloudless blue, enhancing the already gorgeous scenery as we embarked on our wine tasting excursion. Our journey took us through the charming streets of Santa Barbara and then inland, deeper into the serene expanse of the Santa Ynez Valley. This picturesque drive led us to the esteemed, family-owned Fess Parker Winery, where we anticipated spending a delightful afternoon savoring local wines and exquisite food pairings.

The Scenic Drive to Santa Ynez Valley and Fess Parker Winery

The transition from the bustling coastal city to the tranquil wine country of the Santa Ynez Valley was nothing short of magical. The drive itself was a significant part of the experience – absolutely picturesque and wonderfully peaceful. Rolling hills, ancient oak trees, and vibrant vineyards stretched as far as the eye could see, creating a landscape that felt miles away from the Pacific Coast, despite its relative proximity. It was astonishing to consider how quickly the scenery could change, transporting us from a seaside paradise to an idyllic agricultural haven. The air grew crisper, filled with the subtle scents of earth and grapevines, building anticipation for the sensory delights awaiting us at the winery.

A Culinary Collaboration: Fess Parker Wines Paired with Pascale Beale’s Cuisine

Our wine tasting experience was hosted in the inviting outdoor patio area of Fess Parker Winery. Here, we were treated to a curated selection of approximately eight different wines, each thoughtfully paired with truly incredible food. The culinary delights were masterfully prepared by Pascale Beale, a distinguished local cookbook author, specialty shop owner, and a genuine culinary genius. While I anticipated sampling excellent wines from this renowned Santa Ynez Valley producer, the food was an unexpected and truly delightful bonus.

California cuisine has always left a lasting impression on me due to its distinctive freshness, a quality that makes ingredients taste as if they were picked directly from a backyard garden. I experienced this vividly during a previous visit to Napa a few years ago, and the same profound sense of fresh, vibrant flavors permeated our lunch at Fess Parker. Pascale’s cooking philosophy resonated deeply with me: a profound focus on high-quality, seasonal ingredients, prepared simply to allow their natural flavors to shine. Each dish was a testament to her dedication to showcasing the bounty of the region.

A Taste of Pascale Beale’s Seasonal Menu

The menu for our afternoon feast was a celebration of local ingredients and exquisite flavors:

• Plum-Pluot & Goat Cheese Bruschetta: A delightful start, offering a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and creamy (pictured above).
• Caramelized Onion & Olive Tapenade Tart & Microgreens Salad: A dish inspired by her mother, showcasing rustic elegance and depth of flavor.
• Fig Leaf Roasted Salmon with Fig-Fennel Relish Herb Filled Forbidden Rice: The star of the meal, with perfectly cooked salmon, fragrant relish, and nutritious forbidden rice (pictured above).

For dessert, we indulged in two delightful options:

• Citrus Pots de Creme with Marmalade Shortbread: A light, tangy, and creamy dessert complemented by buttery shortbread.
• Eton Mess: A delightful and refreshing classic, loved by all!

Pascale Beale: From Humble Gestures to Culinary Friendship

Pascale herself was a truly charming and modest host. Though reserved, her passion for food shone brightly as she eloquently described each menu item. Even more captivating were her personal anecdotes, particularly the story of her friendship with the legendary Julia Child. This remarkable connection began with a simple, kind gesture: Pascale dropping off a gift of homemade preserves for Julia Child during a visit to Santa Barbara. This small act of generosity blossomed into a continuous dialogue and a genuine friendship between two women who shared an profound love for cooking and the joy it brings. It was touching to see her pictured above with her mother, who she called upon to assist during our memorable lunch, highlighting the warmth and family spirit behind her culinary endeavors.

Many of us were so captivated by Pascale’s culinary artistry and gracious personality that we couldn’t resist purchasing a signed copy of her beautiful cookbook, “Salade.” I can easily envision this becoming the first of a collection of Pascale Beale cookbooks adorning my bookshelf, serving as a constant source of inspiration for fresh, seasonal cooking.

Princess Cruises: Curating Unforgettable Shore Excursions

One profound takeaway from my experience cruising with Princess is their unwavering commitment to enhancing the travel journey through meticulously planned destinations and excursions. They truly take pride in crafting experiences that cater to a wide array of interests. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a culinary enthusiast, a passionate sightseer, or someone yearning for nature-based encounters, Princess Cruises offers a thoughtfully curated selection of shore excursions. This dedication ensures that every guest can find an activity that perfectly complements their cruising adventure, adding depth and excitement to their voyage.

Ahhh… as I always say, take me back to those beautiful vineyards and delectable flavors! Cheers to more unforgettable travel moments with Princess Cruises!

Capturing Memories: My Travel Photography Gear

For capturing all these wonderful memories, I recently invested in a new travel camera: the Samsung NX500 28 MP Wireless Smart Mirrorless Digital Camera. You can see many of the high-quality photos taken with this camera in my first Princess Cruise post, as well as in this article (though a couple of today’s photos were also snapped using my iPhone). This camera has proven to be the perfect “big” camera solution, offering exceptional image quality in a compact body, making it ideal for travel and capturing every detail of your adventures without being cumbersome.