William P. (Bill) Foley II has come a long way from his West Texas Panhandle, cattle ranching roots. The former head of Fidelity Financial and current Chairman of the Fidelity Board of Directors wanted to create a legacy for his family. So in 1996 bought what is now Lincourt Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. Next he created Foley Estates Vineyard and Winery, located on 480 acres, of which about 240 are planted with vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills of Santa Barbara. Foley Estates produces classic and highly regarded Burgundian style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

But Foley also has purchased other wineries and now owns over 25 different brands. His acquisitions follow Foley’s hands-off approach for each of his wine brands, while still demanding impeccably high standards, and he allows each and winery to showcase their individuality. But it is his eponymous winery which seems to always steal the show. Focusing on predominately Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Foley Estate consistently produces some of the best wines in the now-booming Santa Rita Hills. “We now have all of our 2009 Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays available to taste and purchase in our tasting room,” says hospitality manager Jesse Barter. “That is six different Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays coming from Rancho Santa Rosa, Bar Lazy S, T-Anchor, JA Ranch, Barrel Select and Two Sisters,” the various labels with the Foley Estates portfolio.

If you’re a fan of these varieties you need to know they offer three different tasting options. There is their regular tasting which offers a selection of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for $10. They also have an all Chardonnay tasting for $10.00, and an all Pinot Noir tasting for $15.00. But if you really want to treat yourself well, they offer a private wine and cheese pairing for $20.00 per person. “This tasting does require at least 24 hours advance reservations and sells out quickly.” Barter says. Having sampled this tasting myself, it’s truly a luxurious experience. “Our wine and cheese pairing starts off with a glass of our Steel Chardonnay. Your host will then guide you to an exclusive setting where you will sample six of our wines with artisan cheeses and breads. This is an experience not to be missed.” But there are other wines as well at Foley including Pinot Grigio, and a dry rosé and bottle prices range from $18 to $75.

But someone has to make all these wines of course and that task falls to winemaker Leslie Mead Renaud. “I am very excited to be working with several hundreds of acres of world class vineyards with Foley and Lincourt,” she says. “They encompass two different appellations and an incredible array of climates. The soil profiles, clones, and rootstocks contain many different parameters than those I have dealt with previously. This enables me to work with many different flavor profiles that will give many exciting blending options. Also, the later ripening fruit allows for greater complexity,” she adds. Like most winemakers, her philosophy is to show the best expression of the vineyard possible, and to manipulate the fruit as minimally as she is able. She spends lots of time in the vineyard throughout the year, and makes daily trips to the vineyard during harvest to determine when the fruit is ripe and ready to pick. “I don’t inoculate for primary fermentation or for malolactic fermentation so that the difference between individual vineyard blocks is more apparent,” she says. “This is not to say that I am a non-interventionist. I believe in using as many analytical techniques along the way as possible which allows me to correct a situation before there is a problem, rather than having to take drastic steps to correct one after the fact,” she adds. And by the looks of it, there aren’t problems as Foley wines continue to reap accolades.

And people flock to Foley not only for the wines, but the beautiful 3,500 square foot tasting room is located amongst a sea of vines. “For those who have not been inside our tasting room over the last few months we have some changes inside as well. We have installed our new gas fireplace, so it makes a great setting to come and sip some wonderful wine in front of our fireplace during the winter,” Barter notes. And on the calendar is their annual Chuck Wagon Brunch on Saturday April 21st from 10 a.m. to noon. This event is the same day as Santa Barbara County Vintners Festival and makes a great start to a day of sumptuous Santa Barbara wines. It is held on the Rancho Santa Rosa Property, in front of the tasting room.