He bought a ranch near Santa Maria when his children were growing up and bred cattle there for 15 years In 1987 he put in an offer for the ranch in Foxen Canyon. Looking at the neighbouring Firestone Vineyard one day, he said to his friend Bill Hampton: “Do you reckon I could grow grapes on my property?” It was as simple as that In 1988 he laid his plans In 1989 he planted his first vines. Now he and his son Eli run an award-winning winery.He still gets to perform, however. On Thursday nights, if you’re staying at the inn, you can join in the regular singalong.

(His wife was once a professional singer.) Cheryl Ladd (Farrah Fawcett’s replacement in the original Charlie’s Angels) occasionally pops in, and Jane Russell also lives in the area and enjoys a good tune. I wonder aloud if he sings the theme tune to Davy Crockett (I’ve been humming it under my breath since he walked in) He admits it has been known. It sold seven million copies when it was first released in 1955. It was nominated for an Oscar, but was beaten on a technicality ­ it was from a television show rather than a movie and so was disqualified “Love is a Many Splendoured Thing” won instead. Spoilsports.Following the region’s wine trails, it’s easy to understand the appeal. Two loops ­ the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Trail and the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail ­ are marked with white wooden signposts by the local Vintners’ Association, which also provides a handy map. The area is scattered with impossibly picturesque small towns; Santa Ynez, Ballard (little more than a village), Los Olivos, and the unexpected Danish town of Solvang, complete with windmills.

From the Fess Parker Inn in Los Olivos, Foxen Canyon Road climbs through a sylvan idyll of rolling hills, with wide views out over grand old Californian oaks and vineyards. My first stop is the Zaca Mesa Winery, situated on a plateau and one of the highest vineyards in Santa Barbara County. The tasting room and shop are housed in a big old barn, with hiking trails behind. Further on is an even more “rustic” property, a weathered barn with hand-painted sign declaring Foxen’s Open.