Top chef joins Folktale Winery
The transformation of Carmel’s former Chateau Julien estate into Folktale Winery accelerates this spring with the addition of chef Todd Fisher to the Folktale cast of characters. Fisher is a well-respected figure in Central Coast restaurant circles who has ruled over the kitchen at Tarpy’s Roadhouse for the past three years, and also gained a measure of fame as host of the “United States of Bacon,” a food-travel show that aired on Discovery’s Destination America channel.
Fisher is part of a larger effort to re-energize the gorgeous but staid destination with a new emphasis on locally sourced food, organic farming, musical performance and community events.
Folktale owner Gregory Ahn acquired the 16-acre estate on Carmel Valley Road with its French-style chateau in 2015 and has renovated the grounds and interior spaces with indoor-outdoor seating, table service, garden games including giant Jenga and cornhole toss, and a 2-acre organic kitchen garden. The 5-acre estate vineyard is being transitioned to certified organic production. The exterior of the chateau, with its fairytale white plaster and peaked roofs, remains unchanged.
Fisher plans to roll out a new allday menu on April 1, greatly expanding the current offerings of charcuterie, fruit and nuts with an array of robust proteins, shared plates and seasonal specialties from the garden.
“We are going to capitalize on our location not only for great wines, but for great vegetables right out of the ground,” Fisher said. “We will do the best homegrown green tomato, Gruyere and grand Gouda sandwich — the stretchiest cheese sandwich out there. We can pair sweet, ripe tomatoes with burrata. And I will be playing with the idea of house-made chips — not just potatoes but thinsliced acorn squash and kales and crispy, salty Brussels leaves. Things that will play well with our wine.”
Additional introductions at Folktale include Yoga in the Vines, live music performances, seasonal vineyard feasts and special events such as writing workshops. For prices, dates and details check the Folktale calendar of events at www.folktalewinery.com.
Folktale Winery 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, (831) 293-7500. Tasting room hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.