Imagine sitting in a lounge chair on a private deck overlooking acres of grape vineyards which sit at the base of the golden foothills. You are sipping rare, handcrafted wine crushed from the very grapes that you are gazing upon, nibbling on locally-made cheese, and watching the sunset.

It sounds like the scene from a chateau in southern France or from a hidden-away Tuscan villa. But this experience for which people travel across the seas does not require an airline ticket, or even a full tank of gas for those in Selma and Kingsburg.

In less than the time it takes to watch a half-hour sitcom, those in search of a unique getaway can travel to the Cedar View Winery and Sequoia View Bed and Breakfast.

Whether it be to sample wines handcrafted at their on-site cellar room, or to steal away for a romantic evening in one of three cozy suites, this Valley retreat will leave local visitors with a far-from-home feeling.

The Cedar View Winery and Sequoia View Bed and Breakfast are located only a few minutes from Reedley, a quarter mile south of Kings Canyon Road. Its close proximity to the entrance of Kings Canyon National Park has brought visitors from around the world to this local treasure. Proprietors Jim and Debbie Van Haun see no reason why the area nestled between Jesse Morrow and Campbell mountains can't be California's next Napa Valley or Paso Robles.

"Everyone calls us the pioneers out here," Jim said, as he and Debbie were the first to start a winery in the area when they moved to the Valley from Orange County 10 years ago.

Now, after 20 years of working at the at the Orange County Water District, the Van Hauns are happily living out their dream.

"We'd stayed at a lot of bed and breakfasts, and knew this was something we really wanted to do," Debbie said.

Their peaceful, isolated location is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Southern California, but the couple agrees that the change was a welcome one.

When they purchased the 20-acre property, it was already home to a vineyard. The vines produce Alicante Bouschet and Viognier -- grapes that do well in southern France, an area known for its elegant wines. Many of the varieties produced at Cedar View Winery are made from grapes grown on-site, while others come from various vineyards around the state.

Alicante Bouschet, the winery's estate "flagship" grape, is made as a popular award-winning red wine, as well as a very rare Rose.

Other rare varieties produced by Cedar View Winery include a Tinta Cao and Touriga, two full-bodied red wines with Portuguese ancestry. Their Old Vine Grenache comes from the George Saroyan Vineyard, planted in 1957, and is a multi-award winner. The Van Hauns also produce one of Spain's most popular rare varieties, a Tempranillo, along with small, hand-crafted lots of Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.

Throughout the year, the winery hosts winemaking classes and luncheons, along with four-course dinners on their outdoor patio in the spring and fall.

The tasting room is open from noon to 5 p.m. on the weekends, and by appointment. Guests receive a logo wine glass for the $3 tasting fee. Cedar View's various wines can be purchased in the tasting room, along with local olive oils, jams and jellies.

When the Van Hauns moved to the Valley, there were two homes on their new property. They live in one, and the other, which was built in 1950, has been restored and converted into a quaint little two-suite bed and breakfast. The ultimate romantic getaway, the Zinfandel Suite has a fireplace next to the bed and a huge Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom. Many newlyweds and anniversary couples have enjoyed the cozy intimacy of this room.

The adjacent Alicante Suite has a large sitting room off the bedroom -- a comfy home away from home. The lovely front porch of the rustic house would be the perfect place to cozy up with a glass of wine on a summer evening.

"At night, there's no light out here, so the stars are just beautiful," Debbie said.

The third choice for overnight guests is located above the wine tasting room. The Winemaker's Suite, with its own private verandah, boasts amazing views of the vineyards and the foothills beyond. The sun streams through the windows, accenting the room's cheerful yellow walls and Tuscan-themed decor. A journal, which allows guests to leave comments on their stay, is signed by visitors from the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, New York City, Texas, Maryland, and Washington.

"We get people from all over the world," Jim said. "We've had a lot of people come in and say, 'This looks like southern France.'"

Each morning, guests staying at the suites are treated to a homemade breakfast at the Van Haun's residence. The menu features items like fresh-squeezed orange juice, homemade breads, fresh fruit, and frittatas.

Cedar View Winery's verandah has been the setting for numerous weddings and receptions. They can accommodate up to 90 people, with room for a live band and a dance floor.

Rates for the Sequoia View Bed and Breakfast range from $139-$179 per night. For more information, log onto cedarviewwinery.com, or call 787-9412.