Destiny Reigns at Carmody McKnight

Had it not been for the Miss America Pageant, Marion McKnight, Miss America 1957, would never have met her future husband, Gary Conway (born Gareth Monello Carmody), actor and screenwriter. Because of her competition scholarships, Marion was able to attend and graduate from the University of California-Los Angeles with a degree in Language Arts. At the same time, Gary was an art history major there. But there’s more to the story (and yes, it involves wine).

A few weeks ago, I was invited to the Paso Robles home of Marion McKnight and Gary Conway to learn about their continuing story. Gracious, entertaining and candid, both said more than once that the Miss America pageant scholarship was a catalyst in bringing them together. A firm believer in destiny, I was hooked.

The Carmody McKnight Story

Gary explained that his love and talent for art afforded him full scholarships to three distinguished art schools in the United States, but he chose UCLA. At his home, I noticed Gary’s striking paintings exuding color and vibrancy that grace the home’s walls and to this day, he paints in his studio. Gary is also a gifted violinist who had a contract with Liberty Records and based on his art degree, pursued architecture and building. Yet, it’s his television and film career that launched him into celebrity status. Gary starred in Burke’s Law (a show that was on television when I walked in the house!) and Land of the Giants, a cult favorite for many. Leading roles and production credits in The Farmer, Black Gunn, and Once is Not Enough led to his position as director of the film Woman’s Story and screenwriting opportunities for films such as Over the Top and the American Ninja series. I could go on and on…

Marian McKnight is equally accomplished. A high school valedictorian, Marian received her first full scholarship at South Carolina’s Coker College in her home state. Due to the Miss America program, she received four scholarships for academic and national merit achievement as well as for outstanding leadership qualities. Because Marion won the Miss America title, she also received a full supporting scholarship enabling her to complete her academic career at UCLA where she was a straight-A student. Marion, too, is an actress and has been in a myriad of commercials and television shows, has represented Revlon, Evan-Piccone, Philco, General Foods and other notable companies as their public relations director or spokesperson, has worked in state and congressional agencies and continues to support special charities. Marian and Gary have two children. Explore Marion and Gary’s compelling story, by clicking here.

If these achievements aren’t enough, the couple founded Carmody McKnight, a winery in Paso Robles, California, in the 1980s. Originally, the intention was to “buy a lot and build” for a vacation home since each had thriving careers based in Los Angeles. However, the universe had another plan.

Marion was already in Paso Robles for the weekend with friends when Gary and their realtor surveyed properties from a helicopter. The helicopter crashed on land located on Chimney Rock Road in what is now the Adelaida District of the Paso Robles AVA. Gary’s comment after exiting the helicopter? “I’m going to buy this place!” Another moment of fate?

“This place” was 320 acres of land that had been “formed 26 million years ago by three volcanoes emerging in lava fire from out of an inland sea.” Gary shared that the land was “the only place I visited where the blue color of the sky was the same as the horizon.” In 1965, a few hours after crashing, the deed was signed. The family planted 69 acres of Chardonnay and Bordeaux red varietals in 1985 and in 1989, the first vintage, “Silver Canyon,” was bottled.

By 1995, international soil studies began. It was discovered that the property’s limestone-calcareous soils help characterize land on the west side of Paso Robles. Rife with nutrients and minerals, especially calcium montmorillonite that’s unique to this specific slice of land, the wines, all organic, produced at Carmody McKnight exude concentrated flavors and unique character. For more about winery and specifically the studies, click here. 

The Miss America Foundation

Throughout our conversations, Marion and Gary mentioned the importance of the Miss America pageant and its scholarships, crucial elements that brought them together. Both avidly support the Miss America Foundation by helping to raise funds at events throughout the United States. At the core of these events are the Forever Miss America portfolio of wines produced at Carmody McKnight.

Separate from the Miss America Organization is the Miss America Foundation, a 501c (3) nonprofit that offers “academic and community-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as endowed scholarships for young women attending medical school, working in special areas for military service awareness and in the entertainment field. Founded in 2012, the Miss America Foundation 2022 gave $75K in scholarships to 14 deserving young women. According to Joel Ballesteros, Chairman of the Miss America Foundation, the mission is to “empower women to pursue their career with scholarships.”

The Forever Miss America Scholarship is an endowed scholarship that awarded $5K this year to Tally Bevis, Miss Tennessee. This year, Marian McKnight and Gary Conway are hosting or participating in events that feature their Forever Miss America portfolio of wines. A fundraiser in California’s Orange County and private events in Florida featuring a series of concerts and possibly movie screenings are planned. Not only are Marian and Gary Conway supporting the Foundation, other Miss America winners have the opportunity to raise funds for this specific scholarship. Many do just that as a way to “give back.”

Forever Miss America wines of Carmody McKnight

Soon after our lively conversation at their home, I met Marion McKnight and friends at Thomas Hill Organics in Paso Robles where limited production Forever Miss America wines (each priced at $92) were paired with a specially prepared menu of dishes.

Cabernet Franc 2019 Estate Collection offered lively aromas of lush red fruit, dried herbs and fresh picked violets. Notes of cranberries, red currant, spice and minerality were balanced and the finish lingered. Paired with duck confit salad, kabocha puree, kale, pomegranate gastrique and duck fat, this wine was exceptional.

 

Next, rack of lamb with potato puree, fried shallots and mint & Marcona gremolata was savored with sips of Merlot 2019 Estate Collection. Memorable aromas of violets, chocolate covered cherries, mint and juicy blueberries led to fresh flavors of spice, blackberries, wet moss and bramble framed with bright acidity and firm tannins.

Our third course was a stunner with chocolate dipped pears alongside Meyer lemon zest, fresh cherries, cabernet reduction and tuille crème. The Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Estate Collection was an elegant pairing thanks to intense notes of cassis, cherries, anise, blackcurrant liqueur and hints of smoke on the nose and palate. Satin-like tannins and moderate acidity gave structure to this magnificent wine.

The Miss America Organization brought Marion McKnight and Gary Conway together, a profound and inspiring element to their story. Now, 100% of the proceeds from the purchase of each Forever Miss America wine helps support the Miss America Foundation and its Forever Miss America scholarship.

It was destiny that Marion McKnight and Gary Conway should meet – The Miss America scholarship made it happen. And if fate allows, future scholarship winners will experience life-changing events of their own.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

Please consider supporting the Miss American Foundation. With your contribution, more young women are empowered in a multitude of ways. You may donate here.