Haute Living San Francisco July/August 2018

J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

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SAN FRANCISCO

LUXURY LIFESTYLE WITH PURPOSE

FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY

GET EXCITED FOR THE BEST 10 DAYS OF SUMMER

ANTONIO CASTELLUCCI LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM

PLUS

AN ARTFUL GUIDE TO UNION SQUARE AND THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

$20.00

INSIDE THE OPERA BALL A SNEAK PEEK OF THE SEASON’S GLITZIEST OPENING CELEBRATION

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UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS: WORLD-CLASS CARE

FOR ALL CHILDREN Nothing matters more to parents than their children’s health. And when kids face medical challenges, nothing makes a bigger difference than being cared for by pediatric specialists. Luckily for Bay Area families, our expert physicians are here to provide world-class care to all kids.

100% FOR KIDS Our pediatric specialists pinpoint problems quickly and design the most advanced and innovative treatments available. Through art, music, therapy dog visits, school sessions and other programming, we enable kids to be kids, even while in the hospital.

ADVANCING CHILDREN’S HEALTH Bridging bench and bedside, our scientists continually redefine how illnesses are diagnosed, treated, and cured.

We conducted a first-of-its-kind gene therapy, advanced the understanding of autism, and performed the world’s first surgery on a baby in the womb. These bold breakthroughs rely on our creativity, curiosity, and willingness to push boundaries to solve to daunting challenges.

PARTNER WITH US Because we’re committed to serving all children, we provide hundreds of millions of dollars in charity care each year – and we rely on our community to support that crucial mission. Visit give.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org to learn how you can help deliver hope and healing to kids in need and power trailblazing research to offer generations of children the promise of a healthier future.

TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT: TRANSFORMING NEUROSURGERY WITH VIRTUAL REALITY Imagine if a neurosurgeon could look inside a patient’s brain and see the exact location of a tumor and all that surrounds it. How much easier would it be to plan and execute a complex surgery?

Now there’s technology that lets them do just that. Our hospitals recently acquired innovative virtual reality technology that gives our neurosurgeons a never-before seen view of patients’ anatomy.

“This technology is unlike any platform I’ve experienced,” says Dr. Kurtis Auguste, director of pediatric epilepsy surgery. “I can plan a surgery and determine the best roadmap to reach a target in a way I never could before.”

It also helps communicate with patients and families.

Auguste fondly remembers the moment one 10-year-old epilepsy patient donned the virtual reality goggles.

“She starts reaching for her tumor in midair, and she’s smiling – two days before brain surgery,” he says. “That was something totally new to me.” Since her surgery, this patient has been completely seizure-free.

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GIVING BACK IN STYLE

From left to right: Chairman of the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Board of Directors Shahan Soghikian, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development Erin Hickey, Vicky Hiatt, Board Member Elisa Stad.

Dave Grohl performs with daughters Harper (center) and Violet (right).

From left to right: Nicole Holden, Michelle Zimmerman, Kevin Krystofiak, Jennifer Ritchey, Kristen Page.

GIVING BACK IN STYLE

With a Day at the Races,

CONVERSATIONS ON

From lavish galas to A-list

Our Kids Win Big

CHILDREN’S HEALTH

performances, volunteer

May 5, Kentfield

Trailblazing Pediatric

opportunities to glamor-

It was a day of fes-

Emergency Medicine

ous parties, our donors

tive hats, champagne,

April 26, San Francisco

hit the town and have fun

and generosity: More

When a child gets sick

while making a big dif-

than 200 community

or injured, it’s difficult to

ference for local children

members gathered for

know when to rush to the

and families.

a Kentucky Derby party

emergency room – and

hosted by the Ambas-

what to expect when you

NOTES & WORDS

sadors, a volunteer

get there. Our experts

Rock Star’s Daughter

group. The event raised

shared leading-edge

Wows Crowds

$160,000 for child life

technology and advances

May 12, Oakland

services at our San

from our emergency

Dave Grohl, frontman of

Francisco campus’ in-

rooms, including point-

rock band Foo Fighters,

ternationally recognized

of-care ultrasound and

joined renowned authors

Intensive Care Nursery.

needleless injections.

for the ninth annual Notes & Words benefit concert at the historic Fox Theater, raising more than $1.8 million for our

Join us!

Check out our event calendar at: give. ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/events

Oakland campus. But the real star of the show was his 12-year-old daughter Violet, who performed a pitch-perfect Adele cover – and made headlines around the country.

AMBASSADORS KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY

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SAN FRANCISCO

Congratulates Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty on its recent acquisition of Napa-based Heritage Sotheby’s International Realty, expanding it’s market presence throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

GoldenGateSIR.com | 415.381.7300

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Publisher’s LETTER

CONTACT OUR NEW PUBLISHER By emailing Olivia@ HauteLivingSF.com.

Keep up with us digitally at www.HauteLivingSF. com where you will find dozens of new stories about our beloved City

by The Bay!

W

e are proud and excited to be a media sponsor for two of the most luxurious charity events in the San Francisco Bay Area: San Francisco Opera Ball and Festival Napa

Valley. In this issue, we introduce you to the principal players who make these events possible.

On our cover, we’ve featured the co-chairs of 2018 Opera

Ball, Kathy Huber and Shannon Cronan, who discuss the tireless job of selling tickets to the ball. It’s not just a glamorous big party—it’s a significant fundraising event that supports the Opera Guild’s community outreach and education programs in Bay Area schools. The Opera’s general director Matthew Shilvock chimes in, sharing his passion for this season’s productions and the company’s mission of providing the best opera performances in SF. We preview Festival Napa Valley’s 10 magnificent days— July 20-29—that will delight and entertain with art, music, dance, and of course, the best wine and food imaginable in the gorgeous settings of the sponsoring Napa Valley wineries. We interviewed the festival’s founder Rick Walker and essential benefactor Maria Manetti Shrem to learn about the music and art programs they funded. We chatted with worldrenowned opera tenor Michael Fabiano—who is performing at the Festival on July 28—about his music education program, ArtSmart. We got up close and personal with Antonio Castellucci who is a board member and active supporter of

event: the celebration’s chef de cuisine, Nancy Oakes, and the host venue’s general manager, Patrick Nayrolles, of Meadowood.

We also profiled the ultimate billion-dollar buyer, Tilman J. Fertitta, who shares his business tips and talks about his new reality TV show on CNBC, Billion Dollar Buyer.

To kick-start your summer season, we highlight the newest and most fabulous fashion, cars, jets, yachts, and luxury homes along with haute travel, dining, drinks, and shopping.

In each issue, we donate two pages to a charity or community service organization. For this issue, we’re supporting the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and its mission of providing world class pediatric care. The hospital is consistently ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the state. We hope you are inspired by the incredible generosity of Marc and Lynne Benioff and donate to their fantastic cause.

Our wonderful ambassadors share what they have been up to over the past couple of months. BNY Mellon’s Richard Davis writes about preserving the value of haute couture. Kelly E. Carter covers two exciting new Napa Valley happenings. Sonya Molodetskaya gives readers a glimpse into her daily life, and Vicki Uslaner takes us inside the newly refurbished Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, one of my favorite hotels in the world.

Last but not the least, make sure you read our recap of luxury Bay Area events in The Scene and look for fun photos of you and friends.

Cheers to a luxury lifestyle with purpose,

the event. Check out this year’s programming calendar—this is one extravaganza you do not want to miss!

We highlight the 2018 Auction Napa Valley, the American Wine Classic now in its 38th year. It is the best wine auction in the world—this year it raised $13.6 million for Napa community charities. We catch up with two key figures from the

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CALIBER RM 07-01

RICHARD MILLE BOUTIQUES ASPEN • BAL HARBOUR • BEVERLY HILLS • BUENOS AIRES • LAS VEGAS • MIAMI • ST. BARTH • TORONTO NEW YORK CITY FLAGSHIP BOUTIQUE OPENING SOON

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Haute Living MAGAZINE PUBLISHER Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com EDITOR Katie Sweeney Katie@HauteLiving.com LIFESTYLE EDITOR Teresa Rodriguez Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com FEATURES EDITOR Laura Schreffler Laura@HauteLiving.com FINE AUTOS CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Tim Lappen TL@JMBM.com FASHION AMBASSADOR Sonya Molodetskaya podiumsf@yahoo.com WINE COUNTRY AMBASSADOR Kelly E. Carter Kelly@KellyeCarter.com TRAVEL AMBASSADOR Victoria Uslaner victoria.uslaner@fourseasons.com INVESTMENT AMBASSADOR Richard Davis richard.davis@bnymellon.com ART DIRECTOR Greg Concha Greg@HauteLiving.com ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Humberto Palomeque Humberto@HauteLiving.com DIRECTOR OF WEB DEVELOPMENT Saira Hotchandani Saira@HauteLiving.com WEBSITE EDITOR Katie Sweeney Katie@HauteLiving.com SUBSCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com ACCOUNTING Sarah Trissel st.bayarea@gmail.com LEGAL Carl Lippenberger carl@lippenbergerlaw.com Haute Living San Francisco Visit us at www.HauteLivingSF.com

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CALIBER RM 60-01 REGATTA

RICHARD MILLE BOUTIQUES ASPEN • BAL HARBOUR • BEVERLY HILLS • BUENOS AIRES • LAS VEGAS • MIAMI • ST. BARTH • TORONTO NEW YORK CITY FLAGSHIP BOUTIQUE OPENING SOON

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California Lifestyle Collection Belvedere Waterfront Home

55 West Shore Road, Belvedere 3 Beds | 3 Baths | $3,888,000 Deluxe Vacation at Home! Located on the coveted West Shore Road in Belvedere, this beautiful waterfront home was remodeled in 2011-2012. It offers 3 bedrooms, 3 Caesarstone bathrooms, a designer’s kitchen with an enormous stone island, spacious formal living room and dining area with high ceilings and sharing a two-sided large fireplace, wide plank White Oak hardwood floors throughout, luxurious full floor master suite with private terrace overlooking the Bay, a 2-car garage with ample storage, a laundry room with washing sink and level private gardens behind the gate.

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Main floor opening onto an approximately 1,000 square foot deck on the water’s edge with spectacular views of Sausalito, San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, which can be seen from the majority of the home. West Shore Road is flat, wide and straight; it offers ample street parking and easy access to Tiburon Boulevard and Highway 101. This bright and airy designer home offers the beautiful and relaxing ambiance of a luxury resort.

For photos and details, please visit: BelvedereShores.com

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

|

Lic.# 00712080

6/27/18 10:53 AM

California Lifestyle Collection 55 West Shore Road, Belvedere, California

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

55 West Shore.indd 3

|

Lic.# 00712080

6/27/18 10:53 AM

California Lifestyle Collection World Class Location with Magnificent Views

320 Belvedere Avenue, Belvedere 5 Beds | 3.5 Baths | $4,995,000

• 3.5 bathrooms • 4 fireplaces

Situated on Belvedere’s most exclusive street, this bright and airy home with stunning views of San Francisco, the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito offers 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4 marble fireplaces, multiple view decks off main living floor and bedrooms, elevator to 3 floors including the 2-car garage. Perched at the end of a private driveway, this home offers ample privacy, yet only minutes from downtown Tiburon/Belvedere where you will find restaurants, shops, a bike path, hiking trails, Ferry services to San Francisco & Angel Island, two world class yacht clubs, and tennis club.

For more detailed information, please visit: 320BelvedereAve.com

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• 5 bedrooms

• Elevator to 3 floors • Breathtaking views of SF, the Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito and Mt. Tam • Rebuilt in 1998 • Entry foyer with marble floor • Penthouse master with air conditioning, marble fireplace and a private garden • Steam shower in the guest bathroom • Ample storage rooms • Second laundry room is now a wine room • 2-car garage

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

|

Lic.# 00712080

6/27/18 10:56 AM

California Lifestyle Collection 320 Belvedere Avenue, Belvedere, California

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

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|

Lic.# 00712080

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Richard Davis - Lowell, CFPÂŽ Senior Director BNY Mellon Wealth Management 555 Mission Street, 19th Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 Direct: 415-951-4103 Cell: 650-703-0301 Fax: 415-951-4116 richard.davis@bnymellon.com www.bnymellonwealth.com

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Ranked Top 10 U.S. Wealth Manager by Barron’s in 2017 Named Best Private Bank for Customer Service in the U.S.

by Financial Times publications Professional Wealth Management and The Banker in 2017 Named Best Private Bank for Intergenerational Wealth Management by Global Finance Magazine

4/21/18 11:30 AM

A NEW ERA OF LUXURY FOR LAKE TAHOE

At Edgewood Tahoe, we've crafted new beginnings amongst a storied setting. Where loungers and roamers alike are met with personalized service, unprecedented stewardship, and unparalleled amenities. Edgewood is more than legendary restaurants, more than an acclaimed golf course, more than a serene spa. It is a setting for inspiration, a catalyst for adventure, a world-class destination to discover and enjoy.

154 Rooms & Suites•Award-Winning Resort Amenities•Unrivaled Lakefront Location• Minutes from Mountain Resorts, Casino Gaming, Historical Attractions, and More• Less than an Hour Drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport Learn more about special offers available at EdgewoodTahoe.com or 888-881-8659.

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TABLE of CONTENTS Scott Eastwood 6

PUBLISHERS’ LETTER

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WHAT’S ON THE WEB

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32

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HAUTE DRINKS

Why you need to be drinking rosé from France’s Languedoc region

Carrie Underwood performs in Napa, Che Fico is SF’s hottest new restaurant, and Kore Collective is our favorite place for shopping athleisure

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HAUTE FASHION

FEATURES

Inside Christian Dior’s Mexicaninspired resort show 20 Louis Vuitton’s World Cup win

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THE HAUTE LIST AUTO

The Ferrari GTC4LUSSO is fast, sexy, and case made The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is effortless everywhere

HAUTE YACHTS

Check out the Lexus Sport Yacht, the Bugatti Niniette 66, and more

HAUTE JETS

First class takes on a new meaning with the Gulfstream G650ER

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HAUTE DINNING

Chef Howard Ko finds his bearings at the Loews Regency’s new restaurant

WhyTilmanJ.Fertittaistheultimate billion-dollar buyer Opera sensation Michael Fabiano on his non-profit ArtSmart

COVER STORY

Our preview of the 2018 Opera Ball, ¡Viva la Noche!

FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY

60 Antonio Castellucci is living the American dream 64 Get excited for the 10 best days of Summer 72 Q&A with Meadowood’s

Patrick Nayrolles

HAUTE SHOPPING

Christopher Clark Fine Art Gallery’s director Mark Miles shares his guide to Union Square

Lang La

Haute Shopping

Haute Living Media Group hauteliving.com, hautetime.com, hauteresidence.com

ON THE COVER: SHANNON CRONAN AND KATHY HUBER PHOTOGRAPHY: JASON WELLS SHOT ON LOCATION AT 52 TUSCALOOSA, ATHERTON

14 Haute Fashion

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Haute Jets

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Antonio Castellucci and Carmen Policy

Festival Napa Valley

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88

Lang Lang

HAUTE RESIDENCE

The 5th annual real estate summit in New York

HAUTE TRAVEL

Bucket-list travel destinations around the world The Vintage House is your new home away from home in Yountville Highlights from Auction Napa Valley

HAUTE AMBASSADOR

90 A day in the life of Russian socialite Sonya Molodetskaya 92 Richard Davis-Lowell’s tips for preserving the value of haute couture 94 Kelly E. Carter attends two

new events in Napa 98 Step inside the Four Seasons Hotel

George V with Victoria Uslaner

SCENE

100 Highlights from the Bay Area’s most

luxurious events

HAUTE SEAT

120 Chef Nancy Oakes out of the kitchen

The One&Only, Palmilla.

Festivavl Napa Valley

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On theWEB

CHE FICO IS SF’S HOTTEST NEW RESTAURANT New restaurants open in San Francisco on a daily basis but rarely does one attract as much attention as Che Fico. It’s been open for less than four months, but the Divisadero Street Italian eatery already counts Anderson Cooper and Gwyneth Paltrow among its biggest fans. So what makes Che Fico so unique? Well, everything. Chef and owner David Nayfeld—along with chef Angela Pinkerton and business partner Matt Brewer—have created a highly-anticipated restaurant that serves comforting rustic cuisine in an Instagrammable atmosphere. It’s the sort of whole package eatery that only comes along once in awhile.

CONNECT Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

We’re your guide to all things haute in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as Mexico City, London, Dubai, and other cities around the world.

KORE COLLECTIVE IS YOUR NEW DESTINATION FOR LUXE WORKOUT WEAR Located on Union Street, Kore Collective is a gorgeous and inviting boutique with an expertly curated selection of leggings, sports bras, tops, and more. It’s one of the few places in SF where you can shop Varley, Koral, Monrow, and P.E. Nation. It’s the first and only store to offer San Franciscans certain brands like Alala, Olympia Activewear, and Live the Process.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD SHINES AT INTIMATE SHOW IN NAPA Everyone from Lenny Kravitz to Haim has performed at Live in the Vineyard. Started in 2008 by Bobbii Hach Jacobs, the multi-day music festival takes place in Napa twice yearly. Attendees are sweepstake winners who receive tickets from special radio station promotions.

In May, the team hosted a country-themed extravaganza—Live in the Vineyard Goes Country. The highlight of the event was a showstopping concert by Carrie Underwood at Blue Note Napa.

AYESHA CURRY’S WINE, DOMAINE CURRY, HITS THE MARKETT Restaurateur and culinary personality Ayesha Curry has launched a wine label. Domaine Curry is a partnership between Ayesha and her sister-in-law, Sydel Curry. Sydel is Warriors basketball star Stephen Curry’s little sister. The Curry women have teamed up with John Schwartz of Napa’s Coup de Foudre winery.

Domaine Curry’s first release is a 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: JAY PAUL COMPANY, WILL BUCQOUY/LITVGC, DREW ALTIZER, EUGENIA MAN, AND DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

HAUTE LIVING APP Find out what’s happening in San Francisco and get the inside scoop on the latest restaurants, shops and night life spots on the Haute Living app.

LUXURY TOWER 181 FREMONT OPENS ITS DOORS 181 Fremont is a new luxury highrise from the Jay Paul Company. The building has a unique exterior of zig-zagging steel. Global engineering firm Arup anchored the structure by drilling over 260 feet into bedrock; this makes 181 Fremont one of the most resilient highrises in the country. It will suffer from minimal disruption in the case of a massive earthquake. There are 55 residences, and the 6,941-square-foot, five-bedroom penthouse that takes up the entire top floor is going for $42 million. Orlando Diaz-Azcuy designed these stunning homes.

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HAUTEFashion

PHOTOS: CHRISTIAN DIOR CELEB PHOTOS IN FRONT OF DIOR SIGN: PASCAL LE SEGRETAIN/GETTY IMAGES FOR CHRISTIAN DIOR

BY DEYVANSHI MASRANI

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHANEL

FRENCH FASHION MEETS MEXICAN TRADITION The Christian Dior Cruise ’19 show fuses the brand’s French roots with Mexican tradition in Chantilly, France.

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HAUTEFashion

The mere name “Christian Dior” exudes French sophistication—so we were not surprised to see just how gorgeously elegant the fashion house’s new Cruise 2019 collection looked on the runway in Chantilly, France.

The show was masterfully put together by Maria Grazia Chiuri—the brand’s first female artistic director—combining Dior’s French heritage with a Southwestern chic aesthetic, drawing inspiration from Mexican female rodeo riders called “escaramuzas.” Notable attendees included influencers Aimee Song, Alexa Chung, Camila Coelho, Chiara Ferragni, Paris Jackson and Negin Mirsalehi.

Though the collection was deeply rooted in tradition, Chiuri put the two regions together for an overall, modern look and feel. She used varied fabrics and combined unexpected materials, including a French classic, “toile de Jouy,” lace, rubber, Japanese cotton and leather. Models walking the runway wore full, ornate skirts that were narrowed at the waist to maintain a feminine shape, further emphasized with thick waist belts, along with fitted jackets.

Juxtaposing materials were also put together for an unanticipated, yet welcomed combination, such as delicate lace with black rubber boots, further highlighting the marriage between the past and the present. Additionally, Chiuri drew inspiration from “The House of the Spirits,” Chilean writer Isabel Allende‘s first novel, which showcases a cast of independent female characters.

To complete the looks, some models wore Chiuri’s remake of the iconic Dior Saddle bag and wide-brimmed straw hats, envisioned and created by Stephen Jones, while droplets of rain graced the runway perfectly and female riders on their white horses galloped through the sanded area in the middle of the gorgeously appointed space. The overall result was a strong collection of clothing and accessories, worn by powerful and assertive women supporting each other and overcoming gender barriers.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF COACH

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HAUTEFashion

BY DEYVANSHI MASRANI

LOUIS VUITTON FOR THE (WORLD CUP) WIN For the third year, Louis Vuitton partners with the FIFA World Cup to launch an exclusive line of limited-edition products for this year’s tournament in Russia.

Louis Vuitton has had a longstanding relationship with the FIFA World Cup, partnering with the iconic and biggest worldwide sporting event in 2010 in South Africa and again in 2014 in Brazil. For its third time around, the famed French fashion house has created three special projects: A special-order FIFA World Cup Trophy Travel Case, a limited-edition FIFA World Cup Official Match Ball Collection Trunk and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Official Licensed Product Collection.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Travel Case will safely house and display the legendary FIFA World Cup Trophy during the opening match on June 14th and the final match on July 15th at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Hand-made in the LV workshops in Asnières, France, the new design combines Louis Vuitton’s unique ability to fuse traditional and contemporary aesthetics together with functionality.

The second project will be a limited-edition FIFA World Cup Official Match Ball Collection Trunk, inspired by the House’s world-famous, traditional wardrobe trunks. Inside the trunk, which is sure to instantly become a collector’s item, re-editions of each of the 13 World Cup match balls will be placed, all of which were used in the FIFA World Cup tournaments since 1970. The match balls will be specially made by Adidas, while one additional soccer ball will be designed exclusively by Louis Vuitton.

The last project is the Louis Vuitton 2018 FIFA World Cup Official Licensed Product Collection. The capsule will include exclusive leather goods, such as the Keepall bag, the Apollo bag and a selection of small leather goods, made with LV’s recognizable Epi leather, which made its PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON

debut in the 1920s. Most of the styles will be available in three color combinations, while the hexagonal design— using a “three-stage embossing procedure that is both innovative and based upon the House’s historic savoirfaire” mimics the look of a classic soccer ball. Additionally, a made-to-order Keepall bag will be available with eight colors, while an Epi leather luggage tag may also be embossed with the national flag of one of the 35 countries participating in the tournament.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON

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BY TIM LAPPEN

TheHAUTE LISTAuto FERRARI GTC4LUSSO Luxury, All-Wheel Drive, Fast, Sexy – Case Made

I think that Enzo Ferrari was brought to this planet solely to create amazing cars. Just his name alone qualified him to follow that path (or autobahn). A rose by any other name, and all that, but still -- would the name Smith Testarossa or Jones LaJones or Lee GTO work quicken the pulse and highten the senses? I think not but, luckily, we didn’t have to make that choice. Ferrari it is.

And one of the newest delights from the atelier of Maranello is the Ferrari GTC4Lusso (as is their wont, the Ferrari folks dispensed with spaces in the naming of some of their cars – maybe they want you to pronounce it as quickly as it goes). The name does not require too much decryption to figure out – it is a Grand Touring Coupe, four-wheel drive and it’s sumptuously luxurious (“lusso” is Italian for “luxury”).

The stats give you a good inking of what’s coming toward you at warp speed:

6.3 liter naturally-aspirated (no turbo) V-12 producing 680 horsepower

About 515 pounds of torque

Compression ratio of 13.5:1 (that’s unusually potent for a street car)

0-60 in about three seconds

Top speed a click under 210 miles per hour

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASTON MARTIN

LUXURIOUS touches around.

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The GTC4Lusso is the successor to the Ferrari FF, a car which looked similar but has less-fluid lines and, to my eye, was much less-attractive. On the other hand, I actually love the GTC4Lusso from all angles, as some of these photos will attest.

The car awakes with the familiar bark of a feral V12 then burbles at the ready. Select whichever driving mode you like on the Manettino (Italian for “little switch”) on the steering wheel -- a la Formula 1 -- and off you go, using the paddle shifters or, if you deserve a break today, in fully-automatic mode. Either way, you will experience a terrific sound and a wonderful ride wherever you’re heading.

GTC4Lussos start at about $298,000 but “mine” had a couple of bells and a number of whistles, most notably (expensively) a panaoramic glass roof (add $20,249), special Ferrari paint (a gorgeous metallic grey, another $12,486) and a nose lifter (plus $6,749), giving it a total sticker of about $377,000.

Unfortunately, I did not get to experience the GTC4Lusso on a road trip (the Ferrari handlers told me that LA-NY was out of the question) but I assume that it would have been a marvelous trip. (Did you know that, for many years, the NY-LA driving record is held by Dan Gurney, driving a Ferrari Daytona, in under 36 hours?) But every drive I had, and everyone who bummed a ride or just stopped to talk about the car, absolutely loved it. But then, perchè no.

A supercar with a snarling front grille.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASTON MARTIN

A lifelong petrolholic, mechanic (cars, motorcycles, boats), and automotive journalist since penning a column for his high school newspaper, internationally recognized attorney Tim Lappen is a partner at a major Los Angeles–based law firm, where he chairs the firm’s Family Office Group and its Luxury Home Group and is, of course, a member of its Motor Vehicle Group. He can be reached at tlappen@gmail.com.

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BY TIM LAPPEN

TheHAUTE LISTAuto

ROLLS-ROYCE CULLINAN “Effortless, Everywhere” Isn’t Just a Slogan Say hello to my big friend, the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan, named after (of course) the world’s largest diamond. It’s the world’s first “three-box” SUV as it’s available with a glass partition separating the passengers from the luggage—as they should be. It proclaims that it is “effortless, everywhere,” and it doesn’t disappoint.

In a vehicle of its weight (one supermodel shy of 6,000 pounds), it was clear that prodigious power would be required, and the Cullinan delivers. With a twin-turbo V12 motor, the output is over 560 horsepower and over 625 pounds feet of torque, so it’s sure to do well when towing, off-roading or at a Grand Prix stoplight.

So how does Rolls-Royce provide its famous “Magic Carpet Ride” in the Cullinan? Very well, thank you, due to the marriage of a new, lighter aluminum frame, self-leveling air suspension, all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering, coupled with a very sophisticated computer control system that allows the suspension to make millions of calculations every second, relying on input from the body, wheels, steering input and even camera information. Clever? You bet—the air suspension system even can push down on any wheel that needs some assistance with traction.

The Cullinan also has the highest wading depth of any luxury SUV—over 21 inches.

And the interior? To the sumptuous leathers and fine woods, which you would expect, add the creature comforts of the aforementioned partition between the back seat and cargo area and heated elements including armrests, front console lid and even the rear center armrest. The Cullinan is the closest you will get to taking The Peninsula Hotel living room for a jaunt.

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan clearly embodies all of the laudable values and capabilities that drove Rolls-Royce’s two founding fathers—the Honorable Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce—to secure the marque’s reputation early in the last century, as it took top honors in rigorous public adventures such as the Scottish Reliability Trials, the London to Edinburgh event and the Alpine PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROLLS-ROYCE

Trials. While many Cullinans may get more experience with Starbucks Hamptons than the Scottish Highlands, it’s obviously a vehicle that can take you anywhere you want to go . . . effortlessly.

Want more? See the full-length article at https://www.hautetime.com/rolls-royce-cullinan-effortless-everywhere-isnt-just-slogan/87276/.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROLLS-ROYCE

LUXE-SUV Rear seats can fold together or separately, the cockpit has a widescreen view and the stance is both unmistakably RollsRoyce and clearly.

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BY STEVE CHALMERS

LuxuryCORNER Haute Yacht

MERCEDES-BENZ ARROW460-GRANTURISMO With the Mercedes-Benz range spanning everything from the X-Class pickup truck to the ultra-luxury Maybach subbrand, there is much scope for the company when it comes to building an oceangoing craft. While AMG’s collaboration with Cigarette Racing is covering the high-performance side, it was up to the United Kingdom’s Silver Arrows Marine to create a suitable luxury cruiser, the Arrow460-Granturismo.

Here, sumptuous luxury comes before outright performance, as the Arrow460-Granturismo has been designed to pamper more than thrill. That’s not to say that the 460’s twin six-cylinder turbo diesels can’t raise a smile, but once you see the interior, you’ll understand that this is an S-Class that just happens to float.

Up to 10 guests can relax in the Granturismo’s interior, with its large glazing and open layout creating a light, bright and spacious feeling. The blue and gray color scheme is complemented by the fine grain eucalyptus with Mercedes S-Class air conditioning ushering in the conditioned air. Only 10 460s will initially be built, and if you’re interested, prices start at around $1.7 million. www.silverarrowsmarine.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VARIOUS

THERE’S A DEFINITE HINT OF S-CLASS COUPE IN THE 460’S DESIGN.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY VARIOUS

THE LARGE COCKPIT AREA AND EXTENDING REAR PLATFORM OFFER THE PERFECT AREA FOR RELAXING OR WATERSPORTS.

Conceived as a day cruiser for up to 10 people, the cabin can transform easily from lounge to dining area to bedroom for two

YACHTS_6_13.indd 27

The 460’s interior emphasis is on unobtrusive, built-in systems and automated controls

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BY STEVE CHALMERS

LuxuryCORNER Haute Yacht

LEXUS SPORT YACHT Did you know that Toyota builds boats? That may come as a surprise, but what’s even more astonishing is the range of dinky Ponams is seriously cool. These fun little cruisers are extremely easy to fall in love with. After one trip, Toyota’s president, Akio Toyoda, was so impressed he decided he wanted to see what sort of boat his luxury Lexus division could come up with. The result is the Lexus Sport Yacht. Powered by two 885-horsepower Lexus V8s (based on those used in the high-performance RC F and GS F cars) this 42-foot sportster can hit a top speed of 42 knots with the throttles pushed forward, while up to eight guests can delight in the sound of 16 cylinders firing out a throaty chorus.

Although designed by Lexus in Japan, the actual build was handled by the Marquis-Carver Yacht Group in Wisconsin.

They made sure the hull’s carbon fiber reinforced plastic was up to the job handling-wise, while also perfecting the naval architecture. Unfortunately, Lexus has no intention of putting the Sport Yacht into production. It will remain as a one-off build that demonstrates the skills and flexibility of Lexus’ designers and craftsmen.

Photography by Various

www.lexus.com

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t

UP TO EIGHT GUESTS CAN BE ACCOMMODATED IN PURE LUXURY.

Photography by Various

The interior’s systems are touch-screen controlled

Over 950 horsepower is available from the big Lexus V8s

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LuxuryCORNER Haute Yacht

PHOTOGRAPHY VARIOUS

BY STEVE CHALMERS

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Only the minds at Bugatti could have come up with an onboard fire pit

The Jacuzzi can be covered when making way

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BUGATTI COLLABORATED WITH PALMER JOHNSON FOR THE PROJECT.

BUGATTI NINIETTE 66 Continuity is vitally important for your average multi-billionaire. One should always be aware of mixing style. Unless you’re a clown, never mix patterns, and if you want to be top of the jet set, your yacht should really match your car. Now joining AMG, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus is the high-performance king itself, Bugatti.

The Niniette 66 is the Bugatti Chiron’s big, brash, sailor brother; a 20-meter hyperyacht that combines the supercar’s signature design traits with a hull-full of innovation. Bugatti turned to Palmer Johnson for the 66’s naval architecture, a shipyard renowned for creating the finest

PHOTOGRAPHY VARIOUS

carbon fiber superyachts on the ocean. The Niniette is similarly formed out of the lightweight composite material, and combined with a pair of 1,000bhp MAN V8 turbo diesels, she’ll splash-up to a top speed of 44 knots.

Quite incredibly, the Chiron produces only 500hp less than the Niniette, but even the world’s fastest car can’t come close to the 66’s equipment list. Has the Chiron got a Jacuzzi in its boot lid? Does it have a champagne bar behind the driver’s seat? And we’re pretty sure a fire pit surrounded by five large sunpads is missing from the supercar’s options list. Chiron owners had better get their orders in quick, however, as Bugatti will only be producing 66 examples. An instant legend? Absolutely.

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www.bugattininiette.com

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BY: HARRIS MCALLISTER

TheHAUTE LISTJet

GULFSTREAM G650ER It may be stating the obvious, but traveling by Gulfstream G650ER is markedly superior to flying first class.

Flying first class with any airline is a fantastic experience. Picked up by limo, whisked to the luxury lounge, priority boarding and your very own personal booth, with flowing champagne and top-notch “room service.” With the likes of Etihad’s ultra-luxury apartment on the A380, commercial flights offer privileged fliers an incredible adventure, but compared to Gulfstream’s G650ER, the experience doesn’t even come close.

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TheHAUTE LISTJet The spacious, sumptuous cabin dwarfs any first-class flight.

ACCESSIBILITY

DESTINATIONS

any airliner. Hand-crafted seats cosset their passengers,

Quite often, business jet terminals share the same

You would automatically assume that a business jet,

and relaxing sofas are the ideal place to lounge while

space as airports. If you fancy a weekend away in

with its relatively small fuel load, would allow you to

making the most of the ER’s impressive entertainment

Monaco, your pilot will fly you into Nice, along with the

easily hop from one country to another without the need

systems.

scheduled airline flights. However, there are countless

for a top up. However, they can do much more than that.

private jet terminals scattered about the globe, with the

The Gulfstream G650ER, with its 27,442 kg fuel load, has

AIR PRESSURE

likes of London being serviced by eight private airports

a maximum range of 7,500 nautical miles—and this is

Another area where the G650ER completely outperforms

alone. Why join the throngs at Gatwick and Heathrow

travelling at Mach 0.85, with eight passengers and four

its first-class rivals can only be felt, not seen, as the air in

when London City Airport is three miles from Canary

crew members. Put into context, the Airbus A380, with

the cabin gets replenished with 100% fresh air every two

Wharf and the exclusive RAF Northolt (which does

its colossal 361,000 kg fuel capacity, can travel just 1,000

minutes. Air pressure is also unmatched, as at 45,000

have limited civilian slots) is a short, 20-minute drive

nautical miles more than the G650ER at the same speed.

feet, the cabin is pressurized to an altitude of 4,060 feet.

from Mayfair? This ability to land close to your intended

In city-pair connections, the G650ER can fly from Hong

The higher the cabin altitude, the less oxygen is taken

destination is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the

Kong to New York, Dubai to Atlanta, or Los Angeles to

up by the blood, with gases within the body expanding.

benefits of Gulfstream ownership.

Melbourne, all in complete luxury.

With a cabin altitude almost two times lower than

POWER

COMPLETE LUXURY

will arrive at their destinations less fatigued and more

The Gulfstream 650ER has the power to operate at

Not even Etihad’s A380 apartment can match the

alert—quite handy in a business situation.

all smaller, private airfields, with its twin Rolls-Royce

ER’s cabin amenities. Available with a choice of 12

BR725s producing 16,900 pounds of thrust, enabling

predefined floor plans (with the option of full custom

THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

it to takeoff in only 1,920 meters. Continuing with the

available), the 46 foot, 10-inch-long cabin has the feel of

Fast, safe and luxurious, Gulfstream’s G650ER is

numbers: With a 46,992 kg takeoff weight, the G650ER

a penthouse with its various staterooms, bathrooms and

arguably one of the finest business jets in the sky. The

can either be flown at shorter ranges with heavier

conference spaces. Adding to the feeling of space are

ability to fly high above commercial traffic and the

payloads, or more impressively, it has the flexibility to

the 16 panoramic windows—the largest in the industry

weather, plus that colossal range, make it a city-pair

fly longer routes at higher cruise speeds.

and considerably bigger than the portholes found in

bird like no other.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF GULFSTREAM.COM

that of a conventional airliner, the G650ER passengers

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A range rival of A380, the 650ER can fly from Hong Kong to New York, Dubai to Atlanta, or Los Angeles to Melbourne, all in complete luxury.

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6/27/18 4:32 PM

BY KATIE SWEENEY

SHOPPING

EVERYTHING IS WAITING FOR YOU, DOWNTOWN Mark Miles, the gallery director at Christopher Clark Fine Art, shares his guide to Union Square

For the past 16 years, Mark Miles has spent his days in the heart of San Francisco’s bustling shopping district, Union Square. As the director of Christopher Clark Fine Art, Miles oversees an impressive collection of European and American art—an unparalleled assortment of works by influential artists like Rembrandt, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Stella, and many others. Christopher Clark’s convenient location near the square—and many of the city’s other top galleries— make it a destination for locals and artists seeking new objects of affection. “Union Square is one of the finest shopping destinations in the U.S., so you have easy access to all of the top luxury retailers, along with an excellent mix of restaurants, museums and performing arts venues,” Miles says of the area.

When he’s not in the gallery, Miles takes advantage of its proximity to ACT and the Curran Theater as well as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the museums. “Being in the art business, I’m frequently at the SF Museum of Modern Art, the Asian Art Museum and the Contemporary Jewish Museum.” Miles shops nearby at Armani, Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Wilkes Bashford, and “when I want something with more of an edge, The Archive.” He also frequents “the new Apple store. It offers a feast of gadgets!”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DREW ALTIZER, GETTY IMAGES/CHRISTOPHER CHAN, CHRISTOPHER CLARK FINE ART, SCALA’S BISTRO, AND ERIC WOLFINGER

Union Square

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Above: Christopher Clark Fine Art’s director Mark Miles; left: inside the colorful art gallery.

His favorite places to eat in the area? “Scala’s Bistro on Powell has ravioli with lemon-cream sauce that I’m addicted to, and The Rotunda is always good for lunch. Indian food is a favorite, and Amber India’s saag paneer is delicious. As for drinks, The Cavalier is always entertaining.” Back at the gallery, Miles encourages the Bay Area collector to invest in works by artists from the region like Richard Diebenkorn, Wayne Thiebaud, and The Cavalier’s bar

Sam Francis. He enjoys the visceral response that art lovers may have to certain pieces. “It’s almost as if an electrical charge engages your senses.

The collection in our gallery spans 500 years, so clients often become smitten with art that might be very different from what they’ve collected.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DREW ALTIZER, GETTY IMAGES/CHRISTOPHER CHAN, CHRISTOPHER CLARK FINE ART, SCALA’S BISTRO, AND ERIC WOLFINGER

Witnessing that is one of the great pleasures of being an art dealer.”

The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus

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6/29/18 10:54 AM

BY KATIE SWEENEY

HauteDRINKS

NEW WAVE ROSÉ

Move over Provence, the Languedoc is Southern France’s hottest up-and-coming region for pink wine

Rosé all day. Summer in a bottle. Yes, way rosé. Summer water.

Rosé life. When it comes to rosé-related hashtags you’ll find on Instagram, no wine is more popular than the pink-hued liquid.

In fact, rosé’s reign applies to more than the social media app.

During the warmer months, rosé is de rigueur: no picnic, sailboat, barbecue, yacht, or poolside party is ready until a cooler is filled with salmon-hued rosé.

Everyone from Brad Pitt to Jon Bon Jovi is making rosé—and established California winemakers, like Heidi Barrett known for producing Napa Valley’s coveted Cabernets, have jumped on the rosé bandwagon. For her La Sirena brand, which has been around since 1994, Barrett started producing a Rosato in 2016.

Decoy, by Duckhorn, a 33-year old brand, also began making rose in the same year. Not to mention that a particular type of San Franciscan is obsessed with rosé; at Balboa Cafe, a glass of Whispering Angel—a French rosé—is the best-selling drink at the bar.

Rosé’s popularity is understandable—a glass is light, refreshing, fruit-forward, and easy to drink. Plus, rosé is like Champagne. It brings to mind a certain sun-soaked je ne sais quoi that is celebratory and representative of a good time. With rosé, wine shop shelves have become heavy with bottles in every shape and shade. For wine lovers, this can be challenging to navigate. Should one reach for the lightest color or the trusted name brand? Which bottles are dry?

A savvy wine shopper knows that one tried and true method is to reach for a French bottle, specifically one from the Côtes de Provence. Miraval, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s rosé, and Whispering Angel hail from the region. It’s an area that’s known for making excellent rosé. However, the selection is usually limited, and once you’ve sipped all the pink bottles at the local wine shop, it’s easy to scratch your head and wonder, what now? The answer is simple: look to France’s other rosé producing region, Languedoc.

Similar to Provence, the Languedoc is a coastal wine-making area that borders the Mediterranean sea. Both are considered

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Bernard and Olivier Coste, owners and winemakers of Domaine Montrose

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOMAINE MONDLOSE, PUECH-HAUTE, GERARD

more producers eager to meet consumers high demand for

Gérard Bertrand’s summer home in the Languedoc

Just-picked grapes

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOMAINE MONDLOSE, PUECH-HAUTE, GERARD BERTRAND, CHATEAU DE LANCYRE, AND GILLES DESCHAMPS

Rosé bottles on display at Puech-Haut

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HauteDRINKS The Pic Saint Loup appellation

Interested in sipping the best of the Languedoc’s rosé?

Here are four of our favorite bottles.

PUECH-HAUT PRESTIGE Puech-Haut is the French chateau known for first bottling its rosé with a sexy glass stopper, a practice that many Languedoc and Provencal producers have copied. The house makes several different types of rosé, and while all are wonderful, the Tête de Belier Rosé stands out from the rest. It has a smooth mouthfeel, jasmine on the nose, and a soft ballet pink color.

If you can’t find this, the next best option is the Prestige, a lovely Grenache Cinsaut blend.

Southern France; Languedoc is South of Provence and reaches down to the edge of Northern Spain. Although you may not be familiar with Languedoc, there is a high chance you’ve tried wine from the appellation. Languedoc is the largest wine region in France with over 530,000 acres of vineyards. Traditionally, Languedoc was known for making lesser quality bulk wine. However, the district is experiencing a renaissance, and its reputation

“is anLanguedoc up-and

coming region making a name for itself with dry, fullbodied rosé.

”

is changing. It’s an up-and-coming locale making a name for itself with all styles and colors of wine, especially dry, full-bodied rosé. Because there is diversity to the Languedoc’s pink offerings—some are aromatic and smooth while others are bold and pack a punch—it is the most dynamic French region for rosé production.

This diversity is courtesy of the array of grapes varieties found in the region– Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault–as well as the winemaking styles: direct press and saignée. Direct press is a process in which the grapes are pressed for a short amount of time, so the juice has minimal contact with the skins. Saignée means ‘to bleed’ and this refers to the fact that rosé wines are sometimes produced by bleeding off a portion of the fermenting juice during red wine production. Whatever grapes and method are used, the resulting product is distinct, thoughtful, and provocative.

One person who has single-handedly promoted the Languedoc’s diversifica-

tion is Gérard Bertrand. A former rugby player turned winemaker, Bertrand was born in the province and currently owns and manages 13 estates in the area. A champion of pink wine, Bertrand’s Cote des Roses can be found on the shelves of American big-box stores like Costco, Safeway, and Bevmo. Its unique bottle, soft color, and fresh flavor make Cote des Roses one of the top-five best-selling pinks in the US. Thanks to Bertrand’s superb winemaking and marketing skills, rosé drinkers have been adequately exposed to the pleasures of the Languedoc. That’s something all wine lovers can toast to.

GÉRARD BERTRAND SAUVAGEONNE Château la Sauvageonne is a legendary site (where Bertrand owns a gorgeous summer home with an infinity pool that overlooks the vineyards) that has a unique soil of ancient terraced volcanic rock. The blend is Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. Served super cold, it’s a delightful cuvee that’s berry-fruit forward with hints of floral aromas and citrus undertones.

DOMAINE DE MONTROSE 1701 Domaine Montrose is a charming family-owned estate that has been making wine, from generation to generation, for the past 300 years. Today Montrose is run by a father and son team, Bernard and Olivier Coste. They both live on the rural property that is dotted with almond and olive trees.

The family has always had a strong affinity for rosé, and their 1701 bottle is superb. A blend of both Grenache noir and blanc, Roussanne, and Syrah, the classic rosé has refined structure and balanced mineralogy.

CHÂTEAU DE LANCYRE LE ROSÉ With hot summer days and cool, breezy nights, Pic Saint-Loup is the highest appellation in the Languedoc.

It is here that you’ll find Château de Lancyre, a family-owned operation.

They love making rosé because it’s a wine that needs attention and care. A mix of Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault that is grown in limestone soil, the Lancyre is a bold rosé with bright color and decent acidity.

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Clockwise from top left: Château Puech-Haut, an assortment of rosÊ barrel samples at Domaine Montrose, and vineyards in the Languedoc.

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HauteCUISINE

BY KATIE SWEENEY

A NEW MONARCH’S REIGN

Alex Guarnaschelli Lee Schrager Katie Lee Bobby Flay Sergio Sigala and Guy Chetwynd

Inspired by California’s rich history, chef Howard Ko finds his bearings.

For many chefs opening a restaurant in San Francisco is an unachievable

the gorgeous new tavern. The Bear & Monarch is a sophisticated, slightly

dream. Not because they lack the cooking skills, but because the cost of

industrial space with a moody, yet inviting atmosphere. It seats over 100

running a restaurant, from the ingredients to labor, is insanely expensive.

guests in a lounge setting with luxe details like velvet chairs, dark brown

That’s why when a luxury hotel decides to renovate its lobby and open

booths, and splashes of gold paint. The restaurant takes its name from the

a new restaurant, giving full creative control of the menu to its chef, any

California state flag, which depicts Monarch, one of the last known grizzly

young cook will jump at the chance to secure the job. At Loews Regency

bears—an animal that William Randolph Hearst owned and kept at Golden

in downtown San Francisco and its new eatery, The Bear & Monarch, the

Gate Park in the early 1900s.

position went to Howard Ko.

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Being located in a hotel, The Bear & Monarch is an all-day eatery that

Chef Ko is no stranger to the kitchen. He’s worked at The Restaurant at

caters to a wide variety of people. However, this doesn’t mean that Ko

Meadowood, French Laundry, and Daniel, so when Loews came knocking

felt compelled to dumb down his cuisine. In fact, he’s done the opposite.

on his door, at a time when he was eager to get back into SF’s restaurant

The food is laid-back and delicious, but his Michelin-starred pedigree is

scene, he was ready. “I had a conversation with Loews, and they told me

apparent in the technique, composure, and presentation. Ko’s dishes are

about this great opportunity to open this restaurant with them. With my

thoughtful and provocative. He uses local, seasonal ingredients to create

prior experience and my background and the direction that they wanted

items that are inspired by the place they are from—an approach that will

to go, since it is a luxury hotel, I thought everything was in the right place

appeal to both tourists and natives. “I knew we needed to showcase San

at the right time,” Ko recently told Haute Living from the dining room of

Francisco. It has so many rich cultures and has so much history,” Ko says.

The bar at The Bear & Monarch

“We wanted to get our sourdough in there, we wanted to do a play on the bread bowl, but we are going to conceptualize a luxurious cioppino.” Dubbed “Our Bread Bowl” the final dish is an inspired take on clam chowder. Succulent, juicy clams, flavored in a rich and scrumptious chowder jus with bacon confit, come piled high in a dulse seaweed bread chalice. It’s comforting and nostalgic but also upscale and elegant.

At Bear & Monarch, Ko succeeds in finding the ideal balance between tradition and modernity. He’s thought through every detail down to the rustic ceramic serving ware and custommade pottery. The steak sauce is house made with dried shiitake PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOEWS REGENCY SAN FRANCISCO

mushrooms and emulsified beef fat. While he offers innovative dishes (like scallop terrine with Daurenki caviar, dill creme fraiche, lardo, and forbidden rice cracker), he also has a double bacon cheeseburger on the menu. That’s not all: there is an aged steak program, fried chicken, mesquite-grilled vegetables, and

An assortment of dishes

A cocktail

Ko’s burger

Robuchon-style potato puree.

Ko is hopeful that his food will appeal to all walks of life and is grateful for the restaurant’s Financial District location. He plans to attract a crowd for happy hour and entice SF’s extreme foodies with special collaboration dinners. As he puts it, “We’re going to do everything in our power to give you something that is a great, local, sustainable product with hints of very nice technique behind it.”

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FEATURE

ART The

OF THE DEAL

WHY TILMAN FERTITTA IS THE ULTIMATE BILLION-DOLLAR BUYER

Tilman J. Fertitta is anything but your average billionaire. Case in point: When

McCormick & Schmick’s, Rainforest Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Salt-

asked about the first major purchase he made after becoming a billionaire, the

grass Steak House; he also has 50-percent ownership of Catch, one of the hot-

man responsible for the largest deal in NBA history—the 2017, $2.2 billion-

test eateries in Los Angeles and New York. He also owns and operates entertain-

dollar purchase of the Houston Rockets—says he can’t remember.

ment destinations and amusement parks like Downtown Aquarium - Denver

“You don’t wake up one day and say you’re a millionaire or billionaire; it just kind

and Tower of the Americas in San Antonio and several hotels in Texas, as well

of happens,” Fertitta maintains from his home base of Houston, Texas. “You get

as five Golden Nugget Hotel & Casinos. The gaming industry is Fertitta’s most

a financial statement, and you say, ‘I’m worth a million dollars.’ When I went

successful venture, generating $300 million a year. It also happens to be a family

public in 1993 and private in 2010, I bought a place in Beaver Creek at the Park

venture—his third cousins, former UFC owners Frank III and Lorenzo Fertitta,

Hyatt. Somewhere along the way you buy a boat, you buy another business. I’m

own Las Vegas’ Station Casinos.

more into buying businesses than I am buying toys. Business is my hobby; I

One might wonder: “When will enough be enough?” But for a person whose life

just love it.”

and livelihood revolves around business, the answer, of course, is never. In 2016,

His fondness for wheeling and dealing means that his reach is far and wide.

the 60-year-old, self-made billionaire finally succumbed to popular demand

Through his restaurant and hospitality company, Landry’s (of which he’s the

and agreed to host his first reality series, CNBC’s Billion Dollar Buyer. On the

sole shareholder), Fertitta owns and operates 600 restaurants in 36 states and

series, which is now in its third season, Fertitta looks to small businesses to meet

over 15 countries, which include high-end chains like Mastro’s Steakhouse and

his customers’ needs, personally scouting the country for the most innovative

Morton’s The Steakhouse, as well as mainstream favorites like Dos Caminos,

new products American entrepreneurs have to offer.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TILMAN FERTITTA, DAN BOCZARSKI/CNBC AND BOB LEVEY/CNBC

BY LAURA SCHREFFLER

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CNBC

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TILMAN FERTITTA, DAN BOCZARSKI/CNBC AND BOB LEVEY/CNBC

A vintner circle dinner at Eleven Eleven Winery at the 2015 festival

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FEATURE A tasting pavilion at the 2015 NVFF

“Anytime you’re fortunate enough to be able to do some-

10-acre, mixed-use concept simply because he wanted to.

of errors—“I haven’t done deals that I should have done,

thing that you haven’t done before, you should,” Fertitta

“Even though the numbers didn’t really work, I know in

I’ve screwed things up, absolutely… because we all make

says of his decision to do the show. And although he

the long term it will be fine,” he says. And more impor-

mistakes”—Fertitta has more than earned the right to

hasn’t discovered anything revolutionary, he has made

tantly, “Building a five-star hotel in Houston was always

choose passion projects: Since 2012, he has maintained

some interesting discoveries, such as a $300,000 invest-

something that I wanted to do.”

a spot on the prestigious Forbes 400 list, with a current

ment in the organic Social Sparkling Wine company.

So was buying his hometown team, the Houston Rock-

estimated wealth of $4.4 billion.

“The show really gets you out there to look at the latest

ets. The Galveston native made his “lifelong dream”

Naturally, one doesn’t acquire such wealth with luck

and greatest products, to see what the millennials are

come true in October; he had previously tried to buy the

alone. “I think one of the secrets to my success is that I

coming up with,” he says. “Lots of things have impressed

team in 1993, but former owner Leslie Alexander beat

believe in change, change, change,” he says, noting that

me [that I’ve been pitched], and while I don’t know that

out his $81 million bid by $4 million.

he tries to roll with the punches and never dwells on the

I would say I’ve found something unbelievable yet, consumers really like.”

That said, filming Billion Dollar Buyer is a lark for him, and he has always chosen projects based on specific variables: If they’re fun and feel right,

things he can’t transform, preferring to move

“I’m more into buying businesses than I am buying toys. Business is my hobby; I just love it.”

whether or not they have the potential for longev-

forward instead.

He would give the same advice to burgeoning entrepreneurs that he would give to his top executives. It is also the advice he gives himself.

“Never let things get away from you,” he notes.

“Use good judgment and common sense, and

ity. His very first restaurant, Landry’s Seafood in Katy,

“It’s great,” he enthuses. “I’ve been sitting on the front

never have black-and-white rules for yourself or for any-

Texas, opened its doors in 1980 and still exists today.

row next to the owners for 25 years and always had a lot

body else. You have to be on top of your game.”

“The art of the deal drives me,” he says with a laugh. “I

of perks, but it is fun being the owner, definitely. You’re

And while many of his top executives have been with

get to do businesses that are fun… but when you have

treated differently. The buck stops with you: If you want

Fertitta Entertainment for over 20 years, he knows it’s

a company as big as mine, you have to prioritize certain

to raise Chastain prices, you raiseSloane prices. If you want to trade someJessica in Miss

not only smart but essential to learn from a younger de-

things. I’m at the point in my life where I build things

body, you trade somebody. You’re the boss. And there’s

mographic. “People always want to trash millennials for

that are going to be here forever.” Take the newest addi-

nothing like winning!”

not having a good work ethic, but really, they just want

tion to his portfolio, the ultramodern Post Oak Hotel at

to be entrepreneurial,” he says, adding, “We hire lots of

Uptown Houston, which opened in March. Even though

“Winning” is a concept he’s familiar with: He’s done it for

young people. I have two sons that are working with me

it wasn’t a sure thing financially, he proceeded with the

most of his career. Although he says he’s made his share

in the business now [Michael, 25, and Patrick, 23]. They

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CNBC

I have found a lot of unique little products that

look at things from a different angle, and to be successful, I need that. If you don’t stay ahead of everyone else in terms of music, menu design, interiors and the latest, greatest things, you’re going to get passed by. One of the ways to stay on top of your game is to put millennials around you to self-check certain things, and I do that all the time.”

Luckily, he can afford to buy himself some time, thanks to having his own Gulfstream V jet. “To be able to get anywhere, whenever you want and not spend all that wasted time in a public air terminal is a luxury. I haven’t flown commercial since 1991,” he confides, adding, “I’m not saying that in a brag-ish way, I’m saying it in a very fortunate, loving, humble way that I haven’t had to—and hoping I never have to experience it again—but if I did, you just adjust and that’s just the way it is. I’m very fortunate—I’m not saying that I’m not—but it worked out that way, and I’m happy about it.”

But don’t forget—this self-made billionaire is a man who makes his own luck through hard work… and loves every moment of it. “Every year I say I’m going to slow down a little bit, and every year things seem to get busier,” he says.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CNBC

“It takes a lot to keep me occupied.”

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FEATURE

SECOND ACT YOU KNOW HIM AS A SOUGHT-AFTER OPERA SINGER, BUT MICHAEL FABIANO IS ALSO MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF IN THE WORLD OF PHILANTHROPY AND ARTS EDUCATION. BY: KATIE SWEENEY

ALTHOUGH FLYING PRIVATE PLANES IS ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PASTIMES, WORLD-RENOWNED OPERA SENSATION Michael Fabiano isn’t the type of pilot who coasts. Yes, the tenor is constantly moving, but his actions are plotted, thoughtful, powerful, and passionate. Like the productions he stars in, every move he makes is perfectly orchestrated. It’s all in his quest to be the best opera singer on the planet. “I have to be critical about where I place myself over these next years,” Fabiano told Haute Living recently in a telephone conversation. “There are certain operas that I won’t sing because they’re not challenging to me, or the environment’s not challenging. It’s important for me to be in certain places these days.” San Francisco falls into that category—a place where it’s essential for Fabiano to be and he performed an impressive lead role in Manon at the San Francisco Opera last year. There’s something about the city that makes Fabiano feel extremely comfortable. “When I’m in San Francisco, I relax, and I calm down,” he explains. “A city that can give me that ability to relax and calm down is a city where I want to live.” His appreciation for the Bay Area is so strong that he and his fiancé, Bryan McCalister, have packed up their lives in New York and are heading West. Of the move, Fabiano says, “I hope that I will have the ability to contribute in a much greater way to the city itself culturally, maybe politically, and lend my hand to San Francisco. I care about the city very much.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL FABIANO, OLIVIA HSU DECKER, AND DREW ALTIZER

Fabiano’s

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D Trench: BURBERRY Suit and shirt: FERRAGAMO

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FEATURE Fabiano and ArtSmart students

Fabiano and his fiancé Bryan McCalister

Fabiano’s first order of business as a San Franciscan will be to check in on the status of his non-profit, ArtSmart. Fabiano and his friends and fellow musicians, Brian Levor and John Viscardi, founded ArtSmart in September 2016. With the tagline “building a better world through music,” ArtSmart is an organization that provides complimentary professionally taught one-onone voice lessons to junior high and high school age students. “Many artists in the United States were graduating with Master’s and Doctoral degrees without work, and who needed an opportunity or pathway to employment,” Fabiano says. “And we thought, how do we give these people employment?

And the answer was, we pair them with kids that need music lessons in school.”

“I intend to prove, over the next three years, that with our program, we do more than give music lessons. We help kids have a shot at life.”

Fabiano and his team identified dozens of school districts that had limited musical arts resources. They selected a school in Newark, New Jersey, East Side High School, where one choir teacher served 100 of the 2800 students.

“We put music teachers [ArtSmart refers to them as mentors] in the school that taught them one-on-one vocal lessons every single week. So not choir class, not group lessons,” Fabiano says, his voice serious, but filled with zeal.

“We are the only organization in the United States that provides consistent weekly one-on-one free voice lessons for children.” Although the first-

Coat: ACNE Suit: FERRAGAMO Shirt: ARMANI

year pilot program was small—it consisted of 12 students—it was successful.

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Those enrolled in ArtSmart saw an increase of grade point average and a decrease in disciplinary actions. No kids dropped out of the program.

The school districts have taken note of ArtSmart’s value and are providing the resources—access to pianos and music rooms—necessary for its pro-

With a triumphant curriculum in hand, Fabiano, Levor, and Viscardi

grams to thrive. Although Fabiano is actively fundraising for the organiza-

faced a new challenge. How could they reach more students and still pro-

tion on top of his hectic opera schedule, he takes the time to work with the

vide a free service? “A one-on-one music lesson can be expensive. And we

students, check in on the mentors, and teach master classes. “These kids

pay our artists well,” Fabiano says. “So the paradigm we had to evaluate at

have a lot in them that needs to be seen,” Fabiano says. “I intend to prove,

the end of a year was, okay. We’re doing something great, and we’re helping

over the next three years, that with our program, we do more than give mu-

12 kids. How do we scale this? If we scaled it hugely, it could end up be-

sic lessons. We help kids get into college. We help kids have a shot at life.

coming very expensive.” Despite not knowing the answers to these signifi-

We’re not counselors, but we are empathic people that think it’s important

cant questions, in its second year, ArtSmart launched in two more schools,

to be on the kid’s team. Having that one-on-one relationship with a mentor,

Philadelphia’s Franklin Learning Center and San Francisco’s James Lick

a safe moment, is something extraordinary.”

Middle School.

ArtSmart not only allows students a secure place to be themselves, it also

Fabiano is particularly fond of the work done at James Lick, a middle

teaches the kids about growing up. To be admitted into the program, each

school that had no music program whatsoever. “I’m very proud to say that

student must audition. Auditioning teaches independence, autonomy, and

they had never been able to get a child accepted into the Ruth Asawa School

accountability. It forces the young students to speak for themselves and face

for the Arts and have gotten four this year.” He notes that although they

judgment from their peers and mentors. It also allows Fabiano and his team

might not have much, the students are kind, grateful and “the nicest kids on the planet.” The 2018-19 school year will be ArtSmart’s third year and its expanding four-fold. “We’re hiring three times as many new teachers, and we’re gonna be serving roughly 250 children, up from 42.” ArtSmart will work with ten schools instead of three, and although the majority of vocal classes will be one-on-one, the team is testing out a program where each mentor oversees a small group of five children. It’s a longer session, and the students will not be singing in a choral ensemble. “They’re still going to be singing one-on-one with the teacher and for each other,” Fabiano explains.

“We have them identify a problem in society, use their critical thinking skills as a group of five people, create music, select music, prepare music, and present it individually.”

to discover untapped raw talent. “There have been a few moments where we were completely balling in the back of the room listening to a child sing,” Fabiano reminisces. “Saying holy crap, here are some kids that are unreal.

We must help them. Of course, they get in.”

He’s so enthusiastic for ArtSmart that on his recent birthday Fabiano spent the day auditioning 120 kids for next fall’s program. Local students who wish to see their new mentor in action can catch a glimpse of Fabiano’s prowess at Festival Napa Valley. He’s performing a selection of tunes from West Side Story on July 28 in Yountville. After that Fabiano’s busy performance schedule takes him to Chicago, New York, London, Berlin, and Madrid. Luckily, his home base is now San Francisco. Could he show up as a surprise performer at the War Memorial Opera House? Possibly.

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COVER STORY

Opera’s OPULENT EVENING

THE OPERA’S ANNUAL OPENING IS MORE THAN A BALL;

IT’S A BENEFIT FOR THE FUTURE OF CULTURE IN SANFRANCISCO.

BY KATIE SWEENEY • PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON WELLS • HAIR AND MAKEUP BY LA MIENNE ARTIST SOPHIA NAWABI AND ASSISTANT JEANETTE RODRIGUEZ • SHOT ON LOCATION AT 52 TUSCALOOSA, ATHERTON

ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, SAN FRANCISCO’S GLITTERATI WILL COME OUT IN FULL FORCE TO CELEBRATE THE opening night of the Opera’s 96th season. With an Argentine theme, ¡Viva La Noche!, Opera Ball 2018, promises to be a thrilling evening that delights and surprises. The opening performance is a double bill presentation of one-act operas, Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (most commonly referred to as Cav/Pag). Although Cav/ Pag is traditionally set in Italy, Argentine tenor, conductor, and director José Cura sets the classic stories in Buenos Aires’ most colorful neighborhood, La Boca. San Franciscans last heard Cav/Pag 15 years ago but this will be the first time they’ve seen this staging. “The production is a wonderfully colorful encapsulation of Buenos Aires. It’s set on the Caminito street, in the Boca district, and the set is a recreation of that street,” Matthew Shilvock, the San Francisco Opera’s General Director, recently told Haute Living. “You have all of these high buildings with windows, apartments that chorus members are appearing out of, nosily looking at what’s happening on the street below as this tragedy unfolds. I love the way that this production very subtly interweaves the spirit of Argentina into this Mediterranean pair of stories. There is even a little bit of tango in the operas. It’s done very subtly, but I think it will connect wonderfully to what the chairs are doing for the ball.”

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s The 2018 Opera Ball chairs Shannon Cronan (in Oscar de la Renta) and Kathy Huber (in Carolina Herrera). Both women are wearing Shreve & Co. jewelry. The jeweler is an official jewelry sponsor of the ball. Neiman Marcus, where Huber’s dress is from, is the dinner sponsor for the event.

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COVER STORY Shilvock is referring to Shannon Cronan and Kathy Huber, the co-chairs,

San Francisco. By engaging new patrons and providing arts education to

friends, and masterminds behind ¡Viva La Noche! Neither women are

the next generation of leaders and philanthropists, the Opera Ball and the

new to SF’s philanthropic circles; Cronan chaired the ballet opening gala

powerful team of movers and shakers behind it, strives for a brighter time.

in 2007 and Huber was in charge last January at the ballet’s 2018 open-

“Although it’s a wonderful social occasion and gathering of the commu-

ing. Both are longtime members of the Opera Guild and are excited to put

nity, it does benefit the future, which is education and children,” Mudge

their stamp on one of the West

says. “Our proceeds directly support

Coast’s most prominent philan-

the community, and that’s important

thropic events. “Our chairs are

because we have the opportunity to get

philanthropic professionals, so

out there and to work with children of

they are just hitting the ground

all different ages, from the very young-

running,” Jane Mudge, the Op-

est through the teens. It’s one step at a

era Guild’s president, says. “Both

time work that supports them in their

have chaired major events in San

growing and changing lives. A lot of our

Francisco, and they know how to

programs have helped to transform, ul-

get the job done. They’re having

timately, who they will become. These

fun with it, and I look forward to

kids are the future of our community.”

the incredible design concepts

If children are taught to respect and

they are going to come up with.

love the arts, in particular, the Opera,

The execution of the night is

they will grow into adults who celebrate

gonna be amazing.”

a highly functioning culture. This, in

The duo is working with event

turn, will continue to make San Fran-

producer J. Riccardo Benavides

cisco and the greater Bay Area one of

to realize their vision for the

the best, most diverse places to live in

evening. Huber recently traveled

the nation. Huber puts it like this, “The

to Buenos Aires with Benavides

education programs fill a void that helps

in search of inspiration for the

students express themselves, build con-

decor and design. “Our plan-

fidence, and learn to collaborate with

ning begins with setting the tone

other students, all while developing an

of the event through the design

appreciation for music and the impact

ing created by custom stationery designer Cheree Berry,” Huber explains. “The interior of the Opera Ball tented pavilion will transport our guests to a place that sets the mood for what is to unfold at the Opera. In keeping up with the performance, guests will have an Argentinian experience in the fabulous tent, both while dining and when they return to the after party.” McCalls Catering and Events will prepare

on their lives. With the cutbacks in

Jane Mudge at last year’s ball

funding for the arts, it is more important than ever that we support our local

OPERA IS ABOUT CREATING AN INCREDIBLE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION. IT’S ABOUT EXPERIENCING WHAT IT’S LIKE WHEN A FATHER GRIEVES OVER HIS DAUGHTER OR WHEN TWO YOUNG PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE.

the Argentine-inspired pre-show

arts and preserve this part of our culture for future generations.” Mudge and the Guild are so committed to igniting a passion for the Opera in youth that, for the second year in a row, there will be “kid table” at the opening night celebration. Mudge’s two teenage daughters will join the likes of other Opera enthusiasts’ children at their very own table inside the tent.

The ball is the ideal time for these young people and other Opera virgins to

dinner. Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards is the new wine sponsor, and Roeder-

experience the art at its finest. “Opera Ball is a wonderful opportunity to

er Estate will provide sparkling wine. Following Cav/Pag, the guests will

introduce people to Opera, particularly this year’s opening, Cav/Pag with

return to the pavilion to dance the night away to the beloved local cover

its two short operas, both of which feature beautiful music and highlight

band, Pop Rocks.

human emotion,” Huber says. “The incredible thing about Opera is that

While the Opera Ball is a glamorous and over-the-top extravaganza, it

it combines all of the arts from music to dance to drama, and the cos-

is much more than a social event; it’s an affair that aims to create a better

tumes are truly works of art. How lucky to experience all of this during

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DREW ALTIZER AND THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

of our invitation, which is be-

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF DREW ALTIZER AND THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

Jacket and shirt: ZEGNA

Matthew and Kate Shilvock

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Puccini’s “Turandot”

COVER STORY one performance! There isn’t another art form that can say that. There is also a human element that tugs at the emotions, while the music fills the senses.”

Encouraging the audience to embrace emotion is on Shilvock’s to-do list for the upcoming season. He took control of the Opera two years ago when its previous director, opera impresario David Gockley, retired. The Opera’s lineup is planned several years in advance. Come September it will be Shilvock’s first season of programming as general director. “We want it to be a celebration,

Jacket and shirt: ZEGNA

we want it to be a wonderful connection point, so we choose that opening title very carefully,” Shilvock says of Cav/Pag. “It was a very natural title for me or the pair of titles for me to choose. We hadn’t done them for a long time. They contain some incredible music. There are these two, intense, short, high emo-

Strauss’ “Arabella” Strauss’ “Arabella.”

tion, explorations of the human condition. And to have both of them together is this double punch of incredible emotional intensity. It was a perfect double bill for the opening night.”

Shilvock believes an emotional connection between the audience and the opera is crucial to the future success of the art form in San Francisco. To tap the wealth of tech titans and millennial moguls, Shilvock understands that he must provide this generation a poignant and Instagram-worthy experience. “At the

Jacket and shirt: ZEGNA

A scene from Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier” with dancers Michael Levine and Laura Alexich

SF OPERA’S EDUCATION PROGRAMS

SING A STORY Opera-trained teaching artists head to Kindergarten through 3rd-grade classrooms to tell various classic opera stories. Music, props, and costumes enhance the show and the children are encouraged to stand up, sing, and act alongside the teacher.

Hye Jung Lee as Ah Sing and Paul Appleby as Joe Cannon in a scene from John Adams’ “Girls of the Golden West”

BOOK TO BRAVO Students in 4th through 8th grade select a literary work and use this to inspire their creation of a mini-opera. Interpretive skills and original voices are required to bring their creative performance to life. The chosen work coincides with something they are learning in school be it the French language or about the American Revolution.

VOICES FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 4th through 12th-grade students work collaboratively to identify newsworthy topics that may be causing them concern. Bullying, gun violence, and teen rape are some of the timely subjects that inspire the students to write an original musical narrative that they later perform.

SF_Opera Cover Story_6_29.indd 56

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DREW ALTIZER AND THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA/CORY WEAVER/MICHAEL COOPER

Every year, the Opera’s educational outreach programming inspires 50,000 children in Northern California. If you’re attending this year’s ball, here is what the cost of your ticket will fund.

6/29/18 1:40 PM

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DREW ALTIZER AND THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA/CORY WEAVER/MICHAEL COOPER

What a ball! Guests at last year’s festivities, clockwise from above: David Gockley, Nicola Luisotti, and Matthew Shilvock; Gordon Getty and Charlotte Shultz; Maryam Muduroglu, Riccardo Benavides, and Courtney Labe; Dede Wilsey and Willie Brown.

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Conductor Nicola Luisotti

months to come. The fanfare, elegance, and enthusiasm in the air are magical.

“There’s that wonderful sense of beginning. It marks the beginning of our journey for that particular year as an opera company,” Shilvock says. “The Ball makes a compelling and bold statement of the importance of inspiring future audiences throughout education work. It’s an incredible event. It’s full of vitality and energy.

You feel this incredible love for the company from the community on that evening.

It’s a great celebration of what it means to be San Francisco.”

The 96th season of the San Francisco Opera debuts with the stunning 2018 Opera Ball on Friday, September 7. The pre-performance cocktail reception and dinner start at 5 p.m. The performance of “Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci” begins at 8 pm.

The after-party follows with dancing and late night snacks at 11 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit sfopera.com/operaball2018.

end of the day, opera is about creating an incredible emotional connection.

It’s about experiencing what it’s like when a father grieves over his daughter or when two young people fall in love. It’s that immediacy about opera that leave people in tears at the end of the evening of Bohème or Traviata,” he says. “That essence of opera, that immediate power of the emotional, that is what we have to find a way to sell; because that is something that, no matter who you are in the world, you can connect to.” Does he think the opera is too intimidating for the smartphone-addicted age? No. It’s quite the opposite: “I think opera is perfectly suited for that particular generation. It’s a generation that loves larger than life experiences. That love the unique, the spectacular—and that is what we do every day on the Opera stage. What I’m excited about is building a bridge of inspiration between San Francisco’s growing audience and what we do at our very core on stage.”

Ensuring that the War Memorial Opera House seats are at capacity for years to come is at the root of the Opera Ball’s missions. There is a sense of tradition that dates back to the Opera’s 1923 beginnings and the creation of the Opera House, which opened in 1932. The beautiful building is a landmark and spending time in its breathtaking atrium, dripping in history, is worth the price of any show’s ticket. It adds to the allure of the experience, something that Shilvock is quick to acknowledge. “There’s an incredible swirl of color, and energy, and vibrancy that exists in that part of what we do as well,” he says of preserving the integrity of the Opera House.

“It’s a point of attraction for new audiences to engage with the Opera.”

The best time to witness the Opera House in all its glory? September 7 at the Opera Ball. The opening is the launch of the cultural season in the

CAV/PAG “Cavalleria Rusticana” debuted in Rome in 1890. It tells the story of a soldier who returns home to find that his betrothed has married another. He uses a naive peasant girl to win back his bride only to meet a tragic end at the hands of his betrothed’s new husband.

The San Francisco Opera’s September production stars Russian mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk as Santuzza, the peasant girl, Italian tenor Roberto Aronica as Turiddu, the returning soldier, and Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias (in his American debut) as Alfio, the scorned husband.

“Pagliacci” premiered in Milan in 1892. The opera highlights one fateful performance of the cast of a traveling comedy troupe. Just before they are to take the stage, the troupe leader finds out that his wife has a lover. His wife refuses to name the lover, and this drives the troupe leader into crazed jealousy. He breaks out of character halfway through the show and attacks his wife. Her lover storms the stage only to be killed by the troupe leader, who also kills his wife. The Opera’s rendition features Armenian soprano Lianna Haroutounian as the wife, Nedda, Italian tenor Marco Berti as the husband and troupe leader, Canio, and American baritone David Pershall as Silvio, the lover.

The rest of the 2018-19 season consists of eight different productions that have never before been seen on the Opera House’s stage including an entirely new “Tosca,” “Arabella,” “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and “Orlando.”

Bay Area, and there is a sense of anticipation of and appreciation for the

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Clara Shayevich, Joel Goodrich

David Shimmon, Mary Beth Shimmon

Victor Makras, Farah Makras

Jorge Maumer, Carolyn Chandler

Willie Brown, Sonya Molodetskaya

Our favorite couples at the 2017 ball.

Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi

59 Chrisa Pappas, Dean Sioukas

SF_Opera Cover Story_6_29.indd 59

Patrick King, Carolyn Chang

Nancy Bechtle, Joachim Bechtle

6/29/18 1:41 PM

Castellucci with Carmen Policy

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Antonio Castellucci Up close and personal with the Festival Napa Valley Board Member

BY OLIVIA HSU DECKER

F

Angela Longyear, Maria Castellucci, Rita Castellucci, Antonio Castellucci, and Olivia Hsu Decker at Festival Napa Valley

ROM THE MONDAVIS TO THE SEBASTIANIS TO THE GALLOS, THERE are generaions of Italian families who have helped build Northern California’s wine community. Another name that should be on your radar is Antonio Castellucci. In a short amount of time, Castellucci has become a recognized figure known in the Napa Valley for his hospitality, real estate investment and development, and philanthropic endeavors.

Born in 1948 in a small town—with a population of 2,500—in San Solti, Calabria,

Italy, Castellucci immigrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina with his family when he was eight. He was an entrepreneur at a young age. At 17, he purchased equipment and started making plastic flowers that he sold in stores. His mother passed away when he was 20 and his uncle in San Jose invited Castellucci to visit America.

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With $200 from his father, Castellucci traveled to San Jose. He stayed with his

lish lessons at the International Institute on Van Ness Avenue. Robert Kirk was

aunt and uncle and after his three-month tourist visa expired, he realized that he

sold to Cable Car Clothiers, but Castellucci continued working and the new own-

wanted to stay in the United States because it offered more economic opportu-

ers raised his wages to $3 per hour.

Two months later, Castellucci was given the opportunity to work the selling

uncle hired a lawyer to help him stay legally and he tried to get both work and

floor and start selling clothing. When a coworker asked Castellucci if he would

student visas, but nothing worked. His visa expired, so when the doorbell rang,

like to go to the Anthony School of Real Estate for a free class, he immediately said

he often had to hide in the closet.

yes. Although Castellucci didn’t know what real estate meant, he looked up the translation and became very interested. He attended the class and had trouble un-

ne day while in San Francisco, Castellucci

derstanding, but was interested in being involved with properties. He learned that

met a woman who introduced him to a girl

if he memorized all the questions and the correct answers, he could pass the real

from his Italian hometown. When Cas-

estate agent test. After a few months of study, he passed the test on the first try!

tellucci met Rita, in the downstairs event

In 1972 the Castelluccis purchased their first properties: two flats on Irving

room at St. Peter and Paul Church, it was

and 22nd Avenue for $47,000. They managed the apartments, which each rented

love at first sight. It turned out that they

for $250 per month. Rita cleaned the common areas and Castellucci attended to

attended grade school together before Cas-

repairs. One of the tenants was driving him crazy, so Antonio sold the building in

tellucci moved to Argentina. Three weeks

1973. At that time, he was getting passionate about real estate so he purchased

after they met, Rita and Castellucci took a

four units on Geary Boulevard for $80,000. He took advantage of other opportu-

Greyhound bus to Reno and got married.

nities to acquire more properties. As value increased, he bought larger buildings in

Castellucci making an introductory speech at Festival Napa Valley

When they came back to her parents flat in North Beach, they did not share a bed

The Castellucci family

better locations and Castellucci ended up building a small property empire.

for almost three months—until they got officially married at St. Peter and Paul

Five years ago, Castellucci discovered the upper Napa Valley. He purchased 28

Church. Friends and some relatives believe that Castellucci got married to be

properties in the St Helena area: homes, vineyards, luxury inns, and commercial

able to stay in America. But, the couple has been married for 46 years, and have

buildings. Castellucci now owns the Bank of America building near Main Street

three children and five grandchildren.

and the Ink House, a bed and breakfast on Highway 29 and Whitehall Lane. He is

Soon after their marriage, Rita was able to find a job for Castellucci at Robert

currently working on getting approvals for a $125 million development of luxury

Kirk, a beautiful English clothing store in downtown San Francisco. He worked

homes plus a winery in St Helena. He thanks America for making his dreams

60 hours per week as a stock boy in the basement, making $2 per hour. It was

come true and for being an amazing land of opportunity. In 2011, Castellucci

challenging because Castellucci did not speak English. After work, he took Eng-

wanted to give back to the community, so when the founding members of Festival

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANTONIO CASTELLUCCI, DREW ALTIZER, AND OLIVIA HSU DECKER

O

nity than Argentina. However, it was difficult for Castellucci to obtain a visa. His

Napa Valley—Rick Walker, Timothy Blackburn, and Darioush Kaledi—offered him a position on the board of directors, he jumped at the chance to be a part of the festival. He and Rita have been passionate supporters of the Festival ever since.

We chatted candidly with Antonio to learn more about his life. Below is our conversation.

Olivia Hsu Decker: How did your childhood shape your life?

Antonio Castellucci: Living in Italy and Argentina for the first 22 years of my life with strong family values gave me the foundation to appreciate life and opportunities.

OHD: What made you interested in Napa Valley?

AC: I remember my father making wine in the basement of our home in Italy and drinking wine at a very young age.

With my wife Rita and three small children, we started visiting Napa Valley in the late 80s and instantly we fell in love. In 1989, we purchased a home on two acres of land in Carneros

“When Timothy Blackburn, Darioush Khaledi, and Rick Walker asked me to join the Festival Napa Valley board of directors, I immediately agreed to serve. I was very interested in giving back to art and music education, meeting fantastic people in the community, and having a great time along the way.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANTONIO CASTELLUCCI, DREW ALTIZER, AND OLIVIA HSU DECKER

Castellucci with his wife and children

uncle play guitar in Italy and Argentina so at 15 years old, I took voice and guitar lessons. Five years later, I formed a musical group and started playing and singing in nightclubs and local events in Buenos Aires. These were fantastic times in my life. Fast forward to 2011 in beautiful Napa Valley, when Timothy Blackburn, Darioush Khaledi, and Rick Walker asked me to join the Festival Napa Valley board of directors and immediately, I agreed to serve. I was very interested in giving back to art and music education, meeting fantastic people in the community, and having a great time along the way.

OHD: How many properties do you own now in the Bay Area?

AC: We now own about 100 properties comprising of apartments, mixed-use properties, commercial buildings, and single-family homes. The majority are in San Francisco, Marin, and Santa Clara County. We possess 28 properties in Napa Valley including vineyards.

OHD: How do you balance your busy life?

Rita and Antonio Castellucci with Olivia Hsu Decker

and planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. In 1992, we started to make wine

AC: We always take time to travel. As members of Exclusive Resorts, we have trave-

for family and friends. It was so fun to have the Castellucci name on a bottle of

led the world for the last 14 years. We love to take advantage of the fabulous walks

wine. 10 years ago, we purchased a home in St. Helena and now we enjoy it so

in Belvedere where we have our main home. We also play tennis two to three times

much with the children and grandchildren as our vacation house—our primary

per week.

residence is in beautiful Belvedere.

OHD: What’s your advice to seekers of the American dream?

OHD: How did you became a board member of Festival Napa Valley? What is

AC: My advice is straightforward: Work hard and work smart. Learn English quick-

your contribution to this fantastic charity event?

ly. Mingle with locals. Find your passion and follow your dreams. Have faith—the

AC: My love for music started at a very young age. I loved watching my father and

land of opportunity is still very much alive.

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FEATURE

NAPA Festival Valley

THE BENEFACTOR, BRAINS, AND BENEFICIARY OF FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY DISCOVER THE CELEBRATION’S INCREDIBLE LEGACY OF THE ARTS AND GIVING

IN 2005, SAN FRANCISCO ATTORNEY AND ARTS MANAGER,

Wissman and find out more details before Fleming would commit to this

Richard Walker, along with his friend IMG Artists Chairman, Barrett

unknown festival in a little-known part of the world. Manetti Shrem did

Wissman, founded what is known today as Festival Napa Valley. The idea

reach out and invited the two gentlemen to her home in Napa Valley to

was born from The Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, Italy. They wanted to

discuss the details. When the men spoke to Manetti Shrem about the level

transport the same intimacy and passion for arts, entertainment, wine,

of artists that they planned on bringing to Napa from IMG, she was quite

and fine cuisine to Napa Valley. One of the first performers they invited

impressed and said she would give her support and involvement to the

to participate was the famed vocalist Renee Fleming. Most know Fleming

festival. Manetti Shrem shared with Walker and Wissman that her and

for her incredible voice on the Oscar-winning soundtrack of The Shape of

Margrit Mondavi talked about creating a celebration of the arts in Napa

Water. Through the years, she has been a celebrated soprano and a dear

Valley for years, so Manetti Shrem was excited to be included as a found-

friend of Manetti Shrem Manetti Shrem.

ing benefactor. Along with her husband, Jan Shrem, Manetti Shrem volunteered to raise money by hosting intimate dinners at her home and

THE BENEFACTOR: MARIA MANETTI SHREM

personally asking each of her friends to donate. She shared with passion

Manetti Shrem received a call from Fleming one day in December 2005,

the magnitude and splendor that was planned for the festival. And, in-

and Fleming asked her about this fledgling festival that Walker and Wiss-

deed each year Manetti Shrem picks up the phone and calls her friends,

man were planning on producing the following summer. Manetti Shrem

and each year the festival grows. The festival is celebrating its thirteenth

hadn’t heard about it, so Fleming asked her to reach out to Walker and

anniversary, along with the programs that run continuously throughout

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY AND DREW ALTIZER

BY TERESA RODRIGUEZ

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Danielle de Niese performs

A performance at last year’s Festival Napa Valley

PHTOOS COURTESY OF THE BREEDERS’ CUP

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY AND DREW ALTIZER

A scene from the 2017 festival’s wrap party

A vintner circle dinner at Eleven Eleven Winery at the 2015 festival

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FEATURE

the year.

from Italy for love when she was 30 years and built

al publishing company in Japan and sold it, spent

One of the aspects that make this festival so

an empire importing the Gucci brand to department

years in Europe and then built Clos Pegase Winery

unique is its incredible intimacy and how it brings

stores around the nation. She sold her company and

in Calistoga. Both are hard workers and dedicated

the artists and guests together in the most beautiful

years later she met her husband, Jan Shrem. Shrem

to the arts. Along with giving to Festival Napa Valley,

setting in the world. Many of the events end with a

came to America when he was 16 and started selling

they are big supporters of California Pacific Medi-

delicious multi-course meal, and fabulous wines are

encyclopedias door to door. He built a multi-nation-

cal Center, KQED, the San Francisco Symphony, and

always involved. Manetti Shrem shares, “You get to

Michael Fabiano’s educational charity ArtSmart.

know the artists because, after the performances,

Their philanthropy spans time zones with giving to

they dine with us. I have made so many friends from

10 charities in Europe, 20 in the United States. One

around the world this way. Festival Napa Valley is

of the organizations she supports is The Prince of

a spectacular addition to Napa, which elevated the

Wales’s Charitable Foundation, and Prince Charles

cultural level of the area.”

has asked her to speak at Buckingham Palace this

For the Shrems, Festival Napa Valley is a beauti-

summer. Manetti Shrem has a deep admiration and

ful representation of what they both love: art, wine,

appreciation for those who work hard and are en-

culture, and education. Together, they built the Jan

thusiastic. And, that respect is witnessed with her

Shrem and Maria Shrem Manetti Shrem Museum

unshakable commitment to the Festival.

of Art at UC Davis, which is a lasting testament to their love of the arts and education. And, with great

THE BRAINS: RICK WALKER

love, they sponsor the popular Jan Shrem And Maria

Walker and Wissman had this crazy idea of bring-

Manetti Shrem Vocal Arts Series during the festival.

ing world-class talent—like the Russian National

“My husband and I both believe that we should give

Orchestra, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert Redford, and

with warm hands, not with cold hands when we are

Sophia Loren—to a small plot of land only known

dead,” Manetti Shrem says.

for winemaking. Thirteen years later, this festival

Both Manetti Shrem and her husband come from

has become a force for fundraising and star power.

very humble beginnings, and that is one of the reasons that they are so committed to the success of Festival Napa Valley. She came to the United States

“From the beginning, it has been our goal to raise Kristin Chenoweth

money to finance programs dedicated to youth and arts education. Culture and arts are critical for young

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Photos Courtesy of the Napa Valley Film Festival and Charles Krug Winery

Timothy Blackburn at the 2017 Arts for All Gala at Hall winery

students’ development,” Walker shares. “This is a vital

enthusiastic supporters who have the same goals and

need that is not being fulfilled via the public school

mission to create positive change. We pick up the

system. The festival is very involved with Napa County

phone and call the entertainers and stars and ask for

Unified School District. For example, one of the grant

their involvement,” Walker says. “Each year we get bet-

recipients is Camille Creek Community School, a

ter talent, raise more money and continue to increase

member of the Juvenile Court & Community Schools

the giving to our children and schools.”

in Napa. This school is an alternative for students who

Athena Blackburn and her husband, festival board

have a difficult time in traditional educational set-

chairman Timothy Blackburn, founded the Blackburn

tings. It’s a very special place, and an arts curriculum

Music Academy last year, which provides tuition-free

is a way of keeping them in school. With our help we

immersive training and performance experience for

can fund the Nimbus Arts program and Arts for All,

80 emerging pre-professional musicians from around

giving kids access to art.”

the world. Academy participants are given compli-

Part of what Walker and his team are doing is mak-

mentary lodging during the Festival through the gen-

ing Napa a more vital place to live and raise children

erosity of local host families. Guest artists and coaches

who care about the arts and education. They fund 22

for 2018 include Joshua Bell and principal musicians

free community chamber concerts, programs for the

from the Russian National Orchestra, MET Opera Or-

Boys and Girls Club, veterans, and elderly through-

chestra, and other leading ensembles.

out the year. This festival is the largest private funder

This festival is about the heart and Soul of Napa

of arts education in Napa. Walker is making Napa a

Valley. After the fires, the festival hosted a free concert.

model city of how the rest of the country can utilize

It was a gift for the community and a tribute to the

this blueprint for their community.

first responders. The first responders are the honorees

“We are clear about raising funds for youth arts

at this year’s festival. One of the exciting performances

and cultural programs and in doing so, we have found

that is creating buzz is the exclusive engagement direct

Joshua Bell

Photos Courtesy of the Napa Valley Film Festival and Charles Krug Winery

Danielle de Niese performs

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FEATURE

The setting for a post-performance dinner

from Havana Grupo Compay Segundo at the Trefethen Family Vineyards 50th anniversary

Maria Manetti Shrem and Jan Shrem.

celebration on Saturday, July 21.

THE BENEFICIARY: CAMILLE CREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOL Camille Creek Community School is a school for students who have been expelled, have behavior problems, and don’t do well in traditional classroom situations. The school’s mission is to empower Napa’s most disenfranchised youth through therapeutic relationships, targeted instruction, and inspiring opportunities for growth. Their goals are to help students gain the social and academic skills needed for employment or further education. Focus on interpersonal skills to maintain positive and meaningful relationships is also a priority.

One of the ways that they have been able to support their mission is through the generous financial commitment from the Festival Napa Valley. First, the festival gave the school money to refurbish their “accessory room” into “the refocus room.” Many students have poor self-regulation, can’t calm down, or regain control to get back to class. So, the faculty created a sensory room where the students are encouraged to regroup and calm down when tensions and emotions get heightened. The room has cozy chairs where the kids can isolate and tables for clay work or artwork. It is not a disciplinary place; it is a destination where students can unwind. The next project that the festival contributed to was the Nimbus Arts program. It is a five-week program where students are learning and creating for three hours

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a week. 50% of the funding has come from Festival Napa Valley.

“This is the most engaging program we offer to our children. Nimbus Arts is an escape from their current realities. They’re able to get away from the chaos of their everyday lives,” says Caroline Wilson the director of Juvenile Court and Community Schools. “With Nimbus Arts, they focus on the moment and are engaged. They have never been engaged in anything like this. These students don’t succeed in the normal classrooms. Their bad behavior is down 90%, and most don’t miss school. Most have problems with attendance but not when they are going to a Nimbus-class,” Wilson continues.

Thanks to Festival Napa Valley, these students have found freedom and creativity through clay work, painting, hand sculpting, and drawing. One of the most memorable moments for the students was when the festival brought the famous singer Wé McDonald to perform for them and talk about growing up and following their dreams.

Together the founders, benefactors, and beneficiaries unite in a common goal of elevating life through the arts and entertainment in beautifully orchestrated experiences. Creating and celebrating dreams has been a profound outcome of the work Festival Napa Valley has accomplished. This year, the Festival Napa Valley invites the public to become enthusiastically Salmon at a vintner circle dinner

engaged with the melodic beauty that fills the valley from July 20-29, 2018.

Grupo Compay Segundo

Festival founder Rick Walker and Bill Murray

SF_Festival Napa Valley_6_28-GC.indd 69

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FEATURE

Calendar Set in Napa Valley’s magnificent wineries, Festival Napa Valley’s 2018 Summer program is about to entertain and dazzle us again—July 20-29. This year’s headliners are superstar violinist Joshua Bell, 10-time Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval, Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, opera sensation Michael Fabiano, the San Francisco Ballet, and a rare appearance by Grupo Compay Segundo from Havana.

The 2018 season is dedicated to the first responders who saved lives, homes, and properties in the recent wine country wildfires. “With the introduction of three new concert series and a summer music camp, Festival Napa Valley 2018 is the most dynamic season we have presented to date,” Richard Walker, the president and CEO, said in a statement. “The range of music styles, venues, and price options makes it possible for everyone to enjoy Festival Napa Valley.”

The complete schedule of concerts, events, and passes is available online at festivalnapavalley.org. Or call the box office at 888.337.6272 for more information. Single concert tickets start at $39, while patron experiences begin at $850 and include a tax-deductible donation. On the next page, you’ll find a quick glance at the calendar of events.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY AND DREW ALTIZER

Festival Napa Valley

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July 18 and 19

– The Chamber Series debuts with twelve free concerts in locations throughout Napa Valley.

July 20

– Soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Bryan Hymel perform at the Opening Night celebration at Meadowood with the festival’s Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra under Joel Revzen.

July 21

– Grupo Compay Segundo, founded by members of the Buena Vista Social Club,

celebrates Trefethen Family Vineyards’ 50th anniversary.

July 22

– Kristin Chenoweth will headline the Arts for All Gala at Hall Winery. Sunday at the Symphony concert honoring first responders features the Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra conducted by Martin West and soprano Lisa Del.

July 23 and 24

July 25

winners of the Van Cliburn, Beethoven (Vienna), and Montreal International Piano

headlines Jazz at the Castello.

– The highly anticipated Grand Cru Piano Series debuts with the 2017 Gold Medal Competitions.

July 24, 26, and 28

– The Bouchaine Young Artist Series presents three admission-free concerts featur-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY AND DREW ALTIZER

ing classical stars of tomorrow.

– Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval,

July 26

– Joshua Bell performs John Corigliano’s complete Academy Award-winning score

to The Red Violin with the remastered film, live with the symphony orchestra conducted by Michael Stern.

July 27

– A new arrangement of John Corigliano’s Pied Piper Fantasy, with Maxim Rubtsov

as soloist and members of the Russian National Orchestra; the San Francisco Ballet returns to Napa for the popular Dede Wilsey Dance Gala.

July 28

– The festival celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with music from West Side Story and other Bernstein works, featuring tenor Michael Fabiano, soprano Larisa Martínez, and Festival Orchestra NAPA under Lawrence Foster.

July 29

- The season closes with a private concert by singer-songwriter Morgan James at

Alpha Omega.

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HauteQ&A

BY OLIVIA HSU DECKER

GET TO KNOW MEADOWOOD’S

GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK NAYROLLES

Patrick Nayrolles

Olivia Hsu Decker: Tell me about your childhood. Did your

Pavilion with Trust House Forte. My father stayed there three

father’s job impact your adult life decision to become a ho-

years while I then moved to a boarding school in Geneva,

telier?

Switzerland called Institut Florimont. By the time I finally

Patrick Nayrolles: I was born to French parents, Claudine

started at the Lausanne hotel school, my parents went to New

and Maurice Nayrolles, in Suresnes, a suburb of Paris. Having

York City to open the Plaza Athenee.

a father who was a hotel general manager meant we moved

My father came to Napa through a Meadowood member he

quite often, so I experienced many cultures and countries

had met in the Bahamas. It was initially going to be a two-year

growing up. When my father managed Lyford Cay Club, I

job because my father wanted to retire at the age of 65, but he

was raised in the Bahamas for seven years, where I learned

ended up staying eight years. I mention all of this history to

English. We moved to Portugal, where I learned French, as my

illustrate and explain the true impact my father had on me. I

father was going to oversee a resort in Algarve. Unfortunately,

was born and raised in hotels, and I am now a hotelier, my-

the revolution happened, and we soon moved. He had to find

self. While I still decided to go to the Lausanne school, I had

a new job, which was ultimately to open and manage the Me-

intended to study economics and not pursue a hotel career.

ridien in Morocco. I lived there for one year; and also during

I didn’t like all of the travel and moving I had to do as a kid

this year, my father told me he placed me on the waiting list to

growing up in the hotel world.

go to the Hotel School of Lausanne—the waitlist at that time was eight years long.

At the end of school, I eventually decided to pursue a hotel career and started to work in hotels with the goal of only

We moved to Sardinia for five years, where my father was

working in the highest category of hotels in the world, just

managing the Yacht, Gold, and Tennis Club of the Aga Khan

like my father did. Now my career is the one moving my fam-

in Porto Cervo. I began boarding school in the French Alps,

ily around the world! Initially, my son did not like all of the

for three years when my parents moved to Miami to open the

travel; he felt the same way about it as I did as a young boy.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEADOWOOD

One of the best resorts in the Napa Valley, Meadowood is also a leading hotel when it comes to local community involvement. It’s the venue of Auction Napa Valley and the magnificent 10 days of music, art, food, wine, and fundraising that is Festival Napa Valley. Meadowood’s general manager Patrick Nayrolles has a fascinating story. He followed in his father Maurice Nayrolles’ footsteps—Maurice was the GM of Meadowood from 1986 to 1994. Here, we chat with Patrick about his hotelier experience and his passion for Meadowood and Napa Valley.

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But, he’s coming around–also like me–and is now

States. Even though personal success is so highly

studying at Lycee Technique Hotelier of Monaco.

sought after, it is through this success that people have the means to help those in need. We are for-

OHD: After being the director at the Monte Car-

tunate to be the host of these two beautiful philan-

lo Beach Club in Abu Dhabi, the Hotel de Paris in

thropic events.

Monaco, and Cipriani in Venice, what prompted

Regarding Festival Napa Valley, I do want to

you to take on the GM role at Domaine de Man-

clarify that we are not hosting an auction this year.

ville in Les Beaux de Province and return to the

In years past, Meadowood was proud to host the

US at Meadowood?

gala and auction. Beginning last year, and also for

PN: I was offered the opening of the Domaine de

this year, we are hosting the opening night event.

Manville close to Les Beaux, so I happily decided

This year, the event is called, “Opening Night: Op-

to take the challenge. To tell you the truth, I also

era Under the Stars at Meadowood with Nadine

came back to France because my wife did not love

Sierra and Bryan Hymel.”

the heat in Abu Dhabi! Back when my parents were in the Napa Valley, I visited Meadowood in

OHD: I met your celebrated chef Christopher Ko-

1987, so I knew of the property. I was in the States

stow at Meadowood when he first started work-

as a trainee for the opening of the Nikko in San

ing at The Restaurant. What do you think of his

Francisco. After that experience, I always wanted

cooking?

to come back to Northern California. My dream came true when I later called Bill Harlan, Mead-

PN: When my wife and I sat down for our first din-

The spa at Meadowood

ner in The Restaurant, we thought we knew what

owood’s Founding Partner. I called him because

to expect. The experience was even better and ex-

my father had asked me to; Bill told me he was looking for a GM at Meadowood as

ceeded all of our previous expectations. Chef created refined, simple foods with little

Alex Kim was leaving. I jumped at this opportunity. I never imagined I would get

butter and no cream—what a delight. Plus, the service was a beautiful ballet of peo-

my working visa, but it worked.

ple around our table. My best experience yet, in a Michelin three-star restaurant.

OHD: What are your ideas to improve Meadowood which is already an excellent

OHD: What challenges have you encountered as a Frenchman managing a five-

resort?

star hotel in California?

PN: I am pretty much keeping the unique Napa Valley lifestyle, only slightly refin-

PN: France is much more complicated regarding all the labor laws. Here, it’s a pleas-

ing when needed or possible. The idea when I arrived was to help continue service

ure to work with people who are eager to grow and learn.

training alongside my executive team. We wanted to make sure the service levels continued to be enhanced alongside the capital investment made by our owners,

OHD: Who are the most inspiring people in your life?

which had begun years before. Before I arrived, Meadowood’s director of market-

PN: First, my mother and father, for all of the experiences they have given me, for

ing, communications, and membership, Ann Marie Conover, fully introduced, as

everything they taught me in life, and that they continue to show me. I would also

well as had begun to integrate, Forbes service standards with our team.

mention my lovely wife, daughter, and son that have followed me all around the

Through the thoughtful and professional dedication of the entire Meadowood

world, discovering different languages and cultures. My GM at the Cipriani in Ven-

team, I’m proud to say our property recently joined an elite group of only 13 hotels

ice, Dr. Natale Rusconi, who taught me everything that I apply at Meadowood to-

in the world to have all three Five-Star designations (hotel, restaurant, and spa) at

day. Also, the Father in charge of Florimont that saved me from a scholar disaster

the same property. The Restaurant at Meadowood earned its Five-Star designation

and gave me a great life structure still used today in my life.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEADOWOOD

first in 2013, followed by the Meadowood Spa winning its Five Stars in 2017 after being open for one year. The hard part now is to maintain that level and deliver on

OHD: What do you do to balance your busy schedule? Do you get to relax in the

the new expectations we have set for ourselves and our guests. We want Meadowood

hotel facility sometimes?

to continue to be a home away from home for our guests and a social hub in the

PN: I live near the property, so I do take advantage when I can. I mostly enjoy play-

Napa Valley for our members.

ing tennis on one of the courts. I play every Sunday morning with our tennis pro, Doug King. King is the one who gave me lessons 32 years ago when I was visiting

OHD: What do you think of Auction Napa Valley and Festival Napa Valley? Were

my parents as a student. I also enjoy the golf course, some croquet, and dining in

you in the auction room when the $1 million bid came for the Pebble Beach US

The Grill. My wife does take advantage of going to the Spa when she can.

Open auction lot? This level of generosity rarely happens in France and other countries.

OHD: What’s the advice you offer to people who want to develop a career like

PN: I completely agree with this; my wife and I often talk about it, as we are not

yours?

used to this level of generosity in our country. It is a different mindset here in the

PN: I think you need to be passionate and resilient; it is a beautiful world to live in.

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Real Estate

ROYALTY

HAUTE RESIDENCE HOSTS 5TH ANNUAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT AT CORE: CLUB NY BY: DEYVANSHI MASRANI PHOTOS: EUGENE GOLOGUTSKY

Jeff Miller, Moderator Peter Grant, Richard Steinberg, Adam Modlin, Aaron Kirman and Olivia Hsu Decker

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Louis Birdman and Shahab Karmely

Haute Residence hosted its highly-anticipated, fifth annual Real Estate Summit at New York’s prestigious, members-only CORE: Club.

The event brought together some of the country’s leading real estate professionals for an all-day affair of three panels: Titans of Development, The Power Brokers and The Hamptons.

The first panel of the day, Titans of Development, or, the “East Coast Kings,” was moderated by Fox Business Network’s Cheryl Casone and included six of the most successful real estate developers in the New York/Florida areas: Mitchell Moinian, Don Peebles, Dan Kodsi, Louis Birdman, Shahab Karmely and Michael Stern. The group covered a variety of topics, including political changes in the market, international buyers making New York and Florida real estate investments, the development of Miami as a globally-recognized destination and the differences between the real estate markets in Miami and New York.

“It’s been a very exciting time in Miami, especially in the last 10 years,” began Louis Birman, CEO of Birdman Real Estate Development and co-developer of One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects in Miami. “A lot of our sales have been driven out of Latin

Dan Kodsi

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REAL ESTATE Summit

Raphael Avigdor, Michael Putnam, Robert Canberg, John Brady, Marcy Braun and Douglas Sabo

Lisa Lippman

America and although that continues to be true, we’re also starting to see more interest out of other countries like in Europe and the Far East.” Dan Kodsi, developer of Paramount Miami Worldcenter, CEO of Royal Palm Companies and the visionary behind Paramount Branded Developments, echoed that sentiment. “In the past 10 years, we’ve seen the world recognize Miami as a major gate way city. Now you meet people from Europe and China. You never used to see that…

When you get named with cities like London, Paris and New York, that’s a big deal for Miami.” He also called out Miami’s downtown area as the one to watch out for: “From Brickell to Miami Design District, it’ll feel like a miniature Manhattan once it develops out.”

Mitchell Moinian, principal for The Moinian Group, also has an upcoming residential project in New York with the late and great Zaha Hadid, at 220 Eleventh Avenue; however, it is his 3 Hudson Boulevard development, that is garnering a lot of attention, given that the Hudson Yards area is set to be one of the next hotspots in Manhattan.

The second group, The Power Brokers, included top brokers and agents from key US markets. The panelists were Adam Modlin, Jeff Miller, Aaron Kirman, Olivia Hsu Decker, Richard Steinberg and

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Lisa Lippman. The group, moderated by Wall Street Journal‘s Pe-

CNBC led the group, which consisted of Matthew Breitenbach,

ter Grant, discussed the changing climate of the luxury real estate

Raphael Avigdor, Michael Putnam, Robert Canberg, John Brady,

market, as well as the impact of social media on the buying and

Marcy Braun, Doug Sabo and James Giugliano. The Hamptons is

selling process. Olivia Hsu Decker, co-owner of Decker Bullock

a very significant area for luxury New York real estate. When asked

Sotheby’s International Realty with 11 offices in the San Francis-

about the hottest Hamptons neighborhoods, the panel gave out a

co Bay Area, felt strongly that though social media allows brokers

spattering of different opinions, including Water Mill, East Hamp-

more visibility, nothing could and would replace the human con-

ton and Sag Harbor, all of which are booming.

nection. “Buying a home is like finding a husband or a wife,” she

Also sponsored by Ultralux Interiors, the day was incredibly in-

began. “You have to go to see it and make sure you can actually live

formative for attendees who came from all around the globe to at-

there for the rest of your life. Nothing can replace that.”

tend the event, who also had the opportunity to ask questions and

In the last panel, The Hamptons, moderator Maneet Ahuja of

receive expert opinions from the highly-esteemed panelists.

IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, WE’VE SEEN THE WORLD RECOGNIZE MIAMI AS A MAJOR GATE WAY CITY. NOW YOU MEET PEOPLE FROM EUROPE AND CHINA. YOU NEVER USED TO SEE THAT…WHEN YOU GET NAMED WITH CITIES LIKE LONDON, PARIS AND NEW YORK, THAT’S A BIG DEAL FOR MIAMI. Kamal Hotchandani, Aaron Kirman and Jeff Miller

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REAL ESTATE Summit

Dan Kodsi, Louis Birdman, Shahab Karmely, Michael Stern, Moderator Cheryl Casone, Don Peebles and Mitchell Moinian

Louis Birdman, Shahab Karmely, Dan Kodsi, Don Peebles, Mitchell Moinian and Michael Stern

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Kamal Hotchandani, Paolo Zampoli, Dan Kodsi and Seth Semilof

Seth Semilof, Olivia Hsu Decker, Richard Steinberg and Jeff Miller

THE SEVILLE New York’s latest hot spot set the perfect scene for the cocktail event.

Richard Steinberg, Deyvanshi Masrani and Kamal Hotchandani

John Meadow and Kamal Hotchandani

On the eve prior to the summit, Haute Residence also hosted a cocktail reception at the Seville in the NoMad James Hotel, New York, along with Paramount Miami Worldcenter—the cover star of the latest Haute Residence, which is set to open next year. Guests enjoyed champagne and cocktails, along with hors d’oeuvres, while mingling with real estate professionals from all across the country and world in New York’s latest upscale hotspot. They also had the opportunity to chat with the esteemed panelists, most of whom were in attendance. Following the cocktail reception, a select group of guests were escorted upstairs to Scarpetta restaurant, for an intimate and private dinner with Ultralux Interiors. A New York staple, Scarpetta pulled out all the stops, serving delicious, signature dishes, including creamy polenta, short rib and bone marrow agnolotti, duck and foie gras ravioli, veal tenderloin, roasted organic chicken and its tomato and basil spaghetti.

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HauteTRAVEL

BY LAURA SCHREFFLER

Megayachts in Gustavia Harbor

The Northern Lights

BUCKET LIST EXPERIENCES

THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT Achievement travel is the biggest trend in the tourism industry, so regardless of which bucket-list trip you choose, make sure your journey brings you personal value.

If your travel life looks a lot like Aspen, St. Barts,

an (insulated) igloo. At the Kakslauttanen Arctic

and Jordan, is one of the saltiest bodies of water

Cannes and repeat, it’s time to branch out, get

Resort, you have not one but two luxury ptions:

in the world with a concentration that fluctuates

adventurous and make that journey you’ve only

an igloo made of thermal glass that traps heat

around 31.5 percent. It is impossible to sink—

ever dreamed of happen. There’s no time like the

inside, and Kelo-Glass Igloos, which up the ante

anyone who enters this hypersaline body of

present, right? So get ready, get set and go to these

by including a private sauna, bathroom and

water will float. As a bonus, it’s mineral-rich black

glorious, far-flung locations and start living your

fireplace. During the day, make the short trek

mud is famously used for high-end cosmetic and

best life, one plane ticket at a time.

to one of Finland’s largest national parks, Urho

therapeutic treatments.

Kekkonen National Park, and at night, return to

Stay: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

GAZE AT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

the resort to watch the night light action unfold. At

The Kempinski, one of the area’s only true five-star

One of the best places in the world to see the au-

Kakslauttanen,you’ll also find a glass igloo bar, one

properties, also happens to be the only luxury ho-

rora borealis—a phenomenon where electrically

of the biggest log restaurants in the world and the

tel in the area with views of the sea. The haute

charged particles from the sun enter the earth’s

world’s largest smoke sauna.

way to stay at this hotel is to book one of the Royal

atmosphere—is Finnish Lapland.

Kiilopääntie 9, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland

Villas, which have hosted heads of states, royals

Stay: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

and celebrities alike. Think private infinity pools,

If you’ve ever fantasized about seeing the Northern

SWIM IN THE DEAD SEA

a private beach, complimentary massages, a per-

Lights, there’s no better way to do so than from

The Dead Sea, bordering Israel, the West Bank

sonal butler and personal driver (with your very

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KAKSLAUTTANEN, KAVRAM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, TANARCH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM AND THE OBEROI AMARVILLAS

What are you waiting for?

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF KAKSLAUTTANEN, KAVRAM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, TANARCH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM AND THE OBEROI AMARVILLAS

own luxury car as well for the entirety of your stay).

monuments, making it a great place to eat, pray,

Take advantage of that healing Dead Sea mud at

love… and relax. Spread over nine acres of elaborate

the Ishtar Spa by Resense, one of the largest spas

gardens, terraced lawns, fountains, reflection pools

in all of the Middle East at over 100,000 square

and pavilions, the classical design of the luxury

feet that also features the largest hydro-pool in the

hotel is a tribute to the legacy of Moorish and

Dead Sea and Tepidarium heated lounges.

Mughal architecture. Its interior is an elaborate

Swaimeh, Amman, Jordan

maze of intricate filigree and marble inlay work, jali (screens), gold thread and bead embroidery,

FIND INNER PEACE AT THE TAJ MAHAL

woodcarvings and hand-woven tapestries, all of

This immense mausoleum of white marble, built

which display the rich arts and crafts of the region.

in Agra between 1631 and 1648, is the crown jewel

The hotel’s most opulent suite is the Kohinoor,

of Muslim art in India and one of the universally

900 square feet of space with a private, open-air

admired masterpieces of the world.

terrace, white marble and granite bathrooms, and

Stay: The Oberoi Amarvilas

a bird’s-eye view of the Taj Mahal.

The Oberoi Amarvilas is located just .3 miles from

Taj East Gate Road, Agra - 282001, Uttar

the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most beloved

Pradesh, India

Kakslauttanen glass igloos

The Taj Mahal

The Oberoi Amarvilas

The Dead Sea

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BATHE IN THE BLUE LAGOON

Crosby, were frequent visitors and members).

The Blue Lagoon is an otherworldly Icelandic

The most sought-after of its 120 rooms is the

oasis where geothermal water and lava meet.

Equatorial Suite, which is actually split in two

Stay: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon

by the equator—meaning that guests straddle

This newly opened property is as cool as

both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

they come. The hotel itself is built into the

at the same time; the resort also offers the

volcanic frontier. Floor-to-ceiling windows,

only golf course in Africa to bisect the equa-

terraces and balconies beckon guests to

tor. And while the Mount Kenya Wildlife Con-

the natural wonders beyond at this 62-room

servancy, a nonprofit organization focusing on

property, which include an underground spa

the re-introduction of the bongo, an endan-

carved into an 800-year-old lava flow and use

gered Mount Kenya antelope, is directly across

of a completely private lagoon. For a truly VIP

from the property, reserves where you’ll see

experience, rent out the self-contained Hidden

the giraffes, buffalos, lions, cheetahs, zebras,

Cove, a private area that comes with an on-call

leopards, colobus monkeys and even a rhino-

chef, a butler and a private masseuse.

breeding sanctuary are all a short drive away.

Nordurljosavegur 11, 240 Grindavík, Iceland

Mount Kenya Rd, Nanyuki, Kenya

HAVE A WILDLIFE ADVENTURE ON AN

WALK THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

AFRICAN SAFARI

This World Heritage site is almost 2,700 years

See Africa’s wildlife—elephants, zebra, gorillas,

old, over 13,000 miles long and is the only man-

giraffes and more—in their native habitat while

made object visible from space.

staying in the comfort of a luxury lodge.

Stay: Commune by the Great Wall

Stay: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club

Commune by the Great Wall is a private col-

This luxurious, five-star retreat set in the foot-

lection of contemporary architecture designed

hills of Africa’s second-highest peak, Mount

by 12 Asian architects and is comprised of

Kenya, looks like it’s something from a film

40 villas with 175 suites and 11 Presidential

set—which is apt considering that its former

Suites, three restaurants, an indoor/outdoor

owner was Hollywood film star William Hold-

pool and a tennis court. For a truly authen-

en (whose friends, such as Sir Winston Church-

tic experience, stay in one of two villas de-

ill, President Lyndon B. Johnson and Bing

signed by Chinese architects: The Cantile-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAWPIXEL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM AND ROBERTSONS LODGES

HauteTRAVEL

The Blue Lagoon

Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti

PHOTOS COURTESY OF B-HIDE THE SCENE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, FOUR SEASONS SAFARI LODGE, BYTHEEVERYWHEREMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The Great Wall of China

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAWPIXEL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM AND ROBERTSONS LODGES

Milford Sound

ver House, by Antonio Ochoa, is built into

it also served as the primary shooting lo-

the slope of the mountain, while the Split

cations for the fantasy world—otherwise

House by Yung Ho Chang, is “split” down

known as “Middle Earth”—created by Lord

the middle in order to bring the mountain

of the Rings scribe J.R.R. Tolkien and im-

and water into the building—there is literally a creek running through the glassfloored entrance room. Best yet, those who stay in any of the strucdtures are afforded private-path access to an untouched portion of the Great Wall of China, which PHOTOS COURTESY OF B-HIDE THE SCENE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, FOUR SEASONS SAFARI LODGE, BYTHEEVERYWHEREMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

is only a 10-minute walk away.

Yanqing, China

Queenstown’s Matakauri Lodge

mortalized on film by Oscar-win-

This luxury lodge also does one of the best minibars we’ve ever seen: Mini bottles of Moët & Chandon and local wines from the Otago region are gratis.

ning director Peter Jackson.

Stay: Matakauri Lodge As can be expected, it isn’t easy getting to Middle Earth (especially when the part of Middle Earth in question is Milford Sound), but for a taste of what it’s like that’s far more accessible, stay at Queenstown’s

luxurious alpine retreat

Matakauri Lodge. Make like former guests the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and stay in the

HELICOPTER THROUGH MILFORD

Owner’s Cottage, which, in addition to its

SOUND (AKA MIDDLE EARTH)

5,000 square feet, boasts open fireplaces,

Milford Sound is a fjord in the southwest of

a bathtub and infinity edge hot tub over-

New Zealand’s South Island. It’s not only

looking the lake, an outdoor courtyard and

one of the most beautiful places in the

a kitchen fully equipped for a master chef

world, it’s one of the wettest, hardest to

if private dining is preferred. However, we

get to, and can only be accessed by boat or

highly recommend heading to the resort’s

helicopter. While the fjord and its surround-

dining room for a Kiwi-style five-course

ing home of Queenstown is thankfully real,

dinner. This luxury lodge also does one

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HauteTRAVEL (Here and left) The Princess Grace Suite at Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo

Cappadocia, Turkey

Museum Hotel

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VLADYSLAV DANILIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, MUSEUM HOTEL AND LIZARD ISLAND

FASHIONABLE DIGS According to MerriamWebster, a bucket list is a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying.

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of the best minibars we’ve ever seen:

at the hotel allows guests first ac-

Mini bottles of Moët & Chandon and

cess when the gates open at 6 a.m.,

local wines from the Otago region are

a truly magical hour considering that

gratis.

Machu Picchu is often still veiled in

569 Glenorchy Road, Queenstown,

a diaphanous petticoat of mist. Hav-

Closeburn 9371, New Zealand

ing the place virtually to yourself for that moment of sunrise, which itself

TAKE A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

was a hugely significant time of day

IN CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY

to the Incas, is priceless. For the tru-

This fairy-talelike locale, home to a

est bucket-list experience, make sure

magical hot air balloon extravaganza,

to hike the Salkantay Trail.

is known for its “fairy chimneys”—tall,

Carretera Hiram Bingham KM 7.5,

cone-shaped rock formations created

Machu Picchu, Peru

over time by erosion of volcanic ash.

Stay: Museum Hotel If you’ve ever fancied staying in a hotel that’s thousands of years old and built into a cave, Museum Hotel is the right hotel-stay experience for you. No

Lizard Island, Australia

two rooms are alike here.

Located in Uçhisar at the pinnacle of this UNESCO World Heritage site, the hotel offers 30 completely

If you’ve ever fancied staying in a hotel that’s thousands of years old and built into a cave, Museum Hotel is the right experience for you.

SCUBA DIVE IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on Earth—and it happens to be visible from outer space. The 1,430-mile ecosystem off the coast of Queensland in northern Australia is made of thousands of reefs, hundreds of islands and 600 types of coral, plus an amazing

unique rooms and suites, built with

array of fish, dolphins, turtles, starfish

lovingly restored original structures

and sharks.

including dovecotes, stone columns

Stay: Lizard Island

and secret tunnels. Make sure not

If you want to see all aforementioned

to miss the absolutely spectacular

species, head to this intimate, 40-

panoramic views of the area’s famous

room luxury lodge off the coast of

sunrise hot air balloon launches… and

Cairns. With 24 private beaches on

cross something else off that list of

the property, it’s possible to have a

yours and go up in one yourself.

day of fun in the sun exploring the

Tekelli mah. No.1 Uçhisar 50240

reef and taking in the incredible

Nevsehir, Cappadocia, Turkey

nature around you without ever see-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VLADYSLAV DANILIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, MUSEUM HOTEL AND LIZARD ISLAND

ing another person. In a world of over

Bucket List Travel 6_27.indd 85

CLIMB MACHU PICCHU

7.5 billion people, this experience

It’s about the journey and the desti-

is truly luxurious because it’s only

nation when you climb this 2,139-foot

designed for two. Book The Pavilion,

mountain set in the Incan citadel high

which creates a sense of being “one”

in the Andes Mountains of Peru.

with nature thanks to sliding glass

Stay: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

doors that only surround three walls

There is one very, very good reason

of the suite; you’ll also have your own

to stay at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge:

private gazebo and plunge pool.

Because of its proximity to Machu

Lizard Island, Cairns QLD 4871,

Picchu (it’s just steps away), staying

Australia

The Great Barrier Reef

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BY KATIE SWEENEY

HauteHOTEL

The lobby at Vintage House

There’s nothing antique or old about Napa Valley’s remodeled Vintage House.

the decade, and those with bottles are currently enjoying the ripe 31-year old elixir. The year also marked the birth of Vintage House, an 80-room hotel in the heart of downtown Yountville, which recently received a modern makeover. Vintage House, like the fine wines of its birth year, is a superior hotel of prestige, luxury, and excellent quality.

The house is part of The Estate Yountville, a 22-acre property that takes up most of the Western half of downtown Yountville. The Estate consists of V Marketplace, Michael Chiarello’s restaurants, Bottega and Ottimo, the Hotel Villagio, and Vintage House. It’s a hop, skip, and jump away from Yountville’s major attactions including The French Laundry, JCB Tasting Salon, Bouchon Bakery, and Stewart Cellars. The

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILL PRYCE

A HEAVENLY VINTAGE

1987: NAPA VALLEY WINE CONNOISSEURS KNOW THE VINTAGE AS being one of the best in

prime location makes Vintage House our new favorite place to stay in the valley.

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A trio of design firms—Hirsch Bedner Associates, Illuminate, and Canvas—worked together on the house’s upscale interiors.

The look is contemporary and cool, but warm and welcoming.

The lobby feels more like the home of a wealthy, stylish, child-less couple than it does a typical stuffy hotel entryway. It’s two inviting rooms, decorated in a blue and grey color palette, separated by a glass elevator and a sleek staircase. Colorful artwork and pops of bright purple grab your attention. While the concierge offers you a glass of wine, the front desk presents you with your room key. Outside a rectangular pool glistens and lounge chairs beg for sunbathing.

The look is contemporary and cool, but warm and welcoming. The lobby feels more like the home of a wealthy, stylish, child-less couple than it does a typical stuffy hotel entryway.

The spa

Work space above the lobby

With soothing fountains and blooming roses, the grounds are spectacular. Outfitted in Restoration Hardware furniture, the guest rooms are charming and luxurious. Think masculine dark wood walls, roaring fireplaces, bright marble-filled bathrooms, and sumptuous bedding. Vintage House has 40 local winery partners, and the well-informed staff can tailor a wine country experience to suit any guest’s needs. Other amenities include complimentary breakfast and bikes, a fitness center, quiet meeting space, and a seven-treatment-room spa. The next time you’re in Yountville, stay at the sophisticated and lovely resort—you’ll leave feeling relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated.

The lobby’s bar cart

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILL PRYCE

A view from one of the rooms

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Belvedere Contemporary Retreat with Panoramic Bay Views

4 BD | 4 BA | $6,950,000

High-quality remodelled home in contemporary style

equipped bar; award-winning garden with custom stone

reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright. Stunning views from

work, water features and built-in BBQ; view decks off

Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, to Mt Tam. Four bedrooms,

nearly every room, separate gym, 5,000-bottle climate-

four baths, full built-in office; master with large walk-in

controlled wine cellar, and three-car garage.

closet, luxurious bath with marble steam shower and Jacuzzi off view deck; eat-in kitchen with quality

For photos and details, please visit

appliances off dining room; family room with fully

11BelvedereAve.com

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Direct Line 415.720.5915 | Olivia @SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080 Belvedere.indd 88

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Belvedere.indd 89

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BY SONYA MOLODETSKAYA

HauteAMBASSADOR A DAY IN THE LIFE OF SONYA MOLODETSKAYA 6:00 A.M. Generally, I wake up pretty early. I don’t sleep. My mind is always working on something.

6:30 A.M. I’ve come up with a new morning routine. I like to exercise—and by exercise, I mean not doing exercise, but I go for a walk. I go on a five-mile walk with my dog, Kukla. Her name means doll in Russian. I walk out of my house, and I pick a spot. I go up to North Beach, or I walk all the way to the Marina. Then I turn around, and I walk back. I enjoy the morning because it’s quiet time for myself. I don’t call or text anyone. I usually have coffee as I’m walking. I enjoy the natural surroundings of the city and my own company. It helps to clear my mind. When the weather is terrible, I’ll walk to the gym and use the treadmill.

8:30 A.M. My walk fills me with energy, so when I get home, I turn on music. Lately, I’ve been into house music and Latin tunes because I love the rhythm. I turn the PHOTOS COURTESY OF SONYA MOLODETSKAYA, DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN (CHE FICO), AND KASSIE BORRESON (THE RIDDLER)

music on, and I get out my computer. I check emails. I read text messages. I do all my media. I post something on Instagram, on Facebook. I eat a little breakfast. Just coffee and pieces of salami and cheese. I don’t cook—the most I can do is boil eggs. When I feel like I need to be on a diet, that’s what I have for breakfast, a hard-boiled egg.

9:25 A.M. My latest obsession is statement jewelry. I’ve been wearing a lot of statement earrings. It’s something I never paid attention to before. For whatever reason, I couldn’t care less about accessories, but now I can’t stop thinking about them! I’m designing jewelry. I’m not going to sell them or anything, but I go, and I create something, so I do a couple of sketches. I have a woman who puts them together for me.

11 A.M. During the daytime, I often have an event. It could be a lunch, it could be a meeting, or it could be Place holder with girlfriends. If it’s a lunch, I usually getting together

go to the Battery. So I get ready to go there. I see what the weather is like, and depending on how many events I have that day and how many meetings, I try to figure out what to wear. It depends on my mood. If I had it my

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Sonya Molodetskaya poses after lunch at The Battery

6/29/18 9:50 AM

An outfit that Molodetskaya built from the shoe up.

way, I would wear jeans and some cool top every day. However, if the event sounds dressier, I wear something more formal. Often, I select what I’m going to wear based on shoes. I’m a shoe addict, and I start from the shoe up, thinking about what goes on the top? What goes on the middle?

12 P.M. Sometimes I go out for a blow dry, but only if there are a bunch of special events in a row. Usually, I do my hair and makeup at home.

12:15 P.M. I Uber to the Battery. I always take Uber. If I’m going to a party that requires a gift, like a birthday, I’ll bring a bottle of good Champagne and a lovely candle. You can get away with this kind of a gift because pretty much everyone appreciates Champagne, and she can always drink it while she’s burning the candle.

Molodetskaya and Kukla Opus One

1:00 P.M. I’m trying to cut back on my alcohol intake, so lately, I’m

Che Fico

not drinking during the daytime. I enjoy lunch—whatever it is, a salad or chicken and French fries, and the company of my friends.

We love to get together and talk. We exchange news or gossip about something.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SONYA MOLODETSKAYA, DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN (CHE FICO), AND KASSIE BORRESON (THE RIDDLER)

3:15 P.M. I call Willie [Brown, Molodetskaya’s longtime boyfriend and former mayor of San Francisco] on my ride home. We talk five or six times per day.

3:30 P.M. When I get home, I take the dog out for another walk.

Then I change my outfit. I’ll put on something more appropriate for night. I like to wear something more elegant in the evening. I change

Her statement jewelry

The Riddler

my look multiple times per day.

5:15 P.M. I order another Uber and head to Hayes Valley to meet my girlfriend Rada. We go to The Riddler and order Champagne and caviar. We talk about a sale that we are hosting.

7:30 P.M. Rada and I, along with a couple of other friends, go to Che Fico for dinner. It’s an excellent new Italian restaurant on Divisadero.

We order red wine. I like outstanding red wine like Opus One. Because I don’t cook, I always eat dinner out. I go to Kokkari or a steakhouse with Willie at least once a week. But tonight it’s Italian food.

10:15 P.M. I don’t like drinks after dinner because I want to be in bed by 11:00 p.m. at the latest. I wake up at 6:00 a.m., so to get enough hours of sleep, I have to be in bed by 11:00.

11:00 P.M. I get home and am so tired I pass out right away. I wash my face and slap on some La Mer products, then go straight to bed.

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BY RICHARD DAVIS-LOWELL

HauteAMBASSADOR

Tips

FOR PRESERVING THE VALUE OF YOUR HAUTE COUTURE Like Champagne or Bordeaux, the term haute couture has a protected legal definition. Its use is reserved for fashion houses that adhere to the exacting requirements of the French Ministry of Industry and the Fédération Française de la Couture. These institutions produce an official list of qualifying brands.

In order to be eligible for the haute couture designation, the clothing must be made-to-measure for private clients, the designer must operate an atelier in Paris with no less than 20 employees, and the house must present two collections per year that show both day and evening wear.

The couture house also has to create at least 50 original designs per show.

Established couture houses include Chanel, Christian Dior, Armani, and Givenchy. Newer members are Yiqing Yin, Alexandre Vauthier, Rad Hourani, and Iris van Herpen. Thinking about splurging on couture? Here are six things to consider before you make that significant investment.

1. FUTURE VALUE IS UNKNOWN While couture pieces may appreciate in value, there are no guarantees that what is fashionable today will be considered desirable tomorrow. Fashion can be fickle. Purchasing purely for investment is risky, and the opacity of the market makes it hard to judge the true value of a piece. As with any collectible, the best approach may be to buy what you like.

PARIS COUTURE FASHION SHOW PHOTOS COURTESY OF IRIS BROSCH

Richard Davis-Lowell is a Senior Wealth Director in BNY Mellon’s San Francisco office. For questions about this article, please contact him at Richard.davis@ bnymellon.com or 415-951-4103.

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2. PRESERVE THE VALUE OF

5. THINK ABOUT YOUR LEGACY

YOUR COLLECTION

You might consider donating some or all of

If you’re interested in collecting couture, take

your collection to a museum or other charitable

steps to preserve its value, so you have the oppor-

purpose. Jill D’Alessandro, Curator of Costume

tunity to benefit if it does appreciate over time.

and Textile Arts at the Fine Arts Museums of San

To do this, treat it like the work of art it is.

Francisco (FAMSF), shares that “donating to a museum allows your collection a life outside your

3. KEEP A DETAILED INVENTORY

own that can continue for future generations to

Ensure that you can certify the authenticity of

come.” The costume and textile arts department

your items. Retaining original paperwork (such

at FAMSF has a collection of more than 14,000

as a bill of sale), sketches, photographic docu-

objects—a quarter of which is explicitly dedicated

mentation of the article (including show catalogs,

to couture.

where available), and any subsequent appraisals or assessments will allow you to demonstrate the

6. DON’T FORGET YOUR COUTURE WHEN

chain of custody of your collection.

PLANNING Your couture collection isn’t just something you take pleasure in—it’s also an asset. Failing to take

Keep each item enclosed in custom-made zipper

this into account when making decisions about

bags that are airtight. Outside, in a plastic-win-

your wealth and estate plans can have serious fi-

dowed pocket, insert a photograph of the outfit.

nancial consequences. Having a well-document-

Store at a temperature that won’t damage the

ed plan that includes all of your assets is essential

fabric.

to ensuring your wishes are carried out correctly.

PARIS COUTURE FASHION SHOW PHOTOS COURTESY OF IRIS BROSCH

4. PROPERLY STORE THE GARMENTS

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HauteAMBASSADOR

BY KELLY E. CARTER

Antonio Galloni, Kerrin Laz, David Abreu The stunning performence of Turnadot

TWO INAUGURAL NAPA VALLEY CELEBRATIONS MAKE MAGNIFICENT ENTRANCES Napa Valley welcomed two new kids on the fundraising block in May, and what a dazzling debut it was for both Inspire Napa Valley’s Inaugural Wine Weekend and ¡Salud! A Celebration of Ole Health.

Wine industry tastemaker Kerrin Laz was motivated to establish Inspire Napa Valley (INV) to raise critical funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s after her mother was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2014. Kerrin set out to create a three-day affair that “would be like no other event you’ve been to–and

Juan Porter, Mandi Ackerman

Barbara Garganta, Dean Slover, Christina Carlson, Michelle Suarez

I’ve been to every event,” she told me, without a hint of braggadocio. Anyone who knows her K. Laz Wine Collection in Yountville knows that Kerrin has access to PHOTOs COURTESY OF BOB MCCLENAHAN

cult wines that oenophiles dream about having in their cellar. At INV’s primary event on May 5, it was quite impressive to see–and sip–the wines poured at the walk-around tasting which preceded an elegant, seated dinner and live auction led by Ursula Hermacinski at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.

New York Times bestselling author Kelly E. Carter is the Director of Communications at Alpha Omega Winery in Rutherford. www.aowinery.com

Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Bond, Lokoya, Dalla Valle, Ovid, Bryant, Dana Estates, Hourglass, Staglin, Maybach, and Sinegal were just some of the 40 wines available to wine enthusiasts who marveled at the magnitude of the offerings.

It’s no wonder that Kerrin exceeded her fundraising goal of $1 million for the weekend, which benefitted the national Alzheimer’s Association. She enthused

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6/27/18 4:55 PM

to me about how giving the people of Napa Valley are, but I think

in 1972 to provide healthcare to low-income, uninsured, Spanish-

the success of Wine Weekend is a testament to what the residents

speaking farmworkers, Ole Health is now the valley’s second-larg-

think of her. Vintner David Abreu went deep into his cellar to

est health-care provider, serving 35,000 patients annually from

pull library wines for an intimate VIP dinner at Abreu Las Po-

all walks of life at seven locations throughout the county.

sadas Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Vinous Founder Antonio

The festive evening, presented by Darioush, began with a color-

Galloni moderated a VIP wine seminar and tasting with distin-

ful reception where a mariachi band entertained, Mexican fare

guished wine industry panelists at Press Restaurant in St. Hele-

from local restaurants was enjoyed, and two mojigangas (giant

na, where Maria Carrillo, chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s

puppets) walked the decked-out grounds, which were decorated

Association, also presented a research update. Three-Michelin-

with piñatas, sombreros and faux donkeys. Following a beautiful

starred chef Thomas Keller donated a scrumptious fried chicken

dinner by Elaine Bell Catering, Ole Health honored Napa Valley

and waffles VIP farewell brunch, complete with a Bloody Mary

Vintners (NVV). Since 1984, NVV has given Ole Health more

and Mimosa bar.

than $40 million, including an unprecedented $6 million gift for

I mingled with people who flew in from Texas, Utah, North Carolina, Chicago, St. Louis, and New York for the event. A Chicago

its 30,000 square-foot facility expected to open in South Napa early next year.

couple summed up what Wine Weekend is about. The wife had

Upon accepting the award, NVV Vice Chair and Alpha Omega

lost her mother to Alzheimer’s, and the husband subscribes to Gal-

Vintner Robin Baggett paraphrased Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

loni’s Vinous. The combination of a desire to eliminate a disease

and asked attendees, “What have you done for someone else to-

that is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and a

day?” After a passionate speech by Ole Health CEO Alicia Hardy,

love for fine wine certainly made for a powerful potion. Mark your

fund-a-need with a twist took place. The guest with their hand

calendar for the next Wine Weekend, set for April 25-28, 2019.

up last would take home a magnum of Schrader Beckstoffer To

While you’re at it, circle May 4, 2019 on your calendar as well

Kalon. The marathon bidding session went on for what seemed

because you won’t want to miss ¡Salud! A Celebration of Ole

like 15 minutes before Sonja Hoel Perkins finally won. Auctioneer

Health. The inaugural gala, held at Hall Wines on May 11, was tru-

Franco Finn exclaimed, “I do a lot of auctions, but this was a lot of

ly exciting and raised nearly $600,000 for Ole Health. Founded

fun.” Indeed, it was–and all for a healthy cause!

Bob Myers, Libby Schaaf, and Joe Lacob

Atmosphere at !Salud!

Cliff Lede, Mackenzie Evans

John Shafer

PHOTOs COURTESY OF BOB MCCLENAHAN

Michelle and Robin Baggett

Shahpar and Darioush Khaledi, Blakesley Chappellet

Haute Ambassador_Kelly_corrected_6_19_KS.indd 95

Kathryn Hall

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6/27/18 4:55 PM

Napa Valley Vineyard Estate

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apa Valley vineyard estate located on highly desirable East Side of Napa. Remodeled mostly single level with attached guest suite offers open floor plan with stunning vineyard and mountain views. Gourmet kitchen and great room with wine bar opens to outdoor entertaining area with fireplace, gazebo covered dining and pool with solar.

Bordeaux vineyard of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Grapes used in Robert Craig's highly acclaimed Affinity Cabernet.

OFFERED AT $2,495,000

Photos Shawn-Paul Luchin Photography

Stunning Mountain View Estate

S

tunning Mountain View estate located on the valley floor on the highly desirable East side of Napa close to downtown and Silverado Trail.

Completely fenced 6.73 flat acres perfect for horses or gentlemen’s vineyard. Single level contemporary farmhouse with random plank flooring, 8' doors and 12-14' ceilings. 2 bedroom guest house, pool house, approx 10,000 sq ft car barn, exercise studio and OFFERED AT $4,395,000 pond!

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Jill Levy 707.479.9612 | jillmlevy@gmail.com napahomesandestates.com DRE# 01230055

Selling Napa Valley Lifestyle Properties

2464Napa N 3rdValley Ave. Napa $2,795,000.

Vineyard Estate

N

apa Valley vineyard estate located on highly desirable East Side of Napa.

Remodeled mostly uthentic Napa Valley farmhouse located in a withclose attached guest offers open privatesingle gatedlevel setting to town & suite bordering floor plan with stunning vineyard and mountain large estate parcels. Resort-like grounds offer exviews. Gourmet kitchen and great room with pansive outdoor entertaining area including pool w/ wine bar opens to outdoor entertaining area with solar, pergola, outdoor fireplace & art studio. fireplace, gazebo covered dining and Tastepool with solar. fully remodeled to embrace Napa Valley lifestyle Bordeaux vineyardthe of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. usedaround in Robert Craig's of indoor/outdoor livingGrapes with wrap porch & 6 highly acclaimed Affinity Cabernet.

OFFERED AT $2,495,000 sets of french doors. 4 bedrooms 4 baths include 1st

A

floor master suite & 2 spacious en-suite bedrooms!

Photos Shawn-Paul Luchin Photography

Stunning Mountain View Estate

S

tunning Mountain View estate located on the valley floor on the highly desirable East side of Napa close to downtown and Silverado Trail.

Completely fenced 6.73 flat acres perfect for horses or gentlemen’s vineyard. Single level contemporary farmhouse with random plank flooring, 8' doors and 12-14' ceilings. 2 bedroom guest house, pool house, approx 10,000 sq ft car barn, exercise studio and OFFERED AT $4,395,000 pond!

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Jill Levy 707.479.9612 | jillmlevy@gmail.com napahomesandestates.com DRE# 01230055

Selling Napa Valley Lifestyle Properties

HauteAMBASSADOR

BY VICTORIA USLANER

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE PARIS

The view from the penthouse suite

There is a certain something about Paris. It is one of the most magi-

1999. Everything about the Hotel George V exudes old-world glam-

cal cities in the world. Having lived there for 10 years, I became in-

our. The hotel dates back to the 1920s, and much of the decor is

timately acquainted with the City of Light’s charms. Not only the

inspired by traditional French style and Art Deco influences of that

iconic architecture and beauty of the physical surroundings, but also

time. Lush floral arrangements by Jeff Leatham greet guests who

the French savoir-vivre–their ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures,

enjoy modern state-of-the-art technologies. The Four Seasons Hotel

whether it be food, art, fashion, or a simple conversation at a sidewalk

George V team is dedicated to providing a luxurious and memorable

café. The French insist on taking time to enjoy life.

experience and is constantly debuting new packages, programs, and

I started my career in Paris as part of the pre-opening team when the Four Seasons took over the fabled Hotel George V property in Le Cinq Restaurant

98 The marble courtyard

Ambassador_Ambassador Victoria_6_28_KS_2 .indd 98

amenities.

In particular, the brand new spa is set to debut this month. From

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CLOCKWISE FROM MARBLE COURTYARD ©GUILLERMO ANIEL-QUIROGA, ©GREGOIRE GARDETTE, ©STEPHANE DE BOURGIES, GDELAUBIER, ©MICHAEL GOCZOL, AND ®T.CARON-STUDIOTC.FR

Molodetskaya at the Chanel Fall 2018 fashion show Victoria Uslaner is the Global Account Director of Worldwide Sales at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

6/29/18 9:42 AM

award-winning interior designer Pierre Yves Rochon, the new relaxation center features an indoor lap pool, fitness room, hairdressing salon, and six cutting-edge treatment rooms. The resulting spa is the perfect place to indulge in a massage or facial after a Parisian shopping spree or day of sightseeing.

One of the stars of the hotel is my dear friend, Eric Beaumard,

best-kept secrets.

5. Dine at The Canailles. There are two locations of this wonderful contemporary French bistro—in the 9th and 20th. You can’t beat their delicious choose-your-own-adventure threecourse dinner.

chief sommelier and director of the hotel’s renowned three-star Michelin restaurant, Le Cinq. Beaumard was recently awarded

If you would like someone with the keys to Paris’ hidden

France’s highest civilian honor and made a Chevalier of the Le-

treasures and the expertise and network to open the right

gion of Honor. One of the highlights of your trip to Paris could

doors, contact Stephanie d’Aboville (Sdaboville@voie-privee.

be a private tasting with Beaumard in the famed wine cellar,

com). A native Parisian, D’Aboville spent 18 years in luxury ho-

located 12 meters below ground and carved out of the original

tel sales before starting her own company Voie Privee.

limestone used to build the Arc de Triomphe.

A tres bientot, Vicki Wondering what to do when you come to the George V? Here are my top five favorite things to do in Paris:

1. Visit the secret Hermes Museum. Curator Menehould du

Chatelle de Bazelaire will give you a behind the scenes look at this storied French fashion house. Note that an appointment

Eric Beaumard

is necessary.

2. Sample Jean-Charles Rochoux’s chocolates. You’ll find this

delightful chocolate shop in the heart of St. Germain. The

e

Ephemeral Chocolate Bars, made with seasonal fresh fruit, are divine.

3. Lose yourself in the light. The Klimt experience at the AtelPHOTOS COURTESY OF CLOCKWISE FROM MARBLE COURTYARD ©GUILLERMO ANIEL-QUIROGA, ©GREGOIRE GARDETTE, ©STEPHANE DE BOURGIES, GDELAUBIER, ©MICHAEL GOCZOL, AND ®T.CARON-STUDIOTC.FR

ier des Lumieres is absolutely amazing.

4. Discover a new part of the city by renting an electric boat.

Marin D’eau Douce makes the little-known tour one of Paris’

The wine cave

Penthouse bedroom

The lobby with decor by Jeff Leatham

The new spa

Penthouse suite bathroom

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6/29/18 9:43 AM

BY TERESA RODRIGUEZ PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER

HauteSCENE

Tom Stoppard, Audrey Hoo, Michael Nguyen

Anika Noni Rose

Roselyne Swig, Jeff Ubben

Anthony Fusco

A.C.T. CELEBRITIES GATHER TO HONOR CAREY PERLOFF Stars, playwrights, ballet dancers, and singers gathered on April 7 to celebrate Carey Perloff’s 25-year tenure as artistic director at American Conservatory Theater. The 2018 Season Gala was a beautiful affair held at San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel. Esteemed guests enjoyed a fun-filled cocktail reception with interactive actors, followed by a lavish multi-course dinner. Throughout the evening admired celebrities and singers including Tracy Chapman and Dreamgirls actress Anika Noni Rose were there to honor Carey Perloff.

Marco Barricelli

Bill Lowell, Richard Davis-Lowell

SF_scene_6_28.indd 100

6/29/18 11:17 AM

California Lifestyle Collection

Grand Home on 67± Acres with Panoramic Views 6 Beds | 6.5 Baths | 7,400± sq. ft. | 67.36± Acres | $6,388,000 Luxuriate in the world-renowned indoor-outdoor Napa Valley lifestyle at this newly constructed fabulous private gated ridgetop estate!

Enjoy majestic panoramic views of vineyards and lush greeneries from this 7,400± sq. ft. contemporary open floor plan home boasting grand spaces in all the rooms. Entertainer’s dream kitchen opening to a broad lawn and infinity edge pool, spa, and in-pool lounge chairs. There are six spacious bedrooms with six and onehalf baths, grand living room, dining room, and kitchen with 18-foot high ceilings, family room with fireplace, home theater/media room,

143 Reserve Road.indd 1

bocce ball court, separate guest quarters, and a small vineyard with potential for another 30 acres.

Complete privacy on approximately 67.36 acres and yet just 15–20 minutes to the convenience of St. Helena’s many charming shops and gourmet restaurants!

For more detailed information, please visit: 143ReserveRoad.com

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

|

Lic.# 00712080

6/27/18 11:05 AM

BY KATIE SWEENEY PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER

HauteSCENE Sienna Miller

Dave Franco

Liev Schreiber Chloe Sevigny Jeremy Renner

Lisa Bonet, Jason Momoa

CARTIER HOSTS LAVISH LAUNCH FOR NEW WATCH On Thursday, April 5, Hollywood’s hottest celebrities descended on San Francisco for the launch of Cartier’s Santos de Cartier watch. Mercedes Abramo, the president and CEO of Cartier North America and Arnaud Carrez, the international marketing and communications director, hosted a flashy party unlike any other. The luxury brand transformed Pier 48 into a Las Vegas-style nightclub complete with multiple stages, elaborate lighting, visual projections, and live musical acts.

102 Sofia Coppola

SF_scene_6_28.indd 102

Nas

Edgar Ramirez

Jake Gyllenhaal

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6/29/18 11:17 AM

California Lifestyle Collection

Napa Valley Prime New Home on 70± Acres 6 Beds | 6.5 Baths | 6,350± sq. ft. | 70± Acres | $5,850,000 Located in the exclusive St. Helena Reserve, this 6,350± square foot newly completed six bedroom, six and one-half bath home on 70± acres overlooks beautiful panoramic views of vineyards. Featuring high ceilings, bright/airy open floor plans and high quality materials throughout.

The amenities include a generous living room/kitchen/family room designed for hosting intimate or large gatherings, seamlessly connecting the interior to the exterior landscape. This is further reinforced by the large pergola featuring second floor balconies, expansive decks and firepit table on the first floor.

189 Reserve Road.indd 1

The extensively landscaped level lawn leads to an infinity edge pool, heated spa and bocce court. Commanding views of Napa Valley vineyards and mountains complete the serenity of this gracious estate.

Two additional structures could be built, subject to approval. A perfect home for gracious entertaining with total privacy and yet less than 20 minutes to lively Downtown St. Helena and the prestigious Auberge du Soleil Resort.

For more detailed information, please visit: 189ReserveRoad.com

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

|

Lic.# 00712080

6/27/18 11:14 AM

BY KATIE SWEENEY PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER

HauteSCENE

Kathryn Lasater, Bo Lasater

Eric Buterbaugh

Bianca Brandolini, Derek Blasberg

MID-WINTER GALA IS SOCIAL SET’S PROM San Francisco’s social set—many who had barely recovered from the Cartier party that took place the evening before—gathered at the De Young Museum for the 15th annual Mid-Winter Gala on Friday, April 6. “San Francisco’s prom” as one socialite described it was a gorgeous affair in support of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. This year’s event was cochaired by Kathryn Lasater and Allison Speer with Vanessa Getty and Trevor Traina serving as honorary co-chairs. Cartier sponsored the gala and pulled out all of the stops to make it a memorable and stunning evening.

104

Sofia Boutella

SF_scene_6_28.indd 104

Paul Deneve, Mary Beth Shimmon, David Shimmon

Marissa Mayer, Trevor Traina, Mercedes Abramo

Allison Speer, Alexis Traina

Vanessa Getty, Katie Traina

Farah Makras, Sobia Shaikh, Lisa Zabelle 6/29/18 11:17 AM

California Lifestyle Collection

Magnificent San Francisco Mansion 7 Beds | 8 Baths | 3 Half -Baths | 70Âą Acres | $29,500,000 This prestigious Italianate style 17,000Âą sq. ft. mansion in the heart of San Francisco was completely renovated in 2007-2008 with exquisite architectural details including seven en-suite bedrooms, eight full baths, three half-baths, seven significant fireplaces, formal living room with carved marble fireplace, reception hall leading to formal dining room fit for entertaining the Royal dinner guests, grand foyer with marble floors and original marble staircase, a rare original Tiffany skylight, a library with wall-to-wall bookcases, fabulous state-ofthe-art kitchen and pantry, spacious family room with fireplace, billiard table, gym, wine room, and a full service wet bar, guest quarters

2820 Scott Street .indd 1

with kitchen, expansive roof deck with kitchen, five marble terraces, six cast bronze balconies, garden with irrigation, gated driveway with parking plus three-car garage, elevator to all floors, and a security system with cameras. Walking distance to Union and Fillmore shopping streets. Impressive views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Palace of Fine Arts, Russian Hill, Sausalito, Angel Island, Marin, and East Bay. For photos, floor plans and details, visit

SanFranciscoShowcase2008.com

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

|

Lic.# 00712080

6/27/18 11:30 AM

BY KATIE SWEENEY PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER

HauteSCENE

Sabrina Buell, Evan Williams, Sara Williams

Clay Danielsen, Emily Wheeler

Calgary Avansino

FABULOUS FUN AT SFMOMA’S MODERN BALL On Wednesday, April 25, over 2000 revelers gathered at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for the 2018 Modern Ball. The event, which occurs every other year, is a uniquely San Francisco celebration. It’s an arty anything goes party where old SF collides with new SF. The Modern Ball is one of the few events where the tech bigwigs party with the society set. It’s also plain good, old-fashioned fun. The extravaganza included a live trapeze show, banana-leaf print lounge, and performances Marissa Mayer, Zachary Bogue

Andrew Gn, Carolyn Chang

by rapper Le1f and Little Dragon.

106 Sergey Brin, Yves Behar SF_scene_6_28.indd 106

106 Joe Lacob, Nicole Curran

Dominique Crenn, Nicole Lou

Mark George

6/29/18 11:18 AM

California Lifestyle Collection

4545 Paradise Drive, Tiburon

$7,880,000

8 Beds | 7.5 Baths | 10,000± sq. ft. | 6± Acres Rare spacious Tiburon view estate on 6± acres with magnificent gardens overlooking Bay views. Appx. 10,000 square foot home offering 8 bedrooms, 7.5 baths, 2 family rooms, home theater room, office, library that serves as office and conference meeting room, private office with separate entrance, fabulous indoor pool building with sauna, spa and changing room, a separate massage/ spa room; formal dining and living rooms with marble fireplaces, spacious light-filled gourmet kitchen with Italian Statuary Carrera marble counter tops with large island and octagonal shaped breakfast room with all around Bay views, all opening onto a beautiful entertainment view terrace; additional terraces accessible from all public rooms; the deluxe master bedroom features amazing closets, a large view terrace, a marble fireplace and an adjacent breakfast kitchen and gym with full bath (8th bedroom); and ample storage rooms throughout the property.

4545 Paradise Drive.indd 1

The magnificent gardens and grounds include rolling lawns, outdoor dining area with a rustic kitchen/BBQ/water/sink/electricity, sports court, bocce court, meditation labyrinth, private camp site with fire pit and BBQ, gazebo, multiple beautiful outdoor entertaining areas, garden center and art cottage, sculpture garden, rose garden, peaceful courtyard with water feature, orangerie with seating and viewing areas.

3-car garage with space to park over a dozen cars, with Italian cypress trees lining the long gated driveway, providing complete privacy and gracious entry to the estate. The panoramic Bay views include the two towers of the Golden Gate Bridge, the full Richmond Bridge, downtown Oakland skyline and Paradise coastline.

For more detailed information, please visit: 4545ParadiseEstate.com

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

|

Lic.# 00712080

6/27/18 11:32 AM

BY KATIE SWEENEY PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER

Tamara Samoylova, Patsy Mangan, Lee Anne Rees, Katie Hogan

HauteSCENE Roberto Tiscareno, Grey Lux, Will Chase

Nancy Evars, Dimitra Anderson

The facade of the house

DECORATOR SHOWCASE PROVIDES DELIGHTFUL DESIGN INSPIRATION With a whirlwind of events, the San Francisco DecoratorShowcase opened its doors on Friday, April 27. The 41st annual event is a fundraiser for University High School with proceeds going to the school’s financial aid program. After a rigorous selection process, 26 of the Bay Area’s top interior designers were chosen to transform the rooms from blank canvases into entirely livable and luxurious spaces. For design aficionados, a visit to the home is an inspiring feast for the senses.

107 Mead Quin

SF_scene_6_28.indd 107

Roger Reynolds, Debbie Reynolds, Setareh Farsio, Ali Mozaffari

Guillermo Gusils, Maja Smith, Maryam Muduroglur

Dina Bandman

Jeff Schlarb, Tray Schlarb

6/29/18 11:18 AM

California Lifestyle Collection

229 Upper Toyon Drive, Kentfield 5 Beds | 5.5 Baths | 6,858Âą sq. ft. home | 44,000Âą sq. ft. double lots | $7,880,000 Reminiscent of an enchanting villa in the Spanish Colonial period, this gorgeous estate dates back to 1938 and has been beautifully remodelled and expanded with high quality materials and superb attention to detail while preserving the grandeur and authentic character of the original design. It offers a total of approximately 6,858 square feet of usable space, with five bedrooms (one currently furnished as a study), 5.5 baths, three fireplaces, a large recreation room, and a 1,000 bottle wine cellar. A spectacular garden that was registered with the National Garden Conservancy, and awesome views of Mt. Tam, Ross Valley and beyond. A fabulous pool, spa deck overlooking the valley, flat lawn, meditation space, and outdoor entertaining areas including spacious loggia and

229 Upper Toyon.indd 1

trellis-covered outdoor dining rooms. A detached guest/staff house with its own address is complete with living room, kitchen and full bath. Two separate garages for a total of five cars and a stately courtyard offers parking for another 10 cars. This exceptional estate on two legal lots (addresses are 227 and 229 Upper Toyon) with over an acre of land offers complete privacy and serenity, and yet is just a short distance to open space, or Ross and Kentfield for restaurants, shopping and the prestigious Ross schools.

For more detailed information, please visit: 229UpperToyonKentfield.com

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

|

Lic.# 00712080

6/27/18 11:33 AM

BY KATIE SWEENEY PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER

HauteSCENE

Daniel Lurie, Becca Prowda

Alec Perkins, Katie Traina, Todd Traina

Evan Williams, Sara Williams

TECH STEPS OUT TO SUPPORT TIPPING POINT Daniel Lurie, the founder of the Tipping Point Community, is spearheading the initiative to change the city’s streets and he’s making a huge impact. Over $14 million was raised at his benefit gala on Thursday, May 3. 1000 people gathered at the Bill Graham Civic Center for the benefit gala—a mixture of tech titans, venture capitalists, socialites, and movers and shakers. Some things about the party were futuristic: the organization accepted donations of cryptocurrency, and there were no paddles for the live auction.

Alicia Engstrom, Hosain Rahman

Ken Fulk

SF_scene_6_28.indd 108

Jimmy Garoppolo

Alexandra Wells, Ali Fried, Sobia Shaikh

Yves Behar, Zachary Bogue

Tyler Florence

6/29/18 11:18 AM

MAGNIFICENT HOMES AWAY FROM HOME Make these your weekend home or a home of a lifetime…..

Details and photos on www.LuxuryLifestyleCollection.com

Chateau de Villette, Paris Region

Villa Astor, Sorrento, Italy.

Villa Balbiano overlooking Lake Como

Villa Balbiano lobby

Villa Balbiano Entrance

Magnificent Homes Away From Home.indd 1

6/27/18 5:20 PM

BY KATIE SWEENEY PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER

HauteSCENE

Lindy Groban, Alfre Woodard

Josh Groban

Allison Speer, Terry Zucker

Kendall Wilkinson, Gregory Malin

JOSH GROBAN HOSTS FIRST WEST COAST FUNDRAISER It was a good idea for Josh Groban to move his annual gala from the East Coast to the West Coast. At Saturday, May 19th’s exciting event, Groban raised over $1 million—$1,011,763.23 to be exact. Held at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, the dinner and concert performance was a benefit for Groban’s foundation, Find Your Light, an organization that helps support arts education programs in schools. The evening featured musical performances, a short presentation of awards, and a live auction.

Cindi Priem, Jason Mraz, Curtis Priem

Maryam Muduroglu, Sandy Schmaier, Kathy Anderson Michael Fabiano, Jane Mudge, Bryan McCallister

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Jason Mraz performs with the Young Musician’s Choral Orchestra

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BY KATIE SWEENEY PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER

David Nayfeld, Nancy Oakes

HauteSCENE

Todd Zabella, Lisa Zabelle

Michael Birch, Xochi Birch

MEALS ON WHEELS GALA RAISES OVER $3 MILLION A culinary extravaganza where everyone had a good time, the 31st annual Meals on Wheels Gala took place on Sunday, May 20 at the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion. This year’s event raised $3.3 million which will fund 660,000 delivery meals for seniors in the greater Bay Area. 900 guests, clad in cocktail attire, attended the walk-around reception that was followed by a decadent four-course dinner and live auction program. Over 100 chefs and 100 vintners participated in the delicious meal.

Brian Pollnow, Nicholas Torres, Thomas McNaughton

A group of filmmakers

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Gigi Dalla Gasperina, Will Harlan

Joe Gallo, Sarah Gallo, Richard Bacon, Mark Topetcher

Stephanie Tomao, Sophie Dolan, Joan Merryman

Montana Vesal, Dilara Saatci

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BY TERESA RODRIGUEZ PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEXUS

HauteSCENELexus

LEXUS CULINARY CLASSIC IS THE PERFECT TRIFECTA OF CARS, FOOD, & WINE With expectations revving as high as the RPM of the luxury 2018 Lexus LC 500, all eyes—and taste buds, were focused on the fourth-annual Lexus Culinary Classic at Cavallo Point Lodge. The much-anticipated culinary extravaganza took place over a sunny weekend in April. The event kicked off with the Art of Japan feast. Amid views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, guests enjoyed a private reception with sake-inspired cocktails and an impressive spread of sushi from Sushi Ran. The following two days were filled with more memorable meals, a lively cycling class, exciting test drives of Lexus vehicles, and an ultra-exclusive four-course dinner at the elusive Skywalker Ranch. VIP guests were chauffeured in a fleet of Lexus vehicles to the ranch for the party—where no photos were allowed. Called “A Night Under The Stars,” the meal was paired with Skywalker Ranch wines.

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Fresh sashimi from Sushi Ran

The chefs who cooked at the grand tasting

The cycling class

New cars on display

Braised lamb neck

Skywalker Ranch The menu for the Skywalker Ranch dinner

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BY KATIE SWEENEY PHOTOS BY ALEXANDER RUBIN

HauteSCENENapa Valley

The Barrel Auction at Charles Krug

HIGHLIGHTS OF 38TH AUCTION NAPA VALLEY The first weekend in June holds a special place in wine lovers’ hearts.

It’s when the annual Auction Napa Valley, now in its 38th year, takes place. The auction was chaired by the Mondavi sisters—Angelina, Alycia, Riana, and Giovanna—fourth-generation descendants of the Peter Mondavi Sr. family. With a series of private meals, 2018’s festivities began on

Stephanie Honig and a friend pose beside the Honig lot

Thursday, May 31. Auction guests were invited to dine at various wineries throughout the valley including Davis Estate, Raymond Vineyards, and Grgich Hills, where legendary winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich threw

Michael Franti

a 95th birthday with a culinary feast prepared by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. The next day everyone headed to the Mondavi family’s Charles Krug estate for the Barrel Auction. 110 lots of wine futures were up for sale at the walk-around tasting event that reached a record high in fundraising.

Saturday was the main event, the live auction celebration at Meadow-

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Lot 20 top bidders Lynn and James Grehl

Antonio Castellucci and Christopher Kostow The Barrel Auction Chef Nancy Oakes’ prawns

Riana, Giovanna, Alycia and Angelina Mondavi

ood Napa Valley. The tent was filled with abundant generosity—the 32 lots raised $13.6 million. Put together by Opus One the top-selling lot was number 11, a French-themed experience that included four six-liter imperials of Opus One and a unique experience for two couples to attend the 2019 Masked Ball in Versailles, France. It sold to two successful bidders raising a total of $1.4 million. Lot 20, which was donated by the Napa Valley Vintners and Lexus, fetched an unexpected $1 million bid from a Boca Raton, Florida couple. The experience featured 18 bottles of Napa Valley wine and tickets plus accommodations to the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. All of the lots were wild once-in-a-lifetime adventures that included wine, meals cooked by Michelin-star chefs, private flights to luxurious resorts,

Michael Franti

The thrilling auction

and tickets to basketball games and fashion shows.

Once the live auction concluded, the event turned into a fabulous dinner party with a meal crafted by chef Nancy Oakes. Inspired by Mondavi family recipes, the menu featured a family-style feast of pheasant and porcini meatballs, vegetable side dishes, fresh garbanzo beans and pasta, and roasted prawns. Beloved local rocker Michael Franti & Spearhead performed a moving set that got the crowd dancing.

If you missed the festivities, mark your calendar.

Next year’s auction takes place May 30 to June 2, and it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Napa Valley Vintners—the association that organizes the event.

More than 30 past auction chairs are coming back to plan the ultimate wine country extravaganza.

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BY TERESA RODRIGUEZ PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOTTLEROCK

HauteSCENE

Shaun White, Duff Goldman

Giada De Laurentiis

Billy Idol

The Killers

BOTTLEROCK AND THE VIP JAMPAD John and Michele Truchard fell in love while in college. They returned to Napa to follow John’s family’s winemaking legacy at Truchard Vineyards. Fast forward years later, John and Michele have created their own wine empire under the JaM label. JaM stands for John and Michele. Another love they share is that of music, so for the third year in a row, they have been the presenting sponsor of BottleRock Napa Valley. This year’s world-class artists included Billy Idol, Bruno Mars, The Killers and Muse.

VIPs got to step into the JaMPad for intimate concerts and interviews with the headliners while sipping JaM Candy Rosé and Frosé.

Tiffani Thiessen

Bruno Mars

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Michele and John Truchard

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Michael Franti

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BY KATIE SWEENEY

HauteSEAT

OAKES: OUT OF THE KITCHEN

One of the city’s most prolific chefs, Nancy Oakes chats about her legacy and the challenges of the doing business in SF There are very few names that are synonymous with San Francisco’s restaurant industry, but Nancy Oakes, the chef and owner of Boulevard and Prospect, is at the top of that short list. Oakes has been a defining figure in the Bay Area culinary scene for the past 40 years. One of the things that makes Oakes a unique personality is that when she started cooking—she worked for many years in the front of the house of various eateries—it was at her own restaurant. During her chef career, she has always been in charge. Therefore, she didn’t experience some of the hardships that many other females have faced, in particular, a male-driven sometimes sexually abusive environment. Oakes, has, however, made herself open and available to the younger generation and is a motherly figure in the community today.

In the past month, Oakes has been incredibly busy: she chaired the Meals on Wheels gala (an organization which she’s been involved with for over 25 years), cooked dinner for 1000 at Auction Napa Valley, and jetted to Hawaii for the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival. Between all of this, Oakes sat down with us to discuss her career.

HL: Let’s talk about the Auction. Was this your first time being the chef ?

Nancy Oakes: Well, no. Well, yes and no. Many years ago they used to do this quite differently. It was 2,000 people and the time that I did it before, they did it as a group of women chefs, so it was many of us cooking. This is certainly the first time

HL: What’s your advice to young female chefs who are starting out today?

being the only person for something that large, and it was not my menu in a sense.

NO: You have to carefully consider the reputation in who you’re going to work

It was my interpretation of their grandmother’s [the chairs of the Auction, the

for. A lot of that information is available. Most of the people who have had big

Mondavi sisters] menu. I was given a hand-written record of what the family had

fingers pointed at them right now, this was not unknown. As a woman, we’re

remaining of the grandmother’s recipes. It was served family style and there were

always, I mean, it’s not fair, but we’re still on guard if you will. Does that sound

always a couple of choices on the table. You’re dealing with a lot of food preferences,

terrible? Younger generations are under the impression that all of that has

likes, dislikes, and allergies. So you have to try to troubleshoot that.

gone away, but it’s never gone away. Maybe it can go away this time.

HL: In the past, did you worry about people’s dietary needs?

HL: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing any chef in San Francisco today?

or over-consumption can sometimes lead to sensitivity. I believe that an increase

NO: It’s incredibly expensive to do business here. Currently for many reasons.

in sugar has led people to carbohydrate or gluten-intolerances. They’re also put-

Rent is one of them, but there’s a lot of other pressures. Other areas don’t have

ting sort of a warning sign on old wheat. In other words, wheat that is pressed and

to offer healthcare or paid time off. All of this comes at a cost. I won’t go into

stored too long and has become indigestible in a way.

my rant on local government who don’t seem to understand that all businesses are not created equal. They do not have the same margins and can’t always do

HL: What is it like working with fellow female chefs like Nancy Silverton [who

things that say, the tech companies can do. But probably the biggest challenge

did a demonstration with Oakes at the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival]?

is there are no employees. If they want to come and work for you and they want

NO: Nancy and I have traveled together for years. I adore Nancy, and we try to go

to relocate and come here for the experience, there’s no place for them to live.

on the road as the two Nancys. I’ve been to Bangkok with her. I’ve been to Mexico City. We do a lot of the same charity events. For the most part, women are more

HL: What achievement are you most proud of ?

cooperative and a little less competitive. But that’s our nature. Women are used to

NO: I’m very grateful and proud of the awards that I’ve been given. But as I

working in a team. It’s how we get things done. Men go off by themselves with their

look back, it’s the people that have gone on to be successful are the thing I’m

spear. We go on massive hunter-gatherer walks. So we’re used to team sports.

the proudest of.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DREW ALTIZER

NO: No, people have become allergic to everything. It’s either environmental stress

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FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY

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Music, dance and theater perfectly paired with Napa’s fine wine and cuisine.

It’s an experience like no other. This is Festival Napa Valley. festivalnapavalley.org | 888.337.6272 | #napafest18

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