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LUXURY LIFESTYLE WITH PURPOSE
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SEVEN COVES AT SPINDRIFT AS A SANCTUARY TO HEAL AND RESET
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/DECEMB OV E M B E R
IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, LEGENDARY ACTRESS SOPHIA LOREN REVEALS HER SECRETS TO LIVING A LONG, HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFE.
Makras Real Estate wishes you a Happy New Year Victor Makras
1193 Church St. San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 282-8400 | www.makrasrealestate.com DRE# 00555201
California Lifestyle Collection Stunning Renovated Contemporary
4 Beds | 3 Baths | 1 Half-Bath | 3,137Âą sq. ft. Fully renovated from ground up in 2013 while the renowned designer JeanPierre Berthy oversaw the project construction in every detail, this stunning contemporary design 4 bed, 3.5 baths home is appx. 3,137 square foot on 2,304 square foot lot detached on 3 sides. The main level showcases a bright and spacious open floor plan, featuring the living room with gas-lit fireplace, a powder room, a coat closet, a dining alcove opening onto an outdoor dining and barbecue deck overlooking the backyard and a light-filled kitchen with marble counter tops, ample cabinets, an eat-in bar counter and top-of-the-line appliances. The lower level features an extra-large 550 square foot garage for 2-3 cars, a wine cooler, a 4th bedroom with full bath, a spacious family/media room opening onto a delightful elevated backyard with mini golf putting green, build-in seating with lush lemon trees and a playhouse for children. The upper level features 2 bedrooms sharing a full bath, the laundry room and the luxurious
San Francisco, California
$4,500,000 master bedroom with wall-to-wall closets, a built-in TV, a balcony with glass enclosures overlooking the garden below and the spa-like bathroom with designer bathtub, large glass walled rain shower and double vanity sinks. The home has ultra clean lines, fantastic light, white oak floors and all the modern amenities. No detail overlooked from the 16 +/-foot sliding glass wall-to-wall doors to the artful direction of 2-inch display lights to all the bathrooms and the kitchen finishes. The location is a walker’s paradise. An easy walking distance to the markets, stores, restaurants, cafes, services and shopping on Union Street and Filmore Street and public transportations on Lombard Street. This is also a quick bike ride distance to Golden Gate Bridge and the National Park, the Marina Green, the Yacht Clubs, Fort Mason and the Palace of Fine Arts. Video and Photos at: 3150Buchanan.com
Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080
California Lifestyle Collection Stunning Renovated Contemporary
Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080
San Francisco, California
California Lifestyle Collection Stunning Golden Gate Bridge Views
4 Beds | 5 Baths | 3,303± sq. ft. | 7,819± sq. ft. lot Gorgeous views from every room! Prime location for views and privacy, this two-level home features vaulted ceilings in the spacious living room, walls of windows and doors looking out to the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco and Sausalito, with sliding glass doors opening onto spacious view decks, a private patio/garden with water feature and stone benches. All perfect for entertaining and indoor/outdoor living.
Belvedere, California
$4,150,000
The home’s upper level has generous living spaces, formal living and dining rooms, kitchen opening to family room, two bedrooms and two full baths. The lower level features the master suite with his/hers bathrooms and closets and a fourth bedroom (currently being used as an office) with full bath. For more detailed information, please visit: 29Eucalyptus.com
Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080
California Lifestyle Collection Magnificent San Francisco Masterpiece
7 Beds | 8 Baths | 3 Half Baths | 16,000Âą sq. ft. This stunning Italianate mansion enjoys views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Palace of Fine Arts, Alcatraz Island, Marin Headlands, Fort Mason, Russian Hill, Coit Tower, City and the East Bay hills. Exquisite architectural detailing is found throughout, with seven en-suite bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and three half bathrooms, formal living room, formal dining room, reception hall, grand foyer, mezzanine, library, seven fireplaces, eat-in kitchen, media room, family room, wine room, au-pair quarters with kitchen, gym, five marble terraces, six cast bronze balconies, garden with irrigation, gated driveway with parking plus four car garage, elevator, security system with cameras, two laundry facilities, and is wired for Wi-Fi, automatic drapery, and Lutron lighting throughout. Close to Union Street
Offered–atOr $21,000,000 $21,000,000 Best Offer shopping district, prestigious schools, transportation and easy access to the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco. This immaculate Italianate villa of approximately 16,000 square feet has been completely renovated using the finest materials and craftsmanship to create the ultimate modern amenities and luxury living, and still retains the elegance and beauty of the classic era. It was the San Francisco Decorator Showcase in 2008. For more detailed information, please visit: SanFranciscoShowcase2008.com
Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com
Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080
Publisher’s LETTER AS THIS EVENTFUL AND STRESSFUL YEAR COMES TO AN END, I WANT to take a moment to thank you for your support throughout 2020. I am extremely grateful and honored to be part of your reading pleasure while you cope with the change in your lifestyle and daily routine, from juggling Zoom meetings in your kitchen or homeschooling your kids to paying your bills while your business is in lockdown. Broadcast news has been filled with negative election year politics and the vast divide between left and right, Democrats and Republicans, riots and protests. What a year we endured! I am pleased to present our first issue of 2021 with its theme of renewal, recharging, rejuvenation, and resetting. For our cover story, I searched best local locations for such a place and re-discovered the Seven Coves of Spindrift, just a short drive from San Francisco to Carmel-Big Sur on Coastal Highway 1. It’s a magical sanctuary of artistically created stone cottages with a large lodge situated on 4.25 acres of oceanfront land amid a century-old cypress forest. Eight distinct gardens overlook rocky coves and the Pacific Ocean. I first visited owner Gary Vickers over five years ago when he was painstakingly building and refining the compound, then consisting of four stunning, rustic stone cottages under the forest canopy. Two years ago, he purchased the lodge next door and renovated it into a world class, resort featuring such amenities as a pool, spa, gym, sauna, massage rooms, and a stunning grand library to indulge the imagination. Hiking trails and rocky pathways along the oceanfront keep you physically fit. It is a rare private home where you can bring your family and close friends to be close to the earth, nature, and healing gardens. I hope you enjoy reading the story and discovering that such a welcoming private retreat is accessible as a home-away-from-home in 2021. I also write about my favorite local resort, Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, just a 15-minute drive down the same highway from Seven Coves of Spindrift. The iconic resort with only 39 rooms recently renovated its five Ocean Houses, and the result is stunning. It’s the most relaxing place to renew and reset. For your New Year’s vacation, we feature the new Four Seasons Resort in Los Cabos at Costa Palmas™, ideally situated on a strand of private beachfront property. Over two miles of vast dunes overlook the Sea of Cortez. Our story on the splendor of Tahiti will make you want to take a flight during the pandemic. Our Haute Wellness also features places to heal from 2020, as well as how and where to reconnect with your inner self. I love our Haute Dining story on chef Matthew Dolan at 25 Lusk, who says “hope” is the main ingredient. Look at the delicious pictures of his yummy dishes in this article and hope indoor dining will reopen soon! Also, while you and your family toast to the New Year, don’t forget to read our story on Cameron Diaz’s Avaline Wines which meet the clean standards we want in every area of our lives and the taste delicious, too. Last, but not least, read our Haute Beauty for a new you in the New Year: detox and rejuvenate. I wish you a joyful and peaceful New Year and hope you find time to curl up beside a cozy fire with a cup of herbal tea to read this issue from cover to cover!
OLIVIA HSU DECKER OWNER/PUBLISHER Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com www.HauteLivingSF.com Text 415.720.5915
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Haute Living MAGAZINE PUBLISHER Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Teresa Rodriguez Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com ART DIRECTOR Krisha Chhaganlal Krisha@HauteLivingSF.com COPY EDITOR Karen M. Smith henhousepublishing@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Maria Castellucci, Laurie Jo Miller Farr, Gail Goldberg, Becca Hensley, Steph Keay, Fran Endicott Miller, Erin Hunt Moore, Charlene Peters, Sharon Seto, and Carolyne Zinko LUXURY AUTOS CONTRIBUTOR Tim Lappen TL@JMBM.com WINE COUNTRY AMBASSADOR Kelly E. Carter Kelly@KellyeCarter.com HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMBASSADOR Lydia Graham LIFE COACH AMBASSADOR Nina Clark Ericson, Ph.D. ninacericson@att.net SUBSCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE Cindy Pelland Cindy@HauteLivingSF.com ACCOUNTING Sarah Trissel Sarah@HauteLivingSF.com LEGAL Carl Lippenberger Carl@lippenbergerlaw.com
PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS LOS CABOS
Haute Living San Francisco Visit us at www.HauteLivingSF.com
Follow us @HauteLivingSF for your guide to all things haute
Haute Hotel: Four Seasons Los Cabos
TABLE of CONTENTS
1
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
10
EDITOR’S LETTER
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HAUTE CALENDAR
Whether live, virtual, or hybrid, SF’s premiere events return in 2021.
PROFILES 54
Developer Mark Calvano anticipates the workspace of the near future with an eye toward employee health and productivity.
60
Silicon Valley’s wunderkind, RJ Jain, inspires by sharing his success and remembering his humble roots.
64
From the Judgment of Paris to the upcoming Judgment of Napa, credit Steven Spurrier with global revolutions in wine.
68
Emerging from the shadow of his famous uncle, Jacob Vilató continues a tradition of artistic and creative success with his own style.
HAUTE SHOPPING 14
The stress of 2020 has left its mark on body, mind, and soul. Andrea Simons shares her wonderful finds in helping us look and feel better.
HAUTE KITCHEN 18
Celebrate the new year with these festive menus from the Bay Area’s top chefs
HAUTE DRINKS 26
Aveline wines are approachable, friendly, and not at all hoity-toity, just like Cameron Diaz.
30
Discover the heritage wines of Georgia—the country, not the state.
HAUTE DINING 34
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HAUTE SCENES 72
Booker T. Washington Community Center celebrates its 100th anniversary with a hybrid gala.
74
Bay Area chefs host weekly cooking classes and raise $50K for charity.
76
Masks and social distancing didn’t dampen this fashion show supporting first responders.
Taste the exquisite fruit of hope produced by those who built and nurtured 25 Lusk
HAUTE HOTEL
Brand new and ready to pamper, Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas™ focuses on the good life.
HAUTE ART 78
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86
HAUTE TRAVEL
90
HAUTE FASHION
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Island adventures in Tahiti surround you with welcome, magnificent views, and tropical luxury.
Haute Living, San Francisco www.HauteLivingSF.com
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Refresh and restore yourself from the inside out with these locally made products.
HAUTE WELLNESS
Chef Shane McAnelly creates seasonal “plantto-plate” menus that nurture souls as well as bodies.
Stick & Ball combines comfort, function, luxury, and fashion with sustainability and a touch of equestrian flair.
Amanda Giocomini spreads peace and love through her “10000 Buddhas” artwork.
HAUTE BEAUTY 82
HAUTE CUISINE 42
Cover story: Seven Coves of Spindrift
Feeling bruised and stressed after a toxic year? Charlene Peters shares the best places to heal. Balance mind, body, and spirit with traditional Chinese medicine, peace, and simplicity at Redmint.
COVER STORY
There’s no place like home, especially when it’s magical. Visit the Seven Coves of Spindrift for an enchanting home away from home.
Haute Dining: Dining 25 Lusk Haute
Haute Wellness: Redmint
Haute Scene: Fashion show for first responders
Haute Drinks: Aveline wines by Cameron Diaz
Haute Profile: Picasso’s Nephew Jacob Vilató
Haute Profile: Mark Calvano
HAUTE RESIDENCE 102 Post Ranch Inn integrates luxury with nature with magnificent
ocean views.
HAUTE AUTO
106 McClaren impresses with three new models and breathtaking
speeds.
HAUTE AMBASSADOR 110 Kelly bids a fond farewell to Auction Napa Valley. 112 Lydia redefines aging as a “fountain of usefulness.” 114 Nina advises focusing on achievable benchmarks to accomplish larger goals.
HAUTE SEAT
116 Scale up your business with Julie Gordon White, founder and CEO
of BlueKey Mergers & Acquisitions.
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Editor-in-Chief ’s LETTER
PHOTO CREDIT: ©VINCENT GOTTI, HAIR AND MAKE UP BY NELLIE MUGANDA
TERESA RODRIGUEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Haute Living San Francisco Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com www.HauteLivingSF.com
AFTER THESE PAST 12 MONTHS OF CRAZINESS, WE ARE READY TO reset and recharge in 2021. Priorities have changed, so while we still love the shiny bobbles that make us smile, we also focus on ways to stay healthy and reconnect to ourselves and the ones we love. So, in this New Year’s issue, we focus on people, places, and products that help us renew, rejuvenate, and reset after a brutal 2020. This issue is packed with some inspiring individuals who have turned their dreams into reality—even through a pandemic. Chef Matthew Dolan of 25 Lusk reminds us that hope is the main ingredient right now (page 34). Developer Mark Calvano sees a bright future in this post-pandemic world and is constructing office buildings that have soul and purpose (page 42). RJ Jain, an immigrant from India, has become a passionate supporter of sustainability and soil (page 60). Get inspired by Julie Gordon White, one of the Bay Area’s leading experts and coaches for high level women entrepreneurs. For those who are ready to relax and renew, take a virtual trip to Mexico’s sandy beaches at the newly opened Four Seasons in Los Cabos (page 38). Learn about the latest beauty products to detox and rejuvenate in our Beauty section (page 82). Meet Helina Fan, founder of Redmint, who believes that the key to health is balancing the body, mind, and spirit through traditional Chinese medicine. We are excited to bring back our Scene section. In this issue, we take it to the street with Sonya Molodetskaya and Farah Makras, who hosted a sold-out fashion show at John’s Grill and raised $20,00 for National First Responders Fund (page 76). The Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem hosted virtual cooking classes. Over $50,000 was raised for the nonprofit No One Eats Alone program, which helps middle school students combat social isolation by encouraging them to eat with kids they don’t know (page 74). Booker T. Washington Community Service Center raised over $200,000 at their 100th anniversary virtual gala. Esteemed speakers included actor Danny Glover, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former mayors Art Agnos and Willie Brown, Alonzo King of LINES Ballet, and Mayor London Breed (page 72). While we know it’s going to take time to get life back to normal with indoor dining, live theater, and concerts, we have a renewed hope for the future. Thank you for coming on this wild ride with us. We are sure that 2021 is going to be a fantastic year. Happy New Year!
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San Francisco’s CONTRIBUTORS CAROLYNE ZINKO
BECCA HENSLEY
MARIA CASTELLUCCI
ERIN HUNT MOORE
Carolyne Zinko has long kept her antennae on the high life. She is the former editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Silicon Valley magazine and, before that, was a San Francisco Chronicle reporter for 22 years, writing about everything from crime and court hearings to largerthan-life personalities and philanthropic leaders. She lives in Menlo Park with her husband, Dan Dieguez.
A bon vivant journalist who believes travel is the ultimate celebration of life awash with lessons waiting to be learned, widely-published, Texas-based Becca Hensley is travel editor for New Orleans Bride and editor-at-large for Insider’s Guide to Spas. In a career spanning three decades, she has contributed to scores of magazines and newspapers, including Architectural Digest, Elite Traveler, Global Traveler, Conde Nast Traveler, and the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @beccahensley.
Entrepreneur, first generation American, and mother of three children, Maria Castelucci earned her BA in finance in 2001 from Dominican University on a tennis scholarship. She later studied at New York University and the London School of Economics. Maria took a strong interest in global affairs, which led her to become an ambassador for nonprofit foundation Roots of Peace. In 2012 with her siblings, Maria founded Castellucci Napa Family, a luxury wine and real estate brand that has expanded into the boutique hotel business. She now runs two inns, a wine label, and a family real estate development company.
A connector, storyteller, mission-driven communicator, and mom, Erin Hunt Moore lives with her family in beautiful Sonoma wine country. A seasoned public relations and marketing consultant for over two decades, Erin has worked her PR magic for brands and companies on both US coasts and in Germany, where she studied international relations and languages. A veteran of the food and beverage world, she now focuses her energies on supporting women entrepreneurs and thought leaders, companies, and brands leading with a strong social impact ethos and non-profit organizations pioneering change in the world.
SHARON SETO
CHARLENE PETERS
A graduate of Golden Gate University and serial entrepreneur, Sharon loves the excitement and creativity of the business world and its people. Her addiction to business ventures began with the acquisition of the El Cid Building, site of the famous SF Jazz Mural. She has served as a board member, fundraiser, and event chair for nonprofit organizations, including the SF Symphony Board of Governors, City College of San Francisco Foundation Board, Red Cross Board, National Colorectal Cancer Alliance Board, SF Ballet, and Dress for Success.
STEPH KEAY
Steph Keay is a Canadian freelance and technical writer currently based in Silicon Valley. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce in her hometown of Calgary, Alberta, she spent a summer in Croatia assisting The Yacht Week with events management on the islands of Hvar and Vis. Formerly in PR/marketing, she has also placed stories for a variety of clients—including tech leaders, international artists, and acclaimed actors and musicians—with ABC, FOX, NBC, San Francisco Chronicle, The Mercury News, American Way, and others. In her spare time, she enjoys adventuring, photography, and travel— all of which she documents on on her website, StephKeay.com.
LAURIE JO MILLER FARR
Laurie is a US/UK dual citizen and dedicated urbanite who loves walkable cities. As a San Francisco-based travel writer, she enjoys views from its crazy, signature hills following half-a-lifetime promoting her two hometowns—a couple of oh-so-flat places: New York City and London. Laurie’s byline is found in USA Today, CBS, Where Traveler, Haute Living, Epicure, Fast Company, Napa Valley Life Magazine, Food & Travel Magazine, Eater, Google Touring Bird, and other major media titles. She was awarded Yahoo Contributor of the Year and is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.
Quenching a thirst for the exotic and delicious, Charlene Peters is a long-time syndicated travel journalist who creatively writes about picturesque and palatable journeys. She loves to share luxurious travel and food experiences, as well as a recipe to connect the destination’s distinguishable dish. This is a time when many people are unable to travel, but through her book, Travel Makes Me Hungry, anyone can connect with the world … through food! When she isn’t traveling, Charlene resides in St. Helena in the Napa Valley.
FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER
Fran Endicott Miller is a luxury-focused freelance feature writer for a variety of lifestyle publications and websites, editor-at-large for JustLuxe.com, and California editor for luxury travel concierge service Essentialist. Prior, she held positions in the fields of politics, television, and professional sports. She is proud to have established the Golden State Warriors’ first community relations department and programs. When not traveling, she can be found walking her Northern California neighborhood with her beloved golden retrievers Reggie and Nate.
GAIL GOLDBERG
Gail managed to turn her mad love for fashion, shopping, and travel into a successful writing career. A few of the names on her CV include San Francisco Chronicle, 7x7, The Bold Italic, Time Out SF, and Fashion Incubator San Francisco. Ever since hightailing it to SF from the East Coast 20-plus years ago, she’s been covering the style scene in her adopted city. Still, the New York native will never give up her 917 cell—it makes her feel bicoastal. In her spare time, Gail works on a book of humorous personal essays, which she vows will be published one day.
We are very fortunate to have such a prestigious list of writers. Each has succeeded in their respective careers as bestselling authors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and on-air talent. We are honored and humbled by their commitment to creating content that is relevant, timely, and really fun to read!
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BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR
EventsCALENDAR
de Young Art Party
Good riddance, 2020. In the spirit of new beginnings, Haute Happenings returns. Be it virtual, be it live, be it hybrid, we’re presenting curated San Francisco Bay Area event listings from Mendocino to Big Sur. (Note: events are subject to change or cancellation.)
JANUARY Through Jan. 23 Illuminate SF Festival of Light Forty-plus permanent and temporary outdoor installations by 30 artists in 17 neighborhoods, this is the 8th Annual Festival of Light. Take a self-guided art trail to see the city aglow with extraordinary energy. illuminatesf.com 7 Cal Performances At Home An original, full-length performance screened to your home screen, Bria Skonberg is a young trumpeter, vocalist, and composer who “combines the energy of New Orleans swing with the dreamy vocals of radio crooners past.” Pre-concert conversation with the artist at 6:30 p.m., performance at 7 p.m.; available on demand until April 7. calperformances.org/events 14 Winter Cooking Series at Camellia Inn, Healdsburg Dry Creek Catering owner, Hila Fichtelberg, cooks a vegetarian specialty, Israeli Shakshuka. Register for the list of ingredients and join the online class at 4 p.m. On February 11, it’s chocolatemaking time. camelliainn.com/events
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Romeo & Julet
14 San Francisco Ballet “Leap Into the New Year” is a one-night-only, first-ever virtual benefit. Drop-in visits by members of the Company, a virtual stage, world premieres, and a chance to view two new principal dancers, Nikisha Fogo and Julian MacKay, in their Company debut. Virtual tables of 10 available. Program begins at 6 p.m. specialevents@sfballet.org 16-17 | 23-24 | 30-31 San Francisco Opera Romance is streaming. “Romeo and Juliet” stars Pene Pati and Nadine Sierra as infamous lovers in Charles Gounod’s production. The following weekend, Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Samson and Delilah” features a performance from Russian mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina. “La Traviata” concludes the series with tenor Stephen Costello starring opposite Nicole Cabell in Giuseppe Verdi’s story of a doomed romance. Each opera begins streaming at 10 a.m. on Saturday and remains available until midnight the next day. sfopera.com/streaming 22 Handwritten Wines “Cabernet and Caviar” explores the unexpected magic of combining this culinary delight with stunning Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. Receive three specially selected wines, three caviars, blinis, crème fraîche, and Mother of Pearl spoons for a virtual hosted tasting. 5 p.m. bit.ly/3mLq8xL
PHOTO CREDITS: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF FINE ART MUSEUMS SF; ©CORY WEAVER (SF OPERA); ©DANIELLE JOY PHOTOGRAPHY; ©DARIO ACOSTA
Chef Hila Fichtelberg
FEBRUARY 8 Chase Center “An Evening With Michael Bublé in Concert” with the four-time Grammy winner and tender-hearted crooner taking on the classics everybody loves, plus songs from his new album. chasecenter.com/events 9 Commonwealth Club of California “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life.” A live stream conversation with Jonathan Alter, author of the first fulllength biography of the 39th president. An intimate and surprising portrait of the Nobel Peace Prize humanitarian. 3 p.m. commonwealthclub.org
Jessup Cellars Art House Short Film Series
PHOTO CREDITS: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF JESSUP CELLARS; COURTESY OF HANDWRITTTEN WINES; COURTESY OF FINE ART MUSEUMS SF; ©ERIK TOMASSON (SF BALLET); ©JURGEN FRANK
25-29 de Young and Legion of Honor Fine Art Museums “de Youngsters Art Party” is a five-day virtual celebration of interactive daily art education videos. By Jan. 8, purchase an Art Box to benefit Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco, containing art materials, thought-provoking projects, and instructions that correspond with the videos. bit.ly/33JtSZf
11 San Francisco Ballet The 2021 season includes three world premiere works on film for at-home audiences. As yet unnamed, the Myles Thatcher premiere is set to Steve Reich’s Variations for Vibes, Pianos, and Strings. Through March 3. sfballet.org 13 San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus “Love Cabaret” is a special virtual Valentine’s concert featuring a colorful songbook that celebrates all things love; performed by some of your favorite soloists and ensembles. sfgmc.org
28 Sundance Film Festival 2021 Sundance Institute partners with the Roxie Theater to screen films online and at Fort Mason Flix, the pop-up drive-in on San Francisco’s historic waterfront. Through Feb. 3. festival.sundance.org and fortmason.org/event/flix
13 Jessup Cellars “Art House Short Film Series,” a virtual gathering featuring award-winning shorts paired with two specially selected Jessup Cellars wines and flavor-infused popcorn. Also on Jan. 16 and March 13. bit.ly/2JMijJM
30 Sonoma International Film Festival SIFF Saturdays presents “The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel,” a 2020 Canadian film on climate change directed by Joel Bakan and Jennifer Abbott. Part of a series of monthly virtual films screening on the last Saturday of each month to bring you the power of film. sonomafilmfest.org
14 Emerson String Quartet Music @Menlo Explorer Series Digital Broadcast presents one of the world’s premier chamber music ensembles for more than four decades. Emerson String Quartet is performing the Purcell/Britten Chacony in G minor and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132 at 5 p.m. emersonquartet.com
The Emerson Quartet
Handwritten Wines, Cab and Caviar
de Youngsters Art Boxes 2019
New Thatcher Ballet
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BY GAIL GOLDBERG ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANDREA SIMONS
HauteSHOPPING
LIPSTICK DIARIES Reflections on the Best Lippies, Creams, and Potions I Discovered During the Pandemic. I LIKE BELLE, HER FEARSOME, HAIRY SOULMATE, AND FRENCHspeaking candelabras just as much as the next girl. But my present-day take on Beauty and the Beast is an adventure of an entirely different sort. Here, I share with you a few of the beauty products—makeup, masks, and moisturizers—bringing me comfort as I battle both the evil coronavirus and a serious case of sallow, maskne-afflicted skin. I confess: Back in March when Mayor Breed initiated the stay-at-home order, I was blasé, dare I say, secretly excited. My introverted tendencies had me thinking that quarantining for a couple of weeks would provide much-needed time to rest, catch up on work, bake cookies, and clean out my closet sans any social pressure to leave my condo. Please don't judge. Rather quickly, the seriousness of the pandemic set in and "a couple of weeks" morphed into months—many, many months. My emotions have been all over the place: feeling confined, stressed, and lonely (I'm a solo dweller) to overwhelmingly grateful for having a comfy home, plenty to eat, and supportive friends and family (looking at you, Zoom). Then, there's the shopping. For the first weeks of pandemic life, food, 14
masks, and household necessities were the only things on my list. (Happy to report I was not a hoarder.) Consuming for pleasure did eventually return, but what I hankered for changed. Instead of hunting online for fresh fashions and accessories, I stalked sites for all things beauty and body. There was nowhere to wear the clothes, my hands were raw from all the washing and sanitizing, the dark circles under my eyes were scary, and my pale visage begged for color. Further fueling my beauty obsession? A pivotal conversation with my neighbor at the lobby mailboxes. It went something like this: "Are you OK?" asked a concerned Sylvia. "Yeah, why?" I replied. "My husband saw you the other day and thought you looked sick," she said. "Nope, just me in ratty PJs—no makeup, sleep, or hairbrush for weeks," I jested, trying to deflect my horror. Voilà, my official quest to look good, feel better, and shower more began in earnest. I encountered some duds along the way; but the happily-everafter of this story … er, diary … comes via the fabulous and effective beauty products I fell for. If only Sylvia's hubby could see me now. (He can't; they moved.)
TUESDAY, MARCH 31 Two weeks into quarantine. Not. Feeling. Great. Need sustenance, so must brave the scary line at Trader Joe's. ISO peanut butter-filled pretzels and cheap Rosé. BEAUTY FIND: Trader Joe's Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream
As soon as I spy the vibrant blue package with old-timey illustration, I throw it in my cart. I have a good feeling about this 3-ounce tube of hand cream. Plus, it was like $5, so not much to lose if I’m wrong. I am not wrong. The parabenfree moisturizer—made with coconut and hemp oils, shea butter, and a bunch of antioxidants—has become one of my best pandemic discoveries; i.e., I'm already on tube four. Who cares if no one is shaking hands? My poor paws are a wreck, and I'm not even counting my horribly chipped nails. (Note to self: buy nail polish remover.) Dry, red, and itchy from the multiple rounds of daily washing and sanitizing, my hands need TLC. This thick cream is a literal and figurative salve. It's not greasy, the light, clean scent is divine, and my skin is actually ultra hydrated. Also, it's a brilliant dupe for another, more expensive fave: L'Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Cream. // $4.99, traderjoes.com
THURSDAY, MAY 14 I don't bake bread and puzzles are getting on my nerves. Missing IRL hangs with friends, writing at coffee shops, and whirling through indie boutiques. Sleep. What's that?
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ©ANDREA SIMONS
BEAUTY FIND: Peace Out's Puffy Eyes
I came across this small SF beauty brand while doing research about local businesses supporting COVID-19 relief. Peace Out founder Enrico Frezza was extremely generous and, among other things, donated hundreds of boxes of skincare solutions, which come in mask and patch forms, to city hospitals. A sucker for do-gooders and innovative, clean products, I add Puffy Eyes to my cart. I'm in desperate need of treatment for the impossible-to-miss dark circles taking up residence under my peepers. Soaked in antioxidant-rich passion fruit extract and ice-plant stem cells that help brighten and lessen the appearance of puffiness, these under-eye patches hydrate and soothe like nobody's business. Pop ’em on for 15 minutes and … ahh … feels so good. Over time, I'm seeing improvement, looking less Skeletor-like. Each package comes with six pairs of patches. // $25, peaceoutskincare.com
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HauteSHOPPING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 With each glance in the mirror, I'm startled by my Casper-white reflection. I need a pick-me-up. Perfect time to scout out a new, Black-owned beauty brand. P.S. I need to stop with the bi-weekly Johnny Doughnuts runs and drink more water. BEAUTY FIND: Dehiya Lip + Cheek Tint
Let's be real, I haven't worn makeup (or a bra or contact lenses) for months now. But with sunnier days, I'm feeling a smidge more upbeat. Sure, outside people only see my mask du jour and bespectacled eyes, but indoor folk are another matter—and I do want to look put-together for virtual hangouts. 16
Enter the double-duty product of my dreams: Dehiya's Lip + Cheek Tint in Nymph. I'm seriously obsessed and beyond happy I sought out the made-inCali label with a Black woman founder. The color looks fluorescent-y pink in its chic glass pot, but take a dab and you get sheer, bright, and buildable goodness—exactly what the doctor ordered to add a lovely fuchsia flush to my cheeks and pout. Even better? The tint is clean, vegan, ethically sourced, and made with CBD oil and antioxidantrich, youth-boosting, plant-based ingredients. Fighting free radicals, sun, and environmental damage while encouraging collagen production is also part of the dealio. // $38, dehiyabeauty.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 How the heck is summer over? Coronavirus is still here. OMFG! I'm so tired of every inch of my 700-square-foot digs. At least there are parklets and outdoor dining, and stores and spas are open. BEAUTY FIND: Monastery Rose Cleansing Oil
Back in August when I caught Athena Hewett's Noe Valley spa Monastery featured in T Magazine, I was blown away. It was the most serene oasis I ever did see. Fast-forward a few weeks and an old PR friend reaches out to see if I want to check out the place and get a facial. Duh. Since there is only one client in the spa at a time, I'm not too concerned about my safety. Long story short: Athena's hands are magical, my brain finally logs out of fight-or-flight mode, and my skin is aglow. When I mention that I use drugstore-brand makeup wipes to clean my face, Athena's eyes begin to twitch. What? I'm lazy when it comes to end-ofday beauty regimens. Did I mention that Monastery also makes small-batch, botanical skincare with super-duper luxe and anti-inflammatory ingredients? Athena steers me toward the Rose Oil, a cleanser that I'm to use nightly, not in the morning, she says. It's brimming with rose essence, hazelnut oil, and lots of other good stuff that melts off makeup and nourishes at the same time. Just squirt a couple pumps, massage into skin and wipe off with a damp cotton cloth. Simple. My dry, sensitive skin has never been happier. Feels like I'm back in that glorious oasis every time I use it. // $43, monasterymade.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 And it's baaack. A stricter stay-at-home order was just announced—starting Sunday. I get it, but it still sucks. 2020 is the worst. I need to treat myself to something non-essential, pronto! Happy friggin’ Hanukkah.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ©ANDREA SIMONS
BEAUTY FIND: Carta's Moena 12|69 Parfum
I'm a perfume girl for sure. But with a crazy-sensitive sense of smell, I'm très particular about the fragrance I wear. Also, I fully support the idea that everyone should have a signature scent. (Mine is top secret.) Still, I'm all for adding newbies into the mix once in a while. Carta's Moena 12|69 was an instant yes. It's herbaceous, soft and earthy with hints of fresh-brewed tea, tobacco, and golden ginger. The unique star of the show is Moena Alcanfor, a rare essential oil that's steam-distilled from the leaves and branches of the Moena tree found in the Peruvian Amazon. When San Francisco perfumer Heather D'Angelo created it several years ago, I received a sample. I fell hard and fast for the beguiling scent and milked that teensy vial for as long as possible. I know there's no one to smell me in quarantine, but my nose still works and I deserve a treat. The full-sized (15 ml) bottle is gorgeous and the parfum is just as intoxicating as I remember. Fun fact: You can buy a sample for $12, which comes with a code for 10 percent off the purchase of a bottle. // $110, cartafragrances.com 17
BY SHARON SETO
HauteKITCHEN
Michelin Star Chefs Hubert Keller with Claude Le Tohic
IN CONVERSATION WITH SHARON SETO Make way for 2021!
WHEE! KA-POW! CELEBRANTS AROUND THE GLOBE RING IN THE NEW year with various customs and traditions, feeling thankful for the year ending and looking forward with new hopes and dreams for the one starting. Did you know that there are 26 different New Year's Days in the world? Most calendars are based either on the solar or lunar cycles. Used by most of the world, the Gregorian calendar is a solar dating system where the New Year is always January 1. The second highest utilized calendar is based on moon cycles, so that explains why the Lunar New Year falls on different dates: February 12 in 2021, two days away from Valentine's Day! No matter which calendar you observe, the fondest memories are made gathered around the table. To kick off the New Year with a big bang, we have East meets West in Haute Kitchen with two incredible talents who can't wait to share their love and goodies with you! Happy New Year and Gung Hay Fat Choy and Happy Valentine's Day to you all! Enjoy. 18
CLAUDE LE TOHIC
Chef-partner, a conceptual visionary of ONE65, Claude Le Tohic was born in France and attended culinary school in Vannes. Upon graduation, Claude joined Les Hortensias, a Michelin 1-star restaurant. Two years later, he arrived at acclaimed chef Ghislaine Arabian’s Michelin 2-star restaurant in Lille, France. One year later, Claude became chef de cuisine, working alongside Joël Robuchon at Jamin, a Michelin 3-star restaurant in Paris. In 2004, in the presence of France's president, he received the highly revered, peer juried Meilleur Ouvrier de France award for his efforts in preserving, advancing, and perpetuating the tradition of French cuisine. Le Tohic is the only active chef in the U.S. who has been honored with this prestigious award. In 2005, Le Tohic moved to the United States, where he earned the restaurant Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand, the only Michelin 3-star rating in Las Vegas. Claude Le Tohic has garnered numerous awards to recognize his skills, including the James Beard Foundation Award of Best Chefs in America 2010 and induction as a member of Master Chefs of France. For more information on Chef Claude's newest venture, please visit: www.one65sf.com/home.
“Sometimes, less is better. You cannot cheat.” – Claude Le Tohic
Q&A HAUTE LIVING X CLAUDE LE TOHIC HL: So, for January and February, I'm a lucky gal who gets to celebrate both Western and Eastern New Years' plus Valentine's Day. Let's talk about love! At a gala I chaired, I knew you snagged a good one when I first met your wife, Mabelle. She is not only beautiful, but I enjoyed her company as well. How did Mabelle catch your eye, and what smooth move did you make to get her on a date? CLT: Mabelle and I met in Brazil, which is where she is from. I thought she was such a beautiful woman. I don't share much about our relationship, but I remember our first kiss from the start. The tree that we had our first kiss under was on the street outside of a mall. You wouldn't believe it, but a few years ago, they decided to redo the whole square and tore out everything from that space, except for that tree. It's still there after all these years! HL: What are your Valentine's Day plans with your wife? Will you be cooking? If so, please tell how you will be wooing her—your menu amongst other things? CLT: You know, as a chef, you spend Valentine's Day in the kitchen. It's one of the busiest days of the year. But I don't wait until Valentine's Day to send love to my wife, I try to show it year-round.
HL: Many of us would love to be the proverbial fly on the wall in your restaurants. Any memorable moments? CTL: A man came in with his girlfriend one night to dine, and halfway through the meal, his wife showed up. She put on a show! She grabbed the other woman by the hair—the other woman had very long hair— and started wrestling her. The other woman started running through the restaurant with the wife chasing her. The wife then grabbed her husband's ring and threw it across the restaurant. The man came back the next day looking for his ring, so we all had to get down on our hands and knees looking for his ring. It was a show! HL: That is so funny! What is your quote or motto? CTL: Sometimes, less is better. You cannot cheat. For example, sometimes you go to a restaurant and they put a lot of flavor and a lot of ingredients in a dish so that, in the end, you don't know what you're eating. Sometimes when you make a simple dish, you can't cheat because it only has three to four ingredients. So, it has to be perfect. Simplicity can be the most challenging thing to do. Like a white wall, you see marks easily.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHEF CLAUDE LE TOHIC
HL: You were born into a restaurant family. Who and how did that inspire you to continue the family tradition? Will your children also follow in your footsteps as you did with your parent(s)? CLT: I always liked working in the kitchen, I grew up like that, and I think the hospitality lifestyle, in general, is what I've always been in love with. Not only cooking but hospitality and making people happy. Because of my parents, I grew up with a good sense of hospitality. My children are very educated on food and love eating, but they don't love cooking.
HL: Chef, it is truly an accomplishment to hold a combined 12 Michelin stars thus far in your career! My goodness! Some chefs can only dream of this. You are still young. What are your hopes and dreams for the future? CTL: To continue to make people happy. To keep giving service excellence, because I grew up in the environment of excellence of cooking, of hospitality, and I hope to continue that and even get better, so that I can provide the best of the best.
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HauteKITCHEN
Black Cod and Clam Jus, with Coconut Milk & Coriander (Serves 2) INGREDIENTS Sauce: • 5 ounces (150 grams) clam jus • ¼ (10 grams) of each: red, green, and yellow bell peppers • 2 tablespoons (40 grams) coconut milk • 1 whole lime • Olive oil • ½ cup finely chopped (50 grams) fresh coriander • Tabasco Garnish: • ½ of each color of bell pepper (20 grams) bell pepper, each color, cut into small dices • 2 tablespoons (10 grams) chopped ginger • 1½ teaspoons (20 grams) olive oil • Salt • Espelette pepper 20
INSTRUCTIONS For the sauce: 1. Cut the bell peppers in small pieces and cook in olive oil for 2 minutes over low heat. 2. Add clam jus, bring to a boil, and simmer for 2 minutes. 3. Strain the bell peppers from the sauce and put them to the side. (The strained bell peppers will be used for another preparation.) 4. Add to the sauce the coconut milk, lime zest, lime juice (a full lime's worth), and a dash of tabasco. Put in a blender and blend. 5. Add fresh coriander and set aside. For the garnish: Dice the strained bell peppers. Cook slowly over low heat for about 2 minutes in olive oil, along with ginger, salt, and Espelette pepper.
METHOD TO COOK FISH AND PLATING: Season two pieces of black cod fillet, 5 ounces (150 grams) each, sear lightly in olive oil over low heat until the fish is cooked. Add the garnish on the top of the fish. Plate each fish into a deep plate and pour the sauce around each. FOR MORE RECIPES Follow on Instagram: @chefclaudeletohic
Carpaccio of Fresh Scallops, with Sea Urchin & Caviar (Serves 2) INGREDIENTS • 5 fresh scallops • 6 sea urchin tongues or uni • 1 ounce of caviar • Poppy seeds • Fresh dill • Lime • Espelette pepper • 1 slice of brioche bread (for croutons) • Butter • Salt • Pepper • Fleur de sel • Olive oil INSTRUCTIONS 1. Put your scallops in the freezer for an hour to make them little firm. 2. Slice the scallops thinly and arrange them onto two plates to resemble a rosette on each plate. 3. Juice the limes and mix with 2 ounces (50 grams) olive oil, salt, and Espelette pepper. 4. Brush the lime mixture on the scallops. 5. Add poppy seeds and fleur de sel to taste. 6. For the croutons, dice brioche, sauté with butter in a pan until toasted. Drain the butter and set the croutons aside. Keep at room temperature. 7. Gently place 3 uni pieces on top of each scallop rosette, along with a half-ounce of caviar on each plate. 8. Finish the dish with a small piece of fresh dill on the rosette and 3 pieces of toasted croutons on each plate. 21
HauteKITCHEN As Marissa grew older, her passion grew stronger. She baked her way through high school and learned to cook many of her family's traditional Cantonese dishes. On Sundays at college, Marissa relished hosting dinner parties for her closest friends, a tradition she adopted from Sunday dinners with her family. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Marissa pursued a career in asset management and real estate finance. She had business in her blood, but longed for more time in the kitchen. With the start of a new decade, Marissa decided to pursue her life-long dream of writing a food blog, sharing dishes inspired by her Asian-American roots and hoping to bring more people together over food. To see more of Marissa's fun recipes, head to deliciouskinship.com or check out @deliciouskinship on Instagram!
“Food is the gateway to memories.” – Marissa Seto
Q&A HAUTE LIVING X MARISSA SETO
MARISSA SETO
A third-generation San Franciscan, Marissa Seto, is all about The City. She attended local schools at Hamlin and Lick Wilmerding and was also a SF debutante. Ms. Seto is the writer and photographer behind the Asian-inspired food blog Delicious Kinship. Although she's a newbie blogger, she's no novice when it comes to food. A daughter of serial entrepreneurs who also own restaurants as a passion, Marissa grew up in the culinary world. At seven years old, each afternoon, she and her siblings were supposed to do homework in the upstairs office of a Japanese restaurant her family owned in North Beach. But the sounds and smells were too alluring for her to ignore. "Teriyaki chicken," Marissa recalls. "I loved painting the chicken with the sticky glaze and just staring at them in the oven as the skins sizzled under the hot broiler." To this day, teriyaki chicken always reminds her of that little sushi shop on Green Street. According to Marissa, "food is the gateway to memories." "Food brings us back to specific places or reminds us of certain people. Food is nostalgic and sentimental because it's a conduit for conversation and meaningful experiences." 22
HL: What was food around the family table like growing up? Who inspired you in the kitchen? MS: My Pou Pou was a kitchen goddess. In addition to the weekly parties she held for about 75 to 100 people, she'd feed the family—33 people— every Sunday like it was no big deal. One thousand percent, she's the reason I started to cook. Food was abundant and, as Asian-Americans, really delicious. Most days, we had platters of stir-fried veggies with saucy meat dishes over heaps of white rice. Sometimes we'd have "American" foods like fried chicken or spaghetti Bolognese, but always with an Asian riff. HL: You majored in business and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a successful career in asset management independent of your family business for many years. What inspired you to switch gears, focusing on food? MS: I had a satisfying career in finance, but it was unfulfilling and, to be honest, kind of boring! My soul craved something fun and creative. In college, I wrote a blog while I ate through Philadelphia's 50 best BYO brunch spots. I think I got through more than 30 restaurant reviews before I graduated and moved away. I deactivated the site, but always looked back and wondered why I didn't continue blogging. With this new decade I decided it was time to blog again and live with no regrets.
PHOTO CREDIT: ©PJ CRAME HAIR AND MAKEUP: CHARLOTTE PARSONS
Marissa Seto
Charlotte Parsons and Marissa Seto
HL: It's exciting to see you sharing your love for food by launching a blog and a business! Tell us about it. MS: Delicious Kinship (DK) is an Asian-inspired food blog with a mission to connect people through food. On the one hand, DK is a recipe blog featuring my favorite AsianAmerican takes on classic Asian flavors: recipes like miso macaroni and cheese or Dutch apple pie baos. I write my recipes with extra instructional details, ingredient tips, and technique tricks, so everyone can feel confident in the kitchen. I want my readers, including inexperienced cooks, to make these recipes so that they can enjoy them with the people they love. On the other hand, DK is the home of my bake sales. Check it out for yummy homemade treats! Plus, I've committed to donating a portion of any bake sale proceeds to the SF Marin Food Bank. That way, by supporting DK, you are also supporting families in our community!
PHOTO CREDIT: ©MARISSA SETO
HL: For me, it seems that chefs cook savories and pastry chefs whip up desserts. What is your preference, if any: cooking or baking? MS: Baking, hands down. It's super scientific and systematic, so you can drop into a recipe and just focus on the task—very meditative. When you have an idea, you can experiment and know exactly what you changed and how it affected the end result. That's where all the fun and creativity come in. HL: Chinese New Year is a 2-week festival, and I understand you had four generations of family who participated in this tradition, not to mention the entire network of extended family and friends. How was that? What were your favorite memories during this celebration? And what part of this tradition is your favorite? MS: Chinese New Year is lively and vibrant for our family. Some of the most important values around this holiday are "coming home" and "family togetherness," which we take so seriously that it's represented in our food. Traditionally, it is only when each member is actually seated together at the table and after my Gung Gung says, " Yet Chai Sek Fon" (meaning "eat together") can we start our meal.
Foods like whole chicken and whole fish are eaten this time of year because, eaten whole, they symbolize togetherness. Dumplings are also common, because they require the entire family to wrap the dumplings! That's probably my favorite tradition: sitting around the table folding dumplings together—oh, and the stacks of red envelopes! HL: What are your favorite dishes during Lunar New Year, and why? MS: Cantonese roasted duck is my all-time favorite Chinese food. And since it's symbolic of having whole poultry during this holiday, I get to eat it in abundance. Ha ha! I also really love chow nian gao, which are stirfried rice cakes. They've got a unique chewy texture, like mochi, but are served savory alongside veggies and often slivers of pork. HL: Growing up, you were surrounded by three generations with 33 family members. You all ate two to three times weekly at the dinner table flowing with dishes your Pou Pou would whip up in her wok. What would be your ultimate Chinese New Year banquet menu for the family if you cooked it? MS: Oh! I'd definitely shake things up a bit and serve non-traditional dishes alongside traditional ones. Since the number eight is an auspicious and lucky number, we always have Eight Course Chinese New Year dinners: 1. Two classic dumplings: wontons in a spicy sesame sauce and crab and pork soup dumplings. 2. My riff on stir-fried rice cakes (chow nian gao) with spicy Italian sausage and broccoli rabe. 3. Classic Peking duck and steamed buns with hoisin sauce and sliced scallions. But I'd swap out the Peking duck for Cantonese roast duck, because the Cantonese version is meatier and way more flavorful. 4. My take on whole chicken—extra-crispy, boneless, pan-seared whole chicken with yuzu glaze. 5. Classic stir-fried yu choy sum with oyster sauce. 6. My take on steamed Dungeness crab with a browned butter soy dipping sauce. 7. Classic long-life noodles with mushrooms. 8. My take on orange and ginger olive oil cake with fresh whipped cream. Check Out these recipes at deliciouskinship.com. 23
Pork Wontons in Spicy Sesame Sauce Makes 2 main servings or 4 side servings (about 32 dumplings) INGREDIENTS Pork Wonton Filling • 8 ounces ground pork • 1 scallion, finely chopped • ¾ teaspoon sesame oil • 1¼ teaspoon soy sauce • 2½ teaspoons Shaoxing wine • ½ teaspoon sugar • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground white pepper • 1 package of wonton wrappers Spicy Sesame Sauce • 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 24
• 1-2 tablespoon tahini or smooth peanut butter, depending on your preference • 1 tablespoon chili oil from a jar of chili crisp (plus 2 teaspoons of the chilis for extra spice) • 2 tablespoon soy sauce • 2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil • 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar (or red wine vinegar) • 1 teaspoon sugar • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper • 2 tablespoons water Garnish • 1 scallion, green parts only, thinly sliced or 1 tablespoon of roughly chopped cilantro • Black or white sesame seeds
INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and fill a small bowl with a little water. 2. In a medium bowl, combine the wonton filling ingredients in a bowl. Mix well. 3. Take a wonton wrapper, then place about a teaspoon of filling in the center (it's better to underfill than overfill, or they risk exploding when boiled). Use your index finger to paint a little water along two consecutive edges. Fold the wontons in half, pressing along the edges to enclose the filling into a triangle. Dab a little water on one of the corners, then bring the two corners together and press to hold its shape (see photo for more details). Place finished wontons on the parchment paper and continue folding until all the filling is used. 4. Start a pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium heat with the vegetable oil and garlic. Once the garlic smells fragrant, turn off the heat before it browns, then add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or tahini and the rest of the sauce ingredients. Mix to combine. Taste and adjust peanut butter or tahini per your preference. 5. Once the water is boiling, carefully lower in 8 – 12 dumplings into the water. (Work in batches to ensure you don't overcrowd the pot.) Keep an eye on the water as it comes back up to a gentle boil. The key is to cook the wontons in a gentle boil (a hard boil will break the dumplings). 6. When the wontons float, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a serving bowl or plates, draining well. 7. Drizzle spicy sesame sauce over the wontons, then garnish with scallions or cilantro and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
PHOTO CREDITS: ©MARISSA SETO
HauteKITCHEN
Orange Ginger Olive Oil Cake Makes one 6-inch round cake INGREDIENTS Cake • 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour • ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons (175 grams) sugar • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon baking soda • ¼ teaspoon baking powder • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons (140 grams) extra-virgin olive oil • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons (150 grams) whole milk • 2 large eggs • Zest from 2 oranges • 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root, grated • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) fresh orange juice • 2 tablespoons (26 grams) Grand Marnier • Whipped Cream • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar • ½ teaspoon five-spice powder, optional INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom and sides of a 6-inch cake pan with parchment paper (one circular piece and a long strip of paper to make a collar for the sides). 2. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, milk, eggs, orange juice, orange zest, grated ginger, and Grand Marnier. 3. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, then mix until the flour just disappears. (Don't mix past this point or your cake will be tough!) Pour the batter into the lined cake pan, then bake. 4. Starting around 50 minutes, check the cake's doneness with a toothpick every 5 minutes. It's ready when the toothpick comes out clean and the top of the cake has browned. (This could take up to 65 minutes, depending on your particular oven.) 5. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then carefully loosen the sides of the cake from the pan with a knife and invert onto a wire rack. Allow the cake to cool completely on the wire rack for at least an hour. 6. Before you serve the cake, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and five spice powder. Whisk just until the cream holds its shape. (Be careful not to over-mix or it'll turn into butter.) Dollop the whipped cream onto the cake, then spread with the back of a spoon. 25
HauteDRINKS
WINE AND WELLNESS: CAMERON DIAZ’S AVALINE WINE BRINGS BOTH TO THE TABLE 26
LONG AGO I HEARD A STORY THAT made me like Cameron Diaz a lot. One of my friends saw her at the airport and witnessed someone rushing up to the actress (and wellness writer) to ask for her autograph. Most of us have seen something like this happen—or done it ourselves. Generally, the celebrity kindly or mindlessly signs something; other times, they snub the fan and walk away without a word. But, according to my friend, Cameron Diaz looked the person in the eye and said something like: “You don’t need my autograph. I’m nobody important.” This legendary incident happened ages ago, long before Diaz wrote The Body Book
and The Longevity Book, works that proved further her self-effacing earthiness and depth. Without knowing her at all, I imagined her to be an unaffected, grounded person. So, I wasn’t surprised when I took my first sip of Cameron Diaz’s newly released Avaline Red, her third wine release in 2020. I knew the wine was organic, sourced from sustainable farms in France’s Rhone Valley, and made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes. At less than $30 a bottle, I wasn’t expecting it to be the best ever. A friend even told me it was “gross” (though another a self-professed wine snob sang its praises).
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AVALINE WINE
BY BECCA HENSLEY
“This would be the sort of wine you’d buy at the market in France to pack for your picnic with a bestie. It would go well with the surrounding sunflowers. Or, it might be meditation wine, the sort you would roll around in your mouth while nibbling cheese and working on the next paragraph of that novel you can’t manage to finish .” I looked at the unpretentious label and knew exactly how it would taste: comforting like a great conversation and fun like an unexpected giggle. This would be the sort of wine you’d buy at the market in France to pack for your picnic with a bestie. It would go well with the surrounding sunflowers. Or, it might be meditation wine, the sort you would roll around in your mouth while nibbling cheese and working on the next paragraph of that novel you can’t manage to finish. Made cleanly, without any unnecessary sugars or additives, this wine would pair nicely with whatever food makes you feel better when you’re sad. One sip … and I was right. With a medium body, a fruity beginning, a light caramel flash at mid-tongue, and a slight mineral finish, Avaline Red was just as I imagined Diaz herself: unassuming, frank, flirty, and full of gravitas. It isn’t brilliant, but it isn’t meant to be—it’s supposed to be a reminder to stop, breathe, and enjoy life. 27
Likely, you’ve heard of Avaline, wines released during the summer of lock-down, a time we may all have been drinking at home more. Releasing a new wine brand during a pandemic wasn’t what Cameron Diaz and business partner Katherine Power (co-founder of Who What Wear and Versed Skincare) had in mind when they sat together one afternoon in 2018, envisioning a wine project that would bring sustainably made, organic, clean, affordable wines under their own label. As it turns out, releasing quaffable, healthier wine during a difficult summer may have benefitted both the tipplers and the winemakers. “We were blown away by the positive response to the release of Avaline White and Rosé,” said Power, referring to the first wines, Avaline White and Rosé, released in July. Immediately, Avaline’s social media populace begged for a red, which was distributed in time for Thanksgiving, and a sparkling, light and festive, thrilled imbibers who bought it for New Year’s Eve celebrations. How did Avaline happen? Power and Diaz, kindred spirits introduced to one another by Nicole Ritchie, share an interest in wellness, sustainability, ethical farming, and contented living. Both love wine. One day while tippling together, they realized that the wine bottle on their table didn’t tell the drinker much. We know the ingredients of everything else we put in our body and on our skin, why not wine, as well? “We created Avaline because we want the wine we drink to meet the clean standards we seek in every other area of our lives, but it also tastes delicious!” said Diaz. She loves the Avaline Red. “It’s my favorite so far—I love to pair it with a big bowl of creamy, mushroom pasta and curl up on a cozy afternoon,” she said. Together, Diaz and Power investigated growers and wine makers in Europe who met their standards. “We wanted to demystify the experience of shopping for wine and make it as approachable as possible. We believe it should be easy for consumers to make an informed choice and hope to inspire other brands to follow suit,” said Powers. 28
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AVALINE WINE
HauteDRINKS
MORE ON THE WINE:
The dry Avaline White, made in Spain, has a peachy undertone, accented by white flowers and ending with a lemony edge. The rosé, from Provence and made from five distinctive varietals, bears a breezy airiness deepened by a hint of berry that refuses to overwhelm. Avaline Red, distributed in time for Thanksgiving, pairs just as well with turkey as tofu. Its cherry and chocolate notes linger on the tongue. The sparkling, made by farmers who plow with a horse rather than a tractor in Catalonia, reflects its region as an all-day dry and lively bubbly with a gusto for life.
Cameron Diaz’s cacio e pepe recipe begs to be paired with Avaline Red. INGREDIENTS • 8 ounces of spaghetti or bucatini • 2 tablespoons of butter (I like salted but you can do unsalted.) • 1tablespoon of olive oil • 1½ – 2tsp of freshly ground pepper • ½ cup of grated pecorino cheese, plus more for serving • ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving • 2 tablespoons of kosher salt for pasta water. DIRECTIONS 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add kosher salt. Add pasta once water returns to a rolling boil. You're not going to cook the pasta fully, so set a timer and reserve a cup of pasta water at the end of the pasta cooking time. 2. In a large skillet, melt half the butter over mediumhigh heat with the olive oil. 3. Add ground pepper, stirring until it gets a nice aromatic scent, about a minute or two. Be careful not to overcook the pepper. Keep your nose over the pan as you toast the pepper, so you can tell when it's perfect. Don’t worry ... you’ll know when it's perfect, because it will smell perfect! Trust your nose, it always knows. 4. Collect ½ cup pasta water and add it directly to the butter and pepper sauce. Bring to a simmer and add the remaining butter. Whisk or stir the butter as it melts. 5. Keep the remaining reserved pasta water close for future use. Don't pour it out! 6. Strain pasta. Use tongs transfer the pasta to the butter pepper sauce. And add the cheese as you toss it! If the sauce is too thick and not coating the noodles, add a bit more of the reserved pasta water. 7. Put it in a bowl and sprinkle the extra grated cheese on top. 8. Lastly, pour yourself a glass of Avaline Red wine and enjoy! 29
HauteDRINKS
GEORGIA, THE CRADLE OF WINEMAKING Ancient Wines from the Country of Georgia are Taking the US by Storm
Wines of Georgia Illustration
OENOPHILES IN THE US HAVE BEEN DISCOVERING GEORGIAN WINES AS IF THE COUNTRY had just begun making it, although Georgia is the historically accurate birthplace of wine. The United States and the rest of the world are simply discovering its renaissance. Georgia, considered the French Riviera of Russia, is sited between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea. About the size of Connecticut, more than 500 types of grapes are unique to this country. How? Because of its biodiversity. In one day, a drive across the country brings you through rainforests, deserts, grasslands, glaciers, and glacial valleys. To the cooler west of the country, where the wine regions have such exotic-sounding names as Imereti, Guria, Samegrelo, Racha, Lechkhumi, and Adjara, the soil structure is heavy in clays and volcanic materials, attributable to low pH levels. To the east, the climate grows warmer and drier and the soil tends to be higher in pH, with limestone and sand.
ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF WINES OF GEORGIA
BY CHARLENE PETERS
The fact that Georgia is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world came to light five years ago when archeologists discovered qvevri (pronounced “kway-vree”), traditional clay vessels used in winemaking. Inside the qvevri were grape seeds dating to 6,000 BCE. Today, winemakers in Europe and America are using concrete “eggs” similar to qvevri for storing and aging wine. UNESCO was so amazed by the longevity of these ancient clay jars that they included qvevri on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013.
Inside a Georgian marani
PHOTO CREDITS: (TOP) COURTESY OF WINES OF GEORGIA; (BOTTOM) CHARLENE PETERS
“The fact that Georgia is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world came to light five years ago when archeologists discovered qvevri (pronounced “kway-vree”), traditional clay vessels used in winemaking.” Georgia’s exotic grape varietals include Saperavi, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Rkatsiteli, and Chinuri, to name a few, but it’s the small percentage of wines created in qvevris that have caught the attention of U.S. oenophiles. These large, egg-shaped, beeswax-lined, porous terracotta vessels are first filled with grapes, skins, and stems for a few weeks, and then covered and buried underground for six months. Sommelier Taylor Parsons moderated a recent, virtual Wines of Georgia tasting organized by Marq Wine Group. He introduced a variety of qvevri wines from various producers. “It’s a huge spectrum of production,” said Marq’s Trade Director, Julie Peterson. “Everyone has one in their marani (cellar)” she says of the ongoing qvevri tradition. The challenge, however, is keeping these artisanal vessels spotlessly clean. Iago Bitarishvili, co-host with Taylor during the virtual tasting, is one of Georgia’s most prominent winemakers who scrubs his qvevris for two weeks in between uses. One qvevri can hold 1,500 liters of wine, but it does not impart any flavor profiles to the wine as do oak barrels. The vessel is intended to be neutral. Due to its bulbous shape and pointed bottom, the vessel performs differently from round, flat-bottomed barrels, and, in fact, act as a natural filtration system, enhancing the natural essence of Georgian wines. During the virtual tasting, Taylor offered a brief background on Georgia’s political and winemaking history. Beginning in 1200 BC, Georgia endured an almost continuous series of invasions across every one of its borders. The Russian Empire assimilated it in 1801 (throughout the 19th century, Georgia winemakers made wines that were heavily influenced by European styles) and the Soviet Union absorbed it in 1922, when all vineyards became nationalized. The Soviet conquest was almost, but not quite, the death knell for winemaking in Georgia.
White wine made in a qvevri produces an amber or ‘orange’ wine with notes of dried orange peel and a slight tannic presence
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HauteDRINKS Vineyards in Georgia
A wave of the deadly grape fungus, phylloxera and controlling programs initiated by (native Georgian) Joseph Stalin and perpetuated by Nikita Kruschev continued to assault the industry. When the Soviet Union fell in the 1990s, state properties, including vineyards, again became private. Then came 15 years of civil unrest, known by countrymen as the Dark Time. In 2006, Georgia’s wine industry resumed development. Grapes are a major agricultural product, and wines now being made in a drier, western style generate good revenue. Alas, a full 90 percent of Georgia’s export market was under embargo, a condition that remained in place until 2013. In the past seven years, families who once made wine for their own personal consumption have expanded and transitioned into the commercial sector. Their political views are sometimes posted as signage outside their wineries, delineating who is welcome and who is not.
Khachapuri and Georgian wine
Foods served during a Supra
Under Vladimir Putin, Georgian winemaking is still threatened, as Russia continues to occupy two regions of Georgia and its fertile, grape-growing lands. In the meantime, the wines of Georgia are enjoying new audiences in Europe and in the United States, where interest in international wines is trending. Shortly after artisanal winemakers like Iago Bitarishvili were able to commercialize, Georgia launched a New Wine Fair in 2010. Attendance at the fair was encouraging; within 12 months, Iago’s wines were being distributed in the United States. In Georgia’s central winemaking region, Iago has made a reputation as a key producer of Chinuri, an unfiltered wine made with white grapes that undergo a skin-on maceration for six months. The wine is racked in spring, bottled in early fall, and marketed in America as orange wine. Kakheti, in the east, is Georgia’s most popular winemaking region. Grapes grown there produce less acidic wines that pair well with the rich food and cheeses of this primarily livestock-herding area. Varietals from this region include Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Kisi, and Khikhvi. Sommelier Taylor says, “In Kakheti, wines tend to exhibit a very strong flavor, are usually higher alcohol and more robust, and have longer skin macerations by many months; these are burly wines.” My personal favorite from the virtual tasting was a 2018 Artanuli Saperavi from Kakheti, made by winemaker Kahka Bershvili. Similar to a Piedmont style Nebbiolo, these biodynamic Saperavi grapes spent nine months in qvevri, yet the cost here in the US is less than $30 a bottle. On a separate occasion, I tasted a few wines made in the western style, sans qvevri. The grapes were harvested from the district of Telavi, in the village of Tsinandali. A glass of Sun Wine 2018 Tsinandali ($16) made from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grapes produced a pale, white dry wine with notes of anise. Another Sun Wine I enjoyed is imported by Sada Wine of Philadelphia. The 2018 Saperavi (translation: “to give color”) was made with 100 percent Saperavi grapes. An immediate smoky, cherry bouquet led to a fabulous pomegranate flavor in this medium-bodied dry red wine worthy of far more than its US cost of $17. Paired with grilled steak or lamb, you can’t go wrong.
ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF WINES OF GEORGIA
“All are welcome who agree the Russian government occupies 20% of the land.”
Georgian Wines
Wine made with grapes from the west of Georgia offer more iron richness in its soils, said Taylor, who continued, “Imereti, a mountainous, densely forested area of Georgia is the most significant part of the west, with only 15 percent of planted hectares, but they're making some incredibly compelling wines.” As you head east, the wines become even more forest-y, said Taylor. “Interestingly, the wines here tend to have higher acidity. They’re a little bit fresher, and stylistically, they use less skin maceration in the east, and their cuisine matches that.” Food is an integral element of wine tasting experiences in Georgia. Every. Single. Day. The Supra (Persian translation: “tablecloth”) is a tradition of Georgian hospitality that’s become a favorite attraction for the tourists who are slowly filtering into the area. It’s a feast that occurs three times a day, welcoming
guests with an abundance of food and drink—and singing. Supras are led by a tamada, or toastmaster, who introduces multiple toasts and tales throughout the wine-centric feast. Tamadas are required to consume large amounts of alcohol without becoming drunk: the toast he gives, and the subsequent stories relayed, are too complex for tipsiness. Whatever the topic, guests at a supra raise their glasses, but no one drinks until the tamada has spoken. Then, toasts circle the table counter-clockwise before the next speaker raises his or her glass and drinks until it’s emptied. Traditional Georgian toast subjects can range from God and the Virgin Mary to saints, ancestors, and friends. There’s even a toast for a supra following a burial. An excellent way to get the feel of Georgia and to absorb the unique concept of the supra—and perhaps plan your own—is to watch the documentary, Our Blood is Wine on Amazon Prime. 33
BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR
HauteDINING
Chef Matthew Dolan
“LET’S NOT FORGET,” SAYS CHEF MATTHEW Dolan, “the foundations of this wonderful restaurant at 25 Lusk are soaked with the sweet sweat and tears of those who built it and nurtured it over the past decade, including me.” As head chef and co-founder of 25 Lusk, Dolan wants to be clear that, despite the massive rollercoaster-like challenges of 2020, with the support of a great team, he is “still sticking around, still steering the wheel.” He
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adds, “Things will come back. We’re going to get through this. Every restaurant is different and some are ‘parking it’ for a while. I certainly understand. But for me, I’m going to keep trudging along to ensure that we can get by using the most important ingredient of all: Hope.” Looking back to the start in 2010, what a journey it’s been. Outstanding cuisine, an impressive wine cellar and sommelier, the sleek,
sexy interiors of this fine dining establishment have all earned multiple accolades. There was the coveted invitation to create and serve a sustainable seafood dinner, beautifully plated, at the James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village. And there was the June evening in 2016 when President Barack Obama walked through the front door, surprising and delighting other guests as he pulled off his RayBans and headed for the private dining room.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF 25 LUSK
CHEF MATTHEW DOLAN AT 25 LUSK SAYS “HOPE” IS THE MAIN INGREDIENT
PHOTOS COURTESY OF 25 LUSK; ©ANNE-CLAIRE THIEULON DOLAN
“Things will come back. We’re going to get through this. Every restaurant is different and some are ‘parking it’ for a while. I certainly understand. But for me, I’m going to keep trudging along to ensure that we can get by using the most important ingredient of all: Hope.” – Chef & Co-founder Matthew Dolan “Hurray!” exclaimed social media in spring 2018 when this multi-level space added a third dimension, Rooftop 25. It’s a versatile, thoughtful, generous space with an oakwood burning pizza oven (one of chef’s favorites along with the oysters and a hot dog served in a warm pretzel), an outdoor bar, lush plants, warm wood, strings of lights, discreet heat lamps, and retractable awnings overhead. Amid the 2020 coronavirus disruption, Rooftop 25 has been a blessing for 25 Lusk and for San Franciscans alike. As indoor dining closed and opened and closed again, word quickly spread about this welcoming spot. Tucked away from the wind on a quiet side street above SoMa, now winterized as an outdoor room for all seasons, there are curtains to draw in around small, social “bubbles.” Chef Matthew says, “We take safety protocols very seriously. We’re ready for everyone and we’re truly outdoors, you know. So it works extremely well for social distancing.” 35
PHOTO CREDIT: ©ANNE-CLAIRE THIEULON DOLAN
HauteDINING
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF 25 LUSK; ©PHOTO CREDIT: ©ANNE-CLAIRE THIEULON DOLAN
We were curious to know whether Chef Dolan’s secret ingredient called “Hope” helped him find a silver lining in the 2020 restaurateur experience. “Having to see amazing and loyal staff depart, there’s really not a silver lining,” he said. “But there has been an awakening to wonderful examples of solidarity and humanity that have surfaced around us. I’m grateful beyond expression for our incredibly understanding and supportive partners, Jamie McGrath and Chris Dolan, as I am to California suppliers like Duskie Estes from Black Pig Bacon in Sonoma with her marvelous bacon. I’m not willing to compromise on quality; our food suppliers are absolutely the best people with the best produce, and they’ve stuck by us as well.” That said, Chef Dolan admits to concerns about the ripple effect of the balanced food chain as we skate on thin ice. “We must eat. All of us are connected in this. There’s perishable fish, delicate oysters, and the delivery truck drivers who get it quickly and safely to us from source. There are farmers and pickers in the field, good produce that is wasted when restaurants have no diners. And down the line, that affects what’s on our grocery shelves as well.” As a consummate proponent of green initiatives, a loving husband, and a dad to two great little guys, Chef Dolan cares for his team as he does his family. “We will get through this, but we have to do it together.” Hope springs eternal. ____ 25lusk.com
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BY TERESA RODRIGUEZ
HauteHOTEL
FOUR SEASONS RESORT LOS CABOS AT COSTA PALMAS Just a Few Hours Away from San Francisco IMAGINE A SECLUDED DESTINATION WHERE the gentle sun warms your shoulders and the hushed sound of lapping waves lulls you to sleep, a place where you're greeted with a joyful "buenos dias!" and a caring team of international staff members meets your every need. Close your eyes and drift off to a resort where soulful spa therapists pamper you, treating you to massages steeped in indigenous traditions. Picture yourself poolside, with an attentive waiter bringing you cool libations, fruity popsicles, and delicious meals.
It seems like a world away, doesn't it? But if you leave now, you can be there in a few short hours. In just three hours by plane from SFO and a short ride by private car, you can be reveling in the warm Mexican hospitality of the Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas™. The brand-new resort (built in October 2019, then just
The main pool is designed to resemble the magical, natural ponds at Sol De Mayo. Poolside food and beverage service is available all day
The resort's two miles of private beach on the Sea of Cortez
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reopened due to COVID-19) is ideally situated on a strand of private beachfront property spanning over two miles of vast dunes overlooking the tranquil waters of the Sea of Cortez.
The view from an oceanfront suite
The resort's beautifully appointed lobby
For those of you who've traveled extensively and have experienced the best that the world has to offer, expect the Four Seasons in Los Cabos to blow your mind. Each aspect of the resort has been skillfully planned out—from the numerous pools throughout the resort that give you the feeling that you're in your own private oasis to the luxurious plunge pools that accompany many of the guest suites—no feature of the resort has been overlooked.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS RESORT LOS CABOS AT COSTA PALMS™
“The restaurant lineup reads like a who's who of the culinary world. Acclaimed chef Costas Spiliadis brought his famous restaurant Estiatorio Milos, recognized as one of the best Mediterranean seafood restaurants in the world, to the property.”
Estiatorio Milos restaurant
Spain's Crevette Royale is served grilled and with a shot of mezcal
While many secluded resorts offer mediocre dining options, that is not the case at the Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos. The restaurant lineup reads like a who's who of the culinary world. Acclaimed chef Costas Spiliadis brought his famous restaurant Estiatorio Milos, recognized as one of the best Mediterranean seafood restaurants in the world, to the property. It's perfectly situated on the beach, overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Let the seafood captain introduce you to the fresh catch of the day. At the raw bar, you are invited to choose your cold appetizers and your main course—prepared to your pleasure. Seafood options change daily, depending on what's been caught, but staples always include fresh lobster and other shellfish. 39
HauteHOTEL For those who want a more rustic experience, make sure to dine at Limón. This charming restaurant is tucked away in a lemon grove on the expansive property. With its outdoor kitchen ablaze and cozy fires lit throughout the al fresco dining area, both Limón’s cuisine and ambiance wow the senses. Start with the squash blossom and petite St. Pauline creamy tart with chile poblano and pine nuts. Follow it with Bolognese with chile meco and bone marrow. For your main course, feast on the ribeye that is aged 45 days. Dessert? Of course. Try the La Manzana, their take on an apple pie with phyllo dough, vanilla ice cream, and caramel sauce. Accompany your dessert with a hot chocolate spiked with Kahlúa. For a memorable meal that takes you on a bold tour through the various regions of Mexico, Casa De Brasa's Mexican Gastronomy Tour dinner is a must. The 5-course meal leads you on a tasty exploration of a few popular areas that exemplify Mexican cuisines. Enjoy tamales from Oaxaca, lobster tacos from Baja, and mole from Jalisco. You can even pair your multicourse dinner with fine wines from Mexico. For more casual meals, guests are offered in-room dining as well as the quaint café, Ginger’s, which makes fresh smoothies and baked goods. Enjoy a game of ping pong while waiting for your smoothie to be made. While lounging by the pool or relaxing in a hammock with a fresh coconut are perfectly divine options to restore yourself after a tough 2020, we suggest an excursion expertly planned by the Adventure Concierge at the front desk. Let them introduce you to Mexico's best kept secrets, including Sol Del Mayo's hidden waterfalls cascading with fresh, clear water. A team member will lead you to the falls and bring you drinks and snacks as well as towels and an umbrella for your comfort. Their team can take you to world class snorkeling spots and epic off-roading adventures through desert dunes. For romantics, they can plan a sunset sail from the Four Seasons’ private marina or an intimate bonfire dinner on the beach that you will never forget. One place on the resort that should not be missed is the Oasis Spa. Spa treatments are rooted in the healing energy of the desert, mountains, and ocean. Each individualized treatment incorporates indigenous ingredients known to soothe and revive. Along with healing treatments, guests are encouraged to use the spa facilities throughout their stay. Whirlpools, plunge pools, steam, and sauna rooms are available to all guests over 14 years old. 40
Taste the freshest local ceviches made to order at El Puesto.
Poolside dining: hearts of palm salad with shrimp and lobster tacos
Their world-class 18-hole championship golf course featuring desert and ocean views
Enjoy the privacy of your own plunge pool in an Oceanfront suite
If you prefer to keep active, try a round of golf on the pristine golf course, play a game of tennis, or take one of their fat tire bikes for a spin. For water lovers, the resort has kayaks, boogie boards, and paddleboards that you can use for free. The kids will love the oversized water trampoline. For children, the Four Seasons offers a wonderful daily kids' program that includes fun activities like scavenger hunts, beach volleyball, tennis, seashell hunting, and bicycle riding. Their arts and crafts program includes creative activities where children make various crafts like bracelets, dream catchers, pillows, piñatas, masks, and crowns. The children’s program is a great way for Mom and Dad to enjoy some private time while the kiddos get to make new international friends. If you happen to visit the resort between August and December, you will be in for a once-in-a-lifetime treat. The resort has a turtle protection program that cares for turtle eggs and hatchlings. Fortyfive days after the turtle eggs hatch, they release the hatchlings and invite guests to help with their first precious steps into the Sea of Cortez. Five species of sea turtles—the hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, green, and olive ridley—are found along Mexico's Baja California peninsula. The largest is the leatherback turtle which can grow to 70 inches long and weigh 1,300 pounds. From tranquil moments in your private plunge pool to exhilarating dives into the crystal clear
spring water of Sol Del Mayo, the resort offers you an abundance of unforgettable experiences. Take time for an evening beach walk under the canopy of endless stars and remember to slip into the spa for a decadent massage. Sure, your incredible trip to the Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas™ might only last a few days, but we can assure you that the memories you create with your family and loved ones will last a lifetime. Not bad for a place just a few hours from your current reality. To plan your escape, visit fourseasons.com/ loscabos or call +52 (62) 4689-0292. Be a part of the turtle protection program where you are invited to help release baby turtles into the water
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BY STEPH KEAY
HauteCUISINE
SEASONALITY, SUPPORTING LOCAL, AND ... SQUASH? One Sonoma chef is taking “farm to table” to the next level with “plant to plate”—one Koginut squash at a time.
ON A CRISP FALL EVENING, I PULL THROUGH THE GATES OF THE beautifully appointed Bricoleur Vineyard in Windsor. The sun is starting to set over the winery’s rose-covered trellises, and shadows from flickering flames of the property’s heat lamps are just beginning to dance across the burgundy-dressed tables spread across the courtyard. My mission here tonight is culinary—the best kind—as I’m here to finally experience the gastronomic delights of Bricoleur via its Wine Dinner series. Although I had visited to taste its extensive wine portfolio, the opportunity to taste the winery’s edible offerings had thus far escaped me—until now. For tonight’s fall harvest themed dinner, we’re being served by Bricoleur’s executive chef himself: Shane McAnelly. As he places the evening’s first course on the table, the rolled-up sleeves of his chef’s whites expose a fantastic tattoo of a flaming sauté pan and three kitchen knives on the 42
underside of his forearm. It turns out the middle knife is an actual knife he owns: “It’s a Japanese Damascus steel knife, so it has what looks like wood grain on the blade. I love the detail the [tattoo] artist put into it—they did a pretty good job of matching up the actual grain.” McAnelly grew up in the tightly knit community of Oakley, California and spent his childhood baking with his mother and grandmother. He took to the kitchen culture quickly while working at his first restaurant job during high school. He began working as the sous chef at Garibaldi’s in Oakland in 2005, followed by a promotion to chef de cuisine three years later. It was at Garibaldi’s that he learned to make agnolotti under Chef Scott Sasaki, marking the start of a lifelong fondness for pasta. He’s also fond of gigli (campanelle), a shape he loves to use, “because it’s Italian for Lily, and that’s my daughter’s name.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRICOLEUR VINEYARDS
Bricoleur Vineyards has pivoted to offer a variety of outdoor food and wine experiences
To this day, pasta remains one of his favorite dishes to serve. He explains that he has always been drawn to the limitless variety of shapes and ingredient combinations. When McAnelly applied at Zero Zero in San Francisco in 2010, he cooked a fava bean agnolotti with Meyer lemon for his tasting, which was a hit with the chef. He landed the position of executive sous chef with the opening team. The second course of the Fall Harvest Wine Dinner features an agnolotti dal plin made in-house—perfect pouches encapsulating Mangalitsa pork and cabbage served in a rich pork broth. Selected for its superior taste and marbling—some call it the “Kobe beef of pork”—the Mangalitsa pig was sourced from Sonoma County’s 4-H program, which aims to provide youth with a better understanding of agricultural techniques. “We have some friends in Healdsburg whose daughter raised the pig, and we love to support local,” says McAnelly. The winery also works with other local farms to help supplement its gardens, as supporting its community’s purveyors is “very near and dear to what we do at Bricoleur,” says McAnelly. “Cooking around the Bay Area and wine country with seasonal ingredients has always been an important part of my culinary makeup,” he says. In fact, on McAnelly’s left arm is a tribute to his love of gardening: a colorful half-sleeve that features intricate artwork of his favorite produce. “I’ve got all my favorite ingredients on that arm: beets, artichokes, heirloom tomatoes, peas, morel mushrooms, asparagus, and fava beans.”
PHOTO CREDITS: (BOTTOM LEFT & TOP RIGHT) COURTESY OF BRICOLEUR VINEYARDS; (BOTTOM RIGHT) ©STEPH KEAY
Chef Shane McAnelly
“To this day, pasta remains one of his favorite dishes to serve. He explains that he has always been drawn to the limitless variety of shapes and ingredient combinations.” All pasta is made in-house at Bricoleur
Agnolotti dal plin filled with Mangalitsa pork
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Bricoleur's award-winning bubbly
Zinfandel braised lamb shoulder with estate vegetables and herbs
“From virtual cooking shows and virtual wine tastings to outdoor, socially distanced dinners ... the team that I am a part of has had some really innovative ideas, and I am grateful for that.” – Shane McAnelly 44
Coincidentally, the evening’s main course incorporates beets, as well as carrots, from Bricoleur’s extensive vegetable and herb gardens. A Zinfandelbraised lamb shoulder and the vegetables are embedded in a bed of buttery polenta. The brightness of a fresh herb salad that adorns the plate cuts the richness of the meat. It’s the delectable result of the collaboration that thrives at Bricoleur. McAnelly works closely with Mikey De Paolo, Bricoleur’s garden manager, to determine what will be grown each season. “Gardening is something I love to do at home, so having the estate gardens and a professional garden manager on the team is next-level,” says McAnelly. “We talk daily about what is going in the ground and what is ready to harvest. Getting to walk the gardens daily and see where the ingredients are at really makes our ‘plant to plate’ approach that much better.” An unexpected highlight of the evening’s dinner is the Koginut squash soup. Unlike any other squash soup I’ve tried before, this creation of McAnelly’s ties in the sweet yet citrusy and nutty flavor of Koginut squash—a hybrid of butternut and kabocha squash often called Robin’s Koginut—with the smokiness of housecured guanciale and tartness of apples from the gardens. Growing up in a household that often utilized the velvety texture of kabocha squash in savory meat stews, I later discovered the wonderful sweetness of butternut squash for comforting soups. Experiencing the Koginut in McAnelly’s dish proves it is the perfect marriage of texture and flavor, offering the best of the two squash varieties. One of his favorite ingredients grown by De Paolo this year, McAnelly explains that you get “the buttery, creamy sweetness of butternut along with the more complex pumpkin flavor that you get from a kabocha.” He likes to roast the squash and cook it with apple, fennel, and caramelized onions for a soup that’s “perfect as the cool months creep in.”
PHOTO CREDITS: (TOP LEFT) ©STEPH KEAY; (BOTTOM LEFT) COURTESY OF BRICOLEUR VINEYARDS
HauteCUISINE
has had some really innovative ideas, and I am grateful for that.” It’s fitting that the winery loosely translates its name, the French word bricoleur, as “flying by the seat of their pants.” Judging by the jovial spirits and other delighted diners here enjoying this world class cuisine—even requesting recipes which McAnelly is more than happy to share—it seems he and his inventive team are perfectly equipped to continue rolling with the punches well into 2021.
Bricoleur's rose garden
Bricoleur co-founder Mark Hanson
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRICOLEUR VINEYARDS
McAnelly took his first executive chef position at Va de Vi restaurant in Walnut Creek in 2011, later moving up north with his family to help open Healdburg’s Chalkboard restaurant as the executive chef in 2013. Under his direction, Chalkboard received a 3-star review from then-San Francisco Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer as well as a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for the past six years. It also led to cooking at the renowned James Beard House in 2018, when one of the board members dined at Chalkboard. “He really enjoyed himself. A couple months later, I was contacted by the event planner for the James Beard Foundation asking if we would be interested in hosting a dinner.” The theme for their dinner was “It’s Always Sunny in California,” and McAnelly and his team cooked their “farm to table” style food in one of the most prestigious kitchens in the world. He anticipates having similarly amazing experiences with the team at Bricoleur. For Valentine’s Day, McAnelly is curating a menu for different experiences, including a themed tasting experience with small bites and wines perfect for “Galentine’s Day,” as well as an intimate prix fixe food and wine experience focused on romantic cuisine for couples to share. Although 2020 presented many challenges with the winery needing to pivot its events and activities every few weeks, McAnelly feels fortunate to work with such a creative team at Bricoleur. “From virtual cooking shows and virtual wine tastings to outdoor, socially distanced dinners ... the team that I am a part of
Bricoleur's extensive property includes beautiful ponds, gardens, and pavilions
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Hilton Moorea
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HauteTRAVEL
PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF HILTON MOOREA
BY BECCA HENSLEY
BE AMAZED
Tahitian Splendor Awaits at Every Turn WITH EVERY TRIP, THERE COMES THAT LONG-AWAITED MOMENT of arrival. Much-yearned for bucket-list travel, those arrivals should be particularly special. They ought to quicken the breath and conjure a gasp of wonder. Sadly, that “aha” moment doesn’t always happen; but I guarantee that it will—when you visit French Polynesia. In this expanse of nearly 120 islands, which compose five archipelagos that spread across the gin-clear waters of the South Seas, you’ll experience amazement, not just once, but again and again. Likely, it will begin at the airport. There, greeted with leis and Tahitian kindness, you’ll first hear the words “la orana” (hello) and “maeva” (welcome). The jaw dropping astonishment continues as you explore the various islands. It might be the ocean’s bevy of blues, hues from cobalt to cornflower, which you’ll glimpse from your beachfront room when day breaks in Papeete; or, it could be that first view of Moorea in the distance from the ferry, when you’ll discern an emerald mound, your destination, supremely exotic, rising from the waves. “I’m in Tahiti,” you’ll say, stating the obvious, dumbfounded and thunderstruck. I promise you will. I always do. You’ll be wowed again when you land in Bora Bora, an island surrounded by scores of sandy motus (islets), many boasting their own hotels. That’s when you’ll descend to a narrow landing strip, then disembark to a pier where hotel boat taxis await to whisk you to your private island paradise. You’ll pass an ancient volcano, Otemanu, and leaping dolphins along the way, before arriving at your hotel, greeted with flowers, a musical serenade, and a tropical libation. If you choose to visit Teriaroa, expect an epiphany aboard The Brando Resort’s private plane, the only way to approach the actor’s own island. You’ll swoon at the seascape from above, understanding clearly why Marlon fell in love at first sight with this haven, never really going home again. “Did I bring enough clothing to stay forever?” you’ll ask yourself, glancing at your suitcase, then back down at the watery carpet below, a weave of a thousand shades of blue. I know you’ll say this to yourself. I always do.
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HauteTRAVEL The Brando
BORA BORA
MOOREA:
Considered Tahiti’s island for athletic pursuits, Moorea vaunts inland mountain trails that wind around eight pointy peaks. Hike, bike, snorkel, jeep tour, and partake of dolphin and snorkeling expeditions. Stay at 5-star Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa which bestrides two bays. Eco-focused with over-water bungalows, a creperie, and activities such as jet skiing and snorkeling, this hotel embodies the island’s casual spirit. 48
TETIAROA
Once the summer refuge for Tahitian kings, this stunning destination lies further afield in the Society Islands. Bought by Marlon Brando as his own hideaway and kept pristine and undeveloped, it redefined then, as it does now, barefoot elegance. With a goal to keep the Tahitian regal tradition alive and to fulfill Brando’s dream of an eco-conscious hotel, which summons the true spirit of French Polynesia, The Brando draws guests enraptured with understated largesse and nature’s gifts. Fly to this oasis on Air Tetiaroa, which has its own terminal at Fa'a'ā International Airport in Papeete. Discover a retreat with 35 thatched-roofed, beach-side villas, each outfitted with a bicycle. Expect a slow pace—that’s the magic. LEED Platinum-awarded, The Brando is 100 percent sustainable with solar panels, a generator fueled by coconut oil, and seawater powered air conditioning.
PHOTO CREDIT: ©TIM MCKENNA
You’ll have these once-in-a-lifetime, lightning bolt moments, too, on other islands: Tikehau, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Taha’a—to name a few. Tahiti has that effect on people. Locals call it mana, a palpable poetry, a healing, invisible energy that flows through everything— the sea, the land, the people—like a magical spell. Add in the tangible things: French-intoned culture (including gastronomic cuisine and fine wines), over-water bungalows, opulent (but casual) hotels, black pearls, mindboggling diving and snorkeling, fragrant flowers, marine life galore, abundant activities from wine tasting to boat tours, and inviting hammocks for repose. With no further ado, French Polynesia will have you in its clutches. You’ll want ti that way. Perhaps you’ll stay forever. Here’s a list of some special islands I love and where to stay.
Moan-worthy Bora Bora deserves her accolades. Stunning, with its array of blues, punctuated by a plentitude of mini-islands, in the shadow of a volcano, this bucket-list location never disappoints. Insanely romantic, said to have invented over-water suites, it reigns as a place where breakfast can be delivered by canoe and enthusiasts can swim with manta rays and gallivant with sharks. Stay at the storied, re-polished Four Seasons Bora Bora, which manages to feel intimate with 108 overwater suites (27 with plunge pools) and seven expansive beachfront villa estates, the ultimate way to social distance.
OTHER OPTIONS : TIKEHAU
Go for its pink sand beaches and quietude. Stay at Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort, an unpretentious Robison Crusoe-like fantasyland. TAHA’A
Go for its vanilla plantations, cuisine, and pearl farms. Stay at Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts, a Relais & Chateaux member, where every meal is an epicurean event.
Hilton Moorea
RANGIROA
PHOTO CREDITS: (TOP) PHOTO COURTESY OF HILTON MOOREA; (BOTTOM) COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS BORA BORA
Go for its endless lagoon, wineries, and water excursions. Stay at Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa, where sunsets at the over-water Miki Miki Bar will change your life. CRUISE FRENCH POLYNESIA
While some travelers must choose between islands, cruisers can see it all. Board Wind Spirit, Windstar Cruises’ vintage-evoking, four-masted, yacht-like ship, which offers a variety of scheduled, island-hopping jaunts. Another option: ELYT Yacht Charter provides a 4-room floating villa in Bora Bora with various moorings. A modern, solar catamaran, inspired by the ancient Polynesian canoes and overwater way of life, this floating (eco-friendly) personal hotel is like owning your own island. GETTING TO FRENCH POLYNESIA
United Airlines is the only US carrier with non-stop service between San Francisco (SFO) and Papeete (PPT). Those wishing to fly out of Los Angeles (LAX), will enjoy Air Tahiti Nui and its Dreamliner experience.
Four Seasons Bora Bora
CURRENT COVID GUIDELINES
Travelers to French Polynesia who are 11 years of age and older are required to present proof of a negative coronavirus (COVID-19) RT-PCR test result from a test taken within three days of international departure. All travelers must also submit the receipt of the health registration from the Electronic Travel Information System (only available at etis.pf), with a printed receipt showing a QR code, that must be presented upon arrival to the country. Upon arrival in French Polynesia, travelers will also be provided with a free self-test kit which they must administer and submit to their place of lodging on the fourth day of their stay. 49
BY MARIA CASTELLUCCI
HauteFASHION A CONVERSATION WITH ELIZABETH WELBORN
Model: Amber Hill Wearing: Stick & Ball Alpaca Fringe Poncho in Grey, $995, Palermo Soho Bag in Natural Tan $1250, Frentera Cuff $375
THINK OF SPRAWLING OPEN GRASSLANDS WHERE LIKEMINDED, friendly faces gather around one widespread table sharing purposeful conversation as generosity overflows. Think of a place where exchanges of inspiration from faraway travels bring home a sense of place and family. Think of Mediterranean lifestyle choices fueling the fire for farmto-table charitable gatherings where the impetus for a life of curiosity and good intentions were inspired by women's movements, slow food, education, and the environment. These are what drove Elizabeth Welborn to create a brand that would move mountains or, should we say, Las Pampas. Grounded in passion, Welborn’s philanthropic nature manifested as a desire to help, heal, give, and prosper. Designer, mom, philanthropist, and equestrian, Elizabeth Welborn did what many only dream of and aspire to accomplish. She fused her myriad of interests into one cohesive lifestyle brand. An active polo player herself, Welborn competed in Marin and Sonoma Counties, landscapes that mimicked the unforgettable scenery of Las Pampas in Argentina, various corners of South America, and beyond. A native of southern Louisiana, this southern belle put down roots in the San Francisco Bay Area and, in 2011, founded Stick & Ball. Born from her adoration for everything related to horses, fashion, and travel, Stick & Ball now serves an eco-conscious clientele who value and appreciate the beauty in well made, luxurious, hand crafted goods. Welborn envisioned a collaboration of her farm-to-table gatherings and her active polo playing days to create her lifestyle brand and share her gifts with the world. Focused on the highest quality materials, Stick & Ball creates sustainable, one-of-a-kind, luxury clothing and accessories authentic to a lifestyle filled with inspiration, purpose, and continuous creativity. Among its delightful collections, The Stick & Ball handwoven poncho— their signature piece—allows versatility, going from daytime to stylish evening wear. The brand’s repertoire of luxury goods extends to vegetable tanned, Italian leather accessories, linens, silks, and home décor, making Stick & Ball the perfect gift idea for any time of year! Haute Living takes a deep dive with Elizabeth Welborn, founder and creative director of Stick & Ball, a fusion of compassionate creation integrating a love of all things equestrian.
PHOTO CREDIT: ©JACQUELYN WARNER
Connecting Sustainable Fashion with Luxury and Purpose
HL: In an ever-so-changing world, how important is sustainable design and lifestyle? EW: From the beginning, sustainable design has been at the forefront of our core values as a brand. As an outdoor enthusiast, I cherish open space, clean air, clean water, and a healthy ecosystem. Growing up in Louisiana's wetlands and watching them disappear at such a fast pace in our lifetime has made me even more hypersensitive to how important it is to guard our natural resources and to preserve the landscape around us. Mother Nature does not need us, but we need Mother Nature. I keep that thought at the forefront when it comes to our growth as a brand and let that guide what we source, how we source, and how we produce designs.
Elizabeth Goodwin Welborn, Horse- “Mono" Wearing: Stick & Ball Alpaca Fringe Ruana $995
PHOTO CREDITS: (TOP) ©JAMIE GRENOUGH; (BOTTOM) ©DOMINIC JAMES
HL: Tell me about the origination of the farm-to-table charitable events? What charities do you support? Where are or were the gatherings held? EW: My farm-to-table charity events were what sparked the beginning of my brand. My first activities in the polo club were not playing polo, they were helping to host events by cooking farm-to-table dinners after the games. These gatherings began in two small polo clubs in Marin and Sonoma Counties. One notable summer event in the Bay Area is the Oyster Cup, an annual charity event held in Petaluma at the Cerro Pampa Polo Club. As a brand, we have hosted many charity events and donate product to fundraisers throughout the U.S. A few of the charities involved in our events have been The Nature Conservancy, For the Bayou—a Louisiana's wetland restoration charity I founded—the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, and riding programs like Giant Steps. HL: Has 2020 and its slew of challenges required you to pivot from your marketing strategies? WE: Yes, 100 percent. The majority of our sales at Stick & Ball were inperson at events or in our flagship store in Mill Valley, CA prior to COVID. We had to commit ourselves to an incredible amount of new work this year to optimize our digital e-commerce channel. The most challenging part of e-commerce for us is not the back-end work on the web, but to translate digitally what people once experienced by picking up one of our pieces: the look, feel, and smell of our sustainable leather or the softness of the sweater or throw or silk scarf.
HL: Your eco-conscious brand is appealing on so many levels. How do you go about sourcing the materials you use? Is there much trial and error involved in your experimentation? EW: When I first decided to begin designing and to launch the brand, sourcing both the best and most sustainable raw materials was of the utmost importance. In the beginning, it was like detective work. I went shopping and began feeling garments and reading labels. I would try on garments and take notes as to their fit, feel, contents, and country of origin. I can't say there was much experimentation, because I became pretty obsessed with making things the best they could be. From the very beginning, I realized the importance of partnering with our sources and artisans to improve upon the raw materials or the making of our designs. It is truly a partnership to produce a high quality piece. HL: Where are most of your designs fabricated? EW: I make my designs in many places, depending on many factors: the raw material, the design inspiration, and where the best artisans are located for that specific design. Peru for alpaca; Argentina for handstitched leather belts, as that is where those designs originated, Italy for our vegetable tanned leather, organic linens, and silks; Turkey for woven cottons; and the US for our leather production.
Model: Rebecca Walters Wearing: Stick & Ball Alpaca VNeck Sweater $235, Indio Cross Body $395
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HauteFASHION HL: What came first, the polo playing, the designer dream, or the farm-to-table events? Is there a first love? EW: What came first was a love of a lifestyle: a sporting lifestyle of riding horses and being around outdoor enthusiasts. This began in childhood. When I was young, I loved to create: I painted, made pottery, and even built my own doll furniture. I later developed a passion for handmade textiles while studying Spanish in Guatemala when I was 19. Fast forward a career that took me around the world through Latin America and living in Asia. I was exposed to incredible design from so many regions. Once I began with polo, the farm-to-table events, and playing polo, there was an “aha” moment to combine all of my many passions together to share with this lifestyle and story with the creation of a new brand.
Model: Pamela Flannegan Wearing: Stick & Ball Wellington Weekender in Espresso $1195
HL: Was your childhood infused with art, sports, and philanthropy? EW: My childhood was humble in the deep south of Louisiana. My father is an electrical engineer and my mother is an English teacher. Both parents dedicate an enormous amount of time to the community through the schools and the church. Giving back was ingrained in our family. Although my parents are both from Louisiana, they lived in Arizona during the Vietnam War, and my dad was in the Air Force. Through that experience, my dad came to love a more modern, southwesterninspired architecture. We had the only 1-story stucco home with floor to ceiling windows, skylights, dimmer switches, etc. surrounding the entire house in the neighborhood. Although we had southern wallpaper and beadboard walls, my parents had Dali prints mixed with antiques throughout the house. Though neither of my parents is interested in fashion, their perspective sparked my curiosity about design. Neither of my parents was into riding, hunting, or fishing, but I grew up a tomboy and adored the outdoor lifestyle. HL: Where do you find the most meaning in your work? EW: I love creating. Whether it’s a new design, a new recipe, planting a new garden, or mapping a new adventure. I love the “aha” moments, the joy in the journey, and the happiness it brings others in receiving a design, tasting the food, or joining me on an exciting trip to a remote, foreign destination.
HL: What would you consider your greatest professional strength? EW: Creativity HL: Throughout your world travels, is there a particular destination that really moves you? EW: There are so many. I fall in love with almost every place I visit: Latin America for its people, countryside, culture, and handmade textiles; France, Spain, and Italy for their art and cuisine; and Mongolia for its vast, open spaces, history, and incredible people. Model: Rebecca Walters Wearing: Stick & Ball Alpaca Leather Trimmed Poncho $595, Caballos Besando Necklace $695
PHOTO CREDIT: (TOP) ©DOMINIC JAMES (BOTTOM) ©SARAH KANE
HL: What inspires you on a daily basis? EW: Mother Nature for color and beautiful raw materials. I love handcrafted indigenous patterns from around the world.
HL: What would your advice be to someone just starting out in the business world? EW: 1) Do something you are passionate about. 2) Seek mentors who have both failed and succeeded in your space.
Stick & Ball Leather Palermo Soho Bag $1295
HL: What do you consider your greatest achievement? EW: Being a mom. Hands down, this is my most difficult and greatest achievement. HL: How do you want the Stick & Ball legacy to be remembered? Carried on? EW: Many brands come and go for a variety of reasons: changing value systems, financial issues, style changes. Our brand is not just about design, it is a way of life. I hope, as a sustainable, slow fashion brand authentically rooted in a lifestyle loved by so many around the world, that I can somehow pass the torch to a person or group of individuals who hold these same values. Devoted to positive change within their community and beyond, Stick & Ball’s small, robust team facilitates long lasting inspiration through their curated handmade items. Their creation of enduring, sustainable designs while sharing social leadership within their communities has blessed us all. More information on Elizabeth Welborn and Stick & Ball can be found at www.stickandball.com.
“Find your passion and design your life.” – Elizabeth Welborn
As Elizabeth Welborn would say, “Find your passion and design your life.”
PHOTO CREDITS: (TOP) ©DOMINIC JAMES & STYLED BY: REBECCA WALTERS ; (BOTTOM) ©JACQUELYN WARNER
Model: Amber Hill Wearing: Stick & Ball Alpaca Pampa Poncho, $2595, Alpaca Home Decor $255 - $595
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PHOTO CREDIT: ©PETER DASILVA
PROFILE
Real estate developer Mark Calvano at his new boutique office 54 building in Mountain View, anticipated for completion early in 2021
Future
ENDEAVORS Developer Mark Calvano has a foot in the past, but an eye on tomorrow with his post-pandemic office designs BY CAROLYNE ZINKO
Mark Calvano remembers the office building of the 1980s: big boxy rooms, few windows, and fluorescent light shining from tubes in a dropped ceiling. Employees tapped away on a Macintosh, an IBM PC, or a Commodore 64 computer, and for refreshment, went to the water cooler or, if the office were truly civilized, poured a cup of coffee from a pot of hours-old brew warming on a burner in the kitchen. “It was, ‘Here’s the employee’s desk, in a maze of cubicles and private offices,’” says Calvano, a longtime Silicon Valley commercial real estate developer. “They didn’t care much about amenities. They had a break room. That was about it.” That hasn’t cut it for a long time, and it won’t in a post-pandemic world, either. Over the past three decades, employees at Bay Area tech firms have become accustomed to working in offices more like hotels than workplaces. Their campuses—at Google, Facebook, and Apple, to name a few—are studded with restaurants, gyms, dry-cleaning centers, and other perks to keep them healthy, happy, and productive. Coworking spaces with luxurious finishes have evolved as another popular business venue, thanks to technological advances with portable and powerful laptops and cell phones that allow a seat on a couch or at a table to be as much of an office as the desktop workstation in a cubicle used to be.
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PROFILE
The building illuminates the interiors of 1075 Terra Bella Ave., shows the plans for greenery and modern architecture throughout the building, elements designed to inspire creativity and innovation in employees and provide a welcoming place in which to work
Floor-to-ceiling windows provide natural light, which brings the outdoors in
PHOTO CREDITS: RENDERING IMAGES COURTESY OF CALVANO DEVELOPMENT; (BOTTOM RIGHT) ŠJULIE WEBER
Conference rooms at the boutique office building afford plenty of light, and structural support columns are envisioned being laden with botanically diverse plants
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This project allows for flexibility in the design of floor plans and work stations, which helps with social distancing at work
A busy man needs a fast car to get to his appointments. Mark Calvano with his new Ferrari
wreathed in plants are designed to be part of the mix. The floating staircase leads past the living wall to an equally expansive second floor with views of the area skyline. Three outdoor upper decks wrap the building, while front and rear patios offer spaces for unwinding and relaxing. The building’s concrete floors include the makings for a winding, greencolored (or any color) garden path. “The garden path concept gives a heart and soul to a building,” Calvano says, “beginning on the ground level and weaving through the workplace to the second floor while tantalizing the senses.” Here, Calvano says, “the future of workplace design blossoms to a higher level,” creating the type of atmosphere ripe for encouraging freeflowing creativity and innovation. Other companies, including Cisco, Plantronics, and Allbirds, have added such biophilic design touches to their lobbies or cafe entrances. Salesforce has a so-called Ohana floor at the top of its downtown San Francisco tower, filled with botanically diverse plant columns and vignettes. David Brenner, founder and chief executive officer of Habitat Horticulture, the firm responsible for the biophilic design and plant care at those companies, has been enlisted by Calvano as well. Brenner says the Terra Bella project stands apart because Calvano wants to make “a totally different experience” by incorporating biophilic design throughout the whole building. “Mark,” he says, “is passionate about doing something for this new space that will be just a ‘wow’ when you walk in.” Nature isn’t just pleasant on the eyes—it turns out it’s good for the brain, too. “Tech companies and others are starting to understand the impact on mental wellbeing that plant life has in a workspace, including its stressreducing effects,” Brenner says. “Studies show that just being around nature even makes you a nicer person, and your cognitive performance increases.” Other factors important to the post-COVID office, according to a recent
PHOTO CREDITS: RENDERING IMAGES COURTESY OF CALVANO DEVELOPMENT
To be sure, these workplaces are largely ghost towns today, due to COVID-19 which hit the Bay Area 10 months ago and forced many office professionals to their homes for safety’s sake. But when employees return to the corporate world, as most eventually will, the question on nearly everyone’s mind is what the post-pandemic workplace will look like. Calvano, who has a history of commercial development success and has spent much of his career looking around the corner into the future, has ideas. The office of tomorrow, says Calvano, is one that goes even further to make work enjoyable, appealing, and even healthy—like the boutique office building he’s been working on for the past year in Mountain View. Today’s employers have to ensure that their offices, even in the smallest of settings, are places where employees want to work, or risk having those employees lured away by competing firms with better amenities. “The working environment a company provides is a big factor in attracting and retaining top talent in Silicon Valley,” Calvano says. The 23,000-square-foot, 2-level building sits at 1075 Terra Bella Ave., adjacent to a larger 123,000-square-foot office he finished two years ago at 1001 N. Shoreline Blvd. that houses a Google legal team. Both are just south of Highway 101, about 1 1/2 miles from Google headquarters. The Terra Bella project’s architecture provides potential for a multi-pronged mission: a surprising, nature-inspired concept with leafy green interiors that inspire wellness, as well as a space that offers flexibility in the design of workstations, in occupancy, and in spaces allowing for team collaboration. The building’s glass shell allows for natural light indoors, with its exterior reflecting hues of the morning, afternoon, and twilight skies. The lobby is encased in structural glass, with a soaring, 30-foot ceiling. The entrance is artfully designed to include a 900-square-foot living wall behind a floating staircase and a skylight above, adding to the drama. Vertical columns
In this rendering of the lobby of 1075 Terra Bella, Mark Calvano plans a dramatic, 900-square-foot living plant wall and a garden path poured into the concrete, elements of nature that both soothe and inspire creativity
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Mark Calvano
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PHOTO CREIDT: ©PETER DASILVA
report in Cushman & Wakefield’s The Edge magazine, are an expansion of the amount of personal space around each employee’s workstation, enhanced cleaning protocols, and improved indoor air quality for safety. To achieve that, employers are likely to reconfigure densely packed interiors. Companies that currently allocate an average of 150 square feet per employee are likely to double that, for instance. “This building,” Calvano says, “is an open canvas for whoever leases it. Our aim was to design the building to allow for a customized, green living environment encouraging team collaboration, innovation, and employee creativity. The building's architecture allows for the infusion of elements to inspire users with natural forces; balancing functionality with nature was of the highest order.” The boutique building, with its garden-like touches, is likely to also serve as a center for social connection. That’s another bonus, because the workplace-as-meeting place is another wave of the future, says industrial design guru Yves Behar. “What the pandemic has accelerated is the notion that employees ought to be trusted to work wherever they want,” says Behar, founder of Fuseproject design firm and the co-founder of Canopy luxury coworking spaces. “The office will be less about an 8-hour workday and more of a cultural gathering place for the business. I see it as a positive, because it’s less about cramming people in a room or building and more about the exchange of ideas and bringing people together in a unique and culture centric way. … The new normal will be more remote work, less travel, and more appreciation for spending quality time with your colleagues — all good changes that I think the pandemic has dramatically accelerated.” Calvano recalls that his first project out of college, armed with a degree from San Francisco State University, was the sale of the Montgomery Ward building in Pleasant Hill to Ned Spieker, a Bay Area real estate pioneer. Calvano was a broker at Marcus & Millichap at the time and earned a portion of the $252,000 commission. Two years later, in 1988, the San Jose native created Calvano Development and focused on the sale and lease of commercial real estate in Silicon Valley. He’d planned to work until he was 50 and live to be 100, but when his father, a contractor, died at age 74, Calvano retired early, at 35, to start enjoying life before it was too late. He traveled the world with friends, created his own underwear line (with a Chanel-meets-Versace esthetic), and dabbled in the film world. He acted in and produced 2009’s Corky’s Hot Ice, a jewelry caper with drag queens; and co-produced 2005’s Adam & Steve, starring Parker Posey, and 2003’s Latter Days, featuring Jacqueline Bisset. “In addition to having an incredible business brain, he’s really creative—his mind is always racing,” says Joel Goodrich, a luxury real estate agent in San Francisco who coproduced the Posey and Bisset films with Calvano, a longtime friend. “We both had passions outside of real estate, and movies was one of them.” Restless at 42, Calvano returned to commercial real estate, and for the past decade, hasn’t looked back. Now, he has a series of other ongoing projects on the Peninsula, including a mixed-use project with a 160-room hotel, 23,000 square feet of retail space, and 440,000 square feet of office space near the Millbrae BART station. One of his most respected mentors, developer and philanthropist John Sobrato, has this to say: “Like all good developers, he has a passion for the business—you have to have that drive. Mark’s got the determination to take it to the finish line.”
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PHOTOS BY ©TK
PROFILE
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RJ Jain
REACH FOR the STARS then KISS THE GROUND
Meet RJ Jain, Executive Producer of Kiss the Ground and Founder of Price.com BY TERESA RODRIGUEZ
When we think of Silicon Valley, it's easy to conjure visions of self-serving founders whose goals are driven by money. So, when we heard about a young immigrant from India who has been leveraging his success to make the world a better place, we took notice. Though RJ Jain is still in his early thirties, he has accomplished more in the last decade than most of us do in a lifetime. When asked what his driving force is, he responded, "Finding solutions and giving back."
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PROFILE RJ in orange, with his siblings and few of his cousins
Sharing tips to save money on Black Friday with Price.com - NBC TV interview
Presenting Price.com at Collision Conference to over 25 judges
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Along with his great style and charming smile, Jain is a shining example of what successful ambition and genuine philanthropy can look like. Sure, he could sit back and enjoy his victories since Google bought his first company; but he wanted to help the world and was inspired by the simple solutions in the book Kiss the Ground. So, he met the authors and helped to produce the movie in the hope it would encourage others to integrate simple solutions for the environment in their daily lives. We were able to catch up with Jain right after his latest company, Price.com, celebrated a banner weekend between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Jain wasn't raised in the gentrified sphere of the Silicon Valley—far from it, actually. He was born in the city of Kanpur, located in northern India. Brought up in a traditional Indian household, his parents taught him and his two older siblings humility and respect. Jain was always drawn to computers; he fondly remembers when his dad got him a Compaq computer when he was 12. That was the start of his coding journey. He shares a story about the first video he created as a kid. His sister was pregnant at the time, and he made a flash video showing how fat she would get if she had twins, then quadruplets, sextuplets, etc. The entire family thought the video was hilarious. He succeeded in impressing them and making his family laugh, which brought him a great deal of satisfaction. "After that, I started creating games and building websites that would make people happy and help solve problems," Jain shares. When he was 14, he entered a high school computer contest for which he built a school website. He won, even though he was too young to be officially part of the entries. After his big win, he was asked to maintain the website, since it was such a helpful school resource. Fueled by ambition at a young age, Jain left India to attend the University of Michigan to study computer science. It was his first time traveling by plane. The change was huge. He went from one of the warmest cities in India to one of the coldest towns in the US. Luckily, his college friends taught him how to layer his clothes. Since he was brought up in a very conservative home, the social life at the University of Michigan was a welcomed yet complete change from his family upbringing. With a 4.0 GPA in computer science, class, and smarts, he built a Googlelike search engine limited to searching University Michigan information and resources. It became very popular and was used by the entire student body. That was his first project satisfying some of his key goals: 1) give back, 2) make an impact, and 3) create a name for himself. During his time at university, he loved playing Mafia Wars, then really enjoyed Farmville. He wanted to work for the company that created Farmville. He graduated from university early and headed west to San Francisco, scoring a coveted job at Zynga, Farmville's creator. He built his own team and tools at Zynga. The entire company used those tools; one of which he developed notified employees when a new game was out. It would onboard employees in a seamless fashion and connect them to other employees and players automatically. "I saw a need at Zynga. There was a lot of testing involved that required manual testers. There was such a waiting game involved, and I envisioned a way to automate the testing process." He pitched the idea to his peers, and they agreed to leave Zynga to create a start-up together. Since Jain had a great job and just received a “rockstar of technical excellence” award from
Zynga, his family urged him to stay with the company. However, Jain was bought this used item, I would have saved so much money. Plus, buying optimistic and believed he could solve a significant problem. He focused the used couch would have been responsible shopping—great for the entirely on the company he named Appurify. In three years, the tech world environment," Jain explains. took note, then Google acquired the company. Since he launched Price.com, the platform has evolved dramatically. Google acquired Appurify in 2014, and now Google Test Labs is RJ wants to maximize consumers' savings, so he has added comparison powered by Appurify's technology. shopping, coupons, cashback, Jain previously served as an contests, and tools to check Entrepreneur in Residence at prices. "With all these features, we Foundation Capital and as a can offer consumers maximum technical advisor for Metamorphic savings on anything they want to Ventures, a New York City venture buy. They can also take a photo of capital firm. During this time, the item, and Price.com will tell he personally invested in over 15 them the best place they can buy companies. Since then, some of it," Jain shares with enthusiasm. them have been acquired and some Between saving people money are still in growth stages. and time, he found a moment to After his success, he joined Sidecar, read the book Kiss the Ground. a ridesharing company before Lyft With his incredible ability to find and Uber. He was part of the team solutions, he saw that Kiss the of onboarding new drivers quickly. Ground was a smart and simple They performed background and way to reverse global warming. criminal checks using a safe and “The author, Josh Tickell, outlines automated process. After that, he a viable solution to climate worked on user growth and worked change, and I was so inspired closely with the marketing team to by their mission, I became an scale the business. Once again, the executive producer to help them company was sold, but this time it finance the film” he says. was bought by the automotive giant After having read the book, GM, not a huge tech company. he was inspired and motivated When asked about where to help bring visibility to this he gets his ideas, his answer is important cause as his way unconventional for those who live of giving back. “With the in a tech-driven world: "I usually accelerating rate of natural dream my ideas; then when I wake disasters happening around the up, I will execute them immediately." world, now more than ever, we Jain admits that anything he does must make a positive impact on has to be creative and perfect. the Earth through our choices as Although he came from a humble consumers and the way we farm family, they appreciated the finer our food.” said Jain. things in life. "Being competitive The documentary received over and growing up in a large family 29 awards this year at various film with over 30 cousins, I strive to do festivals and is still counting. better and be better, and even dress We asked Jain if he would share better." he admits. a piece of sage advice with our With his many investments readers about reaching goals and Kiss The Ground Documentary directed by Josh and Rebecca Tickell flourishing, Jain decided to go back being successful. He offered, "If to creating something from scratch. He got the domain Price.com because you have an idea, you have to go all in. When you have a very big vision, it's he found a critical need that wasn't being met in the retail world. He wanted about not giving up." to create the most money-saving platform in the US. It started when he As for the next phase of his life? "For me, it's all about having a balanced bought a new couch online. Right after he bought it, he found the same life. Even if you are amazing and at the top of your professional career, if you couch used for half the price. That's when he had his "aha" moment. "If I don't have a happy family, then you need to get into balance."
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PHOTOS BY ©LUCY POPE
Steven Spurrier in his wine cellar
PHOTOS BY ©LUCY POPE
PROFILE
The Story of a CALIFORNIA WINE Revolution A Conversation with Steven Spurrier LAURIE JO MILLER FARR
May 24, 1976: In the Room Where It Happened On a spring afternoon in Paris 45 years ago, the world of California wines changed forever. It wasn’t designed to happen that way ... not intentionally. On the eve of America’s bicentennial, British wine merchant and educator Steven Spurrier, and his colleague Patricia Gallagher, organized a blind tasting as a way to showcase the quality coming from California upstarts such as Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Château Montelena.
It turned out to be a dramatic event. Observers have called it “a Declaration of Independence from French supremacy,” and “a lightning rod to the budding wine scene in California.”
PHOTO CREDITS: TK
PHOTO CREDITS: TK
Judges Table, Paris - 1976
The room where it happened was a conference room at the InterContinental Hotel in Paris. Fortunately for all, a lone reporter, George Taber, was there to cover the event which he later dubbed “Judgment of Paris” for a TIME magazine feature. Bella Spurrier captured photos of the nine-member French judging panel. And the rest is history.
Spurrier with judges at blind tasting, 1976
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PROFILE On the eve of the 45th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, we talked to Steven Spurrier at home in Dorset, England. We also touched on the upcoming Judgment of Napa, a first-ever tribute and blind tasting created and curated by Angela Duerr of Cultured Vine, planned for May 24, 2021 at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and on tour in several U.S. cities thereafter.
Q&A
“Forty-five years is two generations, so it is impossible to predict what might happen. It is plain that if wineries wish to survive and prosper, they need owners with vision and deep pockets. Icon wines (i.e., $150+++) are here to stay.” – Steven Spurrier
HAUTE LIVING X STEVEN SPURRIER French getting lower marks out of 20 than HL: Looking back on that spring day nearly their quality merited. 45 years ago in Paris, is there one special I think the freshness and clarity of fruit moment that stands out in your mind on the Stag’s Leap 1973 stood out, the 1970 above all others? and 1971 clarets were pretty tannic and that SS: It was indeed an occasion to remember and is possibly why it got the most votes on the to savour. Patricia Gallagher and I had to numbers. For Bordeaux, Mouton was next make sure it ran like clockwork, and it did, and it always showed best of the clarets in except we ran over time with the reds and the 1986 and 2006 tastings. Of course, the the InterContinental Hotel wasn’t that happy thing that really stood out after the results as the room was pre-booked for a cocktail were announced was Madame Odette Khan, party at 6 p.m. The tasters/judges were not publisher of La Revue du Vin de France, expecting there to be French wines as well, demanding her notes back. She had put nor that it was going to be a blind tasting, Stag’s Leap top and knew EXACTLY what but when I announced this, they accepted would happen. I replied that she had agreed with interest. to take part in the blind tasting and as such, The pouring order was random, the her notes belonged with everyone else’s. names of the wines written on bits of paper, She was furious, stormed and subsequently placed into a hat and the order the secretary published an article in the RVF stating that drew them out was the order of service. the tasting had been rigged. There was concentration on the table and George Taber writes about the confusion of the judges. For the whites, six voted for Ch. Montelena and three for Chalone (my choice), which was significant. The results were met with surprise; the quality of the California Chardonnays being solidly recognised. The whites were cleared away and the reds began to be served and I had the impression that certain tasters did not want the same result, some wines Steven & Bella Spurrier that were plainly not 66
HL: Absolutely amazing. One feels they were in the room where it happened, to coin a phrase, as you share it. How much of a role do you think Judgment of Paris played in launching New World wines beyond California? SS: A very big role indeed. It’s not that the New World wines were unknown, but Australia was only known in the UK. South Africa was under Apartheid and didn’t export, New Zealand really came on the scene in the early 1980s with Sauvignon Blanc, Chile and Argentina were virtually unknown outside their own borders. I have always said that the lasting value of the 1976 Tasting was not what it did for California, but the fact that the tasting created a TEMPLATE whereby lesserknown wines of quality could be compared blind to well-known wines of quality and if the tasting was properly organised and the judges themselves of quality, then their opinions would be respected. You only have to think of Eduardo Chadwick’s Berlin Tasting in 2004, which he then took on the road for ten years to prove consistency, and you have the prime example. HL: Tell us about Bride Valley in Dorset and the sparkling you’re doing there. SS: When my wife bought The Court House in the little village of Litton Cheney, she needed more land than just
a garden and ended up buying a 200-acre farm on the edge of the village which is in a single big bowl facing southeast, south, and southwest from which we can see the English Channel four miles away as the crow flies. There is a lot of chalk on the farm, in fact the soil is basically chalk under a 12” cut of loam and we are about 25 miles from Kimmeridge, after which the chalk of Champagne is named. The upper slopes are too steep and too windy to plant and when I presented a dossier to the Boisset family at Vinexpo Bordeaux 2007, they got very excited and wanted to do a joint venture with 30+ hectares, but after lots of research the results were that 10 or so hectares were plantable, more too risky, so we did this ourselves. Boisset recommended we get the vines from Pepinieres Guillaume, suppliers to Bollinger, Roederer, DRC, etc., take the grapes to Ian Edwards (UK winemaker of the year 2012) at Furleigh not far from us north of Bridport and if all went well, they would buy the wine. All has gone very well from the quality point of view, but very small crops until 2018 and 2019 and like many startup ventures of this kind we are 100% over budget. From 2018 we began to make some still wine – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Rose – and these go well, probably 15% of our production.
PHOTOS BY ©LUCY POPE
PHOTOS BY ©LUCY POPE
HL: What conclusions have you made, if any, about the future of winegrapes in the UK? SS: Everyone is very, very optimistic and in my view there is too much planting going on. Before — due to local demand — there was more demand than supply. From 2018, this will be reversed and some of the big boys and newcomers will cut prices to get market share. We won’t do this and have formed the Bride Valley Club to concentrate on selling directly to the consumer. HL: Tell us about the book you’re writing, “A Life in Wine.” SS: “A Life in Wine” is the second edition of my memoirs published in 2017 under the title “Wine, a Way of Life.” It has been tightly edited, a final chapter added to bring it up to date, particularly with the creation of the Academie du Vin Wine Library in April 2019. With the re-issue of Michael Broadbent’s
Wine Tasting on its 50th anniversary and with my book we now have eight [titles] in publication with the aim to re-create the Literature of Wine. There are also a few more photos and a much needed index. It is my life in wine from 1964 to 2020, so lots of places, people and of course the product. I am both pleased and proud of it. HL: Can you name a few winemakers you follow and why? SS: The winemakers I follow are all friends and I guess they have become friends because they make wine I like, so I visit them whenever I can. Too many to mention. HL: Thinking about Napa and the upcoming Judgment of Napa, do you have any crystal ball thoughts about what Napa Valley wineries might be up to in another 45 years? SS: Forty-five years is two generations, so it is impossible to predict what might happen. It is plain that if wineries wish to survive and prosper, they need owners with vision and deep pockets. Icon wines (i.e., $150+++) are here to stay.
Steven Spurrier with U.S. Congressional Record
HL: What excites you most about the Judgment of Napa and how do you feel about the tribute it is creating? SS: Angela Duerr seems to be turning it much more into a celebration of what Patricia and I did by creating the event and George Taber being there to record it for the public, first in Time Magazine and then in his excellent book. This is a great honour. HL: How would you like Napa — and the world — to remember your legacy? SS: The legacy will, of course, be the Judgment of Paris and that has always been a “winwin” event, despite what the French thought at the time. As Aubert de Villaine said, it was “a much needed kick in the pants for French wine.” If I had to use one word to describe my life in wine, almost right from the start once proper knowledge had been acquired, it would be as a COMMUNICATOR. That’s how I would like to be remembered. 67
Jacob Vilató:
PROFILE
A PICASSO PROGENY FORGES HIS OWN ARTISTIC PATH With an artistry and passion undoubtedly shaped and influenced by his great uncle Pablo Picasso, Jacob Vilató is finding creative success on his own terms
68 Vilató Jacob
PHOTO CREDIT: ©JORDI FOLCH
PHOTO CREDIT: ©JORDI FOLCH
BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER
talents complemented each other. Culebro is outgoing and detailoriented; Vilató is an introverted, abstractthinker. In concert with this new design firm, Vilató rediscovered his lifelong passion for painting. In 2019, he finally revealed his work to the world via Pope Francis' Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, when two of his paintings were auctioned for charity at more than $50,000 each. An audience with the pope followed the event. His art can now be found in both public and private galleries throughout Europe, Mexico, and the United States. Like those of his great uncle, his works are not easily defined. As he advances a painting on the canvas, he discovers among the strokes and colors the characters that will eventually come alive. For Vilató, a single work is the result of several stories merged together. “I don’t usually feed his ego, but I do admire and love his work,” laughed partner Culebro, with whom Vilató shares a humorously sardonic rapport. “But I don't let him hear those words from me very often, so when he does, he enjoys it deeply. I'll tell you this, we spend a lot of time at the studio, so I call myself lucky since I've been able to see him painting many times and it is a privilege.”
PHOTO CREDIT: (TOP) ©NOÉMI JARIOD (PHOTOGRAPHER) & MAR GAUSACHS (STYLIST); ART COURTESY OF JACOB VILATÓ
PHOTO CREDIT: (TOP) ©NOÉMI JARIOD (PHOTOGRAPHER) & MAR GAUSACHS (STYLIST); ART COURTESY OF JACOB VILATÓ
JACOB VILATÓ NEVER KNEW HIS GREAT UNCLE PABLO PICASSO, yet the renowned artist’s influence permeated Vilató’s Barcelona childhood home. Picasso’s paintings and drawings blanketed the walls, affording an atmosphere of creativity, free of judgment or bias. To a young Vilató, art was simply a part of life, as requisite as food and air. This culture-rich environment conferred advantages, but it also cast a shadow over the artists in the family, of which there were many. Despite his own innate artistic talent, Vilató stepped away from his heritage and initially selected architecture as his path, founding his own firm with offices in Spain, China, and India, where he took on international projects in places such as the UAE, Egypt, Libya, and Nepal. But his artistic impulses persisted and he eventually added furniture design to his portfolio, for which he received recognition in magazines such as AD, Surface, Azure, and Elle Decor. Artistic juices flowing, he stepped away from his growing architectural practice in 2018 and started a more personal and creative endeavor, Vilató i Vilató, a Barcelona-based art and design firm focused on artistic objects and furnishings. Partner Itzel Culebro, a native of Mexico, handles marketing and communications while Vilató provides the vision. The two friends and business partners met via their sons’ school and found that their individual
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PROFILE
HL: Your family members represent both left brain and right brain tendencies, with some veering to science and others following an artistic path. You found a middle ground with architecture. JV: On my dad’s side, they are either doctors or painters. My father chose medicine just as his father, because he felt there were already too many painters in the family. As for painters, some came before Picasso and some after. My uncles Javier Vilató and J. Fin had successful careers that started in Barcelona and ended with the so-called School of Paris. I chose architecture, the perfect blend of art and science. That decision likely came from my gentle nature, trying to compromise and make everyone happy. That is true of my whole life back then. I haven't managed to discover yet if it was the right decision.
HL: You did not study fine arts in school, but rather you learned your skills at home. Was home always a creative place? JV: My mother was, most of the time, on the strict spectrum. On the other side, my father was highly educated, formal, and very well-mannered, but never a man of rules. He trusted experience and, therefore, was not afraid to try new things and explore skills, but always with a deep focus. Let me give you an example: he was a doctor, but when he needed some 70
furniture and didn’t have much money, he designed his own furniture with the help of his cousin, Maya Widmaier-Picasso. That furniture is still used today and is in great shape. That runs through the family veins, as my grandfather built a bookcase that I still proudly use. On weekends, my father and I would spend as much time as possible out of the house, discovering Barcelona and visiting every possible museum and talking about family, death, religion, painting, beauty, light, and whatnot. Later, I was extremely lucky to meet what I call “free people,” people who made it in the art world and lived their life by their own rules. I was fascinated by these passionate individuals and that was what I thought life would be like as an adult. I think it’s important not to take things very seriously, be it art or life itself, specifically one’s production or importance. So yes, home was always a creative place: first, because I was allowed to be creative, because I was always exposed to art, and also because I was given the opportunity to learn about art without snobbery. HL: Your great-uncle’s influence is evident in much of your painting. Do you feel his influence is more a result of nature or nurture? JV: Yes, indeed, he’s a big influence and he’s always been very present. Picasso’s works were present at home, so it’s always been very close, and I’ve had the opportunity to see his art again and again. That’s a huge advantage and privilege. Art has always been a big thing in the family. Some families care about money, some care about society, some care about animals, but my family cared about art. As my father said, Picasso was somebody important in the family, not as a celebrity, but rather as somebody who was simply loved. My family is not very large and that probably brings closeness. Picasso had only one sister, my grandmother, and they really took care of each other and their sons. I believe families share common characteristics, such as moral values or even a fondness for certain colors, patterns, and so on. For our family, Picasso was somehow the transporter of those family values, ideas, and dreams. I’ve been surrounded by the Picasso world all my life, through friends and family, exhibitions, paintings, and all that jazz. Undoubtedly, that must have had an impact deeper than I could probably see. Consequently, I would probably conclude that it is more a result of nurture, a deep one; however, I still think that there’s probably something based in the genes, but that is an unfounded statement based on intuition. I never felt that I was walking in Picasso’s shadow, but rather that I’ve been walking by his hand – and that’s a feeling that I’ve been experiencing more and more the older I get. I assume a lot of people will feel that way towards me, but I’m walking my own path, and am lucky enough to see that some bridges were already built and I can use them. HL: What is your favorite work of art from your great uncle’s portfolio and why? JV: I don’t have a favorite work. What I’ve learned is that every piece contains a whole world that will explode in your face if you take the time to look at it; and when that happens, it will become part of you
PHOTO CREDITS: RENDERING IMAGES COURTESY OF CALVANO DEVELOPMENT; (BOTTOM RIGHT) ©JULIE WEBER
Haute Living, San Francisco was equally lucky to recently touch base with the talented and incredibly humble Vilató:
and you’ll love it for sure. From time to time, a particular piece will strike me, and I will become a little bit obsessed with it, even if I might have seen it many times before. I guess there’s the right moment for each painting. I must admit I have a little tendency towards obsessions, which I thoroughly enjoy. Going back to the question, there’s a painting that I’ve seen most of my life that still gets me to think of it at least once a week. It’s a large format from the late sixties that’s been in front of my bed since I can remember. There are two characters, presumably a tanned father and his son, who are following a bird on a leash. I won’t go much into details, but it has always been so intriguing, and it was until quite recently that I had an epiphany and understood the way the feet were drawn. One of the great things about Picasso is that his production is humongous, which means that I won’t be able to see it all in a lifetime, much less have enough time to admire each piece. So, there are plenty to discover and with which to fall in love. HL: Has the public always known you as a Picasso relative, or have you kept that under wraps? When and how did you finally decide to allow this connection to be known? JV: Picasso didn’t use his original surname, but rather his mother’s. The simple reason could be because Ruiz is quite common in Spain, as opposed to Picasso. This means that it's always been easy to hide from the public. The most pragmatic reason was to avoid all kinds of unsolicited requests, for obvious reasons. I can give you an example of that. As I’ve said before all of Picasso’s early works were kept by my grandparents in Barcelona. By the early thirties, Picasso was already a well-known artist. A couple of scam artists knocked on the door and requested all the works on behalf of Picasso. Moreover, it’s a very Catalan thing to be humble and try to go unnoticed. Being in the architecture field and being related to Picasso is not an advantage of any kind, so it was easy to go with the family tradition of keeping shut about it. HL: Are you still involved in architecture, and if so, what are some of the projects on which you are working? JV: I love architecture. I love the fact that it is so similar to the human body. Usually, the better it works, the more beautiful it is, but there are a few exceptions. Sometimes, elegance can overrule that; sometimes, it is something that can be fascinating, such a huge nose or a deformation; and, sometimes, it is so ugly that it becomes attractive. How often are highly wrinkled old persons portrayed in photography? Furthermore, not everybody is capable of seeing the beauty in the same places, just as for human beauty. That phenomenon happens all the time in
architecture, and I think it is intriguing and exciting. Having the ability to compare both worlds makes it easier to understand both, which, at the end, is probably the meaning of life. I could talk about that for hours. It is easy to understand why I love residential architecture. I’ve spent most of my career and efforts on that. What I feel now is not that I’m switching fields, but that I have a deeper understanding of the human condition, so the next logical step is to go directly to the source in a retinal way, as Duchamp expressed it. When I paint or design, I’m still working on architecture, but I spend less time drawing floor plans. We still do private residential, but we are much pickier on the kind of projects we take, because even if there’s a lot of time to do stuff, it still is limited, so it must be enjoyed. HL: Where do your paintings and art objects find a home? JV: Most paintings are sold to private collectors. It’s exciting having someone love that much a piece that you do that they want to be able to see it every day. I couldn’t be more honored. Right now, we have collectors in the US, Mexico, Dubai, Malaysia, and Spain. HL: Have you ever been to San Francisco? Would you like to perhaps show in one of the city’s art galleries? JV: I’ve been there before, and I remember quite clearly my first visit to San Francisco. I was probably around four years old. Obviously, I loved the city, so different from what I was used to in Europe. I remember being always obsessed with death and the human appeal to destruction, but also the innate spirit of creation inherent in it. I was taken to some kind of exhibition about the tragic earthquake, and that clearly left a mark on me. I still find myself sometimes drawing scenes from that journey. It’s probably one of the cities that shaped my childish imagery, along with Paris and Barcelona. I’m looking forward to visiting again as soon as possible. Art is about communication and it’s a great way to get to know people. Exhibiting in San Francisco would be amazing and the perfect way to connect with my childhood and understand the city through locals. HL: Where can interested parties find and purchase your paintings and/ or design objects? JV: The easiest way is to contact us directly via our website, vilatoivilato. com, emailing Itzel at itzel@vilatoivilato.com, or messaging us via Instagram @vilatoivilato. 71
BY CAROLYNE ZINKO PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOOKER T WASHINGTON
HauteSCENE
Christopher Shelton
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON COMMUNITY CENTER 100TH ANNIVERSARY VIRTUAL GALA Board Members Stephanie Leung, Stephanie Tomao, Farah Makras
Farah Makras and Stephanie Tomao
HANGOUTS CAN BE UNDERRATED – BUT AS A GATHERING place for San Franciscans, the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center is an institution. Founded in 1920 for Black World War I soldiers, the center today provides people of all ethnicities with childcare, youth programming, recording studios, a gym and community space, as well as 50 units of affordable housing (half for youth transitioning from foster care) in a 70,000-square-foot facility on Presidio Avenue. Most users come from households earning less than $15,000 a year. For its 100th Anniversary Virtual Gala, which raised $200,000, even chair Farah Makras and the center’s executive director, Regina
Regina Marsh and Farah
Alisa Jones, Twana Burton, Mary Ceja, Regina Marsh, Daniel Maria, Chris Shelton, Sydney Giles, and Marquis Engler
Sydney Giles and Jones Davis
Former Mayor Willie Brown
Marsh, arranged a hybrid livestream with video tributes from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; former mayors Art Agnos and Willie Brown; Alonzo King of LINES Ballet; and Mayor London Breed who said the center steered her to the mayor’s youth employment and training employment program: “My first step on my journey that led me to where I am today.” A performance by jazz singer Martin Luther McCoy provided uplift. Keynote speaker Danny Glover, an actor and San Francisco native, found the center a safe harbor amid the civil rights tumult of the 1960s. Community and continuity have been keys for a century. “The people who work here today have different faces,” Glover said, “but they have the same sense of purpose that existed 100 years ago.” That’s why, said Makras, “I wanted to shine a light on this state-of-theart center and all the good work it does.”
Daniel Daniel MariaMaria and Christopher and Christopher Shelton Shelton
Alisa Jones, Farah Makras, Stephanie Tomao, Twana Burton, Daniel Maria, Sydney Giles, Mr. and Mrs. Julian Davis
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Danny Glover
Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Mayor London Breed
The gala was a virtual celebration with a pre-event wine tasting moderated by a sommelier
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BY CAROLYNE ZINKO PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY
HauteSCENE
Jean-Christophe Bourguignon, research and development chef at Petit Crenn, and Dominique Crenn, co-owner and chef, Atelier Crenn, and chef-proprietor, Petit Crenn
WE STILL DINE TOGETHER HOME EDITION Dominique Crenn, chef and co-owner of Atelier Crenn, blows a kiss
WHEN YOU CAN’T BREAK BREAD TOGETHER, BEAM YOUR kitchen to friends over Zoom. Last fall, nine Bay Area chefs paired with the nonprofit Beyond Differences for eight weekly cooking classes called “We Still Dine Together Home Edition”. At $99 per episode, viewers with recipes and ingredients followed along as an award-winning chef cooked at home. The Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem hosted. Some $50,000 was raised for the nonprofit’s No One Eats Alone program, which helps middle school students combat social isolation by encouraging them to eat with kids they don’t know. Popular Dominique Crenn drew a whopping 100 households.
Liam Mayclem, The Foodie Chap and event host Mayclem and Crenn give home viewers a closer look at meal preparation
Host Liam Mayclem and Dominique Crenn, chef and co-owner of 3-Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn
Host Liam Mayclem and chef Dominique Crenn get hands-on in the kitchen
Beet tartare
Fleur de Champignons
The trio strike a playful note in the kitchen
A video crew films the cooking class for Zoom viewers
wishes and dreams
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T H E L E A D E R I N LUXURY REAL ESTATE
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VISIT: CHASEINTERNATI ONAL.COM
BY CAROLYNE ZINKO PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY
HauteSCENE
A green gown by Vasily Vein and Sonya Molodetskaya for their Major Obsessions label
SAN FRANCISCO FASHION SHOW TO SUPPORT FIRST RESPONDERS
Event organizers Farah Makras and Sonya Molodetskaya
FASHION TOOK TO ELLIS STREET IN NOVEMBER FOR THE CITY’S ONLY RUNWAY SHOW since March, organized by John Konstin of John’s Grill and fashionistas Farah Makras and Sonya Molodetskaya. It was a hot ticke–the $75-per-person luncheon benefit sold out in six (!) hours and raised $20,000 from 157 mask-wearing guests for the National First Responders Fund, co-founded by Joe Alioto Veronese in San Francisco in 2017. Did designs by local Russian designers Vasily Vein and Molodetskaya, Altana Danzhalova, Zaal Dormishian and Lilit Safaryan wow the crowd? Judging by the oohs and ahhs, absolyutno. That’s Russian for absolutely.
Yulia Bantyukhova and fashion designer Vasily Vein
A white and green outfit for girls by Vasily Vein and Sonya Molodetskaya for their Major Obsessions label Joel Goodrich and Carolyn Tyler
A short pink gown by Vasily Vein and Sonya Molodetskaya for their Major Obsessions label
Farah Makras and Sonya Molodetskaya with Joe Alioto Veronese
A red gown by Vasily Vein and Sonya Molodetskaya for their Major Obsessions label
Tyler Makras, who modeled looks by Zaal Dormishian in the show, and his father, Victor Makras
Jarrod Baumann and Christopher Lawrie
From left to right: Debra Caywood-Rukas, Brenda Wright, Denise Bradley Tyson, Yvette Hollingsworth Clark, Kimberly Brandon
An electric blue look
Sobia Shaikh, Lisa Zabelle At center, bridal designer Lilit Safaryan flanked by her models
Designer Altana Danzhalova
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PHOTO CREDIT: ©MC YOGI
BY BECCA HENSLEY
78 Amanda Giacomini with spray paint in Sacramento
BUDDHA-FUL LIGHT: This Point Reyes Station-Based Artist Paints as a Devotional Practice I first discovered Point Reyes’ Amanda Giacomini and her heart-stirring Buddha art at La Quinta Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort and historic, 5-star haven in the Coachella Valley. I’d stumbled across the immense grounds at dawn, leaving my warm bed and commodious casita behind. Walking to the retreat’s vast fitness enclave across a carpet-like lawn, I passed ornamental statuary, orange trees, and palms, the entire landscape an oasis still lit by the moon. In that illumination, I could see the regal profile of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the distance, gleaming in pink and lilac hues. Sleepy but content, I felt awed by the sunrise walk. Frankly, I didn’t imagine things could get more blissful and soul-centering; but, when I walked into the yoga room, part of the resort’s massive fitness complex, I stopped in my tracks. There, two walls of Buddhas, painted by Amanda, filled me with wonder. Like visions, they warmed the room. Executed in reverent gild and glittery hues, they transformed an ordinary exercise space into a sacred sanctum for self-reflection and inner overhaul.
Napa mural
PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF AMANDA GIACOMINI
“Amanda Giacomini, an artist and yogi best known for her Buddha paintings, has created Buddhathemed artwork all over the world— from Germany to Japan, Panama to Asheville (North Carolina), and Miami to Seattle.” Amanda Giacomini, an artist and yogi best known for her Buddha paintings, has created Buddha-themed artwork all over the world—from Germany to Japan, Panama to Asheville (North Carolina), and Miami to Seattle. Locally, she currently has murals in Woodacre, inside the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, on a barn on the Point Reyes Petaluma Road, in a private residence in Sacramento, and around the exterior of Toby’s Feed Barn in Point Reyes, among others. She’s completed work across California, including in Napa. Her astonishing undertaking, 10,000 Buddhas–a global installation project completed three years ago–saw her painting Buddhas in a variety of worldwide locations, such as that mural I encountered at La Quinta in the yoga room. With a goal to link worlds, bring light, and awaken mindfulness, Amanda continues to paint Buddhas in this vein. They
Amanda Giacomini 's portrait style work
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Yoga Room at La Quinta Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
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She just finished a solo exhibit at Toby’s Feed Barn, a popular community center, gallery, and shop in Point Reyes. Called “Waking in the Dream,” the show displayed a collection of 33 new paintings and works on paper completed during the lockdown. “During shelter-in-place, I moved my studio to my garage, working with the door open to look out to the field behind our house to be more immersed in nature,” she says. “Normally, I travel all the time and, so being home, I was still, and I observed the shifts of season, the changing colors and light throughout the day.” She notes that despite it being a very stressful time, the work that came through was infused with “the irrepressible hopefulness of springtime.” Videos and photos of Amanda’s work around the world can be seen on her website at 10000buddhas.com. Sign up for Zoom yoga classes with her and husband, MC Yogi, at Point Reyes Yoga where classes have been taken online due to the pandemic.
PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF AMANDA GIACOMINI
manifest as large scale murals, diminutive portraits, screen prints on paper, graffiti, and more. Keeping the imagery consistent, she experiments with scale, color, and materials. Larger paintings combine spray paint and oil. She does screen printing and monotype printing on paper and works deftly with metal and 22 karat gold leaf, as well. For Amanda, a yogi for 25 years, painting is a devotional practice. “When I paint Buddhas, I refocus my mind again and again on something uplifting. It never fails to center me, soothe me, and leave me more peaceful than I was before,” she says. Founder of a yoga studio with her husband, Nicholas (a.k.a. MC Yogi), in Point Reyes Station, Amanda says yoga taught her discipline, focus, and patience. “All of these lessons were applicable when I took on the mission of painting 10,000 Buddhas. It took me more than eight years to get to 10,000. Like my yoga practice, it was a process that required slow and steady effort over a long period of time.”
FROM AMANDA IN HER OWN WORDS
HL: You've always been an artist, but a trip to India inspired the 10,000 Buddhas project. Tell us about how it started and what it is all about? AG: In 2007, I was in India studying yoga and went on a pilgrimage to visit the Ajanta Caves. The caves were constructed between 600 BC and 200 AD. They were carved by hand into the side of a cliff, then filled with magnificent sculptures and paintings which depict the stories of the life and past lives of the Buddha. Seeing the caves in person had a profound effect on me. For one, the caves were the result of a massive, collective effort over many generations. The scale is truly epic. This inspired me to start the 10,000 Buddhas Project, something that, when I started, I didn’t know if I would be able to finish in my lifetime.
Amanda Giacomini beneath Japan's cherry blossoms
HL: Tell us about a favorite project? AG: I was painting a Buddha mural on a 4-story building in the heart of Washington, DC (14th and P Street). On the last day of painting, three Tibetan monks came to bless the mural and “wake up” the image of the Buddha, so that the suffering of everyone who passed by or saw it in a photo or video would be diminished. The monks’ visit was not something I had planned. A woman who met me at a yoga festival had heard me say that I was painting a mural in DC invited the monks, who drove all the way from New Jersey. They set up an altar and chanted and prayed while I painted. It was the most incredible experience and one of the highlights of my whole life. HL: How do you think art helps to awaken us? AG: Art reaches us on a level that goes beyond our rational mind. It can touch our hearts and plant seeds of awakening in the deepest parts of our souls. I learned that this was the intention behind the artists who created the Ajanta Caves: to create art that would not only communicate the teaching of the Buddha, but to bring the viewer to a state of bliss and communion with the divine.
Mural Art
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BY BECCA HENSLEY
HauteBEAUTY
A NEW YEAR, A BETTER YOU: DETOX AND REJUVENATE “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey
Virgin Suncare
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PHOTO COURTESY OF VIRGIN SUNCARE
THE FLIP OF THE CALENDAR ISN’T a panacea in itself, but it does offer us a portal to new beginnings. Each January, many of us take stock and tweak our lives a bit. Whether it’s physical, mental, or spiritual pivoting, we can all gain from renewing, detoxing, and recalibrating. Like a sign pointing down an untrammeled road, the new year invites us to get moving. What’s behind us has gone; what remains is the opportunity to run forward. Below, we offer some fuel for your journey.
GET HYDRATED
From Brazil with love, this cold-to-the-touch, gelatinous cream (with Fevillea extract, hyaluronic acid, and prebiotics) works magic. Natura Chronos Aqua Auto-Replenish Gel Hydrator harnesses intelligent moisturizing technology to recharge and stimulate the epidermis to self-hydrate. It regulates and deepens water levels through the layers, plumping the skin for a youthful, well-slept appearance. $46 at NaturaBrasil.com
LOCAL LOVE
From Marin County’s McEvoy Ranch, a 550-acre sustainable farm awash in Tuscan olive trees and vineyards, comes a curative collaboration between Point Reyes street artist Amanda Giacomini and the ranch’s own Ode Natural Beauty. Their Ritual Wellness Kit—Gold Edition for courage, connection and clarity—is a treasure trove of healing. Four hand-crafted, herbalenriched aroma therapeutics lie inside an elegant linen and gold-printed bag by Giacomini. Our personal favorite? The Ritual roll-on for courage, a blend of rose and pink peppercorn. $65 at mcevoyranch.com/collections/ode-natural-beauty
GET VIRTUOUS
Did you know some exfoliators aren’t good for the environment? For an eco-friendly approach, choose Pai’s Virtuous Circle which uses natural, perfectly spherical, jojoba beads. The gel formula gently rolls across the skin to lift away dead skin cells and impurities. The result is softer skin, no epidermal damage, and a less polluted world. $49 at paiskincare.us
GROW IT LONG
Hair’s little helper, Kevin Murphy’s specially formulated SCALP.SPA WASH shampoo uses micellar water, rose water, and celery seed extract to soothe, detox, and cleanse the scalp. Safe for all hair types, including colored hair, it also has coconut oil to combat dryness. With the same ingredients, SCALP. SPA SCRUB gently exfoliates away impurities from the scalp and hair follicles to provide a foundation for optimal scalp health and hair growth. $37-$38 at KEVIN.MURPHY salons nationwide 83
HauteBEAUTY GET GUT HEALTH
It’s more than a gut feeling. Many healers believe that gut health has a lasting effect on overall wellness. Country Life Vitamins offers The Gut Connection, a supplement formulated scientifically with a blend of prebiotics and other immune-supporting ingredients. Each of the eight formulations targets a specific concern. Choose from digestive balance, weight balance, cognitive balance, stress balance, immune balance, sleep balance, and energy balance. $33.71 at countrylifevitamins.com
SOAK IT UP
Take a virtual vacation in your tub with The Feelist’s Staycation, a detoxifying salt soak. Infused with 125 mg of broad-spectrum CBD, the mineral rich blend boasts Himalayan, Epsom, and sea salts to soothe the body, while lavender and vanilla oils relax the mind. Alleviate stiff and sore muscles, moisturize your skin, or simply indulge in this spectacular at-home spa experience. $58 at thefeelist.com
INHALE … EXHALE
Forget the pharmacy with its long lines and over-the-counter medicines. Instead, heal naturally with Saje Pocket Farmacy, a totable, 5-formula, herbal blend set. Created to ease head pain, coughs, stomachaches, or stress, each formula can be applied directly to hairline and skin, added to the bath, or inhaled for well-being. Apply to your pillowcase at night for a dreamy sleep. $65 at saje.com
GET BUZZED
Charge into the new year with Rose Crosby’s ZIIP Nano Current Device with Golden Gel. A pretty, handheld device (ideal for travel when that’s a thing again), it uses nanocurrents and microcurrents to stimulate an increase in collagen and elastin production. The conductive gel eradicates winter dryness and delivers all-over radiance, while the ZIIP leads to cellular level improvements. $495 at rosecrosby.com 84
SKIN SAVER
Conjure the salubrious mood of the Mediterranean with olive oil-based Baciato dal Sole by Virgin Suncare. A sumptuous preparation loaded with antioxidant-heavy rose hip and vitamin C, the sexy sunscreen battles UV and free radical damage as it moisturizes. The bonus: it comes in a stylish sachet, ideal for transporting in your bag. $98 at virginsuncare.com/shop
BRUSH IT
Not your hair: your body! Long touted as a way to exfoliate dry winter skin and revered as a curative detoxifier, dry brushing can increase blood circulation and promote lymph flow and drainage. Do it in style with Aromatherapy Associates’ Revive Dry Brush. Its natural agave cactus bristles have rounded tips which leave skin smooth and radiant. Build this ritual into your daily body care schedule. $32 at aromatherapyassociates.com
BABY BUMP
Mother knows best. Made for women by women, Bump Vitamins excel with madeto-order, custom supplements capable of supporting women in various stages of life. Superb for those hopeful, expecting, and new moms with pre- and post-natal concerns, the vitamins also sustain women of every age and issue. Daily multivitamins include energy, hair, skin, immune, and nail support. Delivered to your doorstep, made bespoke via an online health assessment, Bump formulae are overseen by registered dieticians and medical professionals. $49+ at bumpvitamins.com
MASK-UP
GET ZEN
Multi-task when you slather on Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant, a 5-minute mask which performs gentle exfoliation and boosts hydration in just one step. Containing bamboo to prime the skin for optimal thirst quenching and snow mushroom, a known humectant, the result is a more luminous you. $60 at dermalogica.com. For your hair, Colleen Rothschild Beauty Quench & Shine Restorative Mask, safe for colored hair, softens, detangles and revives all hair types. A fusion of kokum, shea, cupuaçu, and bacuri butters, it enriches and plumps each strand. $32 at ColleenRothschild.com
Discerning travelers know Aman for its score of distinctive retreats around the globe. Their inaugural Aman Fine Fragrance collection, created by master perfumer Jacques Chabert, introduces five gender-neutral scents, each meant to transport its wearer (and those around them) to exotic locales. Aesthetic fragrance bottles reflect their associated Aman destination via shape and color, while florals, herbs, and spices evoke the unique ambiances of Thailand, Indonesia, Venice, Morocco, and New York. $286 at shop.aman.com
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BY CHARLENE PETERS
HauteWELLNESS
The view at Gaia Retreat in Australia
PLACES TO HEAL FROM 2020 BIDDING ADIEU TO A YEAR THAT COULD NOT have been more bizarre and stress-inducing, you are not alone in holding great hope for 2021 and what this new year will bring. We all need to heal from the most challenging 12 months ever. Based on experiential research, I’ve become convinced that one of the best ways to heal is to begin within, incorporating a positive outlook, forging a stronger connection to nature, and eating healthfully to support your mental and physical fortitude. Yes, it takes focus and commitment, not to mention continuity, to be healthy inside and out. 86
RAINFOREST BATHING
Gaia Retreat, with its view of the rainforest canopy in the Bundjalung country hinterland of Byron Bay, a region known as the healing heartland of Australia, is my all-time favorite wellness resort. The tools I learned during my personal journey at Gaia Retreat helped me through 2020. Gaia is a special place, owned and funded by a quartet of investors since it opened in 2005. One of these investors is ’70s pop singer Olivia NewtonJohn, whom I briefly met following breakfast on-property at the Kukura House. She is truly
a larakin (aboriginal term for living life to the fullest), but most people would recognize her from a little cult movie, Grease, and as a singersongwriter topping music charts with “Have You Ever Been Mellow” and “Let’s Get Physical.” Olivia’s personal battle with breast cancer fueled her inspiration to create Gaia, which is a Sanskrit term for “the spirit of Mother Earth.” Guided by the whistles of a lime green bird with patches of indigo, I surrendered myself to this exotic retreat. Upon check-in, my first instruction was an apologetic, “You’ll have to head to your room, change into a robe, and head
PHOTOS CREDIT: ©CHARLENE PETERS
How and Where to Reconnect with Your Inner Self
quickly to the spa for your 90-minute massage.” No worries. One miraculous massage later, I floated back to my room with much lifted spirits and ready for dinner at the Kukura House. Vegan cashew “cheese,” crawfish salad, and freshly caught brook trout with courgettes (zucchini) from the property’s own gardens paired well with a glass of Tasmanian Pinot Noir. I left the Kukura House and followed the curved trail back to my room where I found a tea candle. I added a few drops of lemon myrtle oil to the small bowl underneath it. If peace had a scent, it would be the aroma of that candle, the vase of lilies on the table, and the smell from a bowl of freshly picked lemons left on the counter for my morning detox tonic. The heavenly mix of fragrance led me to drift asleep until birdsong woke me. Like a child on Christmas morning, I unwrapped the view behind my room’s curtains, taking in the spectacular landscape. The treetops of the rain forest led to a body of water and mountains in the distance. I opened the door and sank into the lounge chair beside my personal plunge pool and took it all in. I’d never been more mellow. Most recently, the focus of my healing included two highly worthwhile getaways: Canyon Bathing at Mii amo Spa Resort in Sedona, Arizona, and Equus Coaching at Ciera West Equestrian, a service offered for guests of Canyon Ranch Woodside, California.
What you do is one thing, what you tell yourself is everything. Be good to you. I release control and trust in my glorious future. Upon arrival at Mii amo, I was more than ready for my first treatment of the day, which was an energy cleanse. The combination of deep conversation with my practitioner, polarity work,
and a sage smudging left me primed and ready for “orientation,” starting with meditation at the spa’s Crystal Grotto. One enters the circular grotto barefoot to sink your feet into the red earth. A tree trunk in the middle of the room—with a quartz obelisk on top—centers the space. The roof opens to reveal the sky and its multitude of stars.
PHOTOS CREDIT: ©CHARLENE PETERS
CANYON BATHING
Is there a better spot to heal than sultry Sedona? This slice of Arizona desert amongst majestic red rocks is known to emit a distinct healing vibration or energy that has tangible regenerative and intuitive healing powers. The strongest emissions originate from a space between two vortex meditation spots I discovered on a short hike from the incredible Mii amo Spa Resort (Native American translation of mii amo is “one’s path or journey”). My journey in healing, with an emphasis on self-compassion, began there with three empowering notes placed in my guestroom: Remind yourself how beautiful you are, there’s power in it.
The view of Boynton Canyon from Mii amo Resort in Sedona
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Kachina Woman rock formation in Boynton Canyon, Sedona
Later, my guide fanned a deck of tarot-like cards and instructed me to select one that I was drawn to, so I did. It turned out to be the Spirit Keeper of the South card, the interpretation of which was “abundance and prosperity in all forms; expansion; surging energy; activity; movement; rapid growth. Be open to receiving the bounty of the universe …” Before I departed Mii amo, I participated in a craft project. With yarn and accessories, I created a prayer arrow into which I tucked a personal message of intent I’d written on rice paper. The idea behind the arrow is to empower your intention. It represents the strength and stability necessary for the arrow to reach its destination and manifest intention. EQUUS COACHING
At Ciera West Equestrian in Woodside, I met Nina Ericson, Ph.D., who is trained in horsecentric therapy, or Equus Coaching. I also met my partner for this therapy, a former police horse named "Sparrow". "We use horses because they are prey animals that have been around for more than 50 million years and survived by being highly attuned to their environments,” said Ericson. She also explained that horses have the ability to mirror neurons; it’s a natural instinct for horses to feel what someone is feeling and pick up on
their energy. Koelle Simpson, a.k.a. the horse whisperer, began Equus Coaching to reconnect with inner wisdom she felt she’d lost due to a childhood trauma. It worked and, in 2006, she founded the Koelle Institute to teach others Equus Coaching and share the transformative experience of healing with horses. When Nina learned about the Koelle Institute, she realized psychotherapy and horses were a match made in heaven. In one year, she received her Equus Coach training and took another year to become a master facilitator, which she believes enhances her practice as a psychologist. Before connecting with Sparrow (no riding in Equus Coaching), I was instructed to ground myself, the better to connect with the 18-yearold horse who would soon mirror my feelings. To help with that, Nina presented me with a deck of horse-themed cards with various intentions on which I was to focus. The card I selected was a dreamscape image of a woman and a horse. The message read: “Kindred spirit brings wisdom, insight and guidance, gently leading you down your path of destiny. The deep spirit-to-spirit bond shared with your wisdom keeper helps you connect to the oneness of our universe and maneuver your correct path in life. Kindred spirit watches over you—healing physically, emotionally and spiritually—bringing gifts of strength, love, and understanding. The knowing way of kindred spirit delivers gifts in many forms. We are better humans when we tune in, when we feel, when we accept these gifts.” My goal today was to allow my intuition to step into the flow of my kindred spirit’s energy. “If you listen and if you follow—you will find alignment to your purpose in this life and your soul will shine.” But first, a lesson from Nina on equine body language before I entered the corral where Sparrow awaits. “A horse’s ears go flat back when they’re really angry,” she explained. “If Sparrow lowers his head, he’s okay with you leading him. It’s moment to moment. One of the things I’ve learned from horses, in general, is to let things go.”
PHOTOS CREDIT: ©CHARLENE PETERS
With much ceremony, we were guided in meditation to focus on our intention during our stay, then we headed outside to walk through a meandering labyrinth in order to center ourselves for the journey ahead. Throughout history, labyrinths have been used as tools for personal, psychological, and spiritual transformation. Walking one is thought to enhance right-brain activity and to encourage meditation. We were instructed to release energy upon entering the labyrinth and to receive new energy as we left its center and made our way out. After a bath infused with essential oils and an amazing night’s sleep in my casita, the next morning I was inspired to take a 20-minute hike up Boynton Canyon (Che-Ah-Chi in Western Apache), a majestic “land with the red skin” where sand dunes were once submerged under the ocean. Today, the bottom of the ocean is the top of the canyon, as evidenced by rusted iron particles and sediment lines of compressed seashells. The kinetic energy of the clash of two primary colors—red rock against blue sky—is magical. I could feel the swirling energy between two rock structures, one referred to as Kachina Woman, the other masculine; the pair are essential to create a proper vortex. I sat in that vortex, and the energy shift was proven when my iPhone stopped working without reason. I tried to take photos to share the beauty of this spot, but the universe told me it was time to disconnect. All human beings are inherently connected to nature, and its myriad resources are at our disposal. Canyon bathing is an experiential, guided walk in a natural area with the purpose of meditation and focus on four of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, and touch. In this way, one gains strength from the canyon and its vibrations. I sat and felt the warmth of the desert air on my skin, listened to the birds in the trees, selected a small rock from a dry streambed—one that spoke to me—and reached out to touch a tree that somehow also felt special to me. I allowed myself to release any preconceived notions of this exercise that would hold me back from accepting this step on the journey to well-being, and it worked.
GAIA OFFERS THREE TIPS FOR A HEALTHY START TO 2021:
PHOTOS CREDITS: (TOP) ©STEVE CIARAMETARO; (BOTTOM) ©CHARLENE PETERS
Rosemary Olson receives Equus Coaching with Rosie the horse at Sierra West Ranch
When a horse is frightened by a sound, he’ll shake off cortisol in his central nervous system to release it and calm himself. When he’s licking and chewing, he’s simply saying don’t worry, I’m not going to bite, I’m an herbivore. When a horse yawns, he’s releasing tension. Watching me from his side of the fence, Sparrow inched his way over for an introduction. I placed my hand in front of his nose and released a gentle exhale across my hand. Sparrow snorted his own exhale—releasing tension. Message received. If I closed my eyes and cleared my mind with a few deep breaths, Sparrow would connect with me. If I disconnected, so would Sparrow. Be in the now,” coached Nina. “Let go of thoughts about what you have to do later today, or how much work you have the rest of the week. The best way to come to a decision is to become grounded, centered, and aware of your own internal voice, not others. We have a brain in our gut.” Tapping into my intuition presented the challenge. Quieting the mind is what’s required. Inside the corral, I avoided the perimeter in case Sparrow decided to canter. He didn’t. Not knowing what direction to walk the round is uncomfortable. I tried to access my intuition and felt I was making good decisions in luring Sparrow to follow me. Like many others, I feel a physical response— knotted neck and shoulder muscle—when I’m
stuck in stressful thought. So, with Sparrow, I tried hard to empty my mind and be in the moment. That included not only self-compassion, but the kind of compassion I would show a friend or a pet. In all honesty, I rushed the process with Sparrow. I wasn’t settling in and grounded. Instead, I wanted to hurry up to convince Sparrow to follow me. But when I took Nina’s advice, shut my eyes, and breathed deeply, sure enough, when I opened my eyes, Sparrow came toward me. I felt a wave of acceptance by the animal and almost choked-up with the feeling. I next coaxed Sparrow to walk with me. When he refused, I realized I was jumping ahead again. Instead of narrowing my scope to level one, I raced to the fifth level as I do in most areas of my life, racing to check something off my to-do list instead of staying centered. Each time I stopped to center myself, Sparrow miraculously followed me. Having been taught the key to connection, I finally relaxed and had fun with the experience. I began to stop thinking about what I needed to do and focused on what I wanted to do, which was enjoy my time with Sparrow. Eventually, my 1,000 pound buddy and I became totally connected. Final thoughts to share: Take the pressure off yourself. Have fun. Relax. Be present. Get grounded. And stop grading yourself on every human (or equine) interaction.
1. Begin each day with a 15-minute meditation or yoga and stretching to clear your mind and center yourself for the day. 2. Maintain your exercise routine. We can all relate to the struggle to make time for exercise, but setting aside 30 minutes a day, even if it’s simply a walk outdoors, will keep your body moving and increase your overall energy level. 3. Start your day with a nourishing smoothie to set good intentions for your day ahead. One delicious combination that provides a nutritional boost is made with papaya, spinach, orange, avocado, and two tablespoons of hemp protein powder. • Papaya is high in vitamin C and offers a high enzyme content. • Spinach is nutrient-dense and especially loaded with B vitamins and magnesium, the latter to keep our nervous system in tune. • Oranges are high in vitamin C and taste delicious. • An avocado provides fatty content essential to slow down the absorption of fruit sugars and prevent our blood sugar from peaking and dropping. • Hemp protein powder is packed with magnesium, zinc, and iron for improved stress response.
Nina Ericson connects with Sparrow before an Equus Coaching session begins
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BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER
HauteWELLNESS
Redmint
A HEALING SANCTUARY FOR SERENITY SEEKERS OVERWORKED, OVERTIRED, AND SUFFERING FROM LOW ENERGY, mood swings, and various aches and pains, Helina Fan sought relief. The Western medicine remedies prescribed to the young mom and business entrepreneur included heavily dosed pharmaceuticals that merely masked her symptoms. She felt there had to be a better way to treat what she described as feeling incredibly off-balance. As her condition worsened, she sought alternative therapies and eventually discovered TCM—Traditional Chinese Medicine. “Through acupuncture, herbal remedies, massage, and other TCM treatments, I started to reclaim my vital balance and feel like myself again,” said Fan, founder of a San Francisco real estate investment firm. “In 90
discovering these alternative and holistic treatments that worked so well for me, I wanted to share their efficacy, and thus, Redmint was born.”
“In discovering these alternative and holistic treatments that worked so well for me, I wanted to share their efficacy, and thus, Redmint was born” – Helina Fan
Helina Fan
PHOTOS COURTESY OF REDMINT
Redmint is the manifestation of Fan’s mission to demystify powerful TCM practices and make them accessible to all. Redmint marries holistic wellness treatment, a bespoke herbal bar, and an innovative, herbalbotanical skincare and herbal supplement line, all within a peaceful urban sanctuary located in San Francisco’s Marina District. “I created Redmint with the belief that the key to health is the balanced functioning of body, mind, and spirit,” said Fan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in accounting and taxation and is studying to become a certified doctor of TCM. “Our bodies are more powerful than we know; and when we harness the power of holistic treatments, we can naturally increase energy and vitality.” Fan was raised in southern China in a military compound where the residents included top political officials and diplomats. Her grandfather was one of the top generals of the Chinese Communist Party and fought as a major general in winning the war between China and Japan, as well as the internal war between two political parties of China. Her grandmother was the vice mayor and treasurer of the city where Fan was born. Fan’s father encouraged her to become a diplomat and to serve and inspire others by sharing knowledge and passion. She feels that, with Redmint, she has heeded his call to service. “I want to share with other busy and stressed-out men and women what I have found to have worked,” said Fan. “My own experience allows me to connect with others and share what has made a difference in my life. Through TCM and the treatments provided at Redmint, I have more energy than I did 10 years ago.” Redmint’s new 1,000 square foot sanctuary features aspects inspired by the five elements believed in Chinese tradition to be the world’s lifeblood: metal (jin), wood (mu), water (shui), fire (huo), and earth (tu). Designed by Redmint’s director of design, Meghan Carozza, the six private treatment spaces and an herbal bar open to a bucolic, pergola-covered courtyard. Inside, unique touches include charred wood ceilings, bark and ghost wood walls, and Himalayan salt walls. Communal space features soothing neutral color palettes, dramatic, hand-hewn beams draped in white linen, and a smattering of healing crystals. “The atmosphere is quiet and soothing,” said Carozza. “Guests are enveloped in nature.”
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HauteWELLNESS
Redmint’s debut comes at the perfect time. “The stress and anxiety we have all been experiencing greatly affects our skin, our body’s internal system, and hormone balances,” said Fan. “People are seeking to take charge of their internal health with holistic self-care rituals. Redmint’s treatments and remedies can help restore inner balance and outer glow.” By balancing the mind-body connection, Redmint treatments help with pain and inflammation, insomnia, stress, digestion, headaches, hormone imbalances, and more. Services include Face Glow and Body Acupuncture that activates the body’s innate life force known as qi. Gua Sha Facials help increase skin circulation and detoxification. Lymphatic drainage, a gentle, rhythmic treatment, aids with detox and rehabilitation; LED LightStim Therapy addresses pain and tension relief. Sound + Deep Tissue Therapy integrates tuning forks and helps eliminate soreness and pain, and a Microcurrent Facial uses gentle micro-current technology to tighten facial muscles for a noticeable lift. In addition, Redmint’s herbal bar, offering a variety of herbs to support multiple aspects of health and featuring a proprietary menu of herbal lattes, shots, and teas, is a modern twist on the traditional coffee bar. Fan personally developed Redmint’s innovative skincare line when she could not find natural and organic products that met her high standards. She spent years researching and developing the products, which are made
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at a local lab. “Herbal formulae that are great for the skin do exist, but not many are readily available and most are not in a marketable format,” said Fan, who creates her line in small batches which allow for tweaking based on customer feedback. “The Redmint line is curated and blended from the purest herbal extracts and botanicals, each of unmatched quality, offering multi-correctional performance and universal efficacy.” The uniquely active formulations feature ancient powerhouse ingredients filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids that leave skin hydrated, nourished, and revived. The collection includes: the 5 Elements ageless skincare line inspired by the five elements theories of TCM for optimal skin youth and which incorporate a high concentration of herbs such as ginseng, angelica sincensis, astragalus root, licorice root, goji berry and white peony. The Pearl Illuminance collection features pearl powder and goji berry extract blended with rice water for brightening and illuminating. And the anti-inflammatory CBD collection (huo ma ren/hemp seed) prevents aging, clears skin impurities, and brightens the complexion. The herbal extract line centers on skin glow, detox, sleep, qi/energy, and gut microbiome. Redmint’s dramatic packaging, also designed by Carozza, is infused with meaning and purpose. The 5 Elements and Pearl Illuminance skincare packaging design is inspired by the famous lifestyle painting Qing Ming Festivals, known as the “Mona Lisa of China,” which celebrates the beauty
of daily life. The CBD packaging design uses oracle scripts which are the first handwriting of mankind. The herbal extract line design is based on a theory that each herb has its respective role, while the combination of herbs maximizes efficacy. All products are within Miron glass bottles and jars, an innovative scientific glass that extends the product shelf life for an additional two to four years. Just as the sanctuary environment and skincare packaging are rooted in meaning, so, too, is the Redmint name. Red connotes fire, speed, passion, and drive. Mint is refreshing and cooling: a soothing pause. The merging of these two distinct yet complementary forces evokes the spirit of yin and yang, the ancient Chinese principle that all things exist as inseparable elements that form a balanced, interconnected, harmonious, and dynamic whole. “Redmint is an oasis in the middle of Cow Hollow,” said client Linda Lam, a San Francisco investment portfolio manager. “I love the healthy, tasty drinks at the Chinese medicine bar, in addition to the high-quality services and super-friendly staff. I am also in love with the skin care products. After consistently using the ageless oil, eye cream, and cream for the past three months, I can see a significant improvement in my skin; it feels smoother, has a natural glow, and looks more hydrated and even-toned.” Adds client Jean Riney-Niewiadomski, faculty member at Santa Clara University in the counseling psychology graduate school, “The sanctuary is a tranquil environment that makes you feel like you have been transported to another place, one that is peaceful and relaxing. The spa is a blend of ultra-modern and Old World touches. You walk into a refreshing aroma and quiet atmosphere. The products are phenomenal and allow you to take the experience home.” “Redmint was born out of a quest for solutions,” said Fan. “It was created to share and educate people about the transformative effects of TCM, rooted in the notion that the key to health is a balanced approach to body, mind, and spirit.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF REDMINT
Redmint is located at 1958 Union Street, San Francisco.
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COVER STORY
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A Magical
RETREAT
to Renew, Recharge, and Reset in the
NEW YEAR The Seven Coves of Spindrift Where Ocean, Earth, Forest and Stone Rejuvenate You BY OLIVIA DECKER
AS THE EVENTFUL AND STRESSFUL YEAR OF 2020 ENDS, WE searched for an ideal place to renew, recharge, and reset in the more optimistic forward year of 2021. In doing so we rediscovered the Seven Coves of Spindrift compound with its extraordinary ocean frontage and petite sea coves, centuries-old cypress forests, dry-stacked stone cottages and amazing Lodge. I first visited owner Gary Vickers over five years ago while he was building the Cottages and developing the gardens and grounds. Subsequently, going back just over two years now, he acquired the adjacent 12,300 sf Lodge to complete this heavenly, 5-home sanctuary set amidst 4.25 acres of cryptically beautiful Cypress forest, well-kept gardens, dramatic sea-cliffs and ocean coves. Mr. Vickers developed the wherewithal to purchase this lovely stretch of the coast after he founded and built a proprietary software business that broadly served the global energy sector. He fell in love with the scenic seaside retreat of Carmel as a child. Caddying for his father and uncle at the Bing Crosby National Pro-Amateur golf tournament at Pebble Beach each February. His family also often traveled south down scenic Highway 1, where he came to admire the rocky coastline with its sea etched coves and the giant redwoods as they traveled down to Big Sur. “I loved the rustically wild beauty of it,” he said. “It had a big impression on me.” Vickers began assembling the site in 2008, building the four cottages from scratch. Each featuring monolithic
stone fireplaces with huge hand selected character stones imported from the mossy sandstone fields of Montana. Several of these stones weighing in at over 12,000 pounds. The stone laden Cottages are super sensual and cozy, yet dramatic, as they look down from the elevated cliff sides onto a series of petite Sea-Coves, which express ever changing moods and colors from the still glassy aqua-emeralds of the calm low tides, to the furious charcoal grey tempers of the Sea. Throughout the property the elevation changes range from 50 feet to over 200 feet above the crashing waves. Adding a final phase to his project, Vickers bought the main Lodge just over two years ago. He called buying the Lodge “the last stroke of the paintbrush.” Comparing the project to a historic Adirondacks camp, Vickers commented he’d been missing a vital piece of the puzzle in the form of a main Lodge where guests could congregate and where he could have space for amenities like a fitness center, a spa, a pool, and a commercial scale kitchen and renown wine collection.He and his invited guests continued to stay in the Cottages and assemble in the Lodge when it came time to entertain. The Lodge has a 2-story library with a domed ceiling formerly used by Fossett to house his book collection, some dating back to the 15th Century. Together, all five properties comprise 14 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and more than 18,000 square feet of living space on 4.25 acres and an unprecedented 1,000 linear feet of Pacific Ocean frontage. 95
COVER STORY The Vickers family enjoys and is dedicated to supporting local causes in the community. Knowing that their resort like property is reminiscent and in keeping with the rustically wild beauty of Big Sur, they have staged and contributed to numerous charitable events at Seven Coves. In 2016-2017, when a large span of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge gave way; followed by the Mud Creek slide, the third largest in California history, the community was cut off from traffic and tourism causing severe hardship for private businesses and the work force. Vickers, along with numerous other leaders from the Big Sur community, were very active in hosting charitable events and silent auctions that raised money to support causes and people that assisted with the Big Sur community getting back on its feet. Notably, a couple of events hosted at Seven Coves brought in highly decorated Michelin star chefs Daniel Bouland, (Restaurant Daniel, New York City) and Charles Phan (from the Slanted Door in San Francisco), as well up and coming local Chef Justin Cogley, who anchors the only Michelin star rated restaurant (Aubergine of Carmel) in Monterey County. And in a addition to visiting Chefs, Seven Coves also offers its own delectable gourmet experience for its guest with the assistance of Chef Tim Wood. In the popular local newspaper, the Monterey Weekly, Chef Tim has held the # 1 position of Best Chef in Monterey County numerous times over the last several years. The Lodge at Seven Coves is equipped with a full commercial scale fitness facility to complement the outdoor pool, three hot tubs, sauna, steam room, and spa. This is not a typical, in-home gym: this is a commercial grade effort to
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produce a very inviting workout area thoroughly equipped with light weights, yoga mats and stretching and workout equipment, including Pre-Core™ ellipticals machines, recumbent bikes, treadmills, Stairmaster® step machines, and rowing machines. The gym also has high-resolution televisions and video facilities for those who like to watch TV or movies when working out. However, we highly recommend that you put the remote controls away, because the gym is strategically located in the expansive views of Point Lobos to the south and Fossett Point to the north. The highlight of these commercial-grade exercise facilities is that they are set up in front of a large window with breathtaking ocean views. A contiguous private masseur’s room with an extremely efficient, aromatic steam room and a separate room with a full sauna complement the exercise routines.
“Less than one mile from the mysterious beauty of Point Lobos State Park, where oil painter, Francis McComas, famously proclaimed that he had discovered; “God’s greatest meeting of land and sea.”
Rustic elegance at its best with sojourns of the soul and manifest destiny to the west
A Quintessential COVID Getaway When the first wave of pandemic hit and COVID shut downs were imposed in the Spring of 2020, Seven Coves became an idyllic sanctuary between the major demographic centers of San Francisco and Los Angeles for those seeking a safe and serene environment to sequester. The unique compound with its 200 yards of dry stacked stone security walls, offers a very private and safe place and once patrons get behind the gates, they enter into a mystically beautiful fairytale land that leads to an immediate connection with nature and relaxation from the tension of the world. The cryptically beautiful cypress forest that pervades the property and surrounds many of its structures, serves to soften the light refracting off the sea, lulling the unsuspecting guest into a state of relaxation as if exposed to a mythical opiate. The awe-inspiring natural landscape and trails (pathways) entice one to meander through the grounds and the properties eight distinct gardens and orchid laden greenhouse. Grandly scaled and rustic fireplaces represent the project’s primary bohemian signature: each of the six fireplaces is as unique and artful as the next. Master masons toiled tirelessly to give each stone its purposeful place, and the ethos of their work is palpable and present to all who take it in. The natural elements of earth, water, wood, fire and stone, meticulously blend with the surrounds and bring each visitor back to the basic element of nature.
The cottages and lodge expertly pair the modern and traditional, putting wall-to-wall glass next to hand-built stone fireplaces.
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Dry stacked stone work of the North Cottage living room
COVER STORY
Modern design with rustic materials invite the outdoors in
Customers seeking a peaceful nature sanctuary started flocking to Seven Coves, many for longer-term stays; including several of Silicon Valley’s most successful venture capitalist and software entrepreneurs, a notable Saudi Prince who is also a noted poet that relishes the Big Sur coast and wanted to distance himself from the summer riots in Los Angeles, a world renowned Physicist who tutored under Einstein at the Copenhagen School of Physics, a famous financier who eloped to Seven Coves after his wedding plans at the Amangiri Hotel in Utah were abruptly curtailed, a business retreat for the Aspen Institute’s Crown Fellowship which included such patrons as the current President of Boeing International, former SVP of Cisco Systems, one of Google’s most senior executives, and the former Chief of Staff for Warren Buffett ... just to name a few. The site has also captured the attention and become a favorite respite for numerous Hollywood A-listers and Super-Agents. There was even a global recognized musical superstar that chose to produce the entirety of their last album at the property. Seven Coves Cottages also served as a prominent location for the second season of the HBO series Big Little Lies where Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) and her on screen husband Ed (Adam Scott) appeared in the scenes shot at the Seven Coves Writers Cottage. The main Lodge was the location for the 1992 hit movie Basic Instinct. It served as the home of Sharon Stone’s character, Catherine Tramell, a crime writer who becomes a suspect in the murder of a rock star. In the film, detective Nick Curran, played by Michael Douglas, makes a visit to the property to question her as she sits nonchalantly in a deck chair by the ocean at the Lodge.
Earthen tones and ochre stones frame the fire
1992 movie Basic Instinct starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas filmed at Seven Coves
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In 2021 wisdom will be recaptured in the quiet rapture of a book or a powerful telescope looking deep into the reaches of the expanding Cosmos. Or perhaps it will be far more passive, less purposeful or intellectual. It may simply be a moment where time stills because we are not distracted by the world’s ills. In this sense the bolt of intuitive enlightenment may simply hit you under the canopy of Seven Coves mysterious Cypress trees during the late hours of a golden tinctured afternoon. When seeking tranquility and shelter from the recent chaos of the world, there is nothing like stealing time and settling in with a good book in a comfortable time worn lounge chair. One of the most inviting nooks within the overall compound at Seven Coves is the Lodge Library and adjoining reading rooms. This double story Art Deco Architectural masterpiece of a Library replete with built-in oak bookshelves and a custom wrought iron rail and oak ordained spiral staircase is further highlighted by a silver-and-gold-leaf domed ceiling which depicts a mural of Johannes Kepler’s “Laws of Planetary Motion.” The library is stocked with a vast collection of both popular reading materials and a rare book collection. The Library itself cost more than $2.5 million dollars to bring to fruition and housed one of the greatest collections of historic archives and manuscripts covering worldwide adventures and exploration, a theme that Steve Fossett, the former owner of the Lodge, was rightly passionate about, as he was definitively one of the world’s greatest explorers and adventurist. At one-point, Steve Fossett held hundreds of World records in numerous disciplines. He was friends with Richard Branson, whose Virgin Group sponsored a number of Fossett’s sailing and aviation attempts. This included the “ultimate flight” when in February 2006 Fossett flew the Virgin GlobalFlyer for the longest uninterrupted and unrefueled aircraft flight in history, covering 25,766 miles. He was the first person to complete a solo circumnavigation of the Earth in a hot air balloon. He broke records of speed and distance as a sailor and was one of the sport’s most prolific distance record holders. He participated in races across many disciplines, including the Iditarod, Ironman and Paris to Dakar Rally. He also swam the English Channel and climbed some of the highest mountains on Earth. To further indulge his appetite for adventure and exploration Steve put endless hours into collecting and curating one of the world’s most significant libraries featuring the subject that mattered most to him…. and by all accounts was a well-informed collector and expert curator. His library shelves featured significant works in the fields of aeronautics, Arctic and Antarctic exploration, circumnavigation and mountaineering. There were important manuscripts and archives of some of the most notable figures in the field of exploration, including Captain James Cook, Charles Darwin, Sir Francis Drake, Alexander von Humboldt, Lewis and Clark,
William Schouten and Ernest Shackleton. Highlights include a copy of Barthelemi Faujas de Saint-Fond’sDescription des Experiences de la Machine Aerostatique de MM. de Montgolfier, which describes the first manned flight, and a copy of Aurora Australis, the first book printed in Antarctica by Shackleton and his team and a first collected edition of Sir Francis Drake’s voyages and a copy of the first edition of Leo Africanus’ A Geographical History of Africa. In summary, an extraordinary reading room and Library filled with extraordinary books by an extraordinary man. Fossett disappeared in 2007 after taking off on what was supposed to be a short pleasure flight only to have his crash site discovered almost an entire year after his demise well after the largest and most expensive search and rescue effort ever conducted in the US came to abrupt end.
Wisdom is recaptured under the dome of Kepler’s planetary motion, in the library
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COVER STORY Gardens Healing and restorative effects The lockdown in 2020 have fostered a hunger for personal freedom and green spaces, parks, hiking trails, and gardening. The importance of nature as a source of healing has become increasingly clear. Unfortunately, adults and children alike have been couped up with a mask and with little fresh air or room to roam and stress relief can be hard to come by, yet it’s something people are seeking this year. COVID caused a dysfunctional world to accelerate into a far more decentralized and technology dependent society and time spent by parents and children in front of a screen instead of out in nature has evolved and grown to disturbing proportions. This Holiday season, the 1911 children’s book The Secret Garden has been released in film for the fourth time in its illustrious history and critics calling it “a sparkling COVID antidote”. For those who are tired of being stuck inside during this pandemic, look no further than Seven Coves gardens and trails for a safe and therapeutic way to get outside. Overgrown and mysterious, or pruned and manicured, Seven Coves offers it all, amidst its eight separate gardens and awe-inspiring sea coast trails and panoramas. In this respite of Highlands coastline, an already aweinspiring natural landscape has been enhanced with over 150,000 pounds of mossy boulders, a broad variety of garden plants, ferns, succulents, grasses, groundcovers which have been complemented by large floating flagstone steps, gracious footpaths and lighting. Strategically cited water-features and viewing benches that have been placed throughout the property’s garden paths and coastal trails remind the observer to live in the moment and take it in, for it surely will not get any better than where he or she stands. Seven Coves guests find a healthy and carefree distraction in exploring the estate’s vast grounds. It is typically on one of these jaunts that they often discover their own secret garden, where they can mend the wounds of the past and transform hopeless grief into possibility. The varied plant life thrives in essentially five distinct microclimates. Succulents and salt-resistant groundcovers are utilized throughout the shade of the cypress forest; tall, longbladed fescue meadow grasses are used in the middle of the property with its dappled sunlight; bougainvillea, flowering plants, junipers, and more delicate, sun-thriving groundcovers are used in the courtyards and in lawns with protected eastern exposures; large stands of rare native white succulents (Dudleya farinosa), native (Limonium) sea lavender, and various sedums run wild and soak up the sea mist in and along Fossett Point to the north; and, finally, a more manicured garden with waterscapes, a koi pond, and a mix of ferns, and native, salt-tolerant flowering species such as Hebe’s, and Ceanothus thrive in the protected northeastern sun-exposed areas in the front quarters of the Lodge while a variety of orchids grown in the greenhouse add color and comfort within. 100
While feeling completely rural and private, Seven Coves is less than 4 miles south of the quaint town of Carmel-bythe-Sea and less than 15 minutes from Pebble Beach Resort and its world-famous golf courses. The property resides in one of the most coveted alcoves in the area known as Carmel Highlands, and from these Highlands one can make their way, less than 1 mile north to the hiking trails of Point Lobos State Reserve; where early Northern California oil painter, Francis McComas famously proclaimed that he had discovered.”Gods greatest meeting of land and sea.” And if that is not enough, the Soberanes Redwood forest and the white sand beaches of Garrapata Beach reside only four miles to its south. Seven coves staff truly enjoys arranging unique experiences for its guests, including private hiking excursions up in the Big Sur area, exclusive golf reservations to some of the world’s best golf courses, proprietary wine tasting excursions into Carmel Valley appellation, they have even helped coordinate two days of silent retreat for a couple of their guest at the Camoldoli Hermitage in Big Sur. This rare magical compound is only a short drive from San Francisco and Silicon Valley through the scenic coastal route Highway 1 between Carmel and Big Sur. It is available as your private retreat to renew and recharge. For information and availability, visit SevenCovesCarmel.com.
Possibilities for living and entertaining are spread across four parcels and five houses, each with a variety of bespoke finishes which enhance the natural surroundings. Meandering paths weave throughout the property, providing the opportunity to enjoy the thoughtfully placed oceanside gardens and travel down to the Pacific’s edge on a selection of coastal stairways. Situated in a place of extraordinary privacy and located on one of the most coveted alcoves in the Carmel Highlands.
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BY OLIVIA DECKER
HauteRESIDENCE
Ocean Houses overlooking the panoramic ocean views
ICONIC POST RANCH INN UNVEILS RENOVATED CLIFFSIDE OCEAN HOUSES COVETED FOR THEIR BREATHTAKING COASTAL VIEWS OF THE Pacific Ocean and unparalleled privacy, these five individual Ocean Houses were designed by legendary Big Sur architectural designer Mickey Muennig as the first earth-sheltered hotel rooms in the United States. They were built directly into the cliffside, each with a curved, beamed roof covered in a soft bed of grasses and native flora. After Muennig retired, Post Ranch Inn dubbed Mike Niemann as successor project designer. His talent and organically focused sensibility have placed him at the forefront of all Post Ranch Inn design projects, including the reimagined Ocean Houses. Three units known as the “North Ocean Houses,” located near the meditation pool and the farthest ocean-view units to the north, received the most extensive renovations. Capitalizing on unobstructed views to the horizon from their perches on the cliff’s edge, the cottages’ new features include stainless steel, custom, 2-person soaking tubs and a double lounge chair with new stone patio on the oceanview deck and new stone on the 102
front entrance as well. Fully remodeled bathrooms feature a new walk-in shower with full ocean views, dual-vanity sinks, and stone floors with radiant heating. Full-height, wall-to-wall, operable windows were added oceanside to showcase endless blue Pacific views. The remaining two units, referred to as the “South Ocean Houses,” are located near the Sierra Mar restaurant. Undergoing more of a restoration and revitalization, the historic floor plans of these most iconic of Post Ranch Inn suites were left intact. The refreshed interior bathtub-showercombination maintains full ocean views, was remodeled to be more accessible, and features a natural pebble wall and flooring. The improved 2-sided fireplace can be enjoyed from both the living area and the soaking tub. Additionally, there are new stone floors with radiant heat, locally sourced sinks and plumbing fixtures, modern detailing in all woodwork, and a complete refinishing and restoration of the storied redwood paneling throughout. Just as in the North Ocean Houses, custom upholstery for the daybed cushions was provided by Ted Boerner of San Francisco.
PHOTO CREDITS: ©KODIAK GREENWOOD
Romantic and Reimagined Vision of Classic Architectural Homage to Big Sur
PHOTOS CREDIT: (HEADSHOT) ŠERIC HOOTEN
Custom made stainless steel,2-person soaking tub at Ocean Houses
High atop the cliff of Big Sur, 1200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, sits Post Ranch Inn, a sanctuary for the soul. Idela for romance, relaxation or rejuvenation, this Big Sur resort is the ultimate destination for a luxurious escape. With natural architecture embracing the coast's dramatic beauty, the 39 rooms blend rustic elegance, comfort and privacy with panoramic ocean or mountains.
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HauteRESIDENCE
Ocean House terrace
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Ocean House room
PHOTO CREDITS: ©KODIAK GREENWOOD
The dramatic Sierra Mar restaurant deck
The single- and dual-sided woodburning fireplaces maintain the units’ signature warmth and romance. New, higher performance systems and solutions featuring recycled and sustainable materials include reclaimed denim insulation; redwood interior paneling from vintage wine barrels; high-performance windows, glazing and shades; and the living roof system with new native, low-water landscaping embracing the Post Ranch Inn sustainability ethos. These new systems allow for improved energy efficiency, passive heating and cooling, and enhanced natural air ventilation. Rich hardwood room appointments and furnishings, including the breathtaking ocean-view daybeds, cabinetry and coffee tables, were handcrafted onsite using a combination of reclaimed North African Bubinga and reclaimed local lumber materials. Custom-fabricated lamps from craftsman Jim Misner accent them. A whimsical integration of local artwork and craftsmanship reflects the acclaimed talents of Big Sur glass artist Shelby Hawthorne and local woodworker Joaquin Sullivan, skillfully intersecting with hand-selected works from Big Sur artist Greg Hawthorne of the acclaimed Hawthorne Gallery.
“The project has authentically woven past with present, as showcased by two generations of woodworkers and artists,” notes Mike Niemann. “Joaquin Sullivan’s father, Mark, made furniture for the original rooms, and Shelby Hawthorne’s artisan glasswork is featured in the custom sliding doors, while her father’s, Greg’s, paintings adorn the walls.” More Big Sur magic is apparent in the use of a single tree to outfit all the specialty hardwood pieces, including custom door pulls, coffee tables, and platform beds. Local Big Sur craftspeople and echoes of the property’s history come together to produce a most artful series of rooms. In keeping with the aesthetic of the property, the modern design of all five Ocean Houses is grounded in a raw, simple, natural palate with elements of concrete, stone, and wood. This renovation was a truly collaborative effort between the design team, local artists, and artisans, all aiming to pay homage to the integrity of the classic architecture, rich history of the property, a commitment to sustainability, and an irresistible invitation for guests to embrace the magic and allure of Post Ranch Inn. For more information, please visit: www.postranchinn.com.
“The project has authentically woven past with present, as showcased by two generations of woodworkers and artists” – Architectural Designer, Mike Niemann Pacific Suite
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BY TIM LAPPEN
TheHAUTE LISTAuto
A BRACE OF McLARENS McLAREN IS A SUPERCAR COMPANY FOUNDED BY A FAMOUS NEW Zealander, Bruce McLaren, who was an accomplished racer in the 1960s. When he won his first Formula One race, he was 22 years old, the youngest winner ever at that time. He founded the car company soon thereafter. From 1992 to 1998, the company built 106 cars called an “F1,” which was the fastest production car of its time (over 240 mph) and was sold for a then unheard-of price of over $800,000; but the model now has received legendary (even cult) status, as one variant sold for close to $20,000,000. Fast forward to 2010, when McLaren became a car manufacturing company in its own right, and thus began a winding, high-speed, and banked road to the creation of some of the most desired cars on the planet. This story is about three of those successes, all of which I recently had the pleasure of experiencing—driving two (the GT and the 720S Spider) for a week each and then going to the press launch of the third (the Elva).
THE McLAREN GT The first of the cars we’ll discuss today is the GT, the most “usable” of the McLarens in that it is designed to accommodate passengers and luggage for a grand-touring ride out of town and even across the country. The concept 106
was to reimagine what theretofore mostly had been a rather heavy car used for touring, a 2-door of some length and heft which helped smooth out the road’s imperfections. McLaren’s guiding principle was to create a commodious supercar (as oxymoronic as that may sound) with the power and agility to hang with the best of them, and yet allow the driver and passenger to arrive after a long drive feeling fairly refreshed and happier for the experience. How did they do that? Well, first off, McLaren knew that the suspension would be key. Given that McLaren built a solid reputation on suspension engineering, they were up to the task. The McLaren “Proactive Damping Control” suspension analyzes the road conditions and adapts rapidly to provide the GT ride which this car requires. Secondly, like all recent McLarens, the center cockpit is a “MonoCell II T” carbon fiber tub, which results in a huge weight savings and provides exceptional rigidity (non-flexing) to the center of the car. Add to that the increased ride height to allow better ground clearance and more room for the suspension to travel and thereby absorb whatever the road throws at it. At under 3,400 pounds, the GT is well below the weight of most grand touring cars, yet it doesn’t scrimp on power. Its twin-turbo V8 pumps out about 620 horsepower (HP) and does it with 465 pound-feet of torque, so
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCLAREN
A Focus on a Trio of the Legendary British Brand’s Creations
A lifelong petrol-holic, 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 or visit LifeInTheFastLane.org
that’s good enough to hit the top speed of over 200 mph after running 0-60 mph in about 3.2 seconds. Yes, this is a car that turns in blistering performance while coddling the occupants … and their luggage. Pity that my time with the car didn’t allow a jaunt from LA to SF or a road trip of epic proportions in a blast to New York. However, I truly enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the GT, and I have no doubt that either of those experiences would have been great fun and allowed me to prove McLaren’s marketing tag line about the GT: “Time for what you love, space for what you need.” While not as radical as some of the other McLarens I’ve driven (I’m looking at you, Napier Green 675LT), it wasn’t designed to be. This is a touring car, as noted, so it’s meant to provide a comfortable ride with a sound that’s pleasant but not disruptive; yet, the McLaren DNA was ever-present—and I mean that in a good way. Pricing starts at about $210,000.
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TheHAUTE LISTAuto
THE McLAREN 720S SPIDER Aside from the GT, McLaren creates cars under three main banners: the “Sports Series,” the “Super Series,” and the “Ultimate Series.” The 720S coupe and Spider and the 765LT (for “long tail”) are the only models in the Super Series. More powerful than the GT and the Sports Series models, the 720S Spider relies on a V8 twin-turbo motor boasting 720 HP and 568 pound-feet of torque, which motivates this fast drop-top to a 2.9-second, 0-60 launch on the way to a 212 mph top speed (slightly slower with the top down). With a dry weight of under 3,000 pounds, this truly is a svelte car, which is apparent when pushed through the canyons and up through the twisties. And that’s what this car is all about—great comfort and fun with the top down on a sunny day when out for a cruise, or immediately switching to a supercar with startling quickness which seems to come out of nowhere to propel the car faster and faster yet which can then be reined in on demand with excellent brakes. Not sure you want the top up or down during the drive? It needs only 11 seconds to go from up to down or vice-versa. It also can be done while underway (up to about 30 mph), so changing your mind often is allowed. Also, the car is a stunner with the top up or down, especially as the roof cantrails (a length of metal supporting the outer edge of the roof) are visible whether the top is up or town. They’re even glazed so you can see through them. There’s no lack of visibility when driving this car in either configuration. 108
Driving impressions? Wow! This car may be English, but it’s a plate full of huevos rancheros. The speed is one thing, but the feeling of that speed can be quite another. As with other super-quick McLarens I’ve driven, it feels even faster than it is (not that 0-60 in under three seconds isn’t rapid in and of itself). This car felt like I was wearing it; amazingly responsive with just the right soundtrack coming from the tail. It was a wonderful experience, my favorite McLaren yet. (I’ve driven most of the other models, other than the F1, P1 and Senna.) What’s not to like? Pricing starts at about $315,000.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCLAREN
BY TIM LAPPEN
THE McLAREN ELVA Finally, but certainly not least, is the Elva, a beautifully designed car born of the wind and, along with the McLaren Speedtail and the Senna, a member of the elite McLaren “Ultimate Series.” (Elle va means “she goes” in French, and Elva was the name of the company that made Bruce McLaren’s opentop racers in the 1960s.) McLaren’s Elva uses the wind for interesting purposes, even channeling it through and below the hood and then back up in front of the cockpit to create an air dam of sorts, obviating the need for a windshield. It’s about as close as you can get to the feeling of riding a highperformance motorcycle while seated next to a passenger. Utilizing the newly anointed “Active Air Management System” (AAMS), the airflow is directed up and over the cabin to provide an unusually un-turbulent calm for the driver and passenger, McLaren says, to provide all the adrenaline without any of the distraction. Unfortunately, the car shown at the launch was not allowed to be driven, but I will take their word for it, as everything I’ve read about McLaren’s promises has come to fruition. I haven’t even heard the motor yet, a V8 with 804 HP and over 590 pound-feet of torque, but it boasts a new exhaust system, utilizing four pipes (two pointing higher than the other two), with each pair given a different tuning to provide a harmonious symphony compared to other McLarens. (I hope that they release it as part of a mixtape.) When fitted into the Elva, the lightest road-going McLaren yet (not formally announced, but said to be less than the McLaren Senna, which weighs about 2,650 pounds!), the Elva is reported to hit 125mph in about 6.7 seconds (which used to be a rare performance time for 0-60 mph!). I hope to be able to update this article with driving impressions; but, until then, I will have to dream about the Elva like the rest of you. And did I mention production is limited to only 249 units and the pricing in the range of $1,700,000? 109
BY KELLY E. CARTER
HauteAMBASSADOR
Wine Country
Alpha Omega Vintners Robin and Michelle Baggett thank their successful bidder at Auction Napa Valley 2016
THANK YOU, AUCTION NAPA VALLEY Kelly E. Carter is the director of communications at Alpha Omega winery on Napa Valley’s Rutherford Bench. The former editor of “Haute Living San Francisco” previously enjoyed a lengthy, award-winning career in journalism writing about sports, entertainment, and luxury lifestyles for various media outlets. Kelly co-authored New York Times bestseller “Come to Win: Business Leaders, Artists, Doctors, and Other Visionaries on How Sports Can Help You Top Your Profession” with Venus Williams and penned “The Dog Lover’s Guide to Travel” for National Geographic Books. She has traveled to more than 40 countries and territories on six continents and called Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Italy home. Visit Kelly at: www. kellyecarter.com
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dinners where culinary creativity was on full display; the lively THE PRIDE AND JOY OF MY CLOSET IS NOT A DESIGNER Napa Valley Barrel Auction held the day before the Live Auction gown, pricey handbag, or pair of fancy shoes, but instead three Celebration at Meadowood Napa Valley resort; and, the charming aprons. That’s right, aprons—the aprons that I proudly wore while people I met everywhere I turned. volunteering at the 2016, 2018, and 2019 editions of Auction Napa Valley, each with the year printed on the front. There was no 2020 apron because of the pandemic, but I held out hope for 2021 until the recent announcement that the world’s most celebrated wine charity event would not return to its past fabulous format and organizers would take this year to redefine how a world class wine region fundraises for the good of its community. When I heard the news, I felt like I’d lost a dear friend. I fell deeply in love with Napa Valley when, as the editor of Haute Living, San Francisco, I stayed in the region to cover Auction Napa Valley 2015 and the following month moved from San Francisco to Rutherford. Under the Auction Napa Valley spell, I was enchanted by the iconic scenery; vintner Fritz Hatton, Francis Ford Coppola, Eleanor Coppola at Auction Napa Valley 2017 hospitality at lavish, intimate
PHOTO CREDITS: ©BRIANA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR NAPA VALLEY VINTNERS; ©JASON TINACCI FOR NAPA VALLEY VINTNERS; ©BOB MCCLENAHAN FOR NAPA VALLEY VINTNERS
A Toast to Nearly 40 Fabulous Years of Fundraising for the Community
Margrit Mondavi and Molly Chappellet at Auction Napa Valley 2015
John Legend performs at Auction Napa Valley 2015
Alpha Omega’s Robin Baggett toasts a guest at a Vintner-Hosted Dinner in 2015
The Auction highlights the 4-day affair and seduces bidders with deep pockets to vie feverishly for YOLO (you only live once) experiences and rare wine cellar collections. Sponsored by the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) and founded in 1981 by a small group of winery owners, including Robert and Margrit Mondavi, the Auction’s purpose was never to flaunt, but to fundraise. And indeed it did! The first Auction raised $141,000 for two local hospitals. In 2000, one attendee bid $500,000 for a 6-liter bottle of 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, which smashed previous world records for the price paid for a single bottle of wine and helped the Auction raise a thenrecord $9.5 million. In 2014, a staggering $18.4 million was raised through Auction events. Over the last 40 years, through Auction proceeds, NVV has given more than $200 million to care for the Napa Valley community, in particular to provide equitable access to healthcare and opportunity for advancement in children’s education. Despite not having its 40th auction in 2020, NVV gave an impressive $8.3 million to a total of 29 nonprofit partners to provide essential services to neighbors. The late October announcement of NVV’s latest giving effort couldn’t have come at a better time for residents reeling from the impact of the Glass Fire and the LNU Lightning Complex fires. NVV was able to make this community investment because of its Healthy Community Fund, which was established in 1991 as a “rainy day” reserve fund should the Auction not be able to take place. And, while this year will be dedicated to re-imagining the Auction, it’s good to know that NVV will continue its commitment to caring for the community by utilizing those reserve funds again. 2020 marked the first time ever the Auction was not held. “Pausing our Auction due to the global pandemic allowed us time to reflect on all we have achieved and gave us the space to envision what our future might look like,” said Alpha Omega Vintner Robin Baggett, Chairman of the NVV Board of Directors. Along with the achievements have been many memorable moments. In 1999, comedian Robin Williams made a surprise appearance as guest auctioneer during the Live Auction and helped drive up Auction proceeds. Two years later, Robert Mondavi dressed up as Vanna White, complete in evening gown, wig, and lipstick, and commandeered a huge wheel for the “Spin the Bottle” lot. Jay Leno opened the Live Auction with a comedy routine in 2005, the 25th anniversary, and again in 2008, the year Oprah Winfrey attended. John Legend performed his hit single “All of Me” in 2016. Francis Ford Coppola cooked the post-auction dinner in 2017, the year he, wife Eleanor, their children Roman and Sofia, and their granddaughter Gia served as honorary chairs—and the only year I missed volunteering. I look forward to learning what NVV and the Auction Napa Valley Boards of Directors conceive as the future fundraiser for the Napa Valley community. And I’ll always have my volunteer aprons to remind me of Auction’s storied past. 111
Haute HauteAMBASSADOR AMBASSADOR
Health Health & Wellness & Wellness
Five Takeaways for the Future
Lydia is a passionate advocate of healthy living. She has launched and positioned many health and wellnessrelated companies, products, technologies and organizations receiving more than 100 awards nationally and internationally. Her focus in the health sector is specifically on life sciences, aging and longevity. She is a partner and investor in several recognized national brands. She sits on the board of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging whose mission is to eliminate the threat of agerelated disease for today’s and future generations. It is the only independent research organization globally dedicated to extending the healthy years of life. Like the scientists at the Buck, Graham envisions it will be possible for people to enjoy life at 95 as much as at 25. To support Buck’s mission, please visit www.buckinstitute.org.
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The Portfolia Team (left to right) Trish Costello, Founder and CEO, Chantell Preston, Lead Partner, Active Aging & Longevity Fund; Marcia Dawood, Portfolia Funds Investor
RECENTLY, WE HAVE BEEN HEARING A LOT OF AGEIST references in the news about protecting “Grandpa” and “Grandma,” as if those two words fairly represented the entire cohort of adults over 50. Unwittingly, it conjures up images of the iconic rocking chair and people living almost exclusively for their grandchildren. While older adults can be more vulnerable to illness due to pre-existing conditions, cumulative lifestyle choices, unlucky genetics, and the impact of immunosenescence (the aging of the immune system which, by the way, is not always synonymous with chronology), overstating aging so simplistically is an outdated paradigm. Although we still grapple with finding new models to replace old ones, what we do know is that today’s modern elders are far from homogenous. They are increasingly fiercely individualistic and remain vital and important contributors to society and even the economy-at-large well into their later years. Recently, I participated on a panel, “Life 2.0: Trends and Tech for the Second Half of Life,” presented by Portfolia (www. portfolia.com) and tied to their new Active Aging & Longevity Fund (full disclosure: I am a small investor). Kudos to Portfolia and others (like Primetime Partners and AARP Innovation Labs) for directing investment into a sector that will help us all live better as we age. Before sharing my five takeaways from the Portfolia panel, let us first consider some context. According to research conducted by McKinsey Global Institute, “those over 60 are reshaping markets and generating just over half of all urban consumption growth in developing countries.” The Longevity Economy® Report, a joint report by Oxford Economics and AARP (the AARP report) noted “adults 60+ dominated spending in 119 of 123 consumer packaged goods product categories and those 50+ own 83% of the wealth in the U.S. with 109 million Americans now over 50.” Obviously, this cohort is not fading into the background quietly or aging the way their parents did.
ACTIVE AGING IS BEING REDEFINED Further in the AARP report it states, “The Longevity Economy is upending conventional wisdom about how aging affects the overall US economy, and the country. Rather than lengthening extreme old age, the 30 years added to lifespans in the 20th century have resulted in a longer middle age—extending the period when workers are at their most productive and creative, and representing a major, often untapped resource.” “The gift of the 21st century is that chronology no longer defines us. The narrative around aging needs to change from age to stage,” believes Barbara Waxman, gerontologist and advisory council member for the Stanford Center on Longevity and author of The Middlescence Manifesto. “Middlescence is a transitional period, between the ages of approximately 45 and 65, created by longevity patterns of the 21st century. Like adolescence, a term popularized by psychologist Stanley Hall, it is often accompanied by physical, emotional, social, and economic changes and marked by an increased desire to find or create greater meaning in one’s life.” Of those 65-plus, 20 percent continue to work, and 75 percent describe themselves as being in “good” to “excellent” health. Given their significant wealth and health, these older adults want more from life in their third chapter. Companies and organizations poised to innovate and really listen to this audience can benefit from substantial opportunities for products and services that meet their needs. And this market is not going away. Quite the contrary, it will continue to expand. According to the AARP report, by 2050, “The 50-plus population (would represent) four generations (from the GI generation to Generation X) and by 2031, will (expand to) include millions of Millennials. Generation Z will join the 50-plus cohort in 2047.” As these generations mature, they will demand a reimagined aging experience.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PORTFOLIA
LIFE 2.0: INVESTING IN LONGEVITY
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PORTFOLIA
BY LYDIA GRAHAM
HOW WE PHYSICALLY AGE IS CHANGING When asked about my passion for healthy longevity, I often must clarify I am not advocating anti-aging. We all age, but healthy longevity is about slowing and minimizing the negative impacts of aging to increase healthspan or the healthy active years of life. While paying attention to one’s health early is best, it is never too late to start making impactful changes. Our physical health is the foundation for aging successfully. There is no one-size-fits-all for navigating lifestyle choices as we age: our bodies, too, are individually different. Advances in personalized medicine or P3Medicine (precision, personalization, and prevention) will play a huge role to help us navigate our well-being in the coming years. Expect to see more personalization and innovation in lifestyle wellness and nutritional management, such as functional foods. One area—predictive biomarkers of aging (which the Buck Institute is currently identifying and researching)—will enable us to determine as early as our thirties our risk for age-related diseases, so we can delay or prevent future health challenges. This is a huge area for scientific discovery. A wealth of information derived from genetic and biological testing will help us forecast our personal health needs more accurately so we can plan. For example, more advanced markers for inflammaging (the chronic inflammation that increases with age and that is at the root of so many chronic diseases) will surface, giving us everything from better diagnostics to therapeutics to lifestyle interventions to curtail, manage, and offset the escalation of inflammation as we age. DISCOVER YOUR “FOUNTAIN OF USEFUL” “New data from sociologists tell us that feeling useful is a good way to stay youthful,” says Maddy Dychtwald, co-founder of Age Wave. “It’s not just the factors we’ve always considered (health and aging-in-place solutions), but things like having a sense of purpose and social engagement. It is a time for reinvention and new beginnings. The idea that, as you get older, you become an even better version of yourself may have been a cliché in the past: it’s the reality today.”
MORE CHOICES AVAILABLE “The existing norms no longer work because they evolved for lives that were half as long. The traditional 3-stage life course—education, work and family, (and then) retirement—is outdated. A new life course is needed that is more flexible and has multiple stages,” the Stanford Longevity Center emphatically states in its efforts to create a New Map of Life™. “There’s no one definition anymore of what it means to be an older adult,” shared Abby Levy, Managing Partner, Primetime Partners. “There are people who are 70 and 80, who are selecting myriad different life paths. Some are working longer and starting businesses, having third careers. There’s a lot more choice, and technology plays a big role in accelerating those choices. Tech will put older adults at the center of the design process.” TACKLING DISPARITIES IN AGING Jacqueline Baker, in her role as VP of Startup Programming at AARP Innovation Labs, examines disparities in our current landscape and how to address them. She called attention to the need to identify: “What are the gaps—health gaps and wealth gaps—that exist for this cohort and how can we tackle them directly?” At AARP, she evaluates promising startups helping people age in the ways they want, as innovations today will shape outcomes across populations five to 10 years from now and beyond. CONCLUSION While some might say there is a longevity revolution, I think of it more as a longevity evolution. If you are feeling a bit sanguine about growing another year older as we begin 2021, chin up. Your next chapter could just be your most exciting. Investing in the future of aging has the potential to make not only your world a bit brighter, but that of future generations, too. And that’s a pretty good return on investment.
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Nina Clark Ericson, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with a practice in Palo Alto. Dr. Clark Ericson helps people live more empowered, happier lives through psychotherapy, life coaching, dating coaching, and Equus Coaching (coaching with horses, not riding). Her areas of expertise include anxiety and depression, difficult life transitions, and emotional eating.
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HauteAMBASSADOR
Life Coach
REDEFINE YOUR 2021 RESOLUTIONS This Year Create Inspiring and Achievable Goals NICKY, A 51-YEAR-OLD EVENTS PLANNER, CONTACTED ME to help her follow through on her goal of finding a great life partner. Nicky had had this goal for many years, but would give up after having disappointing relationships and weird experiences with online dating. To help Nicky stay inspired and committed to her goal, we created a visualization about how she expects to feel when she is in a great relationship. Nicky set a goal of doing this visualization at least three times a day so that she could stay inspired. We then converted Nicky’s long-term goal into actionable items. The first step in creating a long-term relationship: meeting men. And Nicky wasn’t meeting any guys in her SF apartment. She set a goal of going out to a coffee shop and a wine bar once a week and committed to spending an hour a week on dating apps. When I checked in with Nicky a few weeks later, she had begun using a dating app and was in conversation with several prospects. However, she had been inconsistent with getting out to coffee and wine places. It’s hard to keep working towards a big goal when success does not come immediately; you need to reward the smaller, actionable steps towards those goals. Nicky decided to reward herself with a spa day when she met her short-term goals four weeks in a row. At press time, Nicky is diligently following through on her small steps towards her big goal. She has met a lovely gentleman and they have gone on a few promising dates. You may not be searching for your soulmate, but in all probability, you have some of the problems that Nicky has had with staying inspired and committed to long-term goals. According to some estimates, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by midFebruary. But setting intentions is important to creating the life that you desire. Tony Robbins, the guru of transformation, says, “Effective goal-setting helps you stay focused, keeps you accountable, and is the single most important aspect of reaching your dreams.”
TIPS FOR FOLLOWING THROUGH ON YOUR RESOLUTIONS 1. Vividly imagine what you will feel like when you have achieved your goal. Practice this visualization at least three times a day to stay inspired. 2. Write down your goals. Dr. Gail Matthews of Dominican University led a study that found that people are 42 percent more likely to achieve their goals if they write them down. 3. Break large goals into specific and measurable steps. Martha Beck, Oprah’s go-to life coach, says “A turtle step is the least I can do, divided in half. It’s also the only way I’ve ever achieved anything.” 4. Reward yourself for reaching small goals along the way. Many resolutions are long-term; make sure you reward yourself for attaining short-term goals. 5. Be accountable to yourself and someone else. Set up a weekly check-in with yourself and recruit a reliable accountability partner to ensure that you stick with your commitment. 6. Modify goals as needed. Evaluate what’s working and what isn’t, and change your plan accordingly. Inquire about a complimentary coaching session by emailing nina@ninaclarkericson.com Dr. Ericson is grateful that the aforementioned clients have given her permission to tell their stories, without identifying details, with the hope of helping others.
PHOTO CREDIT: SHUTTERSTOCK
BY NINA ERICSON
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BY ERIN HUNT MOORE
HauteSEAT
Julie Gordon White
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF TK
IT’S SAID THAT ENTREPRENEURS HAVE A SPECIAL KIND OF DNA. Surely, something extra is needed to face the steady stream of risks and maintain the creative and strategic energy (and, at times sheer, will power) needed to manifest a vision, and plan and stay on course. In the spirit of the new year and new beginnings, we reached out to chat with Julie Gordon White, one of the Bay Area’s leading experts and coaches for high level women entrepreneurs, about what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how things look ahead for starting a company. Julie has advised thousands of business owners as the founder and CEO of BlueKey Mergers & Acquisitions, a boutique, multimillion dollar firm she founded in 2004, through her bestselling book, EXIT! 12 Steps to Sell Your Business for the Price You Deserve, and in national speaking engagements. In 2012, Julie began living her true passion as the founder of The WELL for Women Entrepreneurs, teaching thousands of women how to crack the code of growing to a million and someday selling for a million through step-by-step training and coaching programs, media, speaking, and signature events. Julie has been a featured small business expert for Google Small Business and host of Intuit QuickBooks Momentum to $1 Million Community.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TK
JULIE GORDON WHITE, THE WELL FOR WOMEN AND BOSSA BARS
Q&A HAUTE LIVING X JULIE GORDON WHITE
Julie Speaking at her WELL for Women Symposia in San Francisco 2018
“Women are really good visionaries, but often undervalue their potential. So many women tell me 'I never thought about having a million dollar consulting or coaching company. I was aiming for $200,000.' But why limit it?” – Julie Gordon White
HL: You've felt the entrepreneurial calling for the majority of your life. Did you ever waver or feel that the path wasn’t for you? JGW: I definitely have felt that entrepreneurial pull my whole life. I wrote my first business plan and started my first business when I was 10! But my path as an entrepreneur wasn’t always a straight one. I’ve had quite a few corporate careers alongside numerous attempts at starting companies. I was director of marketing for an international hotel group, launched and closed a company, ran my husband’s family’s multimillion dollar funeral home, and worked as a business broker for a firm in order to learn the ropes. And I was raising a family. I leaned into each and every one of these opportunities as a key training ground to help me excel in my own companies and to be able to help others later. HL: What is one of the most essential traits for entrepreneurs to be a success? JGW: Resilience! The mindset that failure is not truly failure, but opportunity, and the willingness to learn from those experiences and carry on. I must have a stack of business cards an inch thick of attempts at businesses. I take pride in those. Yes, it was disappointing, but those attempts were the stepping stones of my journey and success. 2020 has been a huge challenge for so many, and yet, I have clients in service sectors who are thriving. Be open, leverage your capabilities, pivot if necessary, but stay the course! Difficult phases pass. 117
HauteSEAT
Julie at Quick Books Connect
Julie's latest venture: Bossa Bars
HL: Tell us about The WELL? Is there a specific profile of female founder you work with? JGW: We work specifically with women committed to scaling, meaning building something that they might ultimately want to sell. If a woman wants to keep her business small, there is no judgment there. Most women—96 percent, in fact—run companies that don’t reach beyond $150,000. Our clients are excited about building something bigger and are committed to growth, which is how our program became known as the “Scale to a Million Playbook,” a strategy and road map for that growth. Our clients generally have a service company and are experts at what they do. We can help our clients start a new business, but they still need to have a level of expertise to bring to the table, because we’re leveraging those and bridging what our clients have accumulated to reach what they’d like to achieve. I don’t feel that any woman should leave skills on the table to start something from zero. We need all the leverage we have. We have so many things happening in our lives: kids, partners, parents. I want to help women do less to achieve more and build successful, high income-producing businesses they love. HL: In your experience working with women founders, what is one area most women need support with? JGW: Thinking bigger! Women are really good visionaries, but often undervalue their potential. So many women tell me “I never thought about having a million dollar consulting or coaching company. I was aiming for $200,000.” But why limit it? I encourage clients to expand their visions and step into fully believing anything is absolutely possible. Women also aren’t generally thinking about growing something sellable, unless they heard me speak in a master class, webinar, or conference specifically addressing that concept. Women often start a business for flexibility and convenience to allow them to live the lives they want at home. But, if you’re going to do all of that and expend that kind of energy, don’t forget about the opportunity for yourself and future. Don’t leave money on the table. HL: 2020 has been a doozy. What is your advice for women wanting to start businesses in this climate and year ahead? JGW: I say go for it! There has never been a better time to start a business. So many companies have started in down times. There are always new opportunities and needs coming up that weren't there before. Our clients in the diversity and inclusion space on the consultant side are doing gangbusters, and those working on company culture and resilience are doing beautifully. Just do it!
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Julie presenting at TEDx Salinas
HL: How are you encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs? JGW: As a mother to a daughter, one of my greatest passions is helping girls to feel confident, to understand the vast range of choices and options they have, and to achieve economic independence—including through entrepreneurialism. The future is in the hands of our girls. In a recent TED talk, I addressed the fact that money equals choices and choices bring freedom. I believe that when young girls understand how to navigate the world, they become economically independent. I support organizations like Girl’s Inc. to ensure that this good work is happening! HL: Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur! You’ve just launched another venture of your own. What is it and where did your inspiration come from? JGW: Well, with a little extra time on my hands in 2020, I decided that I wanted to do something I have never done before: to stretch my wings and start a product company. Being 55, I—and a lot of girlfriends and clients—have been dealing with all the things that typically go along with this stage of life: hot flashes, weight gain around the middle, and brain fog—a.k.a. menopause. So, I decided to launch a product: Bossa Bars, a female-formulated, plant-based, vegan, and antioxidant-rich energy bar for women in menopause. It’s really exciting! We are launching early in this new year. You can learn more at bossabars.com and follow us on IG at @menopauselikeaboss and @bossabars. And if you’d like to reach me about my work with female founders, visit growatthewell.com. Thank you for this opportunity!
Julie and husband, Dave Gordon
Julie with Client Group
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Estate Nineteen
Comfort, style, moments shared; embrace them all as Estate Nineteen welcomes you home with elegance and grace. Sure to exceed all your expectations with 4 levels overlooking the Bay of Palmilla. Enjoy the refined tastes and endless amenities of this sprawling estate that offers 10 bedrooms, all with in-suite baths and dressing areas. The living and dining areas flow out to an equally stunning outdoor living area that is surrounded by the tranquil water of the swimming and sunning pool. Floating steps lead you to an outdoor fire lounge where you can gaze at the stars and watch Mother Nature on full display. The beautiful blend of privacy and outdoor space will charm your senses and recharge your body, mind and spirit. Luxury ~ Pure and Simple.
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