JAN-FEB 2026 | RECHARGE & REBOOT by Haute Living San Francisco

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

Recharge and Reboot in the New Year

Prepare for 2026 with the Best in Luxury Travel and Wellness

Plus Highlights from the Haute Living AI Jeffersonian Salon Series, SF Opera’s An Evening on the Stage Fundraising Gala, Spectacular 2025 Las Vegas Formula 1 Racing, an Interview with Andrea Bocelli, and the New “Lotus Rêve” Fashion Collection by Joanna Jia Couture

California Lifestyle Collection

1 BLANDING LANE

4 BEDS | 4 BATHS | 3 HALF-BATHS | ±4,996 SQ. FT

$24,900,000

Discover a newly constructed coastal estate where world-class design meets the most iconic views in the Bay Area. Perched on the coveted tip of Belvedere Island, this 5,000± sq. ft. residence—formerly known as 465 Belvedere Avenue—o ers an unmatched vantage point with sweeping panoramas of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, Bay Bridge, Angel Island, and the East Bay.

Designed by acclaimed architect David Kotzebue, the home reﬂects a perfect balance of modern elegance and timeless sophistication. Every element has been thoughtfully considered—from handcrafted white oak ﬁnishes and cedar ceilings to Spanish stone accents and soaring 18-foot vaulted ceilings.

The heart of the home is a stunning great room with ﬂoor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a dramatic stone terrace. The outdoor living space features a 46-foot inﬁnity edge pool, fully appointed pool house with wet bar and appliances, and a state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen—ideal for entertaining against a backdrop of endless water views.

Inside, a chef’s kitchen awaits with Italian marble, custom oak cabinetry, dual dishwashers, a six-burner Miele range, and Sub-Zero refrigeration. The luxurious primary suite boasts breathtaking views and a spa-inspired bathroom with steam shower, marble soaking tub, and a custom walk-in closet.

With top-rated schools, world-class amenities, and limited access to Belvedere Island, this is one of the most exclusive and desirable addresses in California.

4,996

Discover a newly constructed coastal estate where world-class design meets the most iconic views in the Bay Area. Perched on the coveted tip formerly known as 465 Belvedere Avenue panoramas of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, Bay Bridge, Angel Island, and the East Bay.

Set on a 0.38-acre lot surrounded by open space and lush trees, this private retreat is just minutes from Tiburon’s vibrant downtown, two prestigious yacht clubs, ferry service to San

California Lifestyle Collection

BEDS | 4.5 BATHS | ± 5,099 SQ. FT | ±0.38 ACRES

PRICE UPON REQUEST

A very rare, brand-new waterfront masterpiece combines luxury with breathtaking, unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Sausalito, and Mt. Tam. Perched dramatically on the edge of Belvedere Island’s prestigious west side, 46 Cli Road is a true architectural triumph. The four-bedroom, 5,099-square-foot home is designed with the highest craftsmanship and structural integrity. This modern and spacious coastal sanctuary features corner glass walls and expansive, tall, wallto-wall Fleetwood glass doors that open onto sprawling terraces for indoor-outdoor living. This cli side retreat o ers unmatched views, timeless design, and serenity within a unique paradise for buyers seeking the extraordinary experience of the best waterfront living. With elegance, comfort & waterfront perfection, every room in this stunning home o ers Golden Gate views. Inside, you’ll find grand interiors with 10-foot to 14-foot ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and wide plank, vertical grain white oak flooring. The deluxe primary suite with a spa-like bathroom features a freestanding soaking tub, a glass shower, a double vanity, and a spacious walk-in closet. The dramatic gourmet kitchen has vertical grain white oak cabinets and a Vadara Blanco Venato quartz countertop. The expansive waterfront terraces feature an outdoor BBQ center, plumbing forthree firepits, a stainless steel spa, and a lounge area perfect for relaxation. Whether you’re relaxing by the shore, taking a peaceful walk along the coastline, or watching the waves roll in, the beachfront oasis provides the ultimate in tranquility and privacy. Other amenities include a private guest suite, Ipe wood deck, stainless steel cable railing, a desk/seating area to enjoy the amazing views, a large full bath, a laundry room, and a full kitchen. There is Warmboard radiant heating throughout. Norstone natural lava stone veneer was selected for its beauty, strength, and durability for exterior and interior wall cladding. There is solar power generation, an EV charger, an entry fountain made of natural stone, a large level lawn, a two-car garage, and three o -street parking spaces.

Price Upon Request | Visit 46Cli Road.com for details, photos, and video.

4,996

Additional en-suite bedrooms o er private terraces and panoramic views, creating a resort-like experience for family and guests. Every level of the home is connected to outdoor space, maximizing natural light and indoor-outdoor living. Set on a 0.38-acre lot surrounded by open space and lush trees, this private retreat is just minutes from Tiburon’s vibrant downtown, two prestigious yacht clubs, ferry service

BELVEDERE

California Lifestyle Collection

1 BLANDING LANE

4 BEDS | 4 BATHS | 3

$24,900,000

4 BEDS | 5 BATHS | 2 HALF-BATHS | ±8,131 SQ. FT.

4 BEDS | 5

$22,888,000

Featured in Architectural Digest, this world-class residence showcases panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, the skyline of San Francisco and Sausalito. This magnificent masterpiece in a dramatic setting on the most prestigious location is comprised of a ±8,131 sq .ft. home on a ±0.67 acre lot, featuring 4 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. This architectural work of art was designed by architect Charles Gwathmey, with spectacular outlooks from every corner of the expansive 4-level floor plan. The primarily vertical organization of this home takes advantage of its sloped site on the southern coast of Belvedere Island. The uppermost level contains a 3-car garage with glass doors, an elevator which descends to a courtyard, a detached one bedroom, one bath guesthouse and a spacious wine cellar. The remaining levels of the main house are situated between two large retaining walls, which follow the natural contours of the site and splay outwards towards the Bay. The house’s compact organization within the precinct formed by the retaining walls ensures privacy. An interior circular stair winds around an elevator and forms the cylindrical focal point of the house’s massing. A barrel-vaulted ceiling articulates the living and dining room at the entry level of the main house, and a large deck projects towards the Bay to extend the space into the landscape. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a study and a two-story entertainment room occupy the intermediate floors, while a media room, a beautiful wet bar, a full bath with steam shower and sauna on the lowest level open onto a spacious outdoor terrace with a pool, whose “infinity edge” of water establishes a poetic connection to the Bay. The interior floors are limestone and wide plank Bubinga wood and cabinets are lightly stained maple. The exterior is clad in gray stained cedar, with a curved standing seam zinc roof. All exterior windows, doors and decks are teak, all terraces are beige/gray flamed limestone pavers and the retaining walls are painted warm white stucco. This is one of the very rare large size newer contemporary homes on Belvedere Island on south and west facing waterfront.

With top-rated schools, world-class amenities, and limited access to Belvedere Island, this is one of the most exclusive and desirable addresses in California.

California Lifestyle Collection

445 BELVEDERE AVENUE

1 BLANDING LANE

BELVEDERE

4,996

Featured in Architectural Digest, this world-class residence showcases panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, the skyline of San Francisco and Sausalito. This magnificent masterpiece in a dramatic setting on the most prestigious location is comprised of a 0.67 acre lot, featuring 4 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. This architectural work of art was designed by architect Charles Gwathmey, with spectacular outlooks from every corner of the expansive 4-level floor plan. The primarily vertical organization of this home takes advantage of its sloped site on the southern coast of Belvedere Island. The uppermost level contains a 3-car garage with glass doors, an elevator which descends to a courtyard, a detached one bedroom, one bath guesthouse and a spacious wine cellar. The remaining levels of the main house are situated between two large retaining walls, which follow the natural contours of the site and splay outwards towards the Bay. The house’s compact organization within the precinct formed by the retaining walls ensures privacy. An interior circular stair winds around an elevator and forms the cylindrical focal point of the house’s massing. A barrel-vaulted ceiling articulates the living and dining room at the entry level of the main house, and a large deck projects towards the Bay to extend the space into the landscape. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a study and a two-story entertainment room occupy the intermediate floors, while a media room, a beautiful wet bar, a full bath with steam shower and sauna on the lowest level open onto a spacious outdoor terrace with a pool, whose “infinity edge” of water establishes a poetic connection to the Bay. The interior floors are limestone and wide plank Bubinga wood and cabinets are lightly stained maple. The exterior is clad in gray stained cedar, with a curved standing seam zinc roof. All exterior windows, doors and decks are teak, all terraces are beige/gray flamed limestone pavers and the retaining walls are painted warm white stucco. This is one of the very rare large size newer contemporary homes on Belvedere Island on south and west facing waterfront.

Set on a 0.38-acre lot surrounded by open space and lush trees, this private retreat is just minutes from Tiburon’s vibrant downtown, two prestigious yacht clubs, ferry service to San Francisco and Angel Island, and scenic bayfront paths. With top-rated schools, world-class amenities, and limited access to Belvedere Island, this is one of the

and

Williams on her late husband, Robin Williams, were close to my heart. I met Robin a couple of times in Paris, the first time at the celebration of Lance Armstrong’s victory in the Tour de France. He told me jokes about Tiburon-Belvedere. It was one of the saddest moments when I heard of Robin’s suicide. I went to his Tiburon home and placed flowers at his front gate, along with dozens of other fans. Our editor-in-chief’s interview with Robin’s widow, Susan Schneider Williams, seeks to understand his life and death. Susan’s dedication to the beloved comedian and actor’s impact was immeasurable and gives Robin’s legacy new meaning. Susan spoke to Teresa about the details and complexity of the Lewy body dementia Robin suffered.

Spring is here, and it’s our annual fashion issue again! The timing is perfect as the de Young Museum holds its first major exhibition of notable costume collections in over 35 years, more than 100 pieces “reflect San Francisco’s longstanding tradition of selfexpression through fashion,” according to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Please read our cover story by Laurie Jo Miller Farr, “100 Years of Fashion in San Francisco,” and visit the exhibit which runs through August 11.

This issue is an emotional one for me, as the cover story about Gordon Getty and the story of Susan Williams on her late husband, Robin Williams, were close to my heart. I met Robin a couple of times in Paris, the first time at the celebration of Lance Armstrong’s victory in the Tour de France. He told me jokes about Tiburon-Belvedere. It was one of the saddest moments when I heard of Robin’s suicide. I went to his Tiburon home and placed flowers at his front gate, along with dozens of other fans. Our editor-in-chief’s interview with Robin’s widow, Susan Schneider Williams, seeks to understand his life and death. Susan’s dedication to the beloved comedian and actor’s impact was immeasurable and gives Robin’s legacy new meaning. Susan spoke to Teresa about the details and complexity of the Lewy body dementia Robin suffered.

We added fashion news articles on new trends, accessory angles on fashion accents, a fashionable journey from stylist and film producer/director Antonio Contreras, and the winter whites of diamond and pearl jewelry. Plus, there’s a profile on Bay Areaborn Yetunde Beutler who brings clean wellness to fashionable skin care products through her company, Essènci. We even feature a trendy travel article on hotels incorporating your favorite fashion designers, such as Dolce & Gabbana® , Missoni, Armani, Dior® , and Gucci®

Our cover story subject, Gordon Getty, is truly an original Renaissance man. I’ve met Gordon dozens of times over the last 35 years, since we were both on the board of the now-defunct Marin Opera in early 1990s. Gordon is larger-than-life, not because of his billions, but because of his big personality and openhearted generosity. He inspired my pledge of $5 million to Festival Napa Valley for the Olivia Decker Power of Music Series. Gordon announced his $5 million matching grant when he hosted a dinner at his home to welcome me and others as new board members of Festival Napa Valley in November 2019. His grant was for five years and matched anyone who donated to festival during that period. My donation fulfilled his remaining grant within less than three years. Gordon was impressed and donated another $5 million matching grant in January 2023. At nearly age 90, Gordon’s long, rich life is iconic and fascinating. It’s truly interesting to read even a glimpse of his vast world.

We also profile Daydreamers founder, Bay Area entrepreneur Katina Bajaj, who is a clinical psychology researcher, author, speaker, and creator. You must read this article to understand why, although daydreaming seems to be not doing anything, it works the brain to make myriad connections through creativity and help us with burnout and stress.

If you are all dressed up and looking for fabulous events and trips to go, please check out our three pages of events taking place in March and April in San Francisco. Better yet, come visit Villa Tardieu in South of France near Monaco, which is for sale in our Haute Residence section.

OLIVIA HSU DECKER OWNER/PUBLISHER

OLIVIA HSU DECKER

OWNER/PUBLISHER

CELL 415.720.5915

HAUTE LIVING SAN

OLIVIA HSU DECKER

OWNER/PUBLISHER

CELL 415.720.5915

OLIVIA HSU DECKER

AS WE PROUDLY CELEBRATE OUR NINTH YEAR OF HAUTE LIVING, SAN FRANCISCO AT START OF 2026, we would like to express our gratitude to our lifestyle-savvy readers and devoted supporters who attend the events and charity fundraisers we sponsor year after year and who read the stories—with photographs—reported in every issue. We are dedicated to the people and passion driving the Bay Area’s most dynamic moments in style, culture, and community. Through every story, event, and curated partnership, we spotlight inspiration to live a luxury lifestyle with purpose.

We also profile British fashion designer Marchesa’s co-founder, Georgina Chapman. I met at her at a 2019 fashion show for San Francisco Opera Guild’s annual fundraiser. I won the bid to go to New York Fashion Week, where I visited her at the Marchesa atelier. Georgina returned to Fashion Week this year. Her flowing, colorfully floral gowns are so feminine and romantic. I think the world would be much more peaceful if every woman dressed in Marchesa!

In this New Year’s Recharge and Reboot issue, we gallop into 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, with a dozen articles on best in luxury travel and wellness, including the Four Seasons in Oahu, Eau Spa in Palm Beach, Borgo Santo Pietro resort and spa in Tuscany, winter in Aspen, the newly renovated iconic Lodge at Pebble Beach, and a six-page “Haute Spots in the World” where you can recharge in style. We also feature a beautiful jewelry spread by Dior, the new “Power in Motion” fashions by Louis Vuitton, and two fashion show events, including the “Lotus Rêve” collection by Joanna Jia Couture.

HAUTE LIVING, SAN FRANCISCO AND

HAUTE LIVING

OWNER/PUBLISHER

OLIVIA HSU DECKER OWNER/PUBLISHER

CELL 415.720.5915

HAUTE LIVING, SAN FRANCISCO

HAUTE LIVING SAN FRANCISCO AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WWW.HAUTELIVINGSF.COM

In this issue, we also profile Hawi Awash and Yema Khalif, co-owners of YEMA, a high-end urban streetwear fashion store in Tiburon, just a few doors from my Haute Living lounge on Main Street. The story of how they met and created YEMA is as powerful and as colorful as their clothing. Yema emigrated from a refugee camp in Kenya to the U.S.; Hawi was a refugee from Ethiopia. They started YEMA after they met at Dominican University in San Rafael, and they donate a portion of YEMA’s profits toward education for kids in Africa. They are the only other minority owners, like me, in Tiburon’s Main Street shops. I hope you shop at YEMA whenever you are in Tiburon and meet this creative and generous couple.

In this issue’s Haute Events, I cover the San Francisco Opera’s 100th anniversary concert and a dinner with the artists. This one-night-only centennial celebration featured a program spanning San Francisco Opera’s first century with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus; conductors Eun Sun Kim, Sir Donald Runnicles, and Patrick Summers; and 15 vocal soloists who have been active on the opera stage for decades. The concert included projected archival imagery from 100 years of San Francisco Opera history. Founded in 1923, San Francisco Opera is only the third American opera company to reach the centennial milestone.

For gentlemen, we highlight the spectacular 2025 Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Classic Sports Racing Group vintage car race for charity at Sonoma Raceway, and the new 2026 Aston Martin Roadster. We also cover several holiday concerts and fundraising galas, including the annual Court of Honor gala at the Legion of Honor Museum and the San Francisco Opera’s annual An Evening on the Stage.

Another fascinating profile in this issue is the world-renowned writer Amy Tan, whom I have known for over 35 years. I sold her the home where she found inspiration for her latest book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, a beautifully illustrated work on the fascinating world of birds in her backyard. Amy has not stopped surprising the world with her creativity since her first novel, The Joy Luck Club, became a bestseller and was turned into a successful movie. Her second novel, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, was adapted into a dramatic San Francisco Opera production. She, Dave Barry, and some other writers performed with her band, Rock Bottom Remainders, for charity, showing her amazing musical talent!

One other Haute Event this issue is my beloved Festival Napa Valley. Please read Jennifer Boden’s interview with Festival President Rick Walker on this 17th season’s upcoming programs, July 14–23. Highlights this year include the Arts for All Gala fundraiser at Nickel and Nickel with a special dinner by chef Charlie Palmer, a concert headlined by 8-time GRAMMY® award winner Carrie Underwood on July 16, and the Olivia Decker Power of Music concert of Matteo Bocelli on July 15. Young Bocelli has an amazing voice like his father, Andrea. He will perform a mix of classic and contemporary songs. The Manetti Shrem Opera on July 21 will be Don Pasquale, starring Lucas Meachem, Alexey Lavrov, Serena Saenz, and Xabier Anduaga. Both concerts go on stage at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena. While you attend Festival Napa Valley, please check out the vineyard estate for sale in this issue’s Haute Residence at www.3265SodaCanyon.com.

Most importantly, please read the Haute Living AI Jeffersonian salon article about the dinner we hosted on November 18 at Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park. AI is transforming every facet of human life now. The evening of active discussion on AI topics ended with predictions and hopes, some bold and some cautious, but all grounded in optimism. The conclusion: AI is about imagination, values, innovation, coordination, purpose, and the belief that technology is not destiny—humans are. We are not passengers. We are architects. The future of AI will be defined not by what technology is capable of, but by what we choose to do with it. Because, at the end of the day, AI is created by people. It must be guided by people. And it must ultimately serve people. We invite your thoughts on AI technology for discussion at our next three AI Jeffersonian salons at Rosewood Sand Hill in 2026.

We hope you enjoy this issue from cover to cover and have a great start to 2026!

Our July-August issue is our official kick-off for summer. We feature a lot of food, wine, and travel stories, too. Enjoy reading it!

I hope you enjoy all the colorful and joyful articles in this issue. I am sure they will stop the winter rain from dampening your spirit!

Olivia Hsu Decker Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Haute Living Magazine, San Francisco and Northern California

Our July-August issue is our official kick-off for summer. We feature a lot of food, wine, and travel stories, too. Enjoy reading it!

I hope you enjoy all the colorful and joyful articles in this issue. I am sure they will stop the winter rain from dampening your spirit!

Our July-August issue is our official kick-off for summer. We feature a lot of food, wine, and travel stories, too. Enjoy reading it!

Founder and co-owner of Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty with 22 Offices Serving the San Francisco Bay Area www.SanFranciscoFineHomes.com, Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

I hope you enjoy all the colorful and joyful articles in this issue. I am sure they will stop the winter rain from dampening your spirit!

JOIN OUR ANNUAL PRINT SUBSCRIPTION

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PUBLISHER + EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Olivia Hsu Decker

Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michelle Restante Michelle@HauteLivingSF.com

DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR

Krisha Chhaganlal Krisha@HauteLivingSF.com

COPY EDITOR

Karen M. Smith

LUXURY AND CHARITY EVENT AMBASSADORS

Jennifer Boden, Aubrey Brewster, Jennifer Raiser, Claudia Ross, Adam Routledge, and Olivia de Santis

HEALTH & WELLNESS AMBASSADOR

Lydia Graham

LUXURY AUTO AMBASSADOR

Tim Lappen

INVESTMENT AMBASSADOR

Charles R. Johnson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Krisha Chhaganlal, Shelby Comroe, Laurie Jo Miller Farr, Joel Goodrich, Becca Hensley, Fran Endicott Miller, Kevin O’Conner, Layne Randolph and Laura Schreffler

ADVERTISING SALES

Sydney Reyes

Sydney@HauteLivingSF.com Advertise@HauteLivingSF.com

SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES

Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com Haute Living San Francisco Visit us at www.HauteLivingSF.com. Follow us @HauteLivingSF for your guide to all things haute. Luxury Lifestyle with Purpose

6 PUBLISHER’S LETTER

10 CONTRIBUTORS

12 HAUTE CALENDAR

This year’s festive holiday season delivers beloved spectacles.

16 COVER STORY

Recharge and reboot in 2026 with the best in luxury travel and wellness

17 At Four Seasons Oahu, luxury means a feeling of being truly cared for, body and soul.

20 With mountain views and room to breathe, Whitetail Club is true luxury defined by nature and simplicity.

22 Eau Palm Beach is committed to effortless living where guests “Pause. Play. Perfect.”

24 Borgo San Pietro immerses guests in sublime luxury and pioneering beauty care.

28 The iconic Lodge at Pebble Beach reopens following a property-wide refress of its guest rooms, restaurants, and golf courses.

30 Claudia Ross recounts the winter wonderland of Aspen, Colorado at the W Aspen.

33 Spa Talisa, with Grace + Live Skincare, delivers a new standard of wellness-based luxury and beauty.

34 Traveling in 2026? Here are the most exciting travel destinations offering immersive experiences wrapped in sublime luxury.

40 Just a hop and skip from LAX, Marina del Rey treats visitors to SoCal’s easy, breezy style.

HAUTE FASHION

43 Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi, and Dior blur the lines between art and fashion.

44 Dior brings holiday sparkle to jewelry and crystal to adorn both body and home.

56 Haute couture designer Joanna Jia presents her “Lotus Rêve” collection at the International Ladies Charity Association’s 8th Anniversary Thanksgiving Celebration.

60 HAUTE PROFILE

Andrea Bocelli returns to New York for a concert celebration of Romanza, the best-selling Italian album of all time.

62 HAUTE AUTO

The 2026 Aston Martin Roadster is part Downton Abbey and part Le Mans: a car of supreme luxury that can unleash fury in an instant.

64 HAUTE JEWELRY

Cartier takes bejeweled inspiration from nature with a new collection echoing Jeanne Toussaint’s legacy of daring elegance.

HAUTE CUISINE

72 Michael Mina returns to the Westin St. Francis with his flagship restaurant, Bourbon Steak.

74 Named for a bright, flavorful citrus fruit, Clementine Restaurant delights with its flavor-packed menu and bright, welcoming ambiance.

ON THE COVER Italian cypress-lined portal to Borgo Santo Pietro sets the mood.

HAUTE CUISINE

COVER STORY

HAUTE WINE & SPIRITS

76 Join Olivia De Santis at the La Fête du Champagne, a quintessential celebration of champagne.

78 Wine aficionados savor excellence and craft at Opus One Winery.

HAUTE AMBASSADOR

80 Learn what exercise regimen best fits your personality type.

82 Aubrey recounts some of his favorite luncheon parties.

86 Enjoy both geothermal luxury and the distinct terroir of Knights Valley wines in Calistoga.

88 Use these 25 tips to make informed decisions that will keep you on solid financial footing.

HAUTE EVENT

90 Haute Living, San Francisco hosts a Jeffersonian dinner for discussion of AI impacts on human life.

96 Olivia Decker Power of Music delivers an electrifying concert at Napa Car Club.

98 Festival Napa Valley’s Olivia Decker Power of Music concert series features sister violinists Hina and Fiona at Sutton Tower in Manhattan.

100 The fifth San Francisco Fashion Festival blends craftsmanship, identity, inclusivity, wearability, and long-term brand responsibility.

103 Three talented musicians—all 13 years old—perform a holiday concert at One Blanding Lane in Belvedere.

HAUTE LIVING, SAN FRANCISCO

104 The spectacular, city-wide event at the 2025 Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix racing draws celebrities and racing superstars.

108 San Francisco’s cherished tradition of holiday tree lighting in Nob Hill’s Huntington Park returns.

110 The Haute Living team enjoys a holiday dinner at the Haute Living Lounge in Tiburon.

112 The San Francisco Opera Guild’s annual prestigious An Evening on the Stage gala honors philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem.

HAUTE CHARITY

116 The Classic Sports Racing Group combines vintage race cars, camaraderie, and philanthrophy.

118 The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco host an elegant evening of dinner and dancing in support of exhibitions and

HAUTE JEWELRY

PAGE 43, HAUTE FASHION

EVENTS CALENDAR

CURRENT

THROUGH JAN. 18

Cirque du Soleil ECHO

Experience the magic. Poetry, stagecraft, daring acrobatics, and cutting-edge technology come together to explore the delicate balance between people, animals, and the world we all share. Under the Big Top at Oracle Park. cirquedusoleil.com

THROUGH JAN. 19

Safeway Holiday Ice Rink

Outdoors in Union Square and presented by Kaiser Permanente, this cherished holiday tradition returns for its 18th season. Open daily 10 a.m. - 11 p.m., early close at 9:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. unionsquareicerink.com

THROUGH JAN. 25

Gung hay fat choy! Gallop into the Year of the (Red Fire) Horse. In tune with this symbol of strength, speed, unwavering perseverance, lofty ambition, and ultimate success, we’re feeling positive about the new year. Our Bay Area events calendar is packed with Super Bowl LX on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium plus soulful jazz, musical theater, delightful ballet, art and design.

BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

Oakland Zoo | Glowfari

This wildly illuminating lantern festival is a family-friendly experience showcasing Oakland Zoo’s commitment to conservation. Colorful underwater creatures, iconic African animals, interesting bugs, and a world of reptiles. 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland. oaklandzoo.org

THROUGH JAN. 25

de Young | Art of Manga

Japanese comics and graphic novels have become a global phenomenon. Featuring rarely presented original drawings by major artists, this exhibition showcases the world of manga from the 1970s to today. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. famsf.org/ exhibitions/art-of-manga

THROUGH MARCH 1

Legion of Honor | Manet & Morisot

The first major exhibition dedicated to the artistic exchange between French Impressionists Édouard Manet, a great pioneer of modern painting, and Berthe Morisot, the only woman of the movement to exhibit under her own name. 100 34th Ave. famsf.org

JAN. 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 2, 30

AND FEB. 3, 9, 11, 19, 22, 28

Chase Center | Golden State Warriors

In Mission Bay, with seating for 18,064 fans, and home to the Golden State Warriors since 2019. Watch the fast-paced action on the home court in person. 1 Warriors Way. nba.com/warriors

JANUARY

Napa Valley Restaurant Month

For 31 full days throughout all five towns, Napa Valley’s world class restaurants offer exclusive deals on inventive epicurean meals and experiences. visitnapavalley.com

JAN. 5-11

SFJAZZ Center | Chris Botti

Nine opportunities to watch and listen to the trumpet superstar on stage this month. Botti’s shows are a New Year’s tradition in San Francisco, and his engagements always sell out. 201 Franklin St. sfjazz.org

JAN. 9-10

San Francisco Symphony | Film with Live Orchestra

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a fantasy swashbuckler. Klaus Badelt’s score thrums with excitement and adventure. PG-13. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org

JAN. 13 - FEB. 1

Broadway SF |

Nine-time Tony Award® winner for Best Musical, this outrageous comedy is an international sensation that follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries. Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St. broadwaysf.com

Book of Mormon

Napa Valley Restaurant Week

Pirates of the Caribbean, SF Symphony

Chris Botti

JAN. 14

San Francisco Ballet | Opening Night Gala

It’s an extraordinary night: dinner in a space transformed by the vision of J. Riccardo Benavides and a special performance curated by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo. As always, a high-energy after-party. In support of the ballet’s artistic initiatives and scholarships for SF Ballet School, with Honorary Gala Chair Rita Moreno. City Hall and War Memorial Opera House. sfballet.org

JAN. 16-19

Napa Truffle Festival

Do you dig truffles? It’s certain to be another soldout event this year. The magic of truffles, Michelin chefs, truffle experts, and great wines attracts like no other. Various locations. napatrufflefestival.com

JAN. 21-25

Fort Mason | FOG Design+Art

Enjoy early access and more at the Preview Gala on Jan. 21. Honorary chairs: Sir Jony Ive and Lady Heather Ive, Tabitha Soren and Michael Lewis. A selection of prominent exhibitions by 20th century and contemporary design dealers and leading art galleries through multiple forms and dimensions. Fort Mason Piers 2 and 3. fogfair.com

JAN. 22 - FEB. 1

A.C.T. |

With just four performers—no props, no set— this intimate production of Tennessee Williams’ American drama features seating in the round. Toni Rembe Theater, 415 Geary St. act-sf.org

JAN. 23 - FEB. 1

San Francisco Ballet |

A monumental theatrical experience and a world premiere. Resident Choreographer Yuri Possokhov brings new life to Alexander Pushkin’s classic tale set in the twilight of Imperial Russia. A co-production with The Joffrey Ballet. sfballet.org

JAN. 24 - FEB. 28

Presidio Theatre |

A musical retelling of “The Princess and the Pea,” with song and dance aimed at elementary school children in partnership with Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco. 99 Moraga Ave. presidiotheatre.org

JAN. 31

Calistoga Wine Experience

Twenty wineries offer tastings, small bites, and an opportunity to meet the talented winemakers. Silent auction. 12-3 p.m. Press Club, 20 Yerba Buena Lane. visitcalistoga.com/events/calistogawine-experience-san-francisco-2026

FEBRUARY

FEB. 6-7

Super Bowl LX Studio 60

A weekend of premium music entertainment in an intimate setting. Packages offer general access with food and beverage, private lounge spaces, meet-and-greet opportunities with NFL legends and current players. Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St. palaceoffinearts.org/event/superbowl-lx-studio-60---sting

FEB. 8

Super Bowl LX

The Super Bowl comes back to the bay. Grammy winner Bad Bunny headlines the NFL’s biggest stage at the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show. Kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara. nfl.com/super-bowl

FEB. 8

Stanford Live | Philharmonia Baroque

Orchestra & Chorale

Music Director Laureate Nicholas McGegan is joined by Grammy Award–winning tenor Aaron Sheehan and soprano Nola Richardson for Rameau’s opera, La Guirlande, an archetypal story of infidelity and forgiveness. Doors 12 noon. Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St. live.stanford.edu

FEB. 10-15

San Francisco Ballet | Balanchine Program II

Visionary George Balanchine, the “Father of American Ballet”: his unmatched artistry is brought to life on stage in three unforgettable works. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfballet.org

FEB. 10 - MARCH 1

Broadway SF | The Notebook

The story of Allie and Noah who come from different worlds yet overcome forces to share a lifetime of love. “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs,” says Entertainment Weekly. Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St. broadwaysf.com

FEB. 11-15

SFJAZZ | Joss Stone

On her “Less Is More Tour,” the English soul star explores new musical directions grounded in Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples, Gladys Knight, and artists who defined 20th century soul. 201 Franklin St. sfjazz.org

Julia Rowe and San Francisco Ballet in

Balanchine’s Serenade

Levi’s Stadium

Joss Stone

Lunar New Year, SF Symphony

FEB. 12

Presidio Theatre | Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents Great American Crooners

Reliving sentimental classics and timeless tunes from Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and more from vocalists Robbie Lee, Shenel Johns, and Benny Benack III. 99 Moraga Ave. presidiotheatre.org

FEB. 14 AND 21

Festival Napa Valley | MusicTime in the Library

Tenor Sidney Ragland and soprano Angela Ragland share a few of their favorite duets and invite young audience members to discover opera. Children accompanied by an adult, admission free. 10 a.m. Napa County Library, 580 Coombs St., Napa. festivalnapavalley.org

FEB. 15

Presidio Theatre | Paula West

The Bay Area’s jazz treasured vocalist, Paula West, celebrates Valentine’s Day weekend with a matinee performance featuring her trademark interpretations of songs from the Great American Songbook and more. 99 Moraga Ave. presidiotheatre.org

FEB. 20

Olivia Decker Power of Music Series | Celebrating Lunar New Year at The St. Regis

Welcome the Lunar New Year at an intimate concert featuring pianist Yang Bao in elegant surroundings celebrating MADLANDS, the artist’s upcoming Pentatone album. Reception featuring wines from a Festival Napa Valley Wine Partner and hors d’oeuvres. 5:30 p.m. The St. Regis, 125 Third St. bit.ly/4p9YTgy

FEB. 28

San Francisco Symphony | Year of the Horse

An annual Lunar New Year event draws upon Asian traditions in a celebration of music and community. VIP sponsorship gives access to festive pre-concert receptions and a celebratory post-concert banquet dinner. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org

Olivia Decker Power of Music

CREST OF NOB HILL TRIPLEX BUILDING ACROSS FROM GRACE CATHEDRAL

CREST OF NOB HILL TRIPLEX BUILDING ACROSS FROM GRACE CATHEDRAL AND HUNTINGTON PARK

AND HUNTINGTON PARK

THREE 2-BEDROOM FLATS | ±3,765 BUILDING SQ. FT. 1272-1276 SACRAMENTO STREET, SAN FRANCISCO

1272-1276 SACRAMENTO STREET, SAN FRANCISCO

THREE 2-BEDROOM FLATS | ±3,765 BUILDING SQ. FT.

Three exceptional flats situated at the crest of Nob Hill, one of San Francisco’s most iconic and historically significant neighborhoods. Located directly across from Grace Cathedral and steps from Huntington Park, the property offers a rare residential setting defined by landmark architecture, green space, and quiet refinement.

Nob Hill’s central position provides seamless access to San Francisco’s most prominent destinations. The Financial District is minutes away, ideal for a streamlined daily commute, while Union Square’s world-class shopping, dining, and hotels are equally close. In the opposite direction, Fisherman’s Wharf and the waterfront offer dining, leisure, and iconic bay views—all easily reached by foot, transit, or the city’s historic cable car lines just outside your door.

Adding to the property’s appeal, the upper and middle units will be delivered vacant, creating immediate flexibility for owner occupancy, rental repositioning, or strategic value enhancement. With its elevated setting, premier location, and proximity to San Francisco’s commercial, cultural, and waterfront hubs, this offering represents a compelling opportunity to own a high-quality asset in one of the city’s most coveted neighborhoods.

Olivia Hsu Decker

415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Lic# 00712080

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Kevin O’Connor

415.971.1119 | K.OConnor@ggsir.com Lic# 00928645

KevinOConnor.GoldenGateSIR.com

Recharge and Reboot in the New Year

Prepare for 2026 with the Best in Luxury Travel and Wellness

PHOTO COURTESY

Finding Your Mana

The transformative sanctuary of Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

BY CLAUDIA ROSS

THERE IS A SIDE OF OAHU THAT FEELS WORLDS AWAY FROM the high-energy pulse of Waikiki. On the island’s sun-drenched western coast lies Ko Olina, historically a retreat for Hawaiian royalty and now a sanctuary for the modern traveler seeking something rarer than a tan: true restoration. Here, the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina doesn’t just offer a vacation; it offers a recalibration of the spirit, anchored by one of the most compelling wellness programs in the Pacific.

The resort itself is an architectural embrace, opening up to the vast turquoise expanse of the Pacific. But the true heart of the property is the Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre, a facility that transcends the typical hotel spa menu to offer a deep dive into ancestral healing and modern science. The spa’s philosophy is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, most notably in the mauka and makai ritual. Inspired by the local legend of the naupaka flower—which blooms in two halves, one in the mountains (mauka) and one by the sea (makai)—this treatment symbolizes the reunion of separated spirits. Each guest chooses their scent profile before drifting into a 25-minute Himalayan salt scrub followed by a traditional lomi lomi massage. The rhythmic, flowing strokes of lomi lomi mimic the movement of the ocean, coaxing the body into a state of profound surrender.

For those whose luxury is a good night’s rest, the Moemoeā Sleepers Ritual is a revelation. In our hyper-connected world, sleep is the ultimate indulgence. This treatment uses organic lavender and seaweed sugar scrubs followed by a warm, cocooning body wrap. It is designed not just to relax, but to reset the mind, nourish the skin, and promote deep, restful sleep. The spa also offers the Alohi HydraFacial—a non-surgical skin resurfacing procedure that merges deep cleansing and exfoliation with vital nutrient delivery, ensuring instant and lasting radiance with no downtime.

The resort consistently features visiting healers-in-residence and specialized wellness experts, ensuring the programming remains dynamic and transformative throughout the year. Guests can experience mindfulness healing with an intuitive energy healer who offers curated collections of group meditations and private sessions. These practices, which often combine inner exploration with the tranquil beauty of Hawaii, aim to inspire, release, and renew the individual spirit. This profound focus on energy extends to sessions

like Mu Hala Sound Healing, a guided sound bath experience that uses crystal singing bowls, chimes, and traditional Hawaiian chant and prayer to reduce stress, calm the mind, and balance the energetic body. For the actively inclined, the Warrior Massage is a therapeutic treatment infused with arnica oil, designed specifically to stretch tight muscles and speed recovery for the next day’s adventure.

The pursuit of well-being extends across the resort’s stunning grounds. Days may be spent at the adults-only Infinity Pool, where the water appears to spill directly into the Pacific horizon, offering a serene contrast to the family-friendly Ohana Pool. The setting, on a calm, pristine lagoon, is ideal for paddle boarding or simply enjoying the tranquil beach.

The resort’s dining and wine program is equally dedicated to elevated experiences, translating the island’s abundance into world class cuisine. Guests can savor modern Italian cuisine at Noe, dubbed the “Hale of the Art of the Southern Italian Vibe.” With an exquisite cellar and a candle-lit, open-air setting, a meal here feels less like dinner and more like a transportive experience to the Amalfi Coast, all while overlooking the Ko Olina lagoons. Equally compelling is Mina’s Fish House, the acclaimed oceanto-table dining concept. Here, the freshest local catch is prepared with precision and flair, honoring the bounty of the Pacific. When we asked to speak to the sommelier to order our wine, we were introduced to their “fish-somm,” an expert at all things seafood.

The menu is a constantly evolving tribute to the sea, allowing guests to experience authentic Hawaiian flavors through a lens of contemporary fine dining. For casual enjoyment, the resort also offers delightful options for poolside fare and creative, healthy cuisine that supports the wellness journey, ensuring that every meal is an expression of the island’s vibrant energy.

For those looking to connect with the local culture, the weekly #FSWayFinders program offers rich immersion through artisanguided workshops, including hula lessons, lauhala weaving, and stargazing, ensuring every aspect of the stay is rooted in a distinct sense of place. At Four Seasons Oahu, luxury is not just about the thread count or the ocean view—though both are impeccable. It is about the feeling of being truly cared for, body and soul. It is a place where you don’t just escape the world; you find yourself again.

The Quiet West: Why McCall, Idaho is the Legacy Sanctuary You’ve Been Searching For

BY CLAUDIA ROSS

IN THE HIGH-ALTITUDE WORLD OF LUXURY REAL ESTATE, the conversation is shifting. For decades, the compass pointed predictably toward Aspen, Tahoe, and Park City—destinations that, while iconic, have succumbed to the weight of their own popularity. Today, the modern affluent traveler seeks something scarcer than a ski-in/ski-out condo in a crowded village: they want room to breathe. Enter McCall, Idaho.

Tucked away in the Salmon River Mountains, McCall is perhaps the last great mountain-lake town that still feels undiscovered, authentic, and delightfully unpretentious. At the heart of this “quiet luxury” movement is Whitetail Club, a private community that offers not just a home, but a return to a simpler, more soulful American West.

To understand the allure of Whitetail Club, one must first look to the water’s edge. Since 1948, Shore Lodge has anchored this community, serving as the multigenerational gathering spot for families who value memories over status. This is not the place for flashy après-ski scenes or over-programmed resort chaos. It is a place where parents and children unplug to play board games by the fire, wake surf on the glacial waters of Payette Lake, and soak in natural hot springs. Shore Lodge provides the nostalgic, human heartbeat of the area—a reminder that true luxury is about belonging. Residents

of Whitetail Club enjoy full access to the lodge and its awardwinning spa, The Cove, seamlessly blending private club exclusivity with the warmth of a historic hotel.

As prices in Deer Valley and Aspen reach dizzyingly new heights for shrinking square footage, McCall has emerged as the sophisticated alternative for the “smart luxury” buyer. In the current market, $5 million in the marquee ski towns might secure a dated condo or a modest lot with compromised views. At Whitetail Club, that same investment opens the door to expansive acreage, panoramic mountain vistas, and a true private-club lifestyle. But the appeal goes beyond the tangible. This is a purchase driven by a desire for privacy and peace—a rejection of the “velvet rope” economy in favor of a life defined by nature and simplicity.

While the real estate can stand on its own, it’s the landscape that captures hearts. McCall is a town for the “ski purist”—someone who cares more about the quality of the snow than the label on their jacket. Nearby Brundage Mountain claims the title for the “Best Snow in Idaho,” boasting some 320 inches of powder annually. With Tamarack Resort adding big-mountain vertical nearby, Whitetail Club residents have access to untouched bowls and wilderness without the stress of commercial lift lines.

Come summer, the focus shifts to the Andy North-designed golf course—lauded by Golfweek as one of the best in the nation—and the private Fish & Swim Club. Whether it’s trout fishing in the morning or gathering for fireside cocktails at the lakefront clubhouse in the evening, the energy here is rooted in genuine adventure.

For those looking to plant deep roots, Whitetail Club has recently introduced its newest evolution: Legacy Ranch. Spanning over 365 acres, this enclave offers rare, large-scale valley lots ranging from five to over 20 acres. This is the pinnacle of the Whitetail promise. These homesites are designed for multigenerational compounds—places where you can build not just a main residence, but guest cottages, toy barns for outdoor gear, and private sports courts. Legacy Ranch offers a rare opportunity to construct a family seat that will endure for decades, set against a backdrop of rugged mountain majesty.

In a world that feels increasingly loud and crowded, Whitetail Club offers a different kind of wealth: the luxury of time, space, and a legacy to call home. whitetailclub.com

The New Golden Coast: A Luxurious ‘Pause. Play. Perfect.’

Escape at Eau Palm Beach

BY CLAUDIA ROSS

THE TRUTH IS, SOME ESCAPES ARE SO NECESSARY, THEY FEEL like a prescription. My best friend, Laura Summers, and I had been chasing a moment of true relaxation for months. We found it beautifully distilled into the mantra of the Eau Spa: “Pause. Play. Perfect.” This isn’t just a catchy tagline; it’s the governing philosophy of the re-imagined Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, Florida, a property that has firmly cemented its status as one of the most uniquely luxurious destinations on the Gold Coast.

Let’s start with the big news because, in the luxury travel sphere, the details matter. Bay Area resident and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison added this stunning resort to his portfolio in August 2024. While the resort didn’t “open” in the traditional sense—it succeeded the Ritz-Carlton and was rebranded years ago—this new ownership signals an era of intensive, focused investment. We’re talking about an elevation of the guest experience aimed squarely at the global elite, ensuring the Eau remains a Forbes Five-Star haven. Welcome to Palm Beach, re-imagined indeed.

From the moment Laura and I stepped onto the seven acres of private oceanfront, we were greeted with a signature blend of relaxed glamour. Imagine Ava Gardner at the beach. The aesthetic is pure, sun-drenched sophistication, courtesy of Jonathan Adler’s vision:

cheerful blue and white motifs with playful pops of tropical yellow extend into the 309 rooms and suites. Every spacious accommodation offers a private balcony, giving you that breathtaking, constant view of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an intimate retreat that truly feels like Palm Beach, re-imagined.

The heart of our much-needed getaway was the 42,000 square feet of bliss known as the Eau Spa. This is a place where selfcare transcends simple treatment; it becomes a joyful ritual. You truly are spoiled rotten here. The concept is pure indulgence. We floated a candle in the gorgeous wishing well, melted away during a signature massage in one of the luxurious treatment rooms, and—my personal favorite part—sipped on free-flowing bubbly and nibbled on whipped cupcakes while completely unwinding. As one of the attentive staff members told us, “Gratification and indulgence are not only acceptable; they are encouraged. Leave your worries behind and come take care of the one who matters most—you.” It is, quite simply, a magnificent wonderland of water gardens and playful relaxation.

As a winemaker, for me it’s all about the food and wine programs. The resort’s dining scene is equally compelling, anchoring its unique luxury positioning with bold new experiences. The biggest buzz

is around Nobu Manalapan, which opened its permanent space in September 2025. It is a stunning setting for chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s renowned Japanese-Peruvian fusion. I had the pleasure of speaking with Thomas Conner, who is thrilled with the new space: “Bringing Nobu to this resort elevates the entire Manalapan dining scene. We’re offering that iconic Japanese-Peruvian fusion, of course—the black cod miso is essential—but we’re doing it in a space that perfectly reflects the resort’s modern, indulgent energy. This location is a true destination within a destination.”

Then there is Angle, the resort’s upscale dining signature, which recently unveiled its own renovation. This is where the concept of “Modern American” truly shines. I spoke with Michael Delorenzo about the transformation: “The new Angle is really about capturing that relaxed coastal elegance while still delivering truly Modern American sophistication. We’ve kept our commitment to partners like Swank and Kai Kai Farms, but the atmosphere now completely elevates the experience—it feels fresh, inviting, and truly upscale.”

The commitment to seamless luxury ties all these culinary endeavors together. As Stephen Lezama, the beverage director, puts it, “Our goal across all five dining venues is seamless luxury. Whether a guest is having alfresco seafood at Breeze or enjoying a classic sake pairing at Nobu, the service is designed to be effortlessly intuitive. We want guests to feel like they’ve simply disappeared into a world where every need is anticipated. It’s relaxed luxury, redefined.”

Whether you’re kayaking in the Atlantic, enjoying the spacious grounds with lush tropical gardens, or simply lounging by one of the pools, the Eau Palm Beach is committed to ensuring every detail contributes to a world of effortless living. It’s a haven that invites you to disconnect, rediscover time, and, most importantly: Pause. Play. Perfect. eaupalmbeach.com

Seed to Skin at the Spa and Beyond

BY BECCA HENSLEY

IMAGINE VISITING AN ORGANIC TUSCAN FARM WHERE beauty gets made and wellness happens innately—as effortless and provocative as the scent of lemon balm and rosemary carried by the wind, as healing as birds chirping at sunrise or the sun splayed out in golden rings on an ancient stone wall.

A wellness mecca woven into 300 acres of pine-studded, herbpeppered landscape near Siena, five-star Borgo Santo Pietro isn’t your ordinary, three-Michelin key, bucolic hideaway. Indeed, it expertly delights and coddles hedonists, epicureans, and luxury travelers who simply want to lounge beside its stylish infinity pool with a glass of house-made wine in hand. A resplendent retreat, Borgo temptingly offers activities from cooking classes to wild swimming in its serpentine river to art lessons with a resident expert. There’s also wine tasting, Vespa tours, alpacas, and lawn games like pétanque. The hideaway, a bona fide sustainable oasis, has chickens, its own dairy, a fermentation lab, a distillery, and acres and acres of olive groves, herb gardens, and vineyards. Its two restaurants are the stuff of enraptured gastronomic daydreams. Intimate, it has just 22 guest rooms. Each has been kitted out with

antiques, curiosities, lush fabrics, and travertine, all peerlessly executed and prime for pampering.

But Borgo boasts something even more extraordinary than its lauded, luxe bits and pieces. It brings precious salubrity, holistic relevance, and pioneering beauty care to the forefront with its own organic skincare line, Seed to Skin. Crafted on-property in a dedicated scientific laboratory and made from herbs and plants grown on site, the brand’s 30-plus products grew from research and revelations by resort founder Jeanette Throttrup, a seasoned naturopath and former fashion designer, in collaboration with storied cosmetic scientist Anna Buonocore. The two launched Seed to Skin in 2018.

Exclusive, innovative and effective, the clean beauty brand is woven into the resort’s day-to-day amenities as soap, lotion, and bath salts in the suites or as the genesis of treatments in the spa. Available online and exclusively utilized by global, top-tier spas (such as Hotel Sacher Vienna and The Spa at the Little Nell in Aspen), Seed to Skin has been third-party tested for purity and monitored for efficacy. The results, startlingly obvious and quite fast, speak for themselves.

MORE ON THE FARM

Ideal for health- and beauty-focused guests who will derive the same sort of pleasure a gourmet does when sitting down for a field-toplate meal, Borgo’s Seed to Skin laboratory envelops clean-product aficionados within the brand’s terroir. The garden-to-bottle journey includes seeing the fields where ingredients are grown and watching herbs harvested then made into essential oils in the state-of-the-art distillery. The pleasure derived from opening the green glass bottles to sample the lotions, tinctures, and elixirs cannot be overstated. It’s simply sublime, an all-sensory experience.

Being at Borgo feels moving and meaningful in a world which sometimes presents as mediocre and homogenous. At Borgo, nature plays a role, bolstering and instigating emotional detox and spiritual re-awakening. Just walk the paths once trod by pilgrims, passing the gardens, peering at the peacocks, sniffing the array of blooming flowers and fragrant herbs. Take a yoga class, relax to sound bowl healing, or indulge in a customized en suite bath, deep soaking in an immense bouquet of floating flowers and house-made oils from lavender to neroli.

AT THE SPA AND FOR HOME USE

At Seed to Skin’s Borgo Spa (reopening soon with larger digs), guests can enjoy bespoke treatments and experiment with the products they may wish to take home. Don’t miss The Chrysalis, a transformative head-to-toe adventure that includes an insulating candle massage, hydrating body wrap, and radiance-making Manuka-Nutri Mask. Consider bringing an extra suitcase to take home your favorite products (or order online). I’m smitten by the new Mood Therapy Collection, a range of aromatherapy gadgets that can be carried with you, ever ready to support your emotions. I’ve used Clarity, and one sniff grounds me, empowers me, helps me move forward in my day. With visible age-reducing results after just a month of use, The Cellular Renewal Bundle ($614) comes with two large-sized creams: The Light Source and The Night Force. Each brims with biotechnology and potent, natural healing elements. One slather and you’ll feel the difference. Overall envisioned to embrace individual issues from teenage acne to mature skin, Seed to Skin’s products run the gamut of masks to day concoctions to eye creams to serums. They offer detailed, individual rituals to address all concerns and meet goals. Take the online skin consultation to determine the best products for you. Or, visit Borgo Santo Pietro and revel in its magic. borgosanpietro.com, www.seedtoskin.com

THE LODGE AT PEBBLE BEACH REOPENS

A coastal icon reimagined

BY JENNIFER BODEN

FOLLOWING A PROPERTY-WIDE REFRESH OF ITS PUBLIC SPACES and guest rooms, The Lodge at Pebble Beach is ushering in a new era for the historic property while preserving the charm that defines Pebble Beach Resorts. At the heart of the updates is a fully refreshed Stillwater restaurant with a new design and culinary program that honors its coastal setting and rich heritage while elevating Pebble Beach’s signature dining.

“The reopening of Stillwater is the culmination of The Lodge’s transformation, bringing a fresh identity to one of Pebble Beach’s most renowned settings,” said David Stivers, CEO of Pebble Beach Company. Design highlights include a wraparound main dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a central bar with sweeping ocean views, vaulted ceilings with soft brick arches, and a glass-enclosed wine room that serves as both a centerpiece and threshold to intimate spaces. A private dining room features a suspended ceramic school of fish sculpture hand-cast in Staffordshire, England, while custom Axminster carpeting and wrought iron chandeliers layer coastal inspiration with the elegance for which Pebble Beach is known.

Executive chef Benjamin Brown and chef de cuisine Alex Ramirez have refreshed Stillwater’s culinary program, drawing inspiration from Pebble Beach’s coastal location and from the

region’s farms and fisheries. The new menu features dishes such as the charred hamachi tostada, Dungeness crab pancake, whole roasted branzino, charred zabuton steak from Snake River Farms, and the pan-seared crème de brie and mushroom baguette.

Complementing the cuisine is a beverage program anchored by an extensive wine cellar, curated flights, seasonal craft cocktails, rare bourbons and premium tequilas.

Tap Room, the property’s recently reopened steakhouse, showcases updated interiors and an expanded collection of historic golf memorabilia, including Tom Watson’s wedge which he famously chipped in with on the penultimate hole during the 1982 U.S. Open. The menu continues to offer chophouse–style cuts, including Japanese and American Kobe-grade selections and USDA Prime steaks. Highlights include the signature 22-ounce prime Delmonico, prime rib chili, 10-hour smoked Snake River Farms American Wagyu brisket, and the Kobe brie burger. A curated collection of rare and vintage bourbons, scotches, and whiskeys headline the bar, complemented by classic and creative cocktails, wine flights, and rotating craft beers from local breweries.

Overlooking the famous 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Bench also welcomes guests back, offering refreshed

The Lodge at Pebble Beach

interiors and its signature wood-fired cuisine. The reopening of The Lodge at Pebble Beach reflects Pebble Beach Company’s commitment to preserving this iconic destination, known for its luxurious accommodations, prestigious events, and world class golf courses.

“This is an exciting time for golf at Pebble Beach. With the upcoming transformation of The Links at Spanish Bay by Gil Hanse, we’re preparing to welcome more players than ever to Del Monte Golf Course, the oldest course west of the Mississippi still in continuous play,” said Eric Lippert, Director of Golf at Pebble Beach Resorts. “To ensure it’s ready for this next chapter, we’ve renovated nearly every bunker—enhancing both playability and challenge. At the same time, recent green enhancements at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill have opened up new hole locations, elevating the experience for players and professionals alike as we look ahead to the 2027 U.S. Open. Whether you’re a first-time player learning at The Hay or fine-tuning your swing at the Pebble Beach Golf Academy, there’s never been a better moment to experience golf here.”

Stillwater dining room overlooking 18th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links

The Tap Room steakhouse

Tom Watson’s wedge

Stillwater vaulted brick wine cellar

Lounge with sweeping ocean view

Stillwater bar

Aspen’s Four Seasons of Splendor

BY CLAUDIA ROSS

THERE ARE MOUNTAIN TOWNS AND THEN THERE IS ASPEN, a place where the rugged beauty of the Rockies meets a level of luxury and sophistication that never ceases to surprise. Having known Kimberly since our San Francisco twenties, traveling to Aspen for her wedding to Todd Hoeffner was a pure delight—a three-day immersion into a town that truly excels, regardless of the season.

The wedding, a magnificent affair at the storied McCabe Ranch, was a testament to love and the sublime Aspen backdrop. The grandeur of the setting, perfectly complemented by the thoughtful catering of the exclusive Caribou Club, created an atmosphere of pure magic. The pre-wedding activities were as adventurous as they were elegant. Before the ceremony, the wedding party embarked on a memorable hike up Smugglers Mountain. This classic Aspen trek offered unparalleled views, but the real thrill came when we witnessed three little bears cross our path—a stark, beautiful reminder that we were deep in the heart of the wild Rockies.

Our base for the long weekend was the W Aspen, a property that captures the town’s duality perfectly: bold, contemporary luxury set against a breathtaking mountain backdrop. Its location is the ultimate

draw. Nestled right at the base of the mountain, it offers slope-side access in winter for effortless morning runs and immediate access via a street-adjacent bike shop for trails in warmer months. This strategic positioning provides a year-round pass to sky-high adventure, all framed by truly stunning, 360-degree mountain views that ensure every moment is accompanied by a dramatic Colorado panorama. The striking architectural and interior design immediately establishes a bold point of view in this iconic town.

The accommodations are a playful nod to Aspen’s past, blending modern design with a touch of ’70s “pleasure palace” decadence. We stayed in one of the 88 guestrooms (the hotel also features four WOW suites and one Extreme WOW suite), where the décor masterfully references the cozy warmth of Swiss chalet architecture through the use of rustic wood finishes, sloped rooflines, and a fireplace-inspired W MixBar. Our room featured the signature pit and platform lounge seating, accessorized with Ute-inspired accent pillows, creating the perfect, cozy retreat after a day of wedding activities. Adding to the hotel’s unique character, all rooms are playfully marked with plates in a style reminiscent of pop culture icon Bob Ross. For larger

W Aspen

groups or a younger adult clientele, select rooms and suites offer a fun W design first: quad-queen bunk beds that can sleep up to eight, nodding to the more communal and playful qualities of Aspen’s history. For those planning a true mountain getaway, the Extreme WOW Suite, a one-, two-, or three-bedroom haven, epitomizes mountain culture with its central firepit, a hot tub open to the living area, and even a dedicated DJ booth.

Aspen’s dining scene is always world class, but our meals centered on two culinary extremes. The first was YUKI, chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s newest culinary venture. Born from decades of global travel and experimentation—from Tokyo to Lima—YUKI serves as his elegant tribute to world cuisine. The dishes are executed with the precision and elegance that only a culinary master can deliver, offering dynamic flavors that elevate the standard fine dining experience.

On the flip side, the transitional hour after the wedding events called for the ultimate comfort. We returned to the W Aspen after a long evening to find a signature sage green box of Après Cookies awaiting us. These gourmet treats, still warm and baked

Aspen’s aspens

with intention using European grass-fed butter and premium chocolate, were the perfect, sweet embodiment of quiet luxury and intentional relaxation.

No visit to Aspen is complete without a stop at Kemo Sabe, the legendary flagship store that embodies the soul of the Wild West. Stepping inside, you are immersed in a world of authentic Western style. Known for their custom experiences—like handdistressing hats and crafting their own line of boots (Kemo Sabe Grit)—the store’s mantra, “Make Everyone Feel Important,” ensures a unique and personal shopping journey. It’s retail theatre at its finest. Speaking of bespoke style, the bride herself debuted a stunning, personalized accessory: a custom-designed wedding hat from Kemo Sabe. This touch of authentic Western artistry perfectly complemented the ranch setting, solidifying the idea that in Aspen, even luxury is deeply personal.

As the sun set, the town’s famed nightlife beckoned. After the formal reception, we headed to the private Caribou Club, which transformed into a dancing haven—a perfect extension of the wedding’s celebratory spirit. For a more casual, authentic taste of the Old West, the Silver City Mountain Saloon offers a cozy retreat, inviting guests to share a spell and an amber whiskey in an atmosphere where the grit of the frontier still reigns. And, of course, a required pilgrimage was made to the iconic Woody Creek Tavern, the historic, memorabilia-covered dive bar famous as the haunt of the late Hunter S. Thompson—a true local’s escape from the Aspen polish.

Aspen, whether dusted in snow or bathed in summer sun, offers a seamless blend of natural adventure and curated luxury. From the breathtaking beauty of Kimberly and Todd’s wedding at McCabe Ranch to the indulgent retreat of the W and the iconic charm of its bars and saloons, it is a destination that constantly redefines the peak of mountain living.

Kemo Sabe

The Bespoke Botanical Sanctuary of Spa Talisa and Liv + Grace at The Four Seasons Napa

BY CLAUDIA ROSS

IN THE HEART OF WINE COUNTRY WHERE THE VINE-COVERED hills meet the majestic Mayacamas Mountains, Spa Talisa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley offers a sanctuary defined by heritage and the pursuit of haute wellness. Honoring Calistoga’s rich, healing legacy—a tradition stretching back to the indigenous Wappo tribe—Spa Talisa curates an experience that is both ancient and profoundly modern.

This is where the earth’s most potent elements are utilized for sublime, visible rejuvenation. Signature journeys, like the Bountiful Earth Wrap, begin with a transformative cocoon of warm marine algae, thermal mud, and purifying salts. Assistant Spa Director Carene Coulter notes, “We’ve carefully sourced these elements to mimic the mineral-rich composition of Calistoga’s famous geothermal waters.” For an exclusive, outdoor ritual, the Calistoga Mud Bay Experience invites guests to apply an exclusive rose mud blend in a private, sundrenched bay. As one guest described, “soaking in vineyard views while the sun is drawing toxins out of your body is simply magical.”

The spa’s commitment to world class results is perfectly matched by its exclusive skincare partner, Liv + Grace Skincare, founded by holistic aesthetician Cindy Merrill O’Brien. O’Brien’s formulation philosophy is born from over three decades of mastery, spanning professional Hollywood makeup artistry, modeling, and deep study in holistic wellness. This rare combination of on-camera beauty knowledge and profound scientific integrity ensures that Liv + Grace is not just clean, but flawlessly effective. The brand is the culmination of her personal devotion and expertise, a collection that is “Powerful. Ultra Clean. Holistic. Skincare.” It’s a perfect fit for the discerning Four Seasons guest. This exceptional partnership is foundational to Spa Talisa’s treatment menu. The bespoke Oxygenating Botanical Facial, developed by Liv + Grace, harnesses O’Brien’s proprietary botanical protocols and stateof-the-art oxygen technology to boost collagen and target fine lines, leaving behind a luminous, effortless glow. Similarly, the Botanical Bliss facial offers a holistic, clean approach to skin health, embodying the philosophy of self-care and environmental stewardship.

Cindy O’Brien emphasizes the depth of the collaboration: “Partnering with the Four Seasons to bring Liv + Grace to Spa Talisa is an alignment of intention. We share a commitment to delivering authentic, luxurious results without ever compromising on the

integrity of our ingredients. To see my botanical protocols celebrated in a setting as magnificent as Napa Valley is a dream come true and a testament to the power of clean beauty.”

Coulter confirms the unparalleled value O’Brien brings: “Clean and luxurious products that deliver beautiful results are integral to the Spa Talisa concept. Cindy herself has been such a valuable resource to our team, sharing her botanical facial protocols, educating the team on clean and natural ingredients. ... She is the brain, face, and, most importantly, heart of the brand, and it comes through in everything she does.”

At Spa Talisa, every treatment is a journey of sophisticated renewal. Guests are transported to a world where time slows down, and the brilliant results of nature, science, and the highest level of expert care ensure that every departure feels like a rebirth. This is the new standard of wellness luxury in Napa Valley. fourseasons.com/napavalley

THE HAUTE SPOTS

2026 IS COMING IN HAUTE! HERE ARE THE SPOTS THAT HAUTE LIVING PROJECTS TO BE THE MOST EX -

From the jungles of Costa Rica to the fjords of Patagonia, the shores of Sardinia to the Himalayan peaks of Bhutan, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for global travel. Each of these destinations offers more than just a beautiful setting — they promise experiences that are immersive, transformative, and deeply tied to a sense of place. Whether it’s celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C., discovering the frontier spirit of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, or embracing barefoot luxury in José Ignacio, the common thread is clear: 2026 is the year to travel with intention and to seek out journeys that

PENINSULA PAPAGAYO, COSTA RICA

Costa Rica has long been synonymous with “pura vida,” but Peninsula Papagayo is fast becoming the country’s most magnetic luxury destination — and 2026 promises to be its defining year. Tucked along the country’s northwestern coastline, this biodiverse stretch of Pacific paradise blends lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and worldclass adventure, attracting a new wave of high-end travelers seeking experiences as soulful as they are spectacular. With direct flights from major U.S. hubs and a commitment to sustainable development, the region is primed to rival global luxury favorites from St. Barts to Bali.

STAY AT:

NEKAJUI, A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE

Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has quickly established itself as the region’s premier luxury destination. The 2025 opening marked the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America and a significant milestone for Peninsula Papagayo. The resort, developed by The Athens Group, offers 107 ocean-view rooms and suites, treetop tents, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residences, paired with seven distinct dining venues, a private beach club, and the serene Nimbu Spa as well as Latin America’s largest hydrotherapy pool. Adventure seekers will find the Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course and tennis center steps away, while nature lovers can explore the region’s jungles, mangroves, and hidden coves. Peninsula Papagayo, End of the 253 National Route, Provincia de Guanacaste, Liberia, 50104, Costa Rica

TORRES DEL PAINE, CHILE

Few destinations embody the raw power and beauty of nature like Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. With its jagged granite peaks, turquoise lakes, vast glaciers, and roaming guanacos, it’s a landscape that feels almost otherworldly. Already beloved by trekkers and adventure seekers, Torres del Paine is now stepping onto the global stage as one of the most coveted luxury adventure escapes for 2026. Accessibility is easier than ever, with new air connections into Puerto Natales, while sustainable hospitality projects are putting this wild frontier firmly on the radar of high-end travelers.

STAY AT:

TIERRA PATAGONIA + EXPLORA PATAGONIA TORRES DEL PAINE

Two standout properties anchor the region’s luxury appeal. Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa is an architectural marvel that blends seamlessly into its surroundings, offering floor-to-ceiling views of Lake Sarmiento and the Paine Massif. Known for its wellnessforward approach, Tierra pairs tailor-made excursions in its serene Uma Spa, where treatments draw on local ingredients and rituals. Meanwhile, Explora Torres del Paine, set within a private reserve, offers all-inclusive immersion into the park’s most remote corners. Its signature exploration programs span guided treks, horseback rides with local gauchos, and boat journeys across glacier-fed lakes. After days of adventure, guests retreat to minimalist-chic rooms with panoramic views, fine Chilean wines, and regionally inspired cuisine. Tierra Patagonia: 9 Interseccion Ruta Y156, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile 6170000; Explora Torres Del Paine, Torres del Paine

National Park, Torres de Paine, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chile

Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Tierra Patagonia + Explora Torres del Paine

TAUPO, NEW ZEALAND

In the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, Taupō is emerging as one of the most desirable destinations for 2026. Centered around its namesake lake — formed by one of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions — Taupō is a natural wonderland where geothermal landscapes meet alpine peaks and crystal-clear waters. Adventure travelers are drawn to its legendary fly fishing, skydiving, and mountain biking, while those seeking serenity can soak in hot springs or take in panoramic views of nearby Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With international interest in New Zealand surging again, Taupō is stepping into the spotlight as a must-visit hub for luxury adventure.

STAY AT:

HUKA LODGE

At the forefront of this rise is Huka Lodge, an iconic retreat that has been welcoming guests for nearly a century. Perched on the banks of the Waikato River, just upstream from the thundering Huka Falls, the lodge combines old-world charm with discreet modern luxury. Its suites and private residences are designed to immerse guests in nature, with floor-to-ceiling windows, riverside terraces, and lush landscaped grounds. Culinary excellence is at the core of the Huka experience: multi-course meals celebrate seasonal New Zealand produce and are served in intimate settings ranging from wine cellars to candlelit gazebos by the river. Guests can spend their days trout fishing on Lake Taupō, hiking volcanic trails, or simply savoring the tranquility of the Lodge’s gardens. 271 Huka Falls Road, Wairakei, Taupō 3377, New Zealand

COSTA SMERALDA, SARDINIA

Italy’s Costa Smeralda, on the sun-drenched northeast coast of Sardinia, has long been synonymous with dolce vita glamour. Since the 1960s, this emerald-fringed coastline has drawn royalty, celebrities, and jetsetters for its crystalline waters, hidden coves, and vibrant nightlife. Now, with renewed attention on Mediterranean escapes, Costa Smeralda is poised to reclaim its place as one of Europe’s most indemand luxury destinations in 2026. Travelers are increasingly looking for stylish yet soulful experiences — something Sardinia delivers in spades, blending breathtaking natural beauty with centuries-old traditions, world-class sailing, and a distinctive culinary culture rooted in the island’s heritage.

STAY AT: BELMOND HOTEL ROMAZZINO

At the center of this revival is the Belmond Hotel Romazzino, an icon of Costa Smeralda hospitality. Originally opened in the 1960s and reimagined for a new era, the property combines timeless elegance with a modern sense of place. Nestled along a secluded stretch of white-sand beach, the Romazzino offers Mediterranean-style suites and villas with sweeping sea views, lush gardens, and interiors infused with Sardinian craftsmanship. Guests can spend their days exploring Costa Smeralda’s translucent waters by yacht, indulging in regional cuisine highlighting the island’s famed seafood and wines, or simply unwinding in Romazzino’s serene spa. The hotel’s private beach club and curated local excursions ensure every stay feels both exclusive and authentically Sardinian. Via Romazzino, 4, 07021 Arzachena SS, Italy

Huka Lodge

THE RED SEA, SAUDI ARABIA

Once one of the world’s most uncharted travel frontiers, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast is rapidly becoming a headline-making destination for 2026. With its pristine coral reefs, sweeping desert landscapes, and sustainable development vision, the region is redefining what luxury travel can look like. Travelers are increasingly drawn to its promise of untouched nature and immersive cultural experiences, paired with ambitious eco-conscious hospitality projects that place regeneration at the heart of design. For discerning globetrotters, The Red Sea is fast becoming one of the most compelling new destinations on the global map.

STAY AT:

SIX SENSES SOUTHERN DUNES

At the vanguard is Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, the Six Senses brand’s first property in Saudi Arabia. Designed as a gateway between desert and sea, the resort is a striking architectural masterpiece that mirrors the surrounding dunes and wadi landscapes. Sustainability runs through every element — from renewable energy systems to locally sourced materials — while maintaining the brand’s signature emphasis on wellness and connection to place. Guests can choose from desert villas or suites, each designed for maximum privacy and panoramic views. Experiences range from stargazing under some of the world’s clearest night skies to camel treks across shifting sands, along with curated wellness journeys at the Six Senses Spa. A culinary program rooted in regional flavors and produce completes the sense of immersion. The Red Sea Development, Umluj 48321, Saudi Arabia

MONTENEGRO

Long known as the hidden gem of the Adriatic, Montenegro is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations for 2026. With its dramatic mountain-meets-sea landscapes, medieval walled towns, and sun-dappled bays, the country offers a blend of Riviera glamour and authentic Balkan charm. Once overshadowed by neighboring Croatia, Montenegro is now attracting discerning travelers with a new wave of luxury openings, yacht-filled marinas, and a culinary scene rooted in both coastal Mediterranean and inland traditions. Add in its accessibility — just an hour from Dubrovnik’s international airport — and Montenegro is poised for its biggest year yet.

STAY AT: ONE&ONLY PORTONOVI

At the heart of this rise is the One&Only Portonovi, the brand’s first resort in Europe and a destination in its own right. Positioned on the sparkling Boka Bay, often called Europe’s southernmost fjord, the property captures the essence of Montenegrin glamour with contemporary design, sweeping Adriatic views, and lush gardens that flow into the waterfront. The resort offers elegant rooms, suites, and private villas with pools, as well as world-class dining that highlights fresh Adriatic seafood and global influences. A major draw is the Chenot Espace Wellness Centre, where guests can embark on personalized programs blending advanced science and holistic traditions. With a private beach, marina access, and curated excursions to Montenegro’s historic villages and UNESCO sites, One&Only Portonovi delivers both sophistication and sense of place.

Vojna Kasarna BB, Kumbor, Herceg Novi, Montenegro

One&Only Portonovi

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A.

In 2026, Washington, D.C. will take center stage as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. Beyond its role as the political capital, the city is preparing for a yearlong celebration that blends history, culture, and modern vibrancy. Special exhibitions, immersive programs, and grand festivities on the National Mall will transform D.C. into a living stage for the semiquincentennial, drawing visitors from around the world. Paired with the city’s thriving dining and drinking scene, revitalized neighborhoods, and ever-expanding arts and music offerings, the anniversary positions Washington not just as a seat of power, but as one of 2026’s most compelling global destinations.

STAY AT: INTERCONTINENTAL THE WILLARD WASHINGTON D.C.

At the heart of it all is Willard InterContinental, a storied icon that has been hosting presidents, dignitaries, and luminaries since 1818. Just steps from the White House and the National Mall, Willard InterContinental blends its legendary history with modern elegance, offering guests both a front-row seat to the city’s cultural pulse and a serene retreat from it. The hotel features sophisticated rooms and suites steeped in history, along with renowned dining at Café du Parc, a French bistro with a quintessential D.C. terrace. Afternoon tea in Willard’s Peacock Alley is a beloved tradition, while Round Robin Bar remains one of the capital’s most iconic gathering places. 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20004, USA

JOSÉ IGNACIO, URUGUAY

Once a sleepy fishing village, José Ignacio has become South America’s most coveted beach town — an effortlessly chic hideaway where bohemian spirit meets understated luxury. Located on Uruguay’s southeastern coast, just a short drive from Punta del Este, José Ignacio has evolved into a magnet for artists, entrepreneurs, and jet-setters drawn by its wide sandy beaches, barefoot lifestyle, and world-class food scene. In 2026, the destination is poised to shine brighter than ever, thanks to growing international awareness of Uruguay’s vibrant culture, progressive spirit, and idyllic summer season that runs from December through March.

STAY AT: ESTANCIA VIK

Anchoring the region’s allure is Estancia Vik, a remarkable property that redefines the idea of a country retreat. Set on 4,000 acres of rolling countryside just minutes from the beach, the estancia combines traditional ranch architecture with bold contemporary art, making it both a cultural landmark and a luxurious escape. Each of the 12 suites is individually designed by a different Uruguayan artist in collaboration with Alex and Carrie Vik, transforming the property into a living gallery. Guests can ride horses across vast pampas, enjoy polo matches, or take part in authentic asados — long, leisurely Uruguayan barbecues. At the same time, the property offers seamless access to José Ignacio’s renowned restaurants, beach clubs, and laid-back nightlife. Cam. Eugenio Saiz Martinez Km 8, 20402 Faro de José Ignacio, Departamento de Maldonado, Uruguay

Intercontinental The Willard Washington D.C.

BHUTAN

Long a destination for intrepid travelers, Bhutan is truly now stepping into the global spotlight in 2026. Nestled deep in the Himalayas, the kingdom remains one of the few destinations where culture and environment are preserved with extraordinary care. With its dramatic monasteries perched on cliffs, pristine valleys, and its guiding philosophy of “Gross National Happiness,” Bhutan offers travelers a rare chance to experience authenticity and tranquility in equal measure. As access improves and interest in mindful, purposeful journeys grows, Bhutan is fast becoming a must on discerning travelers’ lists. Getting there is just part of the rewarding journey.

STAY AT: SIX SENSES BHUTAN

Anchoring the experience is Six Senses Bhutan, a collection of five lodges spread across the country’s most spectacular valleys: Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang, and Paro. Designed to be explored in sequence, the lodges create a seamless journey through Bhutan’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage. Each reflects its setting — whether it’s a forested sanctuary in Punakha, a misty retreat in Gangtey, or a cliffside perch in Paro — while maintaining the Six Senses hallmarks of understated luxury and holistic wellness. Guests can trek to ancient temples, participate in traditional rituals, or simply soak in the stillness of Bhutan’s valleys. Spa treatments, farm-to-table dining, and immersive cultural experiences ensure every moment feels both grounding and transformative. Chunimeding, Babesa, Chang Gewog, Thimphu, 11001, Bhutan

OKINAWA, JAPAN

Japan has long captured the world’s imagination, but next year, all eyes will be on Okinawa as the country’s most exciting luxury escape. Known for its turquoise seas, white-sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, Okinawa is also famed for its rich cultural traditions and status as a “Blue Zone,” where longevity and well-being are deeply rooted in daily life. Once considered a hidden gem compared to Tokyo and Kyoto, Okinawa is now stepping into the spotlight thanks to its natural beauty, laid-back island culture, and growing roster of luxury hotels and wellness-driven experiences.

STAY AT:

ROSEWOOD MIYAKOJIMA

At the forefront of this evolution is the Rosewood Miyakojima, which will open in 2026 on one of Okinawa’s most pristine outer islands. Nestled along untouched coastlines, one of 2026’s most hotly anticipated openings blends Rosewood’s signature elegance with the island’s natural rhythm and traditions. The property will feature private villas with ocean views, each designed with a contemporary aesthetic that honors local craftsmanship. Guests will enjoy multiple dining venues showcasing Okinawan flavors and Japanese culinary artistry, a Rosewood Asaya spa offering transformative wellness programs, and curated excursions that connect travelers with the island’s culture — from diving among coral reefs to exploring sacred Ryukyu heritage sites. Nikadori-1068-1 Hirara, Miyakojima, Okinawa 906-0008

Rosewood Miyakojima

Marina del Rey is LA’s BestKept Waterfront Secret

BY FRAN MILLER

MARINA DEL REY HAS A WAY OF SURPRISING EVEN

seasoned Los Angeles travelers. As one of Southern California’s most inviting enclaves, it’s a breezy, sunlit pocket where sailboats glide through broad channels, palm trees sway in perfect formation, and nearly everything worth doing sits within an easy stroll. Small in scale but big on style, it’s a neighborhood that feels more Mediterranean port city than metropolis.

One thing setting Marina del Rey apart is how effortlessly it anchors a visit to LA. The beaches of Venice and Santa Monica are minutes away, while LAX is close enough to make arrivals and departures stress-free affairs. Yet the marina itself is the draw: shimmering water, spotless walkways, locals out with their dogs, and a neighborly energy that feels rare in a city known for sprawl. Add in a rising culinary scene and a collection of polished hotels overlooking the boats, and it’s a destination that stands on its own. It’s calm, coastal, and subtly glamorous.

SMALL HARBOR; BIG PERSONALITY

Marina del Rey may be tiny—just 1.5 square miles, with nearly half of it sparkling blue water—but its footprint feels unexpectedly grand. This is the largest man-made, small-craft harbor in North America, home to more than 4,600 slips spread across a collection of marinas used by everyone from weekend sailors and paddleboarders to charter captains, cruising enthusiasts, and Coast Guard teams. The shoreline forms a gentle arc along the water: sleek condo towers, a sweep of polished apartment communities, and a cluster of hotels that give guests front-row views of the harbor. The year-round population is less than 12,000, skewing youthful, professional, and

outdoorsy. Residents choose marina living for the sun, scale, and the easy walk to everything that matters.

WHERE TO STAY

Choosing Marina del Rey as a home base instantly changes the tempo of an LA trip. You’re close to everything: Venice’s creative buzz, Santa Monica’s beach paths, Culver City’s studios, even Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. Yet, the marina offers a calm foundation that the busier neighborhoods simply can’t match. Hotels here have the advantage of breathing room, views, and easy walking routes to restaurants, cafés, and the waterfront paths. For travelers who want Los Angeles at their fingertips but prefer to retreat to something serene, Marina del Rey is the sweet spot.

JAMAICA BAY INN, TAPESTRY COLLECTION BY HILTON

Set along the curve of Mother’s Beach, Jamaica Bay Inn, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is approachable, playful, and perfectly placed for a family-focused stay. It’s designed for those who want space, comfort, and an easy landing pad by the water. Guest rooms are bright, relaxed, and ideal for stashing sand toys or the inevitable haul from nearby Abbot Kinney. You can rent kayaks, sign up for paddleboard lessons, or simply enjoy a lazy afternoon on the shoreline. Rent a bike from the hotel’s fleet for easy exploration of the region. The hotel’s Beachside Restaurant & Bar sits just steps from the sand and serves California coastal fare on an expansive terrace overlooking the water. Locals love it as much as guests for its weekend brunch and crafted cocktails.

THE RITZ-CARLTON, MARINA DEL REY

Business travelers know it well, but The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey reveals its best side when guests come seeking sun and serious downtime. It does serve the business crowd, yet its soul is pure relaxation. The hotel also leans into the pleasures of being on the water: a generous saltwater pool framed by palms, a Sisley Spa that knows how to deliver true LA-style pampering, and Cast & Plow, the hotel’s marina-facing restaurant where the California cooking is as breezy as the sailboats drifting by.

The 304 rooms and suites, many with balconies that angle right over the boats, provide a front-row seat to marina life. Part of the fun here is the unmistakable Hollywood pedigree. The hotel pops up in more TV shows and films than most guests realize, and every so often you’ll wander through the lobby to find a camera crew at work. Right next to reception, a loop of film clips shows all the moments the hotel appears on screen, a little wink to anyone who appreciates an LA deep cut.

The Club Lounge takes things up a notch with its all-day spread and relaxed, help-yourself approach. It’s perfect for guests who treat the hotel like a second home. And the service is classic Ritz: warm, polished, and genuinely welcoming, the kind that explains why professional athletes, tech leaders, and the occasional undercover celebrity check in when they want privacy without feeling removed from the city.

WHERE TO DINE

Dear Jane’s sets the tone with its swanky, slightly theatrical atmosphere: dark wood, boudoir-style portraiture, soft lighting, and those marina views. The menu is a greatest hits lineup of classic seafood dishes: oysters on the half shell, Shrimp Louie, elegant trout almondine, or herb-crusted sea bass. Rich, comforting sides recall an earlier era of dining. The bartenders know their way around a proper martini, and the cocktails match the room’s midcentury glamour. It’s the kind of place where you settle into a booth and watch the boats glow under the night lights.

Just down the way, Stoa Wine Bar & Market delivers something entirely different. The backlit bar gives the room a warm, modern glow, and shelves lined with bottles hint at an eclectic, alwaysevolving wine list that invites exploration. The list includes

Marina del Rey

Stoa Wine Bar & Market

expressive bottles, interesting imports, and a few surprises. Stoa’s fantastic pizzas have become a neighborhood staple, and the crowd skews local: friends catching up, couples sharing a bottle, solo diners happily embraced by the communal energy.

For morning coffee and breakfast, Cafe Caché offers a French sensibility. Sailboats bob just beyond the tables, the coffee is strong, and the quiche comes out warm and custardy. Locals settle in with their dogs at their feet, reading, working, or chatting. It’s like a scene lifted from a small European port and the kind of spot that makes visitors imagine they could live here.

Back on Mother’s Beach, Beachside Restaurant & Bar at Jamaica Bay Inn proves that a hotel restaurant can absolutely be a locals’ favorite. The patio is steps from the sand, and the view sweeps across the water in a way that makes even a simple lunch feel like vacation. It’s bright, cheerful, and ideal for families, groups, or sunset cocktails.

With its patio seating and marina views, Brizo Bar & Restaurant is casual enough for a post-beach bite but polished enough for a proper dinner. It’s a natural magnet at sunset when the kitchen turns out bright, coastal plates like shrimp ceviche, Pacific rockfish tacos, and whole Maine lobster. Add a cocktail menu that rewards exploration, and you’ve got a spot that attracts both locals and visitors.

And finally, Cast & Plow at The Ritz-Carlton ties it all together with its expansive patio overlooking the harbor. The kitchen leans into bright California flavors, beautifully prepared seafood, tasty vegetables (don’t miss the brussels sprouts), handmade pastas, and shareable plates that make every meal feel like a special occasion.

WHAT TO DO

Marina del Rey is the kind of place that practically begs you to get out and move. For a first taste, bikes are the perfect starting point. Both Jamaica Bay Inn and The Ritz-Carlton offer rentals, and nothing beats cruising the waterfront paths. It’s a low-effort, highreward way to feel the scale of the marina and the rhythm of the neighborhood all at once.

Then, for a real feel for Marina del Rey, swap land for open water. Naos Yachts will take it from there. Whether you’re looking for a sunset cruise, a private charter, or a sightseeing tour, Naos yachts and sailboats glide you past the harbor’s twists and turns into the Pacific, where views of the iconic California coastline are purely cinematic.

And when you want something hands-on and wholly unexpected, Bitter Root Pottery Aqueous delivers. Overlooking the harbor, the studio hosts pottery classes where you can throw a bowl just as the sun dips low, painting the water in molten gold. There’s something unexpectedly calming about the whole experience, a reminder that Marina del Rey rewards anyone who slows down long enough to enjoy it.

Jamaica Bay Inn, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Bitter Root Pottery Aqueous

FASHION NEWS

DISCOVER THE LATEST IN LUXURY FROM THE TENTH EDITION OF DIOR’S LADY ART TO LOUIS VUITTON’S NEW FRAGRANCE.

BY SHELBY COMROE

LOUIS VUITTON

Louis Vuitton unveils Fantasmagory, a dreamlike new fragrance that brings imagination to life through the artistry of master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. Centered on vanilla, the scent reveals the raw material in all its facets — radiant, floral, and delicately smoky. A single drop evokes warmth and movement, unfolding like a story on the skin. With its sculptural bottle designed by Frank Gehry, Fantasmagory reflects the meeting of art and emotion at the heart of Louis Vuitton’s creative universe.

CHANEL

This winter, CHANEL brings a touch of Parisian polish to the California coast with a new seasonal boutique at Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito. Designed to reflect the area’s natural warmth and effortless charm, the space features ready-to-wear, accessories, and fine jewelry from the Cruise 2025/26 collection. With a tranquil garden and serene coastal views, the boutique blends laid-back elegance with timeless codes — a peaceful escape just steps from the ocean.

FENDI

FENDI revisits one of its most beloved icons with the debut of the Mini Spy Bag. Originally designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 2005, the cult favorite returns in a smaller, more refined shape that still carries the same playful attitude. Crafted in soft leather with the Spy’s signature twisted handles, the new mini version comes in classic shades like black and honey brown, along with bolder takes in bright red, baby pink, and a ponyhair leopard print. It’s a modern nod to a true early-2000s classic.

DIOR

Now in its tenth edition, Dior’s Lady Art project continues to blur the line between fashion and fine art, transforming the iconic Lady Dior into a canvas for creative expression. This anniversary chapter brings together ten international artists, each invited to reinterpret the House icon through their own lens of imagination and craft. Among them, Brazilian artist Sophia Loeb channels her deep connection to nature into four ethereal interpretations of the Lady Dior, each defined by rich textures and organic forms. From pearl-embroidered gardens to molten-red leather lined with a hidden painting, her creations evoke a quiet dialogue between humanity and the natural world.

Dior Maison Cruise 2026 square pillow, $1,500; CD Entrelacé watch box, $8,400; Cross Cannage blanket, $1,900; Cross Cannage square pillow, $750; and CD Entrelacé rectangular pillow, $800;available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

A DiorFête

For the holiday season, Dior invites us into a world where art de vivre and adornment become one dazzling tableau. The Maison’s Crystal glassware glows like captured starlight, its Cannage-etched facets catching every flicker of champagne, while gilded trays and candleholders illuminate the joy of gathering. Alongside Dior Fine Jewelry’s most emblematic collections including Rose des Vents, La Rose Dior, Gem Dior, My Dior, and the La D My Dior timepiece sparkle with the magic of the season. Diamonds and mother of pearl radiate like snowflakes, gold threads entwine like ribbons, and each creation feels destined for celebration. Together, they embody the spirit of Dior: timeless, luminous, and eternally festive.

BY SHELBY COMROE

Dior Maison Cross Cannage small tray, $550; Vase, price upon request; Dior Fine Jewelry My Dior necklace price upon request; My Dior bracelet $10,000; Rose des Vents necklace, $2,500; Dior Timepieces La Mini D My Dior timepiece, price upon request; available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

Dior Maison Cross Cannage vase by Osanna Visconti, $8,900; Dior Fine Jewelry Rose des Vents necklaces $6,250-$8,300; Rose des Vents bracelets $2,500-$4,300; available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

Dior Maison side plate, $140, and Dior Fine Jewelry Rose Dior Pré Catelan necklace, $16,100; available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

Dior Maison dessert plate, $190; Water glass, $300; Dior Fine Jewelry Rose Dior Pré Catelan ring $12,600; available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

Dior Fine Jewelry Rose des Vents necklace, price upon request;available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

Dior Maison Valentine’s Day Collection Crystal candlesticks and vase, price upon request; Dior Fine Jewelry Rose des Vents necklace $18,600; Rose des Vents bracelets $4,100-$4,450; Dior Timepieces Gem Dior timepiece, price upon request; available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

Dior Maison Crystal set of 2 glasses, $850; Crystal set of 3 bowls, $1,050; Dior Fine Jewelry Rose des Vents ring $2,900; Transformable Charms ring $15,500; and Dior Timepieces La D de Dior Satine timepiece, price upon request; available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

Dior Fine Jewelry Rose des Vents rings $2,900-$12,600; available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

Dior Maison Cross Cannage large jewelry box, $4,100; CD Entrelace trinket, $550; Dior Maison Crystal tumbler, candlestick, Large drinking glass, and box, price upon request; available at Dior boutiques nationwide and 1-800-929 Dior

Joanna Jia’s Lotus Rêve Collection Speaks Language of Rebirth, Purity, and Transcendent Beauty

BY OLIVIA DECKER PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREAS ZHOU

SAN FRANCISCO-BASED CHINESE HAUTE COUTURE FASHION

designer Joanna Jia presented her fashion collection “Lotus Rêve” (Lotus Dream) at the International Ladies Charity Federation’s 2025 Charity Gala, which celebrated its eighth anniversary on Sunday, November 2, in South San Francisco. The celebration’s theme for the year was “Lotus Dreams, Compassionate Journey,” mobilizing all sectors of society to continue focusing on the practical needs of the elderly, women, and children. The narrative was woven together by two threads: “Lotus Blossoms” (symbolizing the blossoming of women’s radiance and charitable spirit) and “Pure Heart Like a Lotus” (pointing to the pure and elegant initial intention of philanthropy).

The event included the release of annual charitable achievements and fundraising plans for the new year, an acknowledgment and recognition session, and the use of fashion and art to expand the impact of philanthropy and promote cross-sectoral cooperation and sustainable empowerment between community organizations and caring enterprises. The event was attended by over 600 people and supported by distinguished guests, including representatives from the political, business and philanthropic sectors, who gathered to celebrate the alliance’s remarkable achievements in community service and cultural development over the past eight years. Guests included California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, City and County

of San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, City and County of San Francisco District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen, Millbrae Mayor Anders Fung, Union City Council Member and former Deputy Mayor Jeff Wang, Saratoga City Council Member Yan Zhao, Lions Clubs International District Governor of District 4-C4 Cindy Zheng, Chair of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and District 5 Supervisor David J. Canepa, and Fremont City Council Member Representative Athena Liu.

Joanna Jia is the founder and chairperson of the International Ladies Charity Federation. She delivered the opening address, stating: “Eight years is a mark of our journey and a continuation of our beliefs. From our initial aspirations to our current flourishing state, we have always upheld the mission of serving the community and warming hearts, using the power of charity, art, and fashion to illuminate life and convey hope. This year, my original fashion collection, ‘Lotus Dream,’ echoes and extends the theme of this event, Lotus Dreams, Love and Compassion Go Hand in Hand.’ Its inspiration comes from the lotus philosophy of life: blooming and breathing with the rising of the sun and closing at the setting of the sun, symbolizing the cycle and rebirth of life. The lotus emerges from the mud unsullied, possessing both gentleness and strength, stillness and power, just like the posture of a woman: gentle yet firm, delicate yet unyielding.

Joanna Jia and Olivia Decker presented awards to the models

“I used ‘natural rebirth and inner radiance’ as the design theme, selecting sustainable materials such as recycled silk, lightweight organza, and eco-friendly sequins. Green sequins represent the dynamism of morning dew reflecting on lotus leaves, while pale yellow and ivory embroidery interprets the purity of a newly opened lotus. The multi-layered fabrics and threedimensional silhouette tailoring, combined with wire structures, create a balanced beauty of softness and strength, conveying the harmonious coexistence of feminine power and tenderness.

“I hope to integrate the spirit of charity and the philosophy of life through fashion art, allowing ‘goodness and beauty’ to intertwine and shine between light and shadow, and giving this celebration greater artistic depth and emotional warmth. ‘Lotus Dreams, Love and Kindness Together’ is not just a slogan, but also our guiding principle. The lotus symbolizes purity and resilience, while ‘weaving dreams’ represents cohesion and extension. I hope that every act of kindness can take root and sprout, allowing beauty and love to bloom in every corner of the world.

“In the future, we will continue to focus on elder care, women’s empowerment, and public welfare education, making charity a way of life and allowing the elegance and responsibility of ‘new socialites’ to become the gentlest yet most steadfast force in the community.

Lotus Rêve collection model Irina Lanskaia

Lotus Rêve collection model Ariadne Ledesma

Lotus Rêve collection model Cinderella Adam

Laia Albert wearing the “Emerald Reverie” dress by Joanna Jia Couture

“At the same time, I sincerely thank all the council members and sisters of the International Ladies Charity Federation for their selfless dedication, unity, cooperation, and silent contributions over the years, which are the source of our nonprofit, continuous growth and blossoming. It is because of your concerted efforts that every step we take is more solid and warmer. I look forward to continuing to work hand in hand with everyone in the future, so that ‘kindness and love’ can shine even brighter on more stages.”

The amazing handmade, sustainable couture collection by Joanna Jia Couture, rooted in Chinese heritage and refined through Western craftsmanship, draws inspiration from the ethereal lotus flower, a sacred emblem of purity and resilience in Chinese culture. Each piece in Lotus Rêve blends fluid silk forms with structural precision. Shades of green and pink evoke the lotus pond at dawn: tranquil, luminous, and alive with possibility. Every garment, meticulously handcrafted with sustainable techniques, becomes a meditation on harmony: between nature and innovation, heritage and modernity, stillness and evolution. Lotus Rêve invites its audience into a world where fashion transcends ornamentation, becoming a language of rebirth, purity, and transcendent beauty. Visit joannajiacouture.com for the complete collection.

Joanna Jia receives the proclamation from Millbrae Mayor Anders Fung

Joanna Jia modeling her blue gown

TIME, FAITH, and the SOUNDTRACK of a LIFETIME

ANDREA BOCELLI LOOKS BACK ON 30 YEARS OF ARTISTRY AND AHEAD TO A SEASON OF CELEBRATION — SHARING HOW MUSIC REMAINS HIS MEDICINE, HIS PRAYER, AND HIS GREATEST GIFT TO THE WORLD.

INTERVIEW BY LAURA SCHREFFLER

PHOTOGRAPHY LUCA ROSSETTI

Andrea Bocelli has long commanded the world’s most iconic stages, and this December he brings that same magic back to Madison Square Garden.

Performing in New York, he says, is unlike anywhere else — an intoxicating mix of grandeur, cultural diversity, and intimacy. At the Garden, he feels both at the center of the world and “completely at home,” embraced by an American audience that has followed his career with profound devotion.

Now, as he celebrates the 30th anniversary of Romanza — the bestselling album of all time by an Italian artist — the 67-year-old icon reflects on the milestones that shaped him. From the song that launched his global career, “Time to Say Goodbye,” to sacred performances at the Vatican, to philanthropic work through his Andrea Bocelli Foundation, his journey has been guided by a single constant: the pursuit of beauty as a balm for the soul. And as he looks ahead, Bocelli insists the greatest luxury in life is not fame or fortune, but the things money can’t buy.

What makes performing in New York, especially at Madison Square Garden, distinct for you compared to other stages around the world?

It’s the ideal place to share an evening of celebration and to experience together the extraordinary, positive energy that arises from it. This is also a city where I truly feel the deep affection — a hundred percent mutual — that the American audience has for my work and for me personally. It also gives me a priceless sensation, a kind of exhilarating vertigo: the feeling of being at the very center of the world, yet at the same time feeling completely “at home” surrounded by friends.

How has your own relationship with music evolved over 30 years — has it deepened, changed, or surprised you in any way?

Music— whether classical or operatic, in particular — continues to be my “secret medicine,” my way of bringing lightness to life. The desire to keep evolving, I believe, is a constant for me, both as a person and as an artist. I can say that not a day goes by without my being struck by the beauty of a phrase or of a musical passage whose perfection I hadn’t noticed before.

Speaking of long-term relationships, you have been working with Stefano Ricci for many years. How does the brand reflect your own philosophy of beauty and refinement?

Stefano Ricci is a refined designer, a dear friend and fellow countryman, and someone with an enormous heart. My wife and I also share a wonderful friendship with his big, beautiful family. Over the years, we’ve joined forces on several important philanthropic initiatives,

owing to their sensitivity and genuine will to do good. I consider it a privilege to be able to work with them.

If you could give advice to the younger Andrea Bocelli, just starting out before Romanza, what would you tell him?

In my youth I made a few mistakes, but I always had quite clear ideas, thanks to the values instilled in me by my family. I might not say anything to the young Bocelli, perhaps, so as not to spoil the surprise! Or maybe I’d just tell him to accept life’s gifts as they come, without overthinking them — because nothing happens by chance, and we should trust in the divine design that guides each of our lives.

Looking ahead, what do you hope your legacy will be — through both your music and your foundation’s work?

Our lives are brief segments of time; even a century, when measured against eternity, is scarcely a moment. Assuming that in the decades to come anyone would take interest in my life, I would hope to be remembered as a man of integrity — someone who loved his work and approached it with seriousness and intellectual honesty; a man who helped rekindle the public’s love for opera.

What to you is the greatest luxury in life and why?

True luxury lies in the things money can’t buy — so it’s faith, love, serenity, and time. Time to reflect, to pray, to discover, to be passionate about life. Time to enjoy nature and the company of our fellow travelers on this earth.

2026 Aston Martin Roadster

BY TIM LAPPEN

IS THERE A CREATOR OF MORE BEAUTIFUL CARS THAN ASTON MARTIN?

Beauty, of course, is in the eye of the driver (and passenger), but I’ve loved virtually every Aston since the DB2 of the early 1950s — and they’ve only become sleeker and more stunning over time. The inspired cross-marketing of James Bond and the Aston Martin DB5 elevated the brand exponentially. After all, who wouldn’t want some of Q’s gadgets for the morning commute?

In the real world, the DB lineage has now reached the DB12, and today’s models are more sculpted and powerful than ever. While Aston still offers V12s, most modern models are powered by the brand’s refined twin-turbo V8 — a mainstay that provides ample punch. The car in focus here, the Vantage Roadster, puts that engine to excellent use:

• Horsepower: 670 hp

• Torque: 590 lb-ft

• Top speed: 202 mph

• 0–60 mph: 3.6 seconds

• Base price: $205,900

But the Vantage Roadster is more than a steroidal supercar. With a stance that declares “Right Now,” its scoops, creases, aero bits, and long-

hood/short-deck proportions telegraph the performance ahead. Despite weighing a solid 3,980 pounds, its near-perfect 49/51 front-rear balance gives it exceptional poise in high-speed corners. (Note: no speed limits were knowingly ignored in the creation of this article.)

“My” Vantage wore Satin Iridescent Sapphire, a matte blue that shimmered differently in every light, paired with a black fabric convertible top. Inside, navy blue semi-aniline leather — soft, rich, and lightly finished for a natural look — created a cabin of restrained elegance. Satin-black forged wheels, carbon-fiber accents, smokedchrome badging, and dark-chrome jewelry completed the picture. Options added roughly $100,000, bringing the total to $309,100 — and worth every cent of visual drama.

Driving the Roadster (Aston departs from its usual “Volante” naming here) is a pleasure before the engine even starts. The lines demand admiration; the finish invites touch. Opening the door reveals craftsmanship of the highest order — every surface a testament to British design and material excellence. Once seated, you’re enveloped in a cockpit that feels both luxurious and purposeful.

Fresh air luxury.

On the road, the Vantage’s adjustability impresses. A twist of a single dial transforms the car from quiet cruiser to track weapon, altering exhaust note, suspension firmness, and transmission response on demand.

I am lucky to have Malibu Canyon and the legendary Mulholland Highway within easy reach — ideal territory to explore what the Vantage can do. The Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers, capable of thousands of adjustments per second, flatten bumps and stabilize transitions from long sweepers to off-camber corners. The electronic rear differential (E-Diff) adjusts from fully open to fully locked in just a tenth of a second, optimizing traction whether accelerating hard or carving corners.

The result is part Downton Abbey, part Le Mans: a car of supreme luxury that can unleash fury at a moment’s notice. Despite its opulent cabin, the Vantage is startlingly quick and agile. Its blend of beauty, brawn, and balance makes one wonder — GT or sports car? The answer, delightfully, is yes. It’s whatever your right foot decides.

My time with the Vantage ended far too soon, but that’s the truest testament to its appeal. The looks, the sound, the feel — together they create an experience that’s as unforgettable as it is quintessentially Aston Martin.

Power In Motion

At once fierce and fluid, Cartier’s latest Panthère Transversale creations embody the Maison’s eternal muse — the panther — in her most sculptural form yet. From supple torque necklaces to diamondset cuffs and timepieces, each piece channels her magnetism through movement, volume, and light. The result is a collection that bridges strength and sensuality, carrying forward Jeanne Toussaint’s legacy of daring elegance in every curve and contour.

BY SHELBY COMROE

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARTIER

Panthère de Cartier bracelet, 18k yellow gold, tsavorite garnets, onyx, lacquer, and diamonds; available

Cartier boutiques nationwide,

Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k white gold, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, $32,000; available at Cartier boutiques nationwide, 1-800-CARTIER, and cartier.com

Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k white gold, emeralds, sapphires, onyx, and diamonds, $62,000; available at Cartier boutiques nationwide, 1-800-CARTIER, and cartier.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARTIER

Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k yellow gold, tsavorite garnets, lacquer, and onyx, $10,300; Panthère de Cartier necklace, 18k yellow gold, tsavorite garnets, onyx, and diamonds, $24,800; available at Cartier boutiques nationwide, 1-800-CARTIER, and cartier.com

Panthère de Cartier watch, medium model, 18k rose gold, and diamonds, $38,400; Panthère de Cartier watch, mini model, 18k rose gold, and diamonds, $38,600; available at Cartier boutiques nationwide, 1-800-CARTIER, and cartier.com

Panthère de Cartier watch, medium model, 18k yellow gold and diamonds, $59,500; Panthère de Cartier watch, small model, 18k rose gold and diamonds, $76,000; Panthère de Cartier watch, medium model, 18k rose gold, spessartites, lacquer, and diamonds, $165,000; available at Cartier boutiques nationwide, 1-800-CARTIER, and cartier.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARTIER

Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k yellow gold, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, $29,900; Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k yellow gold, tsavorite garnets, lacquer, and onyx, $19,500; Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k white gold, emeralds, sapphires, onyx, and diamonds, $62,000; Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k white gold, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, $32,000; Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k rose gold, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, $29,900; available at Cartier boutiques nationwide, 1-800-CARTIER, and cartier.com

Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k yellow gold, lacquer, onyx, and peridots, $34,300; Panthère de Cartier ring, 18k white gold, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, $90,500; Panthère de Cartier earrings, 18k rose gold, rubellites, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, $217,000; available at Cartier boutiques nationwide, 1-800-CARTIER, and cartier.com

Panthère de Cartier bracelet, 18k yellow gold, tsavorite garnets, onyx, lacquer, and diamonds, $15,300;

Panthère de Cartier bracelet, 18k yellow gold, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, $65,500; Panthère de Cartier bracelet, 18k rose gold, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds, $65,500; Panthère de Cartier bracelet, 18k rose gold, tsavorite garnets, onyx, lacquer, and diamonds, $15,300; available at Cartier boutiques nationwide, 1-800-CARTIER, and cartier.com

California Lifestyle Collection

408 GOLDEN GATE AVENUE

BELVEDERE

rooms open onto a spacious 1,000+ square foot waterfront deck for gracious outdoor entertaining. The full floor luxurious master suite upstairs includes a fireplace, 2 walk-in closets, an o ce area with huge view window, and a terrace overlooking the Bay. Wide plank French light oak floors are throughout the entire home. Almost every room enjoys spectacular views of the Bay, San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Mount Tam, and beyond.

4 BEDS | 5 BATHS | 1 HALF-BATHS | ±4,890 SQ. FT $28,000/month

Luxury Fully Furnished Rental with Pool

There is a gated garden and a 2-car garage plus ample street parking. Belvedere is recognized as the safest community in the Bay Area, and West Shore Road is a wide ﬂat street for ample space for biking, walking, and parking. It is also the best yachting location on San Francisco Bay, with easy access to Corinthian Yacht Club and San Francisco Yacht Club. Belvedere Park and downtown Tiburon are just a short distance away, where you can catch ferry services to San Francisco and Angel Island, and enjoy a dozen great restaurants including Michael Mina’s Bungalow Kitchen, Malibu Farm and Le Petite Left Bank bistro. For details and pictures please visit www.55WestShore.com.

Spectacular contemporary style home designed by renowned architect Daniel Hunter AIA, built in 2003 and renovated in 2014. This unique home with view of downtown Tiburon, Corinthian Island, two yacht clubs, Belvedere Cove, and Angel Island features lush tropical gardens, a dramatic entry bridge, foyer with living room, an o ce, and staircase with curved glass walls descends to huge open-ﬂoor plan dining/family room/kitchen with high ceilings and wall to wall glass doors on both sides. Luxurious primary suite, two en-suite bedrooms, sitting room, and media room with full bathrooms can serve as a bedroom. O pool level, there is a detached guest quarter with a full bathroom, a beautiful pool with a huge lounging terrace for outdoor entertaining, and a level turf athletic green lawn. Amazing turnkey home for Belvedere on the best block at the end of Golden Gate Avenue. Also o ered for fully furnished rental at $28,000 per month.

Michael Mina Returns to Union Square in Style

Bourbon Steak reimagines a San Francisco classic

BY FRAN MILLER

POWELL AND GEARY HAVE LONG ANCHORED UNION Square’s whirl of hotels, shops, and cable cars. And for decades, the Westin St. Francis has been the constant in the middle of the vivacity. But lately, a new arrival has lifted the energy inside the hotel’s historic walls. Michael Mina has come home.

For anyone who followed San Francisco dining in the ’90s and early aughts, Mina’s return to this hotel is poignant. The old-school Compass Rose lounge once occupied this space. Then came Restaurant Michael Mina, the spot that helped define his early voice in the culinary world: a stage where he introduced the city to his “trios” tasting concept, layering flavor and texture in sets of three. Bourbon Steak later arrived as a more contemporary expression of his style. It held court in this spot for six years before shuttering in 2016.

Now, with the debut of the new Bourbon Steak and its companion speakeasy bar, The Eighth Rule, Mina returns with a sense of forward motion. The hotel’s transformation feels both grounded in memory and lit with fresh vitality. It’s the kind of renewal this corner of the city has been waiting for.

A NEW CENTER OF GRAVITY ON POWELL STREET

Walk in from the Powell Street entrance and the first thing you see is the Bourbon Lounge, which has quickly become a gathering place for after-work meetups, pre-theater cocktails, and a late-night Old Fashioned made with Stephen Curry’s Gentleman’s Cut bourbon.

It’s not simply a hotel counter, but a full square that feels like its own plaza. Bartenders rotate in the center, shaking, stirring, and pouring for guests who congregate along the perimeter or drift into the standing-room pockets around it. It’s a social center with a pulse that instantly brightens the hotel lobby and sets a celebratory tone.

AN INVITING DINING ROOM

Beyond the lounge and up a flight a stairs, the restaurant unfolds in a series of warm, curved lines with windows that look out over city action. Original elements such as green marble columns and intricately molded ceilings have been preserved. Velvet booths in rich hues wrap around the dining room. Soft sconces and sculptural fixtures provide sultry illumination. The room carries a fresh sense of glamour, and the crowd seems to understand the assignment. There’s a stylishness in the air that feels unmistakably San Francisco. It’s the canvas that Mina deserves for his return to this historic address.

MINA’S SIGNATURE TOUCHES

The menu reads like a reunion of favorites. Mina has built a career on dishes that deliver pleasure and flavor, and here he pulls from that repertoire. The Maine lobster pot pie arrives with ceremony. Servers lift the pastry top and reveal whole pieces of lobster coated in a velvety broth scented with cognac and winter vegetables. The aroma alone draws glances from neighboring tables. Then there’s

Dining room at Bourbon Steak San Francisco

the crab cake Pop-Tart®, a playful nod to childhood comfort. Instead of sweetness, it delivers tender crab tucked inside a delicate pastry shell with a warm, citrus-tinged sauce that adds brightness. It captures Mina’s signature blend of fun and finesse.

Caviar, one of Mina’s longtime love languages, gets its own spotlight, and the Caviar Trio is the way to go in order to enjoy his varied interpretations of the delicacy. With a nod to his former “trios” concept, it includes smaller portions of his yuzu crème fraîche filled “Twinkie,” a taste of his caviar parfait, and a bit of caviar and tuna toro.

Mina’s desserts follow the same spirit of whimsical pleasure; he excels at taking familiar flavors and advancing them into adulthood. A nostalgic root beer float arrives with sassafras ice cream, root beer sorbet, and walnut chip cookies. The Creamsicle® shaved ice nods to summertime treats with coconut cream and mango ice. But the warm beignets take the dessert prize. They are served with “dipping custards”: Macallan 12 butterscotch pudding, crème brulée with fresh raspberries, and milk chocolate pot de crème. Sigh.

THE TOMAHAWK: A SHOW WORTH WATCHING

And then there’s the star of the show: a 40-ounce Australian Wagyu tomahawk steak, salt-baked and bourbon-flamed tableside. The item mixes presentation with genuine technique. The salt crust breaks open with a crack as the bourbon flare rises in a quick blaze, drawing oohs and aahs from nearby diners. It’s impossible not to watch. The meat itself shows the benefit of patience and detail: deep marbling, a tender texture, and rich, salty flavor. It’s sliced and served with stuffed tomatoes and fondant potatoes. Several dishes follow this tableside spirit, adding a cinematic element to the meal. The dining room becomes a kind of culinary theater, with small scenes unfolding from one table to the next.

THE EIGHTH RULE: A SPEAKEASY FOR THE BOURBON SET

In partnership with Stephen Curry, Mina also unveiled The Eighth Rule, the speakeasy-style bourbon bar that anchors the other half of this opening. The menu explores American whiskey with flights that trace the arc of regional distilling traditions. Cocktails make smart use of bitters, spices, and house infusions. It’s a place for slow sipping, and it complements the restaurant beautifully. Guests often begin or end their night there.

A HOMECOMING WITH FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Mina’s return to the Westin St. Francis feels less like retracing old steps and more like reclaiming a creative home. He knows the building and its history, he knows the expectations that come with reopening a flagship in an iconic locale, and he approaches it all with enthusiasm. Union Square has evolved over the years, and so has San Francisco’s dining landscape. But Mina’s new Bourbon Steak shows how timeless ideas such as warm hospitality, thoughtful technique, and an inviting setting still carry power and cachet. And the guests respond in kind.

The restaurant brings a renewed spark to the hotel and to the neighborhood at large. For longtime fans, it’s a welcome return. For new diners, it’s an invitation to understand why Michael Mina became one of the city’s defining culinary voices in the first place. And for the Westin St. Francis, it marks a new chapter: vibrant, confident, and already drawing a lively crowd through the Powell Street doors.

Fran Miller and Olivia Decker at Bourbon Steak dinner

Bourbon Steak lounge

Stephen Curry and Michael Mina at Bourbon Steak

Salt-baked and bourbon-flamed 36 oz. Australian Wagyu tomahawk steak

Warm Beignets with Dipping Custards

Clementine Restaurant Opens at Estate Yountville

BY JENNIFER BODEN

CLEMENTINE IS YOUNTVILLE’S NEWEST RESTAURANT, LED BY acclaimed executive chef Rebecca Weitzman, who brings a fresh perspective to California cuisine, blending Mediterranean influences with the best seasonal bounty. Her thoughtful dishes spotlight standout ingredients with inventive touches and eye-catching presentation. “A clementine fruit is bright and full of flavor, just like our menu,” says Weitzman. “From the start, we wanted Clementine to reflect that same persona in every detail, and it was a collaborative effort to do so.”

Clementine’s design radiates citrusy charm and warmth. Handillustrated menus, custom-embroidered aprons, and a cozy patio shaded by olive and citrus trees give it an inviting ambiance. The

menu changes with the season. In winter, guests can enjoy stonefired flatbreads; wood-grilled Tomales Bay oysters, burrata; lobster Benedict; salt-baked branzino; swordfish; duck leg confit; ribeye with grilled king trumpet mushrooms, and more.

For a sweet finish, Clementine tempts with rotating house-made gelatos and their signature clementine sorbet, a simple pleasure that’s become a fast favorite. As the afternoon sun sets to the golden hour, unwind over one of Clementine’s signature sips. Enjoy a selection of Aperol-based cocktails. A curated wine list rounds out the offerings, including both local Napa Valley favorites and crisp Italian varietals meant to complement the menu’s sunlit flavors.

Clementine

Charred petite filet

Wood-grilled Tomales Bay oysters

Burrata savory corn pancakes

BELVEDERE

California Lifestyle Collection

408 GOLDEN GATE AVENUE

4 BEDS | 5 BATHS | 1 HALF-BATHS | ±4,890 SQ. FT

$28,000/month

Luxury Fully Furnished Rental with Pool

4 BEDS | 5 BATHS | 1 HALF-BATHS | ±4,890 SQ. FT $28,000/month

Luxury Fully Furnished Rental with Pool

Luxury Fully Furnished Rental with Pool

Tasting the Stars

La Fête du Champagne’s debut in Los Angeles

BY OLIVIA DE SANTIS

NEWS STATIONS WARNED LA RESIDENTS OF THE ATMOSPHERIC river approaching the city in mid-November. In a small corner of the city though, a much more pleasant and rare downpour ensued. The champagne showers at La Fête du Champagne’s gala dinner transformed the Fairmont’s Starlight Ballroom into a wild, sparkling celebration. Luckily, the record-breaking rainfall didn’t interrupt my travel plans, and I arrived right on time for the grand finale of the three-day champagne celebration in Los Angeles.

This year, La Fête du Champagne made its grand debut on the West Coast. The Fairmont’s Starlight Ballroom buzzed with excitement for the formal feast of bubbles, gourmet delicacies, and dancing. The most famous champenois—the winemakers, cellar masters, and family members of the legendary maisons—made the 6,000-mile journey to pour their wines for the most loyal champagne enthusiasts. To fully appreciate and understand what makes this luxurious beverage and La Fête so special, we must take a peek into the history and laborious production process of champagne. I recommend pouring yourself a glass of Krug for a more comprehensive learning experience.

The controversial origins of champagne date back to the mid1600s, even before Dom Perignon took his first life-changing sip of champagne. After a second fermentation in the bottle, Dom Perignon was surprised to taste a sparkle in his glass, famously exclaiming to his comrades, “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!” Although he did not actually invent champagne, Dom Perignon is credited with dramatically improving the quality and techniques that luxury champagne maisons still use today.

If you enjoy champagne on special occasions or on the odd weekday, you are probably familiar with the famous maisons like Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, Cristal, Krug, and Bollinger. What you might not know is there are about 320 maisons, but over 4,000 total producers when you include all the small-scale operations following the strict AOC rules in Champagne. The previously mentioned maisons are considered larger maisons and dominate about 90% of production and exports. They are consistent with their blending and branding and have decades worth of base wines that the chef de cave (winemaker) can pull from the ancient underground cellar to make a distinct style year after year.

At La Fête du Champagne, guests have the opportunity to taste bottlings from these world-famous maisons in addition to the smaller grower-producers who have garnered their own cult followings. The champagnes shared at La Fête included rare and old vintages in special, large format bottles. To make it even more exciting, the directors and proprietors were the ones dancing around the room, pouring champagne into every guest’s glass. It was a night like no other, with hundreds of legendary champagnes filling glasses with pure starlight revealed after decades of hiding away in the damp, dark cellars of Champagne, France.

The inaugural La Fête du Champagne in Los Angeles welcomed 160 guests, 24 champenois, five lead chefs, and an impressive list of sommeliers from award-winning restaurants across the country. Sadly, one very important champenois was missing: the late Frédéric Panaïotis, cellar master of Champagne Ruinart. With a toast to his incredible contributions to champagne, there was no better way to honor him than with the very beverage that he spent his life perfecting.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAMES FRENCH FOR LA FÊTE DU CHAMPAGNE

Jean Baptiste Lécaillon of Louis Roederer welcoming guests to the gala dinner

Considering there were 160 guests, one might be shocked to find out how many bottles were in fact opened for this occasion. Only 109 standard 750 ml bottles were popped that evening, but that number is quite deceiving. You must remember La Fête is all about grandeur, rarities, and large formats. In addition to the standard bottles, 54 magnums (equivalent to two standard bottles) and 23 jeroboams (equivalent to four standard bottles) were enjoyed by guests. That is the equivalent of 309 standard bottles of champagne—quite a lot for 160 people!

The most expensive bottle shared was the 2008 Cristal in jeroboam, which retails for about $3,5000—if you can even find one in the market! I can confirm that it was an incredible champagne, but what made it even more special was that Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, chef de cave for Louis Roederer, poured it himself. The oldest champagne of the night was the Lanson Vintage Collection 1985 in magnum, but I did hear whispers that there was a secret bottle of 1982 Piper-Heidsieck Sauvrage floating around. Some standouts included a jeroboam of Aspasie Champagne Cépages d’Antan made from near-extinct champagne varietals and Krug Rosé 24ème Édition in jeroboam brought and poured by Olivier Krug himself. A personal highlight was befriending the champenois seated across from me, Christophe Baron, who not only makes an incredible champagne, but who kept me laughing the whole night and was the culprit of the first champagne shower.

With so much incredible champagne dancing around the room, the chefs delivered a menu that was equally as luxurious and mind-blowing. Each dish was designed to highlight and elevate the champagne, making every sip and bite a novel experience of sensory pleasure. Chefs Jon Yao of Kato, Dave Beran of Pasioli and Seline, Josiah Citrin of Citrin and Mélisse, Ludo Lefebvre of Petit Trois, Soyoung Scanlan of Andante Dairy, and Joseph Cook of the Fairmont Miramar created dishes more mouthwatering than the next. A visit to each of those restaurants, most of which hold a Michelin star, will be on my wish list for the foreseeable future.

That leads me to the most important lesson of the night: open the special bottle of champagne you have at home! Share it with your nearest and dearest, make tonight the celebration, let the champagne showers pour, dance, laugh, and remember that you are drinking the stars!

Guests seated at Christophe Baron’s table

The champenois celebrating

Olivia De Santis and Emmett Haley of En Primeur Club joining the traditional fête conga line

The champenois enjoying the festivities

Austin Burgess of Vinovest tasting Christophe Baron’s champagne

Opus One : Heritage and Innovation in Harmony

When the wine debuted in 1979, it redefined what American wine could be.

BY FRAN MILLER

WHEN ROBERT MONDAVI AND BARON PHILIPPE DE Rothschild sealed their partnership with a handshake in 1978, they weren’t just making a deal; they were composing a duet. One brought the restless ingenuity of Napa Valley; the other, the Old World discipline of Bordeaux. Together, they set out to create a wine that transcended geography and time. They called it Opus One, a name chosen for its musical cadence and a nod to balance, harmony, and the art of collaboration.

Along Napa’s Highway 29, the winery rises from the vineyards like a limestone crescendo—modern and serene. Just across from the Robert Mondavi Winery, it stands as both counterpoint and companion, a physical expression of two worlds in conversation. When the first Opus One vintage debuted in 1979, it redefined what American wine could be. Today, that partnership endures, jointly owned by Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A. and Constellation Brands and anchored by the same founding principles.

THE VISION

Long before the estate existed, the earliest vintages of Opus One were made in borrowed space at the Mondavi Winery. When its permanent home finally rose from Oakville soil in 1991, architect Scott Johnson’s design captured the founders’ intent: elegance without excess. The limestone structure arcs gently into the earth, a modernist sculpture. Even the logo tells a story: it’s the mirrored silhouettes of Mondavi and Rothschild, an emblem of their shared vision.

THE WINE

Few wineries in Napa embody continuity like Opus One. Each vintage carries the unmistakable stamp of the estate: structured yet graceful, deliberate yet expressive. Winemaker Michael Silacci, who joined in 2001, speaks of his role as stewardship: to protect what the vineyard gives and let it speak clearly. Every release is a single statement, never a series, composed from the five Bordeaux varietals in whatever proportion nature dictates that year. Though Cabernet Sauvignon leads, the blend’s balance is the true signature, one that shifts slightly with each season. (Opus One identifies only as a red wine; it’s an intentional distinction that offers the winemaking team creative latitude.)

The estate’s second label, Overture, draws on multiple vintages to offer a more immediate expression of that same philosophy. Plush and approachable yet disciplined in structure, it’s proof that Opus One’s artistry extends beyond a single crescendo.

ART, LIGHT, AND LEGACY

To visit Opus One is to step into a world where art, architecture, and agriculture share equal billing. The estate’s interiors blend refinement with warmth, telling its story through objects that span centuries. The 18th century Medici engagement mirror gleams in the grand salon; early artworks by Georges Braque and Joan Miró recall the winery’s early label designs. In the foyer, a shimmering installation by Rosalind Tallmadge—The Four Seasons—radiates gold, rose gold, and mica, transforming with each passing hour. The effect is mesmerizing: light, art, and vineyard reflected in one another.

THE EXPERIENCES

Opus One offers a trio of deeply considered tastings, each designed to draw guests closer to the estate’s spirit of craftsmanship. Appointments are intentionally limited—no crowds, no rush, just quiet conversation and the sound of corks easing free.

The Estate Tasting ($125 per person) begins with a walk through the “rocky outcrop” garden inspired by Napa’s eastern ridgetops, then continues to the tasting salon, where soft jazz sets a relaxed tempo. Guests sample two vintages of Opus One and a pour of Overture, guided through the nuances of vintage and terroir before ascending to the rooftop terrace for a sweeping view of the valley.

The Opus One Experience ($200 per person) elevates the encounter with an interactive tasting in the Partners’ Room overlooking the vineyards. Guests enjoy a curated flight of current and library vintages, paired with a thoughtful culinary complement and framed by stories of the estate’s evolution.

For the most immersive journey, Art of the Table ($650 per person) brings wine, cuisine, and art together in perfect sync. Led by executive chef Sean Koenig, the private 2.5-hour experience begins with a behind-the-scenes tour before unfolding into a fourcourse menu that highlights the estate’s seasonal ingredients, some grown and foraged onsite. Even the bread is baked with wild yeast from the vineyards.

A recent menu opened with a 2021 Robert Mondavi ToKalon I Block Fume Blanc served with pork terrine layered with confit rabbit and mustard béchamel. A pour of Opus One 2012 followed, served with sautéed skate wing accented with black truffle. A whimsical “steak and potatoes” reimagined the duo as prime beef crowned with a bone marrow croquette, was served with two pours: Opus One 2019 and Opus One 2022. (Tasting three vintages of Opus One side by side allows guests to appreciate how each year’s growing season shapes the wine’s character while revealing the consistent craftsmanship behind every bottle.) Pastry chef Daniela Sanchez closed the afternoon with a pinecone bavarois, a confection of pine nut praline and dark cocoa crumble that looked as sculptural as it tasted sublime.

As guests depart, they receive a special takeaway, curated to accompany Opus One’s flavor profiles. It’s a small but memorable gesture and proof that luxury often lies in the details.

STEADFAST CRAFTSMANSHIP

More than four decades after that first handshake, Opus One continues to set the standard for balance and grace in Napa Valley. Its enduring appeal lies in its steady commitment to quality that is timeless and contemporary. Even as global wine production and consumption decline, Opus One continues to command rarefied status—proof that excellence endures even when the market contracts. As Christopher Barefoot, the winery’s vice president of global communications and marketing, puts it, “People may be drinking less, but they are drinking better.”

Whether you’re a collector, a connoisseur, or simply someone who values craft, a visit to Opus One offers something rare: the chance to slow down, savor excellence, and taste harmony itself. Reservations for Art of the Table and other private experiences may be made directly through opusonewinery.com.

Lydia Graham is a passionate advocate of healthy living. She has launched and positioned health and wellness-related companies, products, technologies, and organizations receiving more than 100 awards nationally and internationally. Her focus in the health sector is specifically on healthy living, aging, and longevity. She is a partner and investor in several nationally recognized brands. Graham envisions the possibility people can enjoy life at 95 as much as at 25 and that the steps we take each day matter on our heallh journey.

Harness Your Exercise Personality for Lasting Fitness Success

Which exercise is right for you?

BY LYDIA GRAHAM

WITH ANOTHER NEW YEAR STARTING, YOU ARE PROBABLY among those ready to reflect on and eager to set your New Year’s resolutions for the year ahead. If improving your fitness is at the top of that list, you are not alone. If the past is any indication, according to the 2025 Fitness Resolutions survey by the Health and Fitness Association (HFA), fitness or exercise was the most popular focus prioritized by approximately 96 million U.S. adults. And for those who attend a gym regularly, you might be a bit irritated to have to wait longer for your favorite machine in January. Eighty-eight percent of these 96 million adults cited “access to fitness facilities to be important to achieving their goals.”

January is by far the busiest month in health clubs seeing a surge in new memberships. Club regulars are relieved when the newbies’ attendance starts to trickle down—often within a few weeks. How can you ensure you are not one of those well-meaning but fair weather exercisers?

MAKE RESOLUTIONS THAT WILL LAST.

It is sobering to know that most New Year’s resolutions are not sustainable. A Forbes Health/One Poll survey found “the average resolution lasts just 3.74 months. Only 8% of respondents tend to stick to goals for one month, while 22% last two months, 22% last three months, and 13% last four months.”

Start your exercise program by checking first with your health practitioner regarding any limitations around existing health conditions or previous injuries.

When setting fitness goals, set goals that are action-oriented, incremental, and measurable over time, so you can track your progress. Even more importantly, these goals should be realistic and achievable. Take stock of the tools and access and time you have available to make your goals happen. Do you currently have access to a gym, a track, or the right equipment at home or when traveling? If you travel a lot, have you learned a routine you can do anywhere, particularly in a hotel room? Are you a morning or evening exerciser? What works best for both your biorhythms and your schedule?

CHOOSING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR THE LONG HAUL

What is the best exercise program for you? The simplest answer is one you will stick to. What we enjoy is what we stay with over time. This might take a bit of reflection and introspection at the outset. Think about the physical activities you enjoyed in the past and the kinds of activities you are drawn to. What’s more, have you ever considered what your exercise personality might be? Yes, there is such a thing. If you choose an exercise program that synchronizes with your personality type, you will be more motivated and better able to achieve your overall fitness goals. Note: this is about you—not your partner’s or friend’s patterns, but yours. Making the choices that complement your natural instincts sets you up for lasting success.

YOUR EXERCISE PERSONALITY: WHICH EXERCISE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

The American Sports and Fitness Association (ASFA) identifies five exercise personalities, their traits, best fitness activities, and ways to maximize your workouts as follows:

The Social Butterfly

This personality:

• “Thrives on interaction and group activities.

• Feels motivated by the energy of others.

• Enjoys teamwork and social engagement.

• Enjoys shared experience and accountability.”

Best fitness activities for this group are group fitness classes, team sports, and workout partners.

To maximize your workout: “Schedule regular group activities like a regular fitness class or group hike. Join a fitness community or challenge, whether online or in person.”

The Solo Artist

This personality:

• “Prefers working out alone, at your own pace.

• Finds motivation internally, without relying on others.

• Enjoys focusing on personal goals and self-improvement.

• Enjoys activities that allow control of your workout without the distraction of others.”

Best fitness activities for this group are running, yoga, and cycling.

To maximize your workout: “Set personal goals. Fitness apps and challenges allow you to compete with yourself.”

The Competitive Athlete

This personality:

• Is “driven by competition and the desire to win.

• Enjoys pushing physical limits and beating personal records.

• Thrives in competitive environments and loves tracking progress.

• Thrive[s] on the challenge of beating others or outperforming yourself.”

Best fitness activities for this group are ones “that involve measurable results and competition, such as races, sports leagues, or performancebased fitness classes.”

To maximize your workouts: Include “setting short- and long-term performance goals such as lifting capacity, improving speed, or winning a race.”

The Nature Lover

This personality:

• “Prefers being outdoors and connecting with nature.

• Enjoys exploring new environments and using exercise as a way to experience nature.

• Finds peace and relaxation in natural surroundings.”

Best fitness activities for this group are hiking and trail running, water sports, and outdoor yoga.

To maximize your workout: “Plan regular outdoor fitness adventures such as weekend hikes, beach runs or mountain biking.” Incorporate “seasonal outdoor activities like skiing in winter or swimming in the summer.”

The DIY Enthusiast

This personality:

• “Enjoys creating custom workouts and experimenting with different exercises and equipment.

• Prefers working out at home or in a private setting.

• Values convenience, creativity, and autonomy in fitness routines.

• Prefers the freedom and flexibility of designing your own workout program.”

Best fitness activities for this group are weights, resistance bands, bodyweight movements, Pilates, HIIT, and strength training.

To maximize your workout: “Keep your routine fresh by trying new activities … through online tutorials or fitness apps. Build a home workout schedule that aligns with your lifestyle.”

Note that humans are complicated and rarely fit neatly into boxes. You may see yourself in more than one of these categories as I do. But consider the possibility that one of these categories is your dominant preference.

ANOTHER STUDY, ANOTHER PERSONALITY MODEL

In the world of psychology, countless models of personality exist. In 2025, a study by the University College London and the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health received a lot of press Researchers studied 130 participants using a different personality model. (Eighty-six completed the study at eight weeks.) At the outset, participants were asked to complete a Big Five personality questionnaire along with a stress questionnaire. They were then given an eight-week training plan consisting of three days per week of cycling (at various intensities) and one day of weight training. This study focused on enjoyment of exercise wersus training outcomes. After each training session participants were asked to rate how much they enjoyed the session.

The Big Five (also known as the Five Factor or OCEAN model of personality) personality categories break down as follows:

Contentiousness: How goal-directed, persistent, and organized are you?

Extraversion: How much you are energized by the outside world?

Neuroticism: How sensitive are you to stress and negative emotional triggers?

Openous: How open are you to new ideas and experiences?

Agreeableness: How much you put others’ interests and needs ahead of your own?

The researchers found: “Extraversion predicted greater enjoyment of high intensity exercise sessions the most such as HIIT, and (these participants) enjoyed more effort in lab tests such as VO2 max. They were the fittest on the endurance tests but not on the strength scores. Conscientiousness predicted well-rounded fitness levels: higher strength, lower fat, and more regular activity. However, this personality type did not predict enjoyment of any particular exercise. It is possible they were driven by the anticipated health benefits of exercise, whether they enjoyed them or not. Neuroticism related to a greater need for independence, privacy, and greater reduction is stress after training. This group did fine in the HIIT rides as long as they were given the opportunity for a pause or break This group showed the largest reduction in stress from exercise. The open use group did not enjoy the higher intensity cycling session but were most likely to return to the lab for post-intervention testing.”

Although this study got a lot of press in 2025, it had some flaws. It was a small study (86 participants in the end), and it focused solely on two types of exercise: cycling and weight training. As we saw in the categories ASFA identified, everyone does not enjoy these two activities. Also, it was concerning that some of the press covering this study aligned neuroticism with exercises like yoga and stretching. Some of the most positive people I know do yoga. Nevertheless, if you remain curious about your Big Five personality type, you can take a test for free at truity.com.

While this article focuses on identifying and choosing the best exercise for your personality type, if you want more information on exercise specifically, check out my previous article “Move More, Age Less, Live Longer” to create a well-rounded program and learn whether you really need those 10,000 steps each day.

Navigating all the noise in the health and wellness space these days is dizzying, particularly with social media and now AI. Use what you may have learned here simply as a guide or gentle inspirational nudge. Tune out the noise and turn inward. The answer to the best exercise for you lies within. May you be a happy exerciser in 2026 and beyond!

Aubrey Brewster, a bon vivant and man-about-town, is a. product of his environment. His affinity for cooking, fashion, and entertaining was inherited from summer vacations shared in Charleston, West Virginia with his southern belle model-turned-hostess grandmother. It should come with no surprise that Brewster followed in his grandmother’s footsteps, with an inherent talent for hosting legendary parties. He is often listed among San Francisco’s best dressed. Aubrey is a San Francisco native, traveler, and food and lifestyle blogger (aubreyabouttown.com). He resides in San Francisco with his husband, Edward. Aubrey can be found enjoying afternoons lunching with friends at Neiman Marcus and some of San Francisco’s favorite haunts when not hosting or attending events.

Aubrey About Town

Recap of Soirees You May Have Missed

BY AUBREY BREWSTER

AS THE NEW YEAR IS UPON US AND I BEGIN PLANNING ON parties for the upcoming months (my birthday is in March!), many have asked about two annual and mostanticipated parties that you may have seen in the press or on social media that I didn’t cover here. Please forgive me, I had other fun things of interest to convey, but alas, let me share them with you now as we virtually travel to the genteel South and the English countryside.

THE SECOND ANNUAL YELLOW SOCIAL: A SOUTHERN EXPERIENCE

In high Southern style, guests entered the floral patterned jewel box room under yellow and white striped awnings that evoked the grand estates of the South, They passed through elegant, towering, powder blue enameled pedestals and matching urns from a favorite source of English country tableware and chinoiserie, the United Kingdom’s Mrs. Alice, filled with stunning florals by farmer and florist extraordinaire, Bonnie Lummis of Moon Seed Farm and Flora. Evoking the vibe, Lummis used bright yellow roses, golden freesia, white tea rose sprays, fragrant clementines, and clusters of blueberry branches, blue butterflies, and yellow finches, “Dancing Lady” orchids, and green grape clusters in the “Garden Lounge” where guests snapped shots to post on social media while sitting on a morning glory vine-adorned wrought iron fleur-de-lis arbor bench with plush goldenrod cushions amid black iron streetlights and sipping classic Southern libations, including milk punch (a rich Louisiana indulgence), the Vieux Carré (a New Orleans classic concoction of rye whiskey, cognac, Bénédictine, angostura, Peychaud’s bitters, and sweet vermouth), and the Sazerac, adopted by hipsters everywhere. Guests took a load off and sat at blue wrought iron peacock bistro tables and chairs in

Aubrey Brewster

“Yellow Social” tablescape

Michael Mazzocone and former Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr.

Farah Makras, Jennifer Walske, Dr. Carolyn Chang, and Sonya Molodetskaya

the Garden Lounge. As brunch was announced, they made their way to the 32-foot-long table set with the elegant yellow-and-gold rimmed bone china that inspired the theme, accompanied by floral-embossed silverware and ornamented with white ceramic artichoke statuary, hotel silver service ware, sterling dishes filled with pickled okra and zesty cheese straws shipped in from Charleston, South Carolina, and adorable, antique Southern candy dishes filled with scrumptious candied spiced pecans to amuse partygoers.

The blue parrot motif menu cards were accompanied by thoughtful magnifying glass domes—which guests took home—so guests could easily read them. French-embossed white ceramic vases overflowed with white Chamelaucium (wax flower), white tea rose, yellow freesia, golden ranunculus, and white and yellow anemone. Elegant, tall, blue parrot candlesticks (MrsAlice.com) outfitted with yellow taper candles accompanied by yellow crystal glass tea lamps atop white and yellow hemstitched linens illuminated guests’ cheerful faces and the table. Mineola, Texas-born former mayor of San Francisco Willie L. Brown Jr., filled with Southern nostalgia, said the “Yellow Social” was his favorite party to date.

It was an absolute delight to once again work with general manager of Neiman Marcus’ The Rotunda (affectionately referred to as “Ro”), Katrina Parlato, and Ro’s executive chef, Erik Harrelson, on curating a genuine (well, nearly genuine) Southern menu.

Guests warmed up to a cup (from the new yellow china) of Neiman Marcus’ traditional chicken consommé and Chef Erik’s scrumptious buttermilk biscuits with peach butter (an homage to Neiman’s traditional strawberry butter with a tip of the hat to those Georgia peaches). Next, guests noshed on an amuse-bouche of my Cowgirl Dallas Dip, a recipe I created for Caviar Dreams (Liberté Press, debuting late February, with more on that next issue), published by my friend and founder of The Caviar Co., Petra Higby. The book honors Petra’s Lubbock, Texas roots. A chic take on the Southern staple and containing pimento cheese with a Tex-Mex flare, a mildly spiced Monterey Jack cheese, Mexican crema, and roasted red pepper spread blended with the Caviar Co.’s smoked trout roe crowned with white sturgeon caviar, the dip was served with Chef Erik’s homemade petite corn tortilla chips and followed with an entrée of plump crabcakes with remoulade with chic, pressed glass fleur-de-lis-patterned bottles of Louisiana hot sauce for guests’ pleasure. For the plat principal, the chef offered tender cuts of spice-rubbed and blackened Cajun filet mignon, accompanied with green tomato chowchow (pickled vegetables) and Marsh Hen Mill Carolina Gold heirloom American rice “middlins,” a formerly near extinct rice varietal and the United States’ oldest (dating back to 1685), flown in from Edisto Island, South Carolina for the occasion. To complete the succulent meal, Chef Erik pulled out all the stops with another Southern classic, banana pudding: layers of vanilla bean crème pâtissière, sliced bananas, vanilla wafers, and Chantilly cream served in charming pearlescent powder blue porcelainfooted coupe dishes, ordered especially to showcase the decadent dessert. In pure Southern decadence, the fashionable ladies (and gents) took the afternoon’s theme to heart and arrived in their finest. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins represented her city in elegant ivory pencil pants and a brilliant yellow, green, and blue silk blouse, synchronous with the afternoon’s décor. Socialites Dr. Carolyn Chang, Farah Makras, and Tracy Chen wore head-to-toe yellow, and the dapper Willie L. Brown Jr. represented the afternoon’s kings, also in yellow with a royal blue sports coat by his favorite designer, Isaia, capped with a blue fedora (his signature).

Marisa Rodriguez and SF District Attorney Brooke Jenkins

Bacca DaSilva and Mauricio Rodriguez

Dr. Edward E. Winger and Annmarie Conroy

Former Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. and Aubrey Brewster

Petra Bergstein Higby, Tracy Chen, and KTVU’s Betty Yu

THIRD ANNUAL VELVETEEN FOREST LUNCHEON

Lying just beyond the manor gates, the “Velveteen Forest” lured the curious to explore its woodland enchantments.

With props being built—yes, I built a backbar in English manor house design to match the fireplace I built last year and deliveries of various décor to San Francisco’s Neiman Marcus—the store was all a buzz of what over-the-top soiree I was planning next—it quickly became the talk of the town and grew to a much-anticipated afternoon. And for those guests who attended the first and/or the “Velveteen Forest” luncheon years before, their excitement for the afternoon and finding the perfect outfit soon became a sport. But more of that later. Let me take you back to the very beginning!

To bring the third annual “Velveteen Forest” luncheon into fruition, I knew I had to think big from the start. That meant topping the previous year with creating grand visual statements. The vibe: an elegantly well-kept English manor and its woodsy estate grounds full of vivid, autumnal colors. The goal was simple: to immerse guests through enchanted English autumn woodlands and into a stately dining room of the manor house.

Guests made their way through a nine-foot-tall iron estate gate where they were greeted by a white owl perched atop, forest quail in garlands of fall leaves, and a metal sign made in Bulgaria by Fran Johnson House that read “Velveteen Forest” in gold over the gate’s capital to welcome curious wanderers into the forest and for memorable photo-ops to mark the occasion.

Guests were greeted at the bar, where French champagne overflowed and specially curated cocktails, including the “King of the Woods,” the official drink of “Velveteen Forest.” An enchanting concoction of coffee liqueur, Caruva horchata cream liqueur, and bitters served in a whimsical, mushroom-shaped cocktail glass was the “Forest Nymph,” a libation with such allure it is said that, if left unattended, the elusive forest nymph, mistaking it for forbidden ambrosia (nectar of the gods), will fly to the glass’ tall height and, perched on its rim, take a great sip. In her euphoric state, she’ll grant her discoverer one single wish—often for another drink, a blend of tequila, absinthe, honey syrup, citron, and bitters, topped with champagne and served in an exceptionally tall, 10-inch cocktail coupe

Marisa Rodriguez and Sean Peak

“Velveteen Forest” buffet décor KTVU’s Betty Yu and Stephanie Block

“Velveteen Forest” manor gates

Gary Love, ABC7’s Carolyn Tyler (retired), Marisa Rodriguez, and Sean Peak

glass. And there was the “Silvanus,” named after the Roman god of the woods and countryside. An imperial libation that pleased the senses and left guests wanting more, this refreshing mixture of Empress 1908 gin, pomegranate, lemon, and maple syrup was finished with a float of champagne and served in an adorable, pomegranate-shaped glass.

Partygoers continued the merriment with the hour-long cocktail reception, enjoying the fête and snapping more photos while sitting on chic iron fleurs-de-lis arbor benches dressed in comfy, burnt sienna cushions, weeping willow branches, and fall leaves to complement the iron gate.

As lunch was announced and guests made their way to their seats, they were warmed and enchanted by walls draped in lush, burnt sienna orange velvet and a working white- and gold-gilded Beaux Arts style fireplace with built-in bookcases flanking the hearth and displaying book collections of literary works by Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, H. G. Wells, and the Brontë sisters, to name a few, and a stunning arrangement of flowers and fruit by talented farmer and florist Bonnie Lummis (who also created the exquisite table centerpieces and flowers throughout the luncheon). Ornate, 27-inch, white porcelain urns and garland decorated the top of the fireplace’s mantlepiece. Towering, 10-foot-tall Japanese maple trees canopied the room. Elegant moss green and white pheasant-patterned linen from the U.K.’s fabulous MrsAlice.com draped the 24-foot-long table. The tablescape’s hotel silver service ware, gravy boats, and silver candelabra, decorative urns, whimsical owls, pheasants, rabbits, and squirrels, and dozens of charming velvet mushrooms evoked an enchanted forest (another MrsAlice.com find), adding whimsy to the elegant setting. Keeping with the opulent afternoon, guests dined on herb roasted turkey with pan gravy; my Grande Marnier cranberry relish; spiral-cut Honey Baked® ham with assorted gourmet mustards; truffled vegetable medley (haricots vert, brussel sprouts, artichoke, asparagus, and julienned red peppers); candied yams topped with toasted meringue, brown sugar, and pecans; and whipped potatoes with chives. Chef Erik Harrelson excellently prepared my recipe for Barbary Coast sourdough and oyster stuffing (a decades-old recipe and homage to my San Francisco roots). Guests further indulged their appetites with a selection of sweets from the two dessert carts offering apple, pumpkin, mixed berry, and pecan pies and chocolate and carrot cakes from San Francisco’s iconic Noe Valley Bakery, which also made the scrumptious challah dinner rolls that were served with cranberry butter, a take on Neiman Marcus’ strawberry butter.

I look forward to sharing more marvelous parties with you.

Olivia Decker and Aubrey Brewster

Antonio Contreras, Anna Chung, and Ian Raz

Jennifer Walske

Server Kristian Paniagua getting table guest ready Server Elle Longaway with “Forest Nymph,” “Silvanus,” and “King of the Woods” cocktails

Rooted in California and having earned her degree at UCSB, Claudia Ross is living her best life in Knights Valley after leaving behind a career in public relations as the founder of Cross Marketing and former director of Harper’s BAZAAR and Marie Claire. She has worked with the world’s most iconic luxury brands. The owner and vintner of Ross Ranch, a working farm and vineyard producing a farm-totable experience, Ross now enjoys sharing thoughtful insights into the world of wine country life, both socially and agriculturally.

The Northern Frontier: Calistoga, Where Rustic Charm Meets Refined Luxury

The Happy Body

Embracing The Happy Body: A journey to wellness and strength.

BY CLAUDIA CASTILLO ROSS

A TALE OF TWO VALLEYs

Couture & Caviar: A Tale of Opulence and Sustainability

BY CLAUDIA CASTILLO ROSS

AS A WINEMAKER ROOTED IN THE VOLCANIC RICH SOILS OF Knights Valley, I cherish my time spent just across the mountain in Calistoga. It’s the northern frontier of Napa Valley—a place that somehow manages to remain charmingly historic while continually raising the bar on sophisticated luxury. Calistoga is not just a destination; it’s a recalibration, famous for its therapeutic volcanic mud baths and the warm, mineral-rich thermal springs that anchor its identity. It’s where we go to trade vineyard dust for sublime indulgence.

BY CLAUDIA CASTILLO ROSS

FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS, I HAVE BEEN ON A TRANSFORMATIVE journey with The Happy Body program, a holistic approach to fitness that not only reshaped my body but also revitalized my spirit. My path to discovering this life-changing exercise regimen was not straightforward. After suffering a debilitating back injury from a car accident 25 years ago and battling with my (ideal) weight for years, I was desperate for a solution that would not only alleviate my pain but also help me regain control over my health.

rooftop bar. This expansion solidifies the resort’s legacy, extending its reputation for open-air relaxation and timeless Napa Valley wellness into the future. The convivial spirit of the valley extends to Sam’s Social Club at Indian Springs, where dining is imagined as an extension of a tasteful family table. Sam’s offers seasonal, farmfresh American cuisine alongside artisanal cocktails and a curated local wine selection in a vibrant, convivial atmosphere. The dynamic Federico Aguilar, the resort’s F&B director, would be more than happy to share his favorites.

comprehensive approach that addresses both physical and mental health. The philosophy promotes the idea that true fitness is achieved when one aligns one’s body and mind, fostering a sense of harmony that extends beyond the gym.

The town’s deep wellness heritage is best experienced at Indian Springs Resort, a timeless oasis set on 17 acres of geothermal-rich land. Far more than a simple dip, the resort’s two restorative pools— including the historic, Olympic-sized Main Pool built in 1913—are fed by the property’s natural thermal geysers. The quieter, cooler Adult Pool offers a serene complement, ensuring a perfectly tailored soak. Moreover, Indian Springs is evolving: the resort is advancing a massive expansion, The Veranda at Indian Springs, which will introduce approximately 96 new guest rooms and suites, an additional pool, a children’s park, retail offerings, and a sophisticated

It was a friend who first introduced me to The Happy Body, passionately sharing her experience and the profound impact it had on her life. Skeptical yet intrigued, I decided to take the plunge. I drove 60 miles three times a week for eight weeks to Palo Alto, where I had the opportunity to learn from the master himself, Jerzy Gregorek, creator of The Happy Body program. That decision marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life—one filled with strength, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

HAUTE COUTURE AND CAVIAR MAY SEEM LIKE UNLIKELY companions, but they share striking similarities going beyond their association with luxury. Just as haute couture represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and artistry in the fashion world, caviar embodies the epitome of culinary refinement. Both are synonymous with elegance, exclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Few delicacies evoke the same level of opulence and fascination as caviar. From the shimmering pearls to the delicate burst of flavor, caviar has long been hailed as the epitome of culinary refinement and luxury. Among the esteemed purveyors of this exquisite delight, Haute Caviar Company stands out as a champion of ethical sourcing,

AS A WINEGROWER AND WINEMAKER MYSELF IN KNIGHTS

For those seeking an intimate, bespoke escape, the newly renovated Okaeri is a revelation. Meaning “welcome home” in Japanese, this six-room boutique inn is housed inside a lovingly restored, 150-yearold Victorian house. It transports guests through an experience of omotenashi warmth, featuring hand-painted shoji screens, tatami-style sleeping platforms, and private hinoki soaking tubs. Guests can enjoy complimentary seasonal breakfast—including house-baked pastries and Japanese rice porridge—and discover hidden gems like the stonewalled cellar offering Kanpai Wines (crafted by the esteemed Steve Matthiasson) and a downstairs karaoke den.

At its core, The Happy Body is more than just a workout; it is

Jerzy Gregorek emphasizes the importance of functional movement: exercises that mimic everyday activities, allowing the body to perform optimally in daily life. This approach resonated with me, especially as someone who had endured chronic back pain. The exercises were designed not just to build muscle but also to enhance mobility and stability, ultimately leading to a stronger, more resilient body.

finer things in life, are we now seeing caviar on so many not just for special occasions? “When enjoying caviar, you meant to be a special occasion,” says Suppes. Like couture, wearing the absolute best, and with caviar, it sets the tone Most recently on a lunch date with her son, Michael Suppes, The Village Pub, they dined on caviar and champagne. collectors’ thing, it’s a mindset of wanting to indulge in no matter one’s age.

To deliver the very best, Lisa Simon, a visionary entrepreneur with a passion for the finer things in life, founded the Haute Company which has become synonymous with excellence

Valley, Sonoma County, I am always looking to support local wineries when dining out. Whether in Silicon Valley or Napa Valley, I do my best to select unique, exceptional wines to support my wine community. When I travel abroad, it’s all about the local fare. When my opinion, I have I can bring an extraordinary Kelly. At Protégé where Kelly is always there don’t love expensive At Montage in his wines by telling be found first locally. and local clientele, James Beard Award robust and different opinions and flavor ‘house palate’ and approaches.” For their most treasured wines the power of relationships. has potential to be more value in using our guests that can When talking wines have become overall consensus overdeliver, and when not want a Napa Cabernet do not have enough which doesn’t pair and spirits buyer down to personal

As I embarked on my journey with The Happy Body, I was initially overwhelmed by the variety of movements and techniques. However, under Gregorek’s expert guidance, I learned to embrace the process. Each session was tailored to my individual needs, allowing me to progress at my own pace while ensuring that I was safe and supported.

At Solage in Calistoga,

Calistoga’s culinary landscape is evolving rapidly. Beyond Sam’s, we anticipate the arrival of Five Senses in Spring 2026. Founded by chef Spencer Conaty, this modern Japanese restaurant is designed to engage every sense—taste, sight, sound, touch, and aroma—in a unified harmony.

For something wonderfully casual, Robert’s Tropical Table stands out for its exceptional, tropically inspired cocktails and small bites, fostering a spirit of community and connection in the heart of the valley.

As a fellow vintner, I appreciate how Calistoga honors both the artistry of winemaking and the surrounding landscape. For those wishing to taste the region’s elite Cabernet, a visit must be paid to Brandon Gregory Estate. While rooted in Napa, the brand draws its sophisticated structure from its vast holdings in pastoral Knights Valley, an idyllic corner known for its fertile, well-drained soils and maritime-cooled evenings. The estate’s commitment to showcasing the unique terroir of its historic vineyards, including Brookshire Vineyard—once part of the historic tourist town of Fossville—is paramount. Led by renowned winemaker Julien Fayard, Brandon Gregory Estate offers intentionally low-production Bordeaux-varietal wines that embody a philosophy of quiet luxury. This is a destination for the true Cabernet connoisseur, offering a taste of history and exceptional quality.

Equally unique is Tamber Bey Vineyards, Napa Valley’s only winery set on a working horse ranch, offering stunning views of Mount St. Helena and the Palisades. Here, the passion for world class winemaking blends seamlessly with the world of elite equestrians under the care of owners Barry and Jennifer Waitte. The Tamber Bey experience transcends the typical tasting room. You are taken behind the scenes through the crush pad and barrel room. But the true charm lies in the visits to the stable, where you can meet the ranch’s resident Arabian endurance racers, polo ponies, and even mustangs. The journey culminates stableside with a curated tasting in the courtyard, featuring their acclaimed Vineyard Series and Signature Collection wines. It is a singular, immersive experience that connects fine wine, horses, and the raw beauty of Calistoga’s landscape.

For a singular, authentic taste of Calistoga, visit the magnificent Calistoga Depot. Constructed in 1868 as the culmination of the Napa Valley rail line, this historic train station has been stunningly reimagined as a sophisticated, community-focused destination offering 10 distinct experiences. Guests may curate their visit by savoring wood-fired pizzas, authentic Oaxacan cuisine from Casa Obsidiana, or caviar and oysters from the JCB Parlor. Best of all, you can sample local favorites, including our own Ross Ranch wines, while exploring the Distillery Bar or the Depot Wine Collective in refurbished, chic train cars.

From the burgeoning geothermal luxury of Indian Springs to the historic vineyard estates, Calistoga offers a refined, yet grounding escape—an essential journey for the discerning traveler.

Brandon Gregory Estates

Calistoga Depot’s parlor car

Indian Springs Resort & Spa

Tamber Bey Vineyards

Charles R. Johnson, Wealth Director, is responsible for developing investment and trust relationships with families and organizations. He works closely with the trust and tax planning group to help clients determine optimal asset allocation and transfer strategies. Before joining Fiduciary Trust, he worked for Rockefeller Capital Management, an independent financial services firm offering global family office, asset management, and strategic advisory services to ultra-high net worth families, institutions, and corporations. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. He works closely with the Addiction Education Society nonprofit.

Take Charge: Essential Steps to Master Your Finances in 2026

BY CHARLES R. JOHNSON, WEALTH DIRECTOR, FIDUCIARY TRUST INTERNATIONAL AND ED MOONEY, DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL PLANNING, FIDUCIARY TRUST INTERNATIONAL

WHETHER YOU’RE BUILDING A NEST EGG, PLANNING FOR MAJOR life milestones, or simply seeking peace of mind in uncertain times, a solid financial foundation can be the key to achieving your goals. This checklist of 25 often overlooked financial steps is designed to help you control your finances and navigate the year with confidence. Some tips are basic but essential. Some you may not have thought about in years. Either way, these actionable steps will empower you to make informed decisions as you continue to progress toward your goals.

RETIREMENT PLANNING

Contribute the maximum amount to your IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k), or other workplace retirement accounts. Retirement contribution limits increase in 2026. Note that for high earners over age 50, catch-up contributions to 401(k)s must now be made as Roth (after-tax) contributions.

Determine the most optimal age to begin receiving retirement benefits. If you’re approaching full retirement age or considering taking Social Security benefits, evaluate how claiming early, at full retirement age, or delaying benefits may impact your long-term income and planning goals.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Review your investment accounts. Confirm your asset allocation aligns with your goals, risk tolerance, and any changes in your personal or financial situation.

Pay down high-interest loans, such as credit card debt. High-interest debt is one of the biggest obstacles to wealth-building. Prioritizing repayment can significantly improve financial stability. Cancel unused subscriptions. A quick audit of recurring charges often reveals opportunities for meaningful annual savings.

Check your spending. Review cash flow to confirm you’re not consistently outspending your income. Identify areas where you can reduce costs and rebalance your financial habits.

Fund a 529 college savings plan. These plans offer valuable tax benefits. In addition, they allow you to “front-load” up to five years of annual exclusion gifts at once using the five-year catch-up election. Eligible expenses continue to expand, and new Trump accounts will be available beginning July 4.

Check that your mortgage rate remains competitive. If interest rates decline, refinancing could reduce your interest costs or improve monthly cash flow.

ESTATE PLANNING

Take advantage of the higher estate tax exemption amount to gift more assets. In 2026, the federal estate and gift tax exemption rises to $15 million per person ($30 million for couples). If your estate is projected to exceed $30 million, gifting now is more urgent to

reduce future tax exposure. For estates below that threshold, the need is less compelling but still worth considering, especially given lower state exemptions in states like Massachusetts and New York.

Utilize your tax-free annual gift exclusion. In 2026, you can give $19,000 per person (or $38,000 per couple) to unlimited recipients without affecting your lifetime federal estate tax exemption. Only amounts above the annual exclusion count toward your exemption. Cash is often more efficient than appreciated assets because gifting appreciated assets transfers the built-in capital gains to the recipient.

Evaluate your estate planning documents. Review your power of attorney, health care proxy, will, and revocable trust to ensure they reflect your current wishes. Confirm beneficiary designations and contingent beneficiaries on retirement accounts, annuities, and life insurance policies.

TAX PLANNING

Review your tax withholding and, if applicable, estimated tax payments. Review your withholding levels and make any necessary adjustments to stay aligned with your current income and tax situation. Beginning in 2026, certain taxpayers may be able to deduct state and local taxes in excess of $10,000, subject to income limitations. If you take required minimum distributions, consider adjusting withholding on those payments as well.

Donate appreciated securities or assets to charity or give them to a donor advised fund. Gifting appreciated securities avoids capital gains tax and maximizes the value of your donation. Individuals age 70½ and older may also make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs, which can satisfy RMDs and reduce taxable income (subject to annual limits).

Maximize your health savings account (HSA). If you have a high-deductible health plan, ensure you are contributing the maximum allowed. HSAs offer triple tax advantages: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and taxfree withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.

INSURANCE

Review your life insurance policies. Confirm premium payments are up to date, understand when term policies expire, and assess whether coverage still fits your needs. If you are under age 60, this may be a good time to evaluate long-term care insurance while premiums remain more affordable.

Check your property and casualty insurance policies. Determine if you should add any personal items or remove coverage for items you no longer have. For vehicles, verify that liens have been removed once loans or leases are paid off.

Consider securing travel insurance for major trips. Travel insurance can help protect against trip cancellations, lost baggage, and medical needs while traveling abroad.

CONTINGENCY PLANNING

Keep track of your assets. Maintain an up-to-date balance sheet listing all investment, banking, and savings accounts, including the appropriate contacts for each institution.

Manage passwords and store them all in a secure format. Use a reputable password manager to organize digital credentials. Ensure a trusted individual can access your information if needed.

Build and maintain an emergency fund. Aim to hold three to six months of essential expenses, adjusting the amount if your circumstances have changed.

Check your passport to see when it expires, which generally is every 10 years. Plan ahead for renewal and consider online renewal options when available. Have your home security system checked and upgraded if needed. Regular maintenance ensures your system remains effective and reliable.

DATA AND PERSONAL SECURITY

Check your credit report. Reviewing your credit report with any of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) can help you spot potential identity theft or fraud early. If you see an unfamiliar address, credit accounts you didn’t apply for, or activity on credit cards you haven’t used recently, it may indicate fraudulent activity. You are entitled to one free credit report each year from all three bureaus.

Track your digital footprint. Keep a list of your social media accounts and their passwords as well as any digital assets with financial or personal value. Consider adding instructions in your will or living trust for how you want these digital items managed.

And Don’t Forget …

Make room for fun. Incorporating goals that support your happiness is just as important as the practical ones. Budgeting intentionally for something you want, but may not strictly need, can keep you motivated and give you something enjoyable to work toward. A little planned indulgence may help you stay balanced as you pursue your bigger financial goals.

As you look ahead, make this year one of financial security and happiness. It all starts with taking that first step.

Charles R. Johnson, Wealth Director, Fiduciary Trust International is responsible for developing investment and trust relationships with families and organizations. He works closely with the tax, investment and planning teams to help clients determine optimal asset allocation and transfer strategies.

Ed Mooney, Director of Financial Planning, Fiduciary Trust International, provides goal-based financial strategies for the tax efficient and successful transfer of family wealth, planning for retirement, the sale and succession of business interests and achievement of philanthropic goals.

Charles R. Johnson

Wealth Director | 628 286 8403

charles.r.johnson@ftci.com

One Franklin Parkway, Bldg 920, 1st Floor San Mateo, CA 94403 fiduciarytrust.com

THE FUTURE OF AI IS NOT INEVITABLE, IT IS CHOSEN.

BY OLIVIA DECKER AND MARK MINEVICH HIGHLIGHTS

FROM THE HAUTE LIVING

AI JEFFERSONIAN SALON SERIES

The Haute Living AI Jeffersonian dinner ended with predictions and hopes: some bold, some cautious, but all grounded in optimism. AI is not about machines. AI is about humanity. It’s about courage, imagination, values, innovation, coordination, and purpose. As I looked around the table, I felt the same spark I felt decades ago holding a Commodore 64 and the belief that technology is not destiny. Humans are. We are not passengers. We are architects. And the future of AI will be defined not by what technology is capable of, but by what we choose to do with it. Because, at the end of the day, AI is created by people. It must be guided by people. And it must ultimately serve people.

AI Jeffersonian Salon Series at Rosewood Sand Hill Menlo Park

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IS TRANSFORMING EVERY facet of modern life. Behind this revolution are individuals whose groundbreaking research, visionary leadership, collaboration, and bold innovations are shaping the future of AI technology.

In July 2025, Haute Living, San Francisco’s annual 100 Most Influential People issue shined the spotlight on the 100 most influential people in AI whose work is redefining possibilities in all areas of society and human life. This AI 100 issue attracted a lot of attention and the discussion of AI revolution.

To further expand upon AI topics, Haute Living, San Francisco held the first AI Jeffersonian Salon Series on November 18 at Rosewood Sand Hill Menlo Park to host dinners, inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s salonstyle evenings, to explore the most vital questions facing AI’s future: its capabilities, risks, governance, and vision for humanity, including how

AI can specifically uplift human consciousness. It was an evening of purposeful dialogue, provocative perspectives, and challenging ideas about AI’s future impact with an intimate table of 16 guests. We will continue this series in 2026.

The specially curated dinner by Michelin-starred Madera Restaurant at a private dining room was sponsored by Rosewood Sand Hill Menlo Park, a favorite meeting spot of Silicon Valley tech leaders. The fine wines pairing the dinner were generously provided by Napa Valley Festival partner wineries Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel as well as Miner Family Winery Rosella’s Vineyard.

As Thomas Jefferson once said at an 18th century salon he attended at Chateau Villette near Paris, which I owned from 1999 to 2011, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” I am looking forward to embracing the future of AI for mankind.

BELOW IS THE REPORT OF OUR AI JEFFERSONIAN DINNER ON NOVEMBER 18 BY MARK MINEVICH, WHO LED THE DINNER CONVERSATION. MARK IS AN AI STRATEGIST, AUTHOR, INVESTOR, AND AI ADVISOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

Reflection: Why Human-Centric Leadership Will Shape the Future of Artificial Intelligence

There are dinners and then there are evenings that become intellectual flashpoints. On November 18 at Rosewood Sand Hill during a private Jeffersonian, AI-focused gathering, we experienced the latter. The setting was intimate, off-the-record, and intentionally curated to bring together individuals shaping the future of artificial intelligence, such as founders, investors allocating capital into the unknown, pioneers reimagining markets, and arts and cultural leaders exploring the edges of creativity.

Yet the most powerful insight was not the technology discussed. It was the reaffirmation that AI’s future depends on how humans choose to guide it.

For me, that belief traces back to childhood. I’ve been obsessed with technology since before I could articulate what “technology” meant. At a high school science fair, I created a program that could hypothetically predict a person’s lifespan, which is simple by today’s standards but groundbreaking for a teenager. When the Commodore 64 came out, the world opened. From that moment, I knew that technology was my calling.

But the older I became, the more I realized something essential: technology is only 5% to 10% of the equation. Human imagination, courage, values, and purpose make up the rest.

This tension between technology’s AI power and humanity’s responsibility was verbalized through every corner of the dinner. The conversations were not about fear but about humanity, not about inevitability but human intentions.

1. AI Fear and the Real Conversation We Should Be Having It’s impossible to engage in the world of AI today without confronting fear: fear of job loss, fear of automation, fear of deepfakes, and fear of a runaway intelligence. During the dinner, these fears surfaced immediately, not with panic but with clarity. Today, fearmongering dominates much of the public discourse:

- Will AI write our screenplays?

- Will it drive our buses and trucks?

- Will it take over manufacturing floors?

- Will it replace workers, teachers, analysts, designers?

Indeed, the Hollywood writers’ strike and the ongoing push from actors and performers to limit AI’s role in creative production reflect broader societal anxiety. Many worry that technology will render humans obsolete.

But this is only half the story.

As I shared with the group, the actual data tells a different, more nuanced tale. Yes, AI could displace nearly 300 million jobs globally. But it could also create 450 million new ones—not replacement but transformation into different roles.

Progress has always produced change. The printing press displaced scribes but created journalism, publishing, and mass education. Electricity eliminated chandlers but forged modern industry. The internet ended some jobs and produced countless new fields. The key question is not whether AI will change work: it will. The real question is will we shape that change intentionally, ethically, and inclusively?

2. AI Is Still in Infancy, and Humanity Must Be the Parent

At the dinner, we returned repeatedly to a metaphor I use often: “AI is like a child. It is constantly learning, constantly evolving. And like any child, it needs guidance, values, and guardrails.”

AI trains on data. It absorbs patterns. It reflects our biases. It responds to the incentives we build. Without guardrails, governance, and ethical frameworks, AI can harden and amplify our worst habits instead of elevating our best potential.

The public often assumes AI is already equivalent to human intelligence. It is not. As I reminded the group: “AI today is not a replacement for humans. It is not consciousness. It is mathematics, algorithms, and software designed to mimic certain forms of reasoning and synthesis.”

We are at the dawn of a new era, not its apex. That means now is the moment to lay the foundations for responsible AI which is globally, commercially, culturally, and institutionally relevant, with a governmental focus on sovereignty.

3. Innovation Is Outpacing Governance

While the energy around innovation is electric, there was unanimous recognition: governance is not keeping pace. We are living at a historic inflection point:

- Climate disruption is accelerating.

- Health care systems are strained.

- Global inequality is widening.

Mark Minevich

- Migration pressures are growing.

- Energy systems are undergoing seismic transformation.

AI could help us solve all these problems. That belief drives much of my work. It’s the narrative of my book, Our Planet Powered by AI, and the mission behind many of the institutions I serve.

But AI is not yet being fully harnessed for humanity’s most urgent needs. Right now, 95% of AI investment is focused on efficiency, convenience, and application-layer improvements, not sustainability or global problemsolving, as I mentioned in Our Planet Powered by AI. That imbalance was a central theme during dinner.

- Why aren’t we using AI more aggressively to combat climate change?

- Why isn’t AI being deployed to improve disaster prediction and response?

- Why aren’t we scaling AI to manage water scarcity, wildfires, or failing infrastructure?

- Why is the majority of capital flowing toward consumer products instead of planetary resilience?

The consensus during dinner: this must change.

4. We Need Global Standards and Not Just Corporate Commitments

The dinner conversation frequently returned to governance. Technology is global, but frameworks are not. We are also focusing on sovereign AI. Some nations prioritize open research. Others emphasize national security. Others focus on surveillance. Others favor commercial innovation. The result is fragmentation at precisely the moment when coordination is essential. We discussed the need for:

- Global AI governance bodies

- Universal safety standards

- Cross-border collaboration

- Ethical guidelines that protect privacy, diversity, inclusion, and human rights

- Independent oversight mechanisms.

AI cannot be governed effectively by isolated national policies. Nor can companies self-regulate their way out of misaligned incentives. We need true, planetary-scale coordination, but it is more complicated by countries pushing sovereign AI.

5. The Multipolar AI Stack

Another powerful conversation point was the rise of a multipolar AI world. Silicon Valley no longer stands alone. AI ecosystems are flourishing in China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Singapore. Each region brings different priorities: sovereign computer, national AI infrastructure, enterprise adoption, cultural and creative innovation, energy-efficient AI systems, scientific discovery, education, and social transformation.

These global perspectives enrich the field, but they also complicate it. The future of AI will not be determined by one country, one company, or one ideology. It will be shaped by a mosaic of global viewpoints and values. However, the major race is between the USA and China.

6. The Future of Work: Expansion, Not Erasure

The dinner also examined the evolution of work, perhaps the most emotionally charged dimension of AI’s rise. I reiterated a core message

Haute Living AI Jeffersonia Dinner at Rosewood Sand Hill

from Our Planet Powered by AI: “AI’s purpose is to improve quality of life, free us from routine tasks, expand creativity, enhance decision-making, and give us time back.”

And the data supports this vision. AI opens new frontiers in scientific research, biotech, climate modeling, precision agriculture, mobility systems, cybersecurity, robotics, creative arts, entrepreneurship, personalized education, and healthcare diagnostics. Just as importantly, the jobs AI creates may be more fulfilling than the ones it eliminates.

As I shared that evening, AI allows us to explore combinations and patterns that the human mind alone can’t process. That’s not a threat. The real risk is not AI replacing humans. It is humans failing to prepare, failing to upskill, and failing to adapt the systems around work to support transition.

7. AI For Good: A Global Movement, not a Slogan

AI for good isn’t a marketing target: it’s a global mission. This moment in history will be judged not by the sophistication of our algorithms, but by which problems we chose to solve, which communities we chose to include, and which futures we chose to design.

8. The Future Is Not Inevitable. It Is Chosen

The evening ended with predictions and hopes, some bold and some cautious, but all grounded in optimism. AI is not about machines. AI is about humanity. It’s about courage, imagination, values, innovation, coordination, and purpose.

As I looked around the table, I felt the same spark I felt decades ago holding a Commodore 64 and the belief that technology is not destiny. Humans are. We are not passengers. We are architects.

And the future of AI will be defined not by what technology is capable of, but by what we choose to do with it. Because, at the end of the day, AI is created by people. It must be guided by people. And it must ultimately serve people.

Please enjoy the full Haute AI 100 issue, including our list of the 100 most influential leaders in AI.

Festival Napa Valley’s Olivia Decker Power of Music Delivers an Electrifying Concert

BY OLIVIA DECKER

ORTEGA

FESTIVAL

NAPA VALLEY’S OLIVIA DECKER POWER OF MUSIC

Series delivered an electrifying evening of music on October 29, featuring violinist Étienne Gara and members of the trailblazing ensemble Delirium Musicum. The event took place at The Barn in Napa’s Oxbow District, home to Napa Valley Car Club’s collection of exotic and vintage cars.

Guests were welcomed with a reception on The Barn’s expansive patio along the Napa River before moving indoors. A selection of wines from The Vice Napa Valley, including The Five Peaks of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, The House Sauvignon Blanc, Torie’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, and crowd-favorite PickleBall Orange of Viognier, was served throughout the evening. Inside, a display of classic and exotic cars, including a Halloween-themed DeLorean, highlighted the club’s celebration of automotive artistry.

Delirium Musicum performed selections from their new album Cabinet of Curiosities, captivating the audience with precision and imagination. Highlights included Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre and works by de Falla, Shostakovich, Vivaldi, and Brahms.

Notable attendees included Olivia Decker; Napa Valley Car Club founders Jason Johnson, Benjamin Martinez, and Andrew Mazotti; Aaliya Dadabhoy; Analia and John Earhart; Daru Kawalkowski; Jackie Roldan; Dr. Jag Soni; Kristin Sorensen and Danny Tran; along with Festival Napa Valley partners such as Lewis Wine Cellars’ Morgan Couch, Napa Valley Wine Train’s Nathan Davis, Estate Yountville’s Aileen McKellar, Wine Direct’s Meghan Michalski, and Sinegal Estate’s Doug White.

Performers Stella Cho, Etienne Gara, and YuEun Kim with Olivia Decker

PHOTOS DAVID

Delirium Musicum performing at The Barn Napa Valley Car Club

Dr. Jag Soni and Jackie Roldan at Napa Valley Car Club concert

Napa Valley Car Club founders Jason Johnson, Andrew Mazotti, and Benjamin Martinez

Kristin Sorenson and Danny Tran

Ana Blackwell, Aaliya Dadabhoy, and Sarah Anderson

Daru Kawalkowski and Doug White

Olivia Decker, Rick Walker, and Christina Maxwell

Festival Napa Valley’s Olivia Decker Power of Music Series Presents an elegant Concert at Sutton Tower New York

BY OLIVIA DECKER

PHOTOS DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY BROUGHT AN ELEGANT EVENING OF music and wine to Manhattan’s Upper East Side on November 11 as part of its acclaimed Olivia Decker Power of Music Series. Sister violinists Hina and Fiona Khuong-Huu gave an intimate recital at Sutton Tower, previewing their debut album, Dear to Us, released November 28 by Pentatone.

The debut album by Hina and Fiona is the sound of sibling revelry. Born in New York, these gifted sisters have already achieved remarkable milestones individually: Hina recently won first prize at the 2023 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition, while Fiona debuted with the New York Philharmonic at 16, and they respectively embarked on illustrious solo careers. Together, their playing reveals a profound connection shaped by lifelong collaboration, honest artistic dialogue, and complementary interpretations.

As sisters, Hina and Fiona share a bond unlike most other collaborators. Having started violin at age three after abandoning early plans to pursue ballet, Hina took to the instrument like a natural—and served as a role model to Fiona, who followed in her sister’s footsteps also at age three. They first performed together as fledgling Suzuki method students and continued to collaborate, even as their individual careers began to flourish. Joined by renowned pianist Rohan De Silva, Hina and Fiona performed works from across the musical spectrum. From the lyricism of Ravel to the warmth of Mexican composer Manuel Ponce, along with rarely performed works by Moszkowski and Rosza, their interpretations revealed striking individuality balanced by a natural, lifelong musical dialogue.

The recital offered a compelling preview of their album debut poised to garner international attention. A livestream of this performance presented by The Violin Channel extended the evening’s reach, drawing close to 100,000 views worldwide to amplify the performance well beyond the in-person audience gathered.

The glass-walled Sutton Tower penthouse setting, floating high above the East River, is the tallest waterfront tower on Manhattan’s East Side where the East Side meets the water’s edge in New York’s most discreet neighborhood. Offering unrivaled river and skyline views, Sutton Tower is New York’s quintessential new address, exquisitely designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen with blended luxury, spectacularly expansive views, and superior access to everything that matters.

The evening included a wine reception featuring selections from Festival Napa Valley’s partner wine sponsors House of Far Niente, including Bella Union Sauvignon Blanc, Far Niente Chardonnay, Far Niente Melange, and Dolce. Notable attendees included House of Far Niente’s Clayton Seeto; Carnegie Hall’s Susan Brady; Columbia-Juilliard Program Director Magdalena Baczewska; Mikimoto’s Georgina Coleman, Michele Crowe, Michael Drabich, and Leyla Portela; Pomellato North America President Guillaume Cousin and Jenny Cousin; Pentatone’s Sean Hickey; Printemps North America President Thierry Provost; Rare Violins of New York’s David Brewer; Salon de Virtuosi’s Lora Tchekoratova; Peter and Wendy DeLuca; Takako and Philippe Khuong-Huu; Wa Liu and Yang Bao; and Andrew Ousley.

Philippe Khuong-Huu and Angela Yoffe

Magdalena Stern

Baczewska and Alex Espana

Hina and Fiona Khuong-Huu and Rohan de Silva

Rick Walker and Yang Bao

Anastasia Domerego, Nicholas Dang, and Stefana Atlas

Benjamin and Emily Sabree

Jan Vogler and Takako Khuong-Huu

Inside the San Francisco Fashion Festival’s Fifth Anniversary Celebration

BY KRISHA CHHAGANLAL AND OLIVIA DECKER

SAN FRANCISCO’S FASHION ECOSYSTEM GATHERED AT FULL strength in December as the San Francisco Fashion Festival celebrated its fifth anniversary with a sold-out evening that reaffirmed the city’s role as a creative and commercial fashion hub. Hosted at Sandbox VR on Market Street, the milestone event brought together designers, beauty innovators, founders, and cultural leaders for a night that blended runway, conversation, and experiential brand storytelling.

Since its inception, the festival has positioned itself at the intersection of fashion, technology, and lifestyle, a natural fit for San Francisco’s forward-thinking DNA. This year’s anniversary edition leaned fully into that identity, offering an immersive format that felt like a curated cultural experience.

A RUNWAY REFLECTING RANGE AND CRAFT

The evening unfolded through seven runway presentations, showcasing a thoughtful mix of emerging talent and established names. Designers, including YEON (NYC), Nancy Vuu, Ashlyn So, Haemi Lee, B Chics Fashion Boutique, Veejay Floresca (Project Runway Season 21 winner), and Joanna Jia Couture, presented

collections spanning refined ready-to-wear to dramatic couture. The lineup reflected a broader industry shift toward diversity in aesthetics, cultural references, and production scale, an intentional move away from a single, monolithic fashion narrative.

The runway emphasized craftsmanship, identity, and wearability, aligning with the evolving consumer appetite for fashion that feels personal, purposeful, and expressive.

PANELS THAT WENT BEYOND SURFACE-LEVEL TRENDS

What continues to distinguish the San Francisco Fashion Festival is its commitment to dialogue. Interwoven throughout the evening were three panels addressing the realities shaping fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle today.

The Fashion Panel, moderated by San Francisco Chronicle style columnist Tony Bravo, explored sustainability, retail evolution, and consumer trust through the lens of leadership. With voices from Gap Inc. and ThirdLove® , the conversation moved beyond buzzwords, addressing how legacy brands and modern disruptors alike are rethinking supply chains, inclusivity, and long-term brand responsibility.

Ashlyn So with her collection at the San Francisco Fashion Festival

In the beauty and wellness discussion, panelists examined the growing convergence of technology, self-care, and holistic health. From AI-driven beauty tools to sound healing and wellness-focused entrepreneurship, the panel reflected an industry increasingly defined by personalization and experiential value rather than traditional product categories.

AN EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH TO BRAND ENGAGEMENT

Throughout the venue, brand activations and pop-ups added to the evening. Partners such as Hendrick’s Gin, Milagro Tequila, Culture Pop Soda, Lucky Goldie, Attaché, and Clean Living Marketplace created moments of discovery that encouraged guests to engage, taste, and explore.

Wine tastings from Artesa Winery brought Napa Valley into the heart of downtown San Francisco, reinforcing the festival’s lifestyle ethos where fashion exists alongside food, drink, and cultural connection.

New to this year’s festival was a silent auction benefiting Dress for Success, SF Fashion’s nonprofit partner. Featuring designer pieces from Clare V and exclusive winery experiences from Castello di Amorosa, the auction reflected the festival’s ongoing commitment to impact, with proceeds supporting women entering and re-entering the workforce.

BUILDING INDUSTRY MOMENTUM BEYOND THE RUNWAY

The celebration followed the Fashion Buying & Engagement Workshop held the previous day at Hotel Emblem, led by industry expert Alejandra Boland. Designed for boutique owners, buyers, and retail professionals, the session focused on consumer behavior, merchandising strategy, and meaningful brand engagement, furthering the festival’s role as an industry resource beyond the annual showcase.

Tosin Ekundare wearing the “Diamond Dew” dress from the Joanna Jia Couture collection

Haemi Lee

Joanna Jia, Olivia Decker, and Dina Zheng

Tony Bravo, Heidi Zak, and Daniel Figber at the panel discussion

A FIVE-YEAR MILESTONE WITH FORWARD VISION

As the San Francisco Fashion Festival marks its fifth year, its growth mirrors the city’s evolution: innovative, interdisciplinary, and increasingly values-driven. What began as a fashion event has matured into a platform where creativity meets commerce and style meets substance.

With strong brand partnerships, thoughtful programming, and a clear point of view, the festival continues to elevate San Francisco’s fashion narrative and position the city not as a follower of global trends, but as a contributor shaping what comes next.

The highlight of the evening was the fabulous Lotus Rêve Collection designed and presented by Joanna Jia Couture. The amazingly beautiful and creative collection is rooted in Chinese heritage and refined through Western craftsmanship. It draws inspiration from the ethereal lotus flower, a sacred emblem of purity and resilience in Chinese culture. Each piece in the Lotus Rêve Collection blends fluid silk forms with structural precision. Shades of green and pink evoke the lotus pond at dawn: tranquil, luminous, and alive with possibility. Every garment, meticulously handcrafted with sustainable techniques, becomes a meditation on harmony between nature and innovation, heritage and modernity, stillness and evolution. At the end of the evening’s program, the audience lingered to admire the collection with Joanna Jia and Lotus Rêve models to get a closer look at the collection’s transcendent beauty and purity.

Designer Veejay Floresca presents her collection

Erika Danielle Cuevas wearing the “Lotus Empress” dress

Marina Greenwood wearing the “Golden Bloom” dress by Joanna Jia Couture

Designer Joanna Jia presents her Lotus Rêve Collection

One Blanding Lane concert cellist

Concert at One Blanding pianist Oliver Kainz

Matthew Feiner and Alyona

Music Students Presented A Captivating Concert in Belvedere

BY KRISHA CHHAGANLAL

OLIVIA DECKER, FOUNDER OF THE ACCLAIMED OLIVIA DECKER Power of Music Series with Festival Napa Valley since 2021, hosted a casual holiday concert during her Sunday open house at One Blanding Lane, a beautiful, newly built home in Belvedere she was marketing on December 14. The concert featured three talented 13-year-old music students: violinist Matthew Feiner and cellist Anya Finsterle, both studying at SFCM, and pianist/cellist Oliver Kainz attending Crowden School. They were accompanied by Matthew’s mother, accomplished Ukrainian pianist Alyona Marenchuk.

The soaring, 30-foot cathedral-style ceilings in the home’s living room created exceptional acoustics, allowing the music to resonate beautifully and transform the space into a setting perfectly suited for a Christmas concert recital. Guests were greeted with a selection of Napa Valley wines, champagne, and French cheeses. The classical music representing the musical spectrum and performed by the three talented young musicians captivated the audience more than the home’s spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay. For property details and concert video, please visit the website: www.OneBlandingLane.com

Anya Finsterle

Concert at One Blanding cellist Oliver Kainz from Crowden School

Cellist Anya Finsterle and violinst Matthew Feiner

Marenchuk

The Spectacular 2025 Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix

BY KEVIN O’CONNOR

THE 2025 FORMULA 1 LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX ROARED back into the neon-lit desert in a fashion that even seasoned race fans admitted felt surreal. It was bigger, faster, louder, more extravagant, and more star-studded than the already historic 2023 and 2024 editions. Across three nights of racing and a long weekend of accompanying festivities, over 300,000 spectators flooded the Strip, turning Las Vegas into a hyper-charged playground for motorsport lovers, tech giants, celebrities, and global influencers. Some industry insiders estimated the true attendance creeping toward 430,000, with the crowds amplified by a nearly sold-out lineup of grandstands, general-admission zones, and multi-tiered hospitality suites—many of which had waitlists stretching for months.

The event was designed for all. Entry-level tickets for practice sessions began around $50, while three-day general admission packages climbed to the mid-$400s. Grandstand seats varied from around $300 for early-week viewing to well over $1,300 for startfinish line positions on race day. At the top of the pyramid sat the ultra-luxury hospitality offerings at the Paddock Club, hovering around $12,000 for the weekend. Culinary curated club suites include

the ultra-elite themed hospitality spaces like the Gordon Ramsay Garage and Papi’s Steakhouse, both located in the pits, along with Wynn’s Grid Club located in the suites situated above the pits in the paddock area, which was abuzz with activity all weekend. Some of these prime viewing and dining spots commanded prices exceeding $25,000 to $30,000 for all-inclusive multi-day entry.

Demand remained astonishing, proving once again that Formula 1 has evolved into not just a sport, but a lifestyle ecosystem combining entertainment, technology, fashion, and celebrity culture. Celebrities arrived in force, reaffirming Las Vegas as the most glamorous Grand Prix footprint outside Monaco. Beyoncé and Jay-Z spent much of the race in the ultra-exclusive Ferrari team garage, observing strategy screens, engine telemetry data, and visiting Ferrari engineers with the quiet intensity normally reserved for the team’s inner circle. The pre-race grid was adorned with music, film, and sporting elites who mingled freely. Terry Crews shook hands with drivers on the grid, and Cynthia Erivo posed near the pit lane before the national anthem. Supermodel Naomi Campbell, whose relationship with Alpine team principal Flavio

Night view of racetrack

Briatore, was a natural VIP presence in the Alpine suite. Political figures even stepped into the spotlight: Secretary of National Security Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel were both spotted along the paddock.

Silicon Valley tech executive Eddy Cue of Apple attended the race with his two sons. Apple was deeply embedded in the weekend’s energy, not just as a paddock-level attendee but as a cultural force behind the movie F1 released earlier in the year and co-produced by Apple Original Films, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Plan B Entertainment, and Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Films. The film had a major promotional presence throughout the Vegas F1. Apple’s participation extended far beyond financing. The company provided engineering support for custom, high-resolution camera rigs based on modified iPhone systems and worked closely with F1 teams and race officials during production. Special behind-the-scenes displays, interactive VR experiences, and limited screening viewings of production footage were available to VIP guests all weekend, further blending Hollywood and motorsport in a way that only Las Vegas could execute.

Start at Las Vegas Strip circuit

McLaren, Las Vegas Strip Circuit

Team Ferrari prepares as team principal Fred Vassuer stands guard

World Champion, Max Verstappen leads the field out of busy pit lane

The presence of prominent tech figures made perfect sense, as the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix underscored the growing dominance of big tech in motorsport sponsorship and engineering innovation. Major corporate backers—including Salesforce, Oracle, Google, HP, Atlassian, Crypto.com, Kraken, and luxury titan Louis Vuitton— reinforced how Formula 1 has become the ultimate nexus of global marketing. Both software firm Atlassian and the world’s leading crypto trading platform, Kraken, continued their high-visibility partnership with the Williams Racing Team, with branding displayed prominently across the Williams FW47 chassis, driver suits, and team command center screens. Legendary F1 team, Williams’ 2025 campaign, revitalized by its bold strategic vision, earned further attention, thanks to the arrival of Carlos Sainz Jr., whose transition from Ferrari to Atlassian Williams Racing stunned the paddock earlier in the year. Sainz delivered one of the headline moments of the weekend by qualifying an extraordinary third on the grid, an achievement that electrified fans and reinforced the team’s resurgence story. The Atlassian Williams Racing garage swelled with media, photographers, and Atlassian Williams guests who celebrated the best Saturday qualifying result the team had achieved in years.

Complementing its global push into performance-adjacent lifestyle culture, the Las Vegas GP was one of the most photographed luxury events of the year. On track, the weekend’s narrative was equally spectacular. Red Bull Racing, powered by engineering precision and relentless strategic evolution, brought Max Verstappen into Las Vegas as the reigning champion with a laser-focused intensity who claimed victory by crossing the finish line in first place. Verstappen, already considered one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport, showcased surgical precision throughout the weekend—an ominous reminder that Red Bull remains a title contender.

Yet this season’s plotline was far from one-sided. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished in second place, is in the midst of a career-defining championship charge. Norris arrived in Vegas as the current points leader for the 2025 season, an achievement that thrilled fans across the sport. His consistency, technical evolution, and heightened race craft transformed the championship battle into one of the most dramatic in recent memory. The Norris-Verstappen rivalry energized the weekend narrative: two drivers at the peak of their abilities and representing different eras, different philosophies, and deeply loyal fan bases. The podium was completed by Mercedes F1 driver George Russell coming in third place.

Ferrari driver and 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton exits the pit

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel at the race

Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and George Russell on the podium at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Atlassian Williams Team driver Carlos Sainz Jr. at postqualifying press conference

The Ferrari Racing Team also commanded major attention. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now in Ferrari red, has become one of the most celebrated icons in the history of motorsport, and his presence in Vegas drew enormous crowds with a fervor reminiscent of Michael Schumacher’s heyday. The roar that accompanied Hamilton’s every appearance, from paddock walk to driver introductions, carried a sense of historical reverence. Fans pressed against barriers, waving Ferrari flags and Hamilton banners as the team executed its strategic program for the weekend. With Beyoncé and Jay-Z watching from the Ferrari garage, the team became the epicenter of celebrity energy, cultural symbolism, athletic prestige, and motorsport excellence. Everywhere across the Strip, events and attractions complemented the race itself: immersive fan zones offering simulator experiences, bespoke pop-up lounges by luxury brands like Moët and Louis Vuitton, headline concerts, DJ sets from global artists, driver signings, diverse culinary showcases, art installations, and tech-centric exhibitions that made the entire city feel like one sprawling Formula 1 festival. Casinos held racing-themed events after hours; restaurants designed special prix-fixe menus around drivers’ national cuisines; and clubs hosted private after-parties

attended by athletes, musicians, actors, and team personnel. The ecosystem of F1 has become truly glitzy, but in Las Vegas it felt transcendent, merging performance engineering with fashion, celebrity, music, cinema, and futurist technology.

The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix ultimately proved not just a race but a cultural summit. It was also an event where the world’s most powerful industries intersected under the neon lights of the Nevada desert. The thunder of V6 hybrid engines, the flash of designer lenses, the glow of brand activations, and the presence of global icons created a layered spectacle unmatched on the F1 calendar. With an incredible driver lineup of the best 20 drivers in the world—Carlos Sainz Jr. lifting Atlassian Williams Racing into the spotlight, Lando Norris chasing his first championship from the top of the standings, Max Verstappen fighting to defend his crown, and Lewis Hamilton steering Ferrari into a new era—the storylines were as rich as the city hosting the race. Combined with record-breaking attendance, extraordinary hospitality demand, tech-driven innovation, celebrity gravity, and the delight of fans from all over the world, the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix stood as an emphatic declaration that Formula 1’s new age is here and, oh boy, is it ever spectacular.

From left: Michael Rubin, Travis Scott, Lewis Hamilton, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé

Start at Las Vegas Strip circuit

Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and George Russell

Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase, Red Bull, Las Vegas Strip circuit

Hungtinton Park with Grace Cathedral next door

CAPTURING THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS

The Huntington Park tree-lighting ceremony on Nob Hill

BY JOEL GOODRICH

PHOTOGRAPHY RON HENGGELER

ONE OF SAN FRANCISCO’S MOST CHERISHED HOLIDAY traditions is the Huntington Park lighting ceremony on Nob Hill, the city’s most iconic, historical, Parisian-style neighborhood. Originally the park was the site of one of the most elaborate private mansions ever built in San Francisco by General David Colton in 1872. In 1892, the residence was purchased by railroad baron Collis Huntington, whose family lived there until it was destroyed by fire in the 1906 earthquake. In 1915, Mrs. Huntington donated the land in perpetuity to the City of San Francisco for all the people to enjoy as a park.

The centerpiece of the park is the magnificent Fountain of the Tortoises. The original Fontana delle Tartarughe is still functioning in Piazza Mattei in Rome, Italy. It was designed in 1581 by Giacomo della Porta, then Pope Alexander VII commissioned Vatican artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini to restore the fountain in 1658-59. As a part of the restoration, Bernini added the tortoises to complete the composition. Thereafter, the fountain became known by its current name. In the early 1900s, the Crocker family purchased a reproduction from a company in Rome and later donated it to the

City of San Francisco in 1954. It was then placed in Huntington Park across the street from the site of the original Crocker mansion, now home of Grace Cathedral.

The tradition of lighting the 24 trees in the park goes back to Dorothy “Dolly” Fritz, whose family’s history was totally intertwined with Nob Hill as owners of the Brocklebank (the scene of Alfred Hitchcock’s timeless movie Vertigo) and other renowned Nob Hill landmarks. In 1950 when she was 14, she was given the Huntington Hotel by her father, Eugene Fritz, and she later started the Huntington Park tree lighting tradition.

The tree lighting ceremony on December 9 started with an introduction by Nob Hill Association President Alison Fogg Carlson, followed by speeches and holiday greetings from Mayor Daniel Lurie and District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter. Both the chief of police as well as the fire department honored their brave officers of the year to thank them for their service to the community. Reverend Malcolm Clemens Young of Grace Cathedral also delivered a beautiful message, then introduced the Boy’s Chorus

who sang classic Christmas carols. The crowd counted down, and the lights magically lit up the park as well as the surrounding Nob Hill landmarks—one of the most memorable moments of the holiday season!

And, of course, no Nob Hill holiday soirée would be complete without attending a concert at Grace Cathedral overlooking the park and dinner at the world-famous Fairmont Hotel next door with its giant Christmas tree and what is said to be the world’s largest gingerbread house, the biggest attraction in downtown San Francisco during the holiday season.

Sponsored by the Nob Hill Association Board, the lights were created by San Francisco event planner Riccardo Benavides, and the surrounding world class hotels (including the Huntington Hotel, now scheduled to reopen on March 1) generously provided food and hot drinks to the attendees. As a Nob Hill homeowner, I have attended this ceremony every year for over 25 years, and it just gets better and better each year, cheering up the community for the holiday season.

Olivia Decker, Brian Rashid, Molly Pacheco, and Joel Goodrich with San Francisco Police attendees

Olivia Decker, Antonio Contreras, Heidi Betz, Gioi Tran, Mark Cavalno, and Joel Goodrich

Hunthing Park Tree Lighting Party performer

Hungtinton Park fountain

Huntington Park Holiday Lighting

Haute Living Lounge overlooking the Corinthian Yacht Club harbor and San Francisco skyline

Club Lounge Holiday Dinner

BY OLIVIA DECKER

HAUTE LIVING, SAN FRANCISCO MAGAZINE HOSTED A HOLIDAY dinner at the Haute Living Lounge for contributors and ambassadors on December 17. The lounge has an amazing location on Main Street in downtown Tiburon, next door to the Corinthian Yacht Club with spectacular views of the yacht harbor, Angel Island, and the San Francisco skyline. It’s across the street from Tiburon’s movie theater, Cine Lounge, and the Main Street parking lot, with a dozen fine restaurants on the block and on Ark Row, including Michael Mina’s Bungalow Kitchen, Malibu Farm, the iconic Sam’s Café, chic Italian restaurant Luna Bleu, The Caviar Co. Champagne Lounge, the popular Salt & Pepper, and French bistro Petite Left Bank.

The dinner was prepared by French chef Alain Bourgade, who worked for over 35 years at finest restaurants in France and New York, including the three-Michelin star restaurant Le Louis XV–Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco under executive chefs Alain Ducasse and Sylvain Portay and Restaurant Daniel in New York under Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud. Bourgade is also an accomplished private chef, specializing in creating family, gourmet, and health-conscious meals for high-net-worth clients and families. He is skilled in diverse farm-to-fork cuisines, including Mediterranean, Provençal, Italian, North African, Asian, South Asian, and more.

The menu included home-smoked wild trout and salmon tartar, gamberi cevice, French caviar, truffles pearls, and egg yolk vinaigrette and 86% dark chocolate tartelettes with pistachio nougatine, minute-homemade mandarin and wild verbena sorbet, prepared by Bourgade. The menu also included my signature dish,

osso buco with carrots, onions, celery and tomatoes, slow-cooked for two days. I was trained at Lorenza di Medici’s cooking school in Rada di Chianti in Tuscany and hosted culinary retreats in my châteaux in France, Château Villette in Paris and Château Grimaldi in Aix-en-Provence, which I sold in 2012. Having a culinary retreat at Haute Living Lounge was part of my plan when I bought this property, which was formerly the iconic Tiburon Tommy’s restaurant and a sushi place in 2019.

Dinner was paired with a selection of wines from Ross Ranch & Vineyards in Knights Valley. Owner Claudia Castillo Ross is a winemaker, rancher, and mother, with talents including her PR company, Cross Marketing, and as a key contributor of Haute Living, San Francisco magazine as wine country ambassador focusing on all things wine and luxury. Claudia collaborated with Chef Bourgade, making sure every pour lived up to the incredible menu.

The evening started with her 2024 Ross Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, a wine on the lists served at three-Michelin-starred restaurant The French Laundry and Napa Valley’s Solage resort, to name a couple. With light citrus and melon notes, it was the perfect, crisp match for the first course’s delicate trout, salmon, and gamberi cevice with French caviar. For the second course, we moved to the 2022 Ranch Red, a smooth Bordeaux-style blend with a layered tasting profile of blackberry, plum, and licorice, ending in a surprising touch of peppery flavor coming from the estate’s Zinfandel. The highlight of the dinner was pairing the 94-point 2022 Ross Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon with the main course, osso buco. The wines were so effortlessly paired, it felt like they were made for each other… which

really set the stage for the finale, the newest and most awaited of the Ross Ranch portfolio: the new 2022 Vintners Cut Reserve. This 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon was selected from the very best fruit of the estate and aged over 30 months in new French oak. This beautiful and elegant wine paired perfectly with a dessert of a homemade tarte tartin, truly the best way to end the evening.

Dinner attendees included host Haute Living, San Francisco publisher/chief editor Olivia Decker; Sydney Reyes, the advertising manager for luxury partnerships; event writer Layne Randolph; Krisha Chhaganlal, digital marketing director and contributor; Claudia Ross, luxury event and wine ambassador; accounting manager Sarah Trissel; Passion & Pursuit event ambassador Adam Routledge, who is the executive director of J.P. Morgan Private Bank in San Francisco; and Wealth and Investment Ambassador Charles R. Johnson, Wealth Director of Fiduciary Trust International.

First course trout, salmon, gamberi cevice with French caviar

Haute Living Lounge entrance

Haute Living Lounge view toward Tiburon

Claudia Ross presents Ross Ranch Wines

Haute Living dinner at Haute Lounge

Diane B. Wilsey, Romana Bracco, and Maria Manetti Shrem

San Francisco Opera Guild’s An Evening on the Stage Gala HonorS Philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem

BY OLIVIA DECKER

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA GUILD’S 12TH ANNUAL AN Evening on the Stage gala dinner honored philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem on Wednesday, November 19, at the War Memorial Opera House. The honoree received the Crescendo Award, bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary support to the Guild and San Francisco Opera. The black-tie benefit offered 265 guests the opportunity to dine on the historic War Memorial Opera House stage. The evening’s décor by J. Riccardo Benavides, in collaboration with event concept curator Eva Zanetti, was inspired by Maria Manetti Shrem’s hometown of Florence, Italy. McCalls Catering & Events crafted a sumptuous dinner, and Vybe Society provided music for the dance floor.

Co-chaired by Maria Castellucci Moore and Maryam Muduroglu, An Evening on the Stage included a cocktail reception in the War Memorial Opera House foyer, followed by dinner, musical performances, presentation of the 2025 Crescendo Award, and dancing on the opera house stage. Musical guests included former San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows soprano Leah Crocetto, baritone Edward Nelson, and pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg performing “Décidi il mio destin . . . tutto scordiam” from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, “Pace non trovo” by Liszt, “Parlami d’amore Mariù” by Cesare Andrea Bixio, and “Non ti scordar di me” by Ernesto de Curtis. The San Francisco Opera Guild Opera Scouts performed “May the God of Wit Inspire” from Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and “Santa Maria,” and soprano Paloma Siliezar sang “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi, all with collaborative pianist Paul Dab.

San Francisco Opera Guild and San Francisco Opera honored visionary philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem for her unwavering commitment and lifelong dedication to the arts, music, education, Italian cultural heritage, and healthcare. Through her extraordinary generosity, she has transformed the San Francisco Bay Area, the state of California, New York City, Firenze, and communities around the world—leaving a lasting mark on countless lives and institutions. Together with her late husband, Jan Shrem (1930–2024), she has championed artists, scientists and those in need, supporting more than 60 programs across 45 organizations. She also funds a Global Sojourns Giving Circle scholarship in Africa, empowering future women leaders.

In 2016, Maria and Jan co-founded the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis. In 2024, Maria endowed UC Davis’ College of Letters and Science with its largest gift in its history, creating eight permanent endowments and launching the Arts District in January 2025. Through her steadfast support of San Francisco’s leading cultural institutions, she has played a vital role in ensuring that creativity and excellence continue to flourish in our community.

Her direct support of San Francisco Opera Guild’s music and arts education programs has opened doors for aspiring artists and K-12 students across the Greater Bay Area—nurturing creativity, academic achievement and personal growth for learners of all backgrounds.

Maria Manetti Shrem said on stage: “I deeply commend the Opera Guild for bringing award-winning educational programs to thousands of students across Northern California. Exposing young

Courtney Labe, Maria Castellucci Moore, and Maryam Muduroglu

Maria Manetti Shrem and Olivia Decker at Evening on Opera Stage gala

Gala dinner on the opera stage

Frederica von Stade, Maria Manetti Shrem, and Jake Heggie

Eva Zanetti, Mauro Aprile Zanetti, and Maria Manetti Shrem

people to the magic of music and the enchanting world of the arts is the best investment in the future of a better society.”

Co-chair Maria Castellucci remarked, “It was an honor to serve as this year’s co-chair for our beloved An Evening on the Stage event. It is a profound tribute to Maria Manetti Shrem—a true visionary whose generosity and passion for the arts continue to elevate and inspire us all. Maria understands that music is a universal language—one that transcends boundaries, unites communities, and enriches our lives in ways words alone cannot express. As we gathered on this special evening, we were reminded of the power of music to connect hearts, ignite imagination, and remind us of our shared humanity.”

Co-chair Maryam Muduroglu said, “Over the past 12 years, An Evening on the Stage has grown into a cornerstone event, raising awareness, inspiring generosity, and making a lasting impact while creating a truly unforgettable experience for our patrons. We are deeply privileged to honor Maria Manetti Shrem, whose vision and lifelong commitment to the arts and education perfectly embody the values that define this evening. Her dedication reminds us of the transformative power of creativity and philanthropy. It is an immense honor to serve alongside such passionate individuals and contribute to the continued cultural vitality of our beloved city of San Francisco.”

San Francisco Opera Guild President Courtney Labe said, “This year’s An Evening on Stage transported guests to Florence in celebration of our honoree, Maria Manetti Shrem, whose Italian heritage inspired the night’s theme. The sold-out event was truly a magical evening that kicked off the holiday season in style. We are thrilled by its success and deeply grateful to our supporters whose generosity helps our music education programs reach thousands of Bay Area students each year.”

Matthew Shilvock and Maria Manetti Shrem

Pasquale and Samira Esposito with baritone Edward Nelson who performed at dinner

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock said, “I am in constant awe of the passion and devotion that Maria has for the arts. She holds the well-being of our institutions and our artists deep in her heart, and she works tirelessly to keep the arts vibrant, vital, and at the very highest levels of excellence. Maria has enriched the artistic soul not only of our city, but of the world, bringing people and ideas together with such care and philanthropic generosity. I am thrilled that she is being celebrated with such a high honor from the San Francisco Opera Guild.”

Event guests included San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock; San Francisco Opera Association President Jack Calhoun and Board Chair Barbara Wolfe; President of the Board of Trustees of the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center and past honoree Diane B. Wilsey; and past stage dinner honorees Paul Pelosi, Gordon Getty, Jake Heggie, and Frederica von Stade. Proceeds from ticket sales support San Francisco Opera Guild’s innovative education programs which reach thousands of students in Greater Bay Area schools.

An Evening on the Stage is made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor TriplePoint Capital; event sponsors Five Star Bank, Neiman Marcus, and Van Cleef & Arpels; wine sponsors Scharffenberger Cellars and Castellucci Napa Valley; and media sponsors Haute Living, San Francisco and Nob Hill Gazette. Special thanks go to Drew Altizer Photography, J. Riccardo Benavides Event Styling, Cheree Berry Paper & Design, Leah Crocetto, Paul Dab, Ronny Michael Greenberg, McCalls Catering & Events, Edward Nelson, Paloma Siliezar, Soirée Valet, Vybe Society, Eva Zanetti, and Mauro Aprile Zanetti.

San Francisco Opera Scouts performing

Kevin O’Connor at full speed in his 1971 McLaren M8C

Racing With Heart: Classic Sports Racing Group’s Speed, Spirit & Philanthropy

BY KEVIN O’CONNOR

AT FIRST GLANCE, THE CLASSIC SPORTS RACING GROUP (CSRG) LOOKS like any high-octane society gathering: gleaming machines, sunlit pit lanes, and the basso growl of vintage race cars echoing through Sonoma Raceway. But beneath the oil, the octane, and the occasional waft of exhaust lies something rarer in motorsport—a deeply human heartbeat. This is not merely a racing club. It’s a community where the roar of engines harmonizes with laughter, friendship, and the shared belief that speed can, quite literally, do good.

“CSRG was started in 1968 by a bunch of friends who wanted to drive their old cars and keep them alive,” says Race Director Geoff Pitts, who oversees the club’s expanding calendar of events. “Over the years, it’s become so much more than just a racing club. It’s a community. People help each other, share knowledge, and make sure everyone stays on track—literally and figuratively.”

The founding members—enthusiasts, and dreamers—were driven not by trophies, but by the simple joy of keeping classic machinery in motion. They began renting racetracks on weekends, hosting informal events, and inviting anyone with a passion for vintage speed to join in. Over time, CSRG evolved into one of California’s most respected vintage racing organizations, with a membership now hovering around 400. On race weekends, the paddock feels like a cross between a motor museum and a family reunion.

“We’re not serious racers,” Pitts says with a grin. “We’ve got some serious racers among us, sure—but what we’re really serious about is having fun.” That sense of fun has always been matched by purpose. Through its longstanding partnership with Sonoma Speedway Charities, CSRG has raised nearly $200,000 for youth programs and nonprofit causes throughout Sonoma Valley. The club’s annual Charity Challenge blends adrenaline and altruism—a weekend where Shelbys, Ferraris, Datsuns, and MGs roar not for personal glory, but for local schools, literacy programs, and youth mentorship initiatives. “The racing is fun,” says Pitts, “but what really matters is that we’re doing good for the community while doing what we love.”

The club’s philanthropic success comes from generosity at the grassroots level, not corporate sponsors. Racers volunteer rides, donate auction prizes, and even open their garages to raise funds. A bidder might win a hot lap in a 1960s Lotus or a guided tour of a private collection. “You see people compete fiercely on track, then turn around and loan a wrench or a set of tires to the guy who beat them,” Pitts says. “That’s CSRG in a nutshell—competition with compassion.”

Few embody that blend of excitement and fellowship better than Matt Lituchy, a Bay Area real estate developer and self-confessed car addict. “I’ve always been a car guy,” he admits. “Right before COVID-19, some real estate buddies invited me to a track day at Laguna Seca. I took my 996 Turbo out, had a blast, and thought, ‘I need to do this more often.’” Twice a year wasn’t enough. When the pandemic shuttered offices but left racetracks open, Lituchy went all in. He bought a vintage Porsche race car, went to SCCA racing school, and began racing with CSRG in earnest. His debut was memorable—if slightly disastrous. “My first CSRG race in 2021 ended with a 911 RSR clone in the turn 10 wall,” he laughs. “That car didn’t survive, but my enthusiasm did.”

Today, Lituchy campaigns a small fleet of perfectly restored vintage machines: a 1972 Alfa GTV 1750, a 1965 Corvette Roadster, a 1961 Lotus 20 Formula Junior, and a recently acquired Porsche 911 Cup Car. “They’re beautiful, they’re temperamental, and they all have stories,” he says. “But the best part is the people. It’s gentlemanly racing—competitive but respectful—and the community is just as fun as the racing.”

CSRG’s races are a study in controlled chaos. The paddock hums like a symphony of tinkering, with mechanics fine-tuning engines while drivers swap stories. There’s friendly banter about apexes and lap times, but the undercurrent is camaraderie. “We race hard, but nobody wants to win because someone else broke down,” Lituchy says. “We’re all custodians of history out there.”

If Lituchy is the club’s philosopher, Rob Fuller is its mechanic-musician. The owner of Z-Car Garage in San Jose, Fuller is a walking encyclopedia of Datsuns, Nissans, and racing lore. “I’ve been around Datsuns my whole life,”

he says. “I still have my first 510. I never planned to be a racer—I restored a vintage car for a friend who couldn’t drive anymore. He told me, ‘You need to keep this car’s story alive.’ And that was it.” Now a CSRG board member, Fuller approaches both racing and leadership with a craftsman’s care. “It’s intimate here,” he says. “You can go side-by-side through a corner, then walk over afterward and laugh about it. That’s rare in racing.” His passion has a ripple effect. “Watching someone I’ve coached hit their personal best lap—that’s the real win,” he says. “It’s about joy, not ego.”

Among the club’s most admired duos are David “DZ” Zurlinden and Veronica “V” O’Shea, a husband-and-wife team who share a garage and a pair of Huffakerbuilt 1964 MGs. DZ races an MGB; V campaigns a Midget. The couple’s passion for racing fuels their dedication to philanthropy. Every lap they complete raises funds for Sonoma Speedway Charities, often by auctioning passenger rides or track experiences. “It’s like a family here,” says V. “We race because we love it—but also because it helps others.” DZ, a CSRG board member and historian, has also become a guardian of racing history. His prized project is the restoration of a Ralt RT-1 Formula Atlantic once driven by Chip Mead, alongside legends Bobby Rahal and Gilles Villeneuve. “These cars are rolling history books,” DZ says. “Every nut and bolt tells a story—and it’s our job to make sure those stories keep running.”

Then there’s Jim Alder, the 70-year-old Reno racer who insists he’s still in his twenties—at least when the helmet goes on. Alder drives his 1954 Jaguar XK-120 to every race from Reno, snow be damned. “If you go fast enough, the raindrops don’t hit you,” he says with a wink. His father was a Navy pilot who flew PBY Catalinas out of Okinawa during World War II. “He taught me that courage is quiet—it’s about showing up when things get tough,” Alder says. “When you’re out there at over 100 miles an hour, it’s just you and the machine. You have to respect it—and yourself.” Alder’s Jaguar carries decades of patina and pride. “I drive it to the track, tape up the headlights, race it, and drive it home,” he says. “It’s the purest form of racing there is.” He grins. “CSRG keeps me young. We may be older, but out there, we’re all kids again.”

While CSRG’s home turf is Sonoma, its spirit stretches across oceans. Members and their machines regularly participate in global vintage racing events: the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and even the Monaco Historics, where classic Formula One cars thunder through the same narrow streets once conquered by Graham Hill and Ayrton Senna. Few embody this international connection better than San Francisco attorney Chris Locke, whose collection includes an ex-Mario Andretti Lotus 77 Formula One car and an ex-Jim Clark Lotus 32B. Locke campaigns these cars on both sides of the Atlantic, competing at Monaco, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, and Goodwood. “These aren’t museum pieces,” Locke says. “They were built to be driven hard—and I’m just lucky enough to be their caretaker for a while.”

Events like Goodwood and Monterey share CSRG’s DNA: heritage, craftsmanship, and a sense of theater. But the California version comes with sunnier skies and a more relaxed dress code. “Goodwood has tweed and tea,” Pitts says with a laugh. “We’ve got denim and Cabernet. The love for the cars—it’s exactly the same.” Drivers swap stories about gear ratios, lost luggage, and the occasional miraculous repair performed with a borrowed hammer and duct tape. Pitts takes it all in with quiet pride. “Every event feels like a reunion,” he says. “We’ve got everyone from neurosurgeons and musicians to mechanics and CEOs. There’s no hierarchy here—just horsepower and heart.” The diversity extends across generations. “Our youngest driver is 17,” Pitts notes. “Our oldest is 86—and he’s one of our founding members. It’s the full circle of life on wheels.”

As the sun dips below the Sonoma hills, the sound of engines fades and the real symphony begins—laughter, the clinking of wine glasses, and the occasional dog barking for leftovers. Racing families share stories under awnings, while kids sit on the fenders of cars older than their parents. “It’s not about trophies,” says Veronica O’Shea. “It’s about the laughter, the stories, and the people you meet.” Pitts agrees. “If there’s one thing I’d want people to know, it’s that CSRG isn’t about ego,” he says. “It’s about connection—to the past, to each other, and to the causes we support. Racing just happens to be our language.”

A flurry of B Production sedans head down the Sonoma hill

Jim Alder leans his Jag XK-120 into the carousel

Two Datsun 510s battle it out

Nick Podell, Katie Traina, Claire Spaht, Kathryn Lasater, Darius Himes, Max Boyer Glynn, Carol Bonnie, Todd Traina, Leslie Podell, Allison Speer, Bo Lasater, and Jean-Pierre Conte

An Elegant Evening Benefiting the Fine Art Museums of San Francisco

BY OLIVIA DECKER

THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO (FAMSF) hosted one of the city’s most beloved seasonal soirées on December 9 at the Legion of Honor Museum, where Honorary Gala Chair and Chair Emerita Diane Wilsey presided over an elegant evening in support of exhibitions and educational programming at both the de Young and Legion of Honor Museums. Gala co-chairs Alexandria Ashdown, Jack Calhoun, Stanlee Gatti, Lorna Meyer Calas, Kathryn Lasater, Barbara A. Wolfe, and Brenda Wright welcomed over 220 guests, including trustees, museum supporters, and art lovers of all stripes for an enchanted winter celebration.

The black-tie evening of dinner and dancing began with a private viewing of “Manet & Morisot,” the critically acclaimed special exhibition on view through March 1, 2026, led by Emily Beeny, chief curator of the Legion of Honor and the Barbara A. Wolfe curatorin-charge of European paintings. J. Riccardo Benavides and IDEAS Events & Rentals transformed the tented Court of Honor into a joyful burgundy-and-gold holiday wonderland where guests savored caviar from The Caviar Co. and a seated multi-course dinner masterfully prepared by McCalls Catering & Events.

PHOTO: DEVLIN SHAND

Paul Pelosi, Eleni Kounalakis, and Willie L. Brown

Sonya Molodetskaya, Tracy Chen, Farah Makras, Carolyn Chang, and Mary Beth Shimmon

Diane Wilsey

Mark Calvano, Heide Betz, Navid Armstrong, Olivia Decker, and Joel Goodrich

David Shimmon and Mary Beth Shimmon

Lorna Meyer Calas, and Jack Calhoun

After dining, guests transitioned to the dance floor to experience renowned big band ensemble The Bob Hardwick Sound Sensation, flown in from New York City exclusively for the evening. The band performs musical standards from swing to pop/rock to Latin. The elegant celebration kicked off the holiday season with flair, while supporting the museums’ mission to connect visitors with local and global art through inclusive and accessible programs and exhibitions.

Noted attendees included FAMSF Board President Lorna Meyer Calas; board members Carl Pascarella, Lynn Poole, Brenda Wright, Lisa Zanze, and Romana Bracco; trustees Max Boyer Glynn and David Shimmon with wife Mary Beth; California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis; former San Francisco Mayor Willie L. Brown with Sonya Molodetskaya; Paul Pelosi; SF Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock; SF Protocol Chief Penny Coulter; arts philanthropists George and Judy Marcus; San Francisco Opera Guild President Courtney Labe and husband Jim Labe, co-founder of TriplePoint Capital; Tom Horn; Todd and Katie Traina; and publisher of Haute Living, San Francisco Magazine Olivia Decker.

Decker, Joel Goodrich, Daru Kawalkowski, and Claire Kostic

Cesar Alexzander and Tom Horn

Romana Bracco, Emily Beeny, and Barbara Wolfe

Vivian Saper, Danny Sanner, and Kimberly Sanner

Jim Labe and Courtney Labe

Olivia

Brenda Wright and Steve Bowdry

or Visit SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

Celebrating Lunar New Year at The St. Regis

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 | 5:30PM

THE ST. REGIS SAN FRANCISCO | 125 THIRD STREET | SAN FRANCISC O

Welcome the Lunar New Year with an intimate concert featuring pianist and composer Yang Bao at The St. Regis San Francisco. The evening also celebrates the launch of MADLANDS, his upcoming PENTATONE album, which reflects his distinctive artistic voice at the intersection of classical performance, sound exploration, and visual art. Join us for a reflective and immersive musical experience in the elegant surroundings of The St. Regis.

The evening includes a reception featuring wines from a Festival Napa Valley Wine Partner, as well as hors d’oeuvres.

ABOUT YANG BAO

Yang Bao is an award-winning composer and sound artist, recipient of the Maria Manetti Shrem Composer Prize, and recognized by Forbes China and Robb Report. His work spans international institutions and luxury commissions, including Dior and Louis XIII. Trained at The Juilliard School and New England Conservatory of Music, Bao frequently performs at renowned venues, such as National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Festival Napa Valley, Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Lincoln Center in New York and Jordan Hall in Boston.

For tickets and more information, scan the QR code or visit FestivalNapaValley.org.

boxoffice@festivalnapavalley.org | 707.346.5052