Wine Country Elevates Pairings to a Tantalizing Art Form

While not all wineries in northern California offer food pairings, some do much more than provide them; they hire onsite chefs and create culinary experiences typically found in full-service gourmet restaurants. And it’s not just the wineries; restaurants are raising the bar high, too.

Anna Fendi’s Guide to Good Wine

As part of one of Italy’s most prominent families, Anna Fendi grew up celebrating her country’s rich cultural heritage and reputation for exquisite products. After leading the family business creatively for many years, she ventured into a new field of Italian expertise by curating a collection of wines and accessories designed to complement the Italian lifestyle.

NewTree Ranch

Owner Edward Newell believes in the transformative power of nature and the unique ‘nature state of mind’ concept. “It’s a state of being and a natural state you get when you’re in nature. To me, wellness is when you start bonding with nature and getting into the flow with it. I call it a nature state of mind.’”

Sicily’s Villa Tasca as Seen in The White Lotus

The villa’s opulent interiors have welcomed luminaries such as German opera composer Robert Wagner, Italian violinist Niccolò Paganini, and Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, each leaving their mark on its storied halls. Wagner, for instance, stayed on the property in 1927 while he was writing the third act of Parsifal, and 60 years later, at 85, he composed “Villa Tasca” based on his visit.

Sonoma Valley Author’s Fest | A Toast to Literary Genius

This year’s festival was a treasure trove of literary heavyweights, featuring presentations by renowned authors like Amy Tan, author of several acclaimed novels, including The Joy Luck Club and her latest release, The Backyard Bird Chronicles. Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin also graced the stage, presenting her newest book, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s.

Domaine Carneros Napa Valley, Photo Credit Domaine Carneros

The French Connection: “Champagne” Houses in America

Decades ago, French Champagne experts brought their skills to California wine country, expanding their production to include sparkling wine made on American terroir. By doing so, they increased their visibility and made their wines more widely available in the robust U.S. market. In a way, they invented an American version of Champagne.

Dolce & Gabbana and Donnafugata: Sicily’s New Dream Team

Everything about the Donnafugata partnership with the Dolce & Gabbana fashion house is based around the Mediterranean island of Sicily. The two powerhouses with Sicilian roots joined forces in 2019 to create an even more powerful collaboration—a wine collection designed with Dolce & Gabbana style and Donnafugata wine expertise.

Birdies Footwear

Birdies Shoes: Flying to the Top

Gates co-founded Birdies, the San Francisco-based shoe company, with her friend Marissa Sharkey. The company’s original concept was comfortable, stylish shoes one can wear while hosting a fashionable dinner party: flats as comfy as slippers. They built the company as young women, holding full-time jobs and without experience in the field.

Villa Igiea: Palermo’s Resort for Kings of the Golden Age

Villa Igiea boasts breathtaking views over the Gulf of Palermo to the city of Palermo across the bay. It is a stunning turn-of-the-century palazzo that feels a world away from tourist crowds while only a 15-minute drive or short trip by private boat to Sicily’s capital city.

Palazzo Borghese's Mirror Room

Rome: Where History, Luxury, And Style Reside

Indisputably one of Europe’s most magnificent capitals, Rome offers lodgings to match its majesty. Here are three luxury hotels that showcase the unique and iconic sides of this singular city.