Haute Wine

Valpolicella Rocks: Tenuta Sant’Antonio

At wine tasting and lunch with Armando Castagnedi, owner of Tenuta Sant’Antonio family winery in Italy’s Veneto region, I solved this riddle. Q: What is even better than one charming, skilled, prestigious…

Sky-High Indulgence: The Exquisite Wine Selections of First-Class Flights

Delight in the exquisite wine offerings of luxury airlines’ first-class cabins. Luxury airlines understand that an extraordinary first-class travel experience encompasses more than just plush seats and impeccable service. For the discerning…

Kendall Jackson’s 2023 Kentucky Derby Party

On Saturday, May 4, Kendall-Jackson, home to “America’s number-one-selling-Chardonnay” hosted its fourth-annual Derby Watch Party at its Sonoma County Wine Estate & Gardens. Hailed as the largest West Coast Derby watch party,…

Tasca D'Almerita's Capofaro on Salina Island.

Italy’s Island Wines: Sunkissed Whites to Sip This Summer

Beyond Sardinia’s Vermentino and Pantelleria’s Passito, there are many little-known island wines to explore. Mother Nature has graced these islands with breathtaking panoramas and rare wines that are lively, summery, and highly quaffable.

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.

Under-The-Radar No More: Mathew Bruno Winery

Mathew Bruno Winery produced its first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2009, yet the Napa Valley winery has flown very much under the radar these past many years. A small production accounts…

The Duckhorn Portfolio: Luxury in Every Bottle

Over the past decade, and most recently with the launch of the company’s IPO in March of 2021, The Duckhorn Portfolio has emerged as one of the most dynamic and successful mid-sized luxury…

Wine of Character: Ornellaia “La Generosità”

Ornellaia, the haute Italian Super Tuscan, is celebrated  for its persistent quality and luscious flavor. Year after year, this Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit…

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.

Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate

St. Helena, Napa Valley, California This gated, private, and picturesque Tuscan-style vineyard estate offers approximately 12,000 square feet of luxury living space on 44.72 acres perched on its own promontory with panoramic…

Discover Ross Ranch: The Perfect Blend

Nestled in the picturesque Knights Valley of Sonoma County lies Ross Ranch, a captivating estate that boasts not only exceptional California Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, but also a unique blend of warm hospitality.…

From Persia to LA and Napa Valley

The American dream of Darioush Khaledi I had the pleasure of meeting Darioush Khaledi when I joined the Festival Napa Valley’s board of directors in 2019. Khaledi was a festival cofounder and…