Read Design

Leica Introduces the D-Lux 8

The German manufacturer updates their popular compact digital D-Lux camera

Julie Wolfson

12 November 2024

On a recent trip to Japan, Leica’s compact D-Lux 8 proved to be an ideal camera to go anywhere and capture everything. The body feels sturdy and lightweight—perfect to carry on an itinerary with cocktails in Tokyo, coffee in Kyoto, and on to Osaka to see the Chiharu Shiota exhibit at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art. A visit to the beautiful Katsuo-ji Temple outside of Osaka also feels enhanced by the D-Lux 8’s ability to capture the emotional expressions on the tiny darumas placed around the gardens.

Since 2003, the D-Lux has been the company’s focus for their digital compact camera category. Affordable by Leica standards, these cameras deliver Leica styling and quality for anyone who wants an accessible and user-friendly option. Through the years each iteration has added capabilities, modified the body shape and streamlined the interface. This summer, Leica debuted the eighth version, a new optimized D-Lux. With a few months of hands-on time, a colorful journey in Japan and a conversation with Mike Giannattasio (President of Leica Camera North Americ), we explore what’s new, what stayed the same and how the camera interacts with the Leica FOTOS app. 

“The Leica D-Lux line offers durability, functionality and optical quality that the brand is known for, in the smallest package,” says Giannattasio. “This allows for the camera to be an everyday carry camera, providing an opportunity for creatives to explore and witness their environments with ease.” That ease comes from both the small size a packability of the camera that can be comfortably worn in their molded black leather case or stored in a handbag or tote.

Weighing about 14 ounces, the ergonomically redesigned body made of die-cast magnesium is inspired by the Leica Q System. The menu feels more intuitive featuring a new button layout and user interface, providing easier navigation and increased customizability. Regarding some of the significant updates Giannattasio explains, “The D-Lux 8 now has an OLED screen for better viewing in contrasty environments, a 48% in back screen resolution making details in images more visible, support for DNG files, UHS-II SD card support and the ability to transfer RAW images and video files from the camera to a mobile device through the Leica FOTOS app.” 

With the new body design, the button layout offers the opportunity for user customization, while simplifying the layout of the camera. “Leica is continuously looking for opportunities to make the image creation process a fun and intuitive process,” adds Giannattasio. “Through its UI redesign, which is also inspired by the Leica Q system, Leica customers can comfortably view and adjust key settings with a single button click, allowing them to quickly return to the moment of capture.”

The camera can be fully personalized with a simple long press on any of the four function buttons. The user is able to assign a specific menu setting to each button, allowing for quick access to favorite settings. One of these settings can be Wi-Fi activation, to send full quality images and videos to a mobile device, through the Leica FOTOS app. The Leica FOTOS app also allows the user to control the camera from a distance, such as changing the zoom or camera settings and activating the shutter remotely. The D-Lux 8 has both JPEG and DNG formats for more post-processing flexibility and the ability to record 4K videos.

In addition to carrying a camera and taking photos, visiting Leica stores along the way adds to the Leica experience. Each store has knowledgeable staff to answer questions, accessories, and gallery exhibits. The Leica store in Kyoto is on Hanamikoji Street in the traditional Gion district in a 100-year-old, two-story Machi-ya townhouse. Currently at the Ginza store in Tokyo the gallery space upstairs is featuring Seiya Nakai’s exhibit “Scenic train rides with Leica.”

Each Leica Store and gallery becomes a gathering place for the photography community. Photo exhibit openings bring out large crowds at the Los Angeles location and many others around the world. It is common to see Leica photographers arrive proudly displaying their beloved cameras. “Brand loyalty to Leica is deeply rooted in a blend of quality, heritage and community, and is truly inspiring to see,” says Giannattasio. “At Leica events, seeing photographers proudly ‘wearing’ their cameras is a beautiful testament to their passion and dedication to their art form. Ultimately, it’s about being part of a vibrant community that shares a genuine appreciation for photography and the artistry that it embodies.”

Looking ahead to Spring 2025, Leica will be celebrating 100 years of the company with exhibits, experiences and collaborations. The company is committed to enriching their experience with exciting product launches, Akademie workshops and gallery events worldwide with Leica’s community of photography enthusiasts and professionals. “This centennial celebration will honor the significant impact Leica has had on photography and visual storytelling. From pioneering innovations to shaping how we capture and perceive the world, Leica has consistently led the way in photographic evolution,” says Giannattasio. The celebration will feature a series of events in NYC, highlighted by a vibrant block party on 13th Street, right in front of their flagship store and gallery. They are partnering with Photoville to create moments that encapsulate our 100-year journey and with the International Center of Photography (ICP) for a special exhibition commemorating this milestone. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with our community, share inspiring stories and celebrate the passion for photography that unites us all. Together, we will reflect on a century of achievements while looking forward to the next chapter of innovation and creativity at Leica,” says Giannattasio. “By actively listening to customer feedback on products like the compact D-Lux 8 and the Leica versatile SL3, Leica continually enhances its offerings while strengthening partnerships, such as those with Panasonic and Adobe.” 

The D-Lux 8 embodies Leica’s dedication to fostering a supportive community that celebrates the art of photography for all skill levels. For traveling light with carry-on luggage, on and off trains, and to so many locations, the size and capabilities of the D-Lux 8 makes it an ideal travel companion.

Read Food + Drink

Redbreast 18 Takes Flight

Midleton Distillery celebrates the newest aged expression from Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey

Julie Wolfson

28 October 2024

The team that makes Redbreast have been waiting for the ideal time to debut Redbreast 18. With Redbreast 12 and 15 at the top of many Irish whiskey enthusiasts’ lists and the 21 and 27 Year Old finding their perch in coveted collections, the 18 Year Old now takes its spot as the newest member of the flock from the Midleton Distillery. This new expression is crafted from both malted and unmalted barley and aged in ex-bourbon barrels as well as casks seasoned with oloroso sherry, cream sherry and ruby port. The results burst with berry fruit, hazelnut chocolate and caramelized stone fruit.

“It’s something that we couldn’t have brought out before,” explains master blender Dave McCabe, during a recent gathering of friends and colleagues at the distillery. “If we had come out with an 18 before now, it would have been using similar stock, which means a similar taste profile as the 15. Over the last 10 to 12 years, and even longer, we’ve been accumulating other types of casks that we haven’t used before for Redbreast 18. We’re also using a small amount of whiskey aged and ruby port barrels, which we use a lot of in the Redbreast 27.” This gives the Redbreast 18 its own edge of flavor that isn’t in the others. In particular, the inclusion of cream sherry casks, rarely used by Redbreast in the aging process adds complexity.

Working alongside Redbreast master blender emeritus Billy Leighton, McCabe’s challenge was to understand the complexity of the flavors to be able to create something that’s unique that they had enough inventory to be able to replicate going forward. For the 18, he searched for a clear identity within the existing range. “I did not want it too dry. I still wanted a little tannic and a little kind of red wine and bitter chocolate,” says McCabe.

The goal was to create a full-bodied whiskey with oak tannins complementing grapes and autumn fruits, ginger and licorice. All of this comes to life alongside the wine-seasoned oak influences of dried fruits, berries and citrus peel with pot still spices. “Because I think that’s a nice change from the stone fruits, peaches and tropicals I get in the 21 or the herbal character and almost a fudge, butterscotch sweetness in the 15,” McCabe adds. “I wanted to just create that bit of a disruption there. But I did want those ripe fruits within it, and that’s where that small percentage of ruby port casks came in.”

Redbreast’s journey to its current popularity began in 1857, when W&A Gilbey was founded in London, adding branches in Ireland and Scotland, eventually amassing the largest stock of Irish whiskey outside of the distilleries themselves. By 1887 they began marketing John Jameson & Son’s whiskey and by 1912 the first documented appearance of “Redbreast” J.J. Liqueur Whiskey 12 Years Old. The name, from a Robin Redbreast bird, was a nod to the chairman of Gibley’s hobby as a bird enthusiast. Gilbey’s sold the name to Irish Distillers in 1985 leading to the reintroduction of Redbreast in 1991 and to the range of whiskeys they have crafted leading up to this debut of the Redbreast 18.

McCabe says, “I like to say, we don’t make whiskey to look at. We make it to drink. And I think of 18 as one that you will drink because you know you can buy it again. It’s one that you can share with people every day and on special occasions.”

Read Style

The Enduring Allure Morgenthal Frederics Eyewear

Hand-carved buffalo horn frames distinguish this heritage brand

Julie Wolfson

21 October 2024

On North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, the Morgenthal Frederics boutique offers a quiet respite from the throngs of people drinking smoothies at Erewhon just a few doors away. Inside, the space evokes the feeling of a vintage library. The shelves display their namesake eyewear designs alongside their own Robert Marc label and likeminded luxury brands like Jacques Marie Mage, Chrome Hearts, Matsuda, Maybach, Mykita, Sosprisi and Cartier. With a focus on their bespoke hand-carved buffalo horn frames and other specialty material options, the experience of choosing something special feels like a customized fitting with an expert fashion stylist. 

“My first pair of Morgenthal Frederics horn glasses are special to me,” says Glenn Reisch, president of the brand. “I got them 15 years ago and still wear them today. I vividly remember the moment of trying them on. They were unlike anything I’d seen before and a little bolder than my go-to frames at the time. I felt confident and comfortable in my new frames. They instantly became part of me and articulated my personality like no glasses before them.”

In 2006, Morgenthal Frederics began working with buffalo horn. “The beauty of horn, because it’s a natural material, [means] each piece is unique unto itself,” says Reisch. “Totally one-of-a-kind, beautifully unique and exceptionally lightweight.” Through their custom program, clients can choose any element of their horn frames from the style and color to the finishing, accents and lens designs. 

Their opticians are in direct communication with their designers and are experts in working with this specialty material. For more intricate design needs, they can even set up appointments directly with their designers. Once the design is finalized, the work begins at their Germany factory where the frame is meticulously sculpted and shaped by hand over hundreds of hours.

“We are proud to offer a groundbreaking custom horn program that further sets Morgenthal Frederics apart by allowing our customers to work with our opticians and designers to create their one-of-a-kind frames,” says Reisch. “Our designers are always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.” When working with hand carvings, cut outs, and vibrant new colors, it’s often the first time the design has been made in horn. Many of their customers have begun to collect horn frames. 

They focus on sustainable practices and an eco-conscious approach for making buffalo horn frames. “Firstly, no animals are harmed because we only use Indian water buffalo after their full and natural life cycle. The horn is then taken to our factory in Germany,” says Reisch. Each unique frame is created by compiling a minimum of eight to 20 layers of horn—comprising the details of the shape, textures and colors. 

“The resulting eyewear is truly one-of-a-kind. No two are the same. And the fact that we can do it in such a sustainable manner is a point of great pride for the brand,” says Reisch. “The factory in Germany is fully wind- and water-powered, and all waste from the horn frames is used as fertilizer in the vineyards around the factory.”

At their thirteen Morgenthal Frederics boutiques across the country they focus on tailoring the experience of choosing frames to each person’s unique needs and personality. “There is never a one-size-fits-all approach,” says Reisch. “Quite the opposite. Our bespoke philosophy is the only way to provide the absolute best products for perfect vision, style and comfort. The fact there isn’t one set formula is the fun part. Our ultimate goal is for our customers to feel confident and comfortable.”

Company collaborations have included Cartier, Oscar De La Renta, Salvatore Ferragamo and Sabyasachi. “We are very proud of our over-a-century-long expertise in opticianry that translates directly to the exceptional products and services we provide,” says Reisch. “The company mission is to make people feel great about their eyewear by creating one-of-a-kind pieces that enable our clients to express themselves and see better too.”

Read Travel

Word of Mouth: Napa Valley

Pairing wine tastings with a sense of adventure

Julie Wolfson

2 October 2024

With more that 400 wineries in California’s Napa Valley, planning an itinerary can be a challenge. Focusing on independent and family-owned wineries opens a window into boutique winemaking operations, inspiring architectural spaces, focused art collections and surprising vineyard experiences. Learning about their commitment to careful management of the land and living in harmony with animals, winemakers share a focus on water conservation, B Corp building design and natural abatement practices. In addition to offering tours of their vineyards and tasting rooms, the following wineries share their history and provide unique tastings with food pairings alongside a variety of activities that tell the story of the community.

Hollywood History at Frank Family Vineyards

Along Larkmead Lane, a name fit for a ’60s family sitcom, the Frank Family Vineyard brings some Hollywood history and glamor to the Napa Valley. Their newest tasting takes place in The Miller House, their modern farmhouse designed by the prolific architect Howard Backen, with versatile glass walls that reveal vineyard views. This experience highlights the depth and versatility of Frank Family estate wines—and includes a selection of their current release sparkling blanc de blancs, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, each paired with charcuterie and their favorite locally sourced cheese. Visitors can also opt for The Craftsman House Tasting, in their charming historic yellow house, for estate tastings held in two rooms with memorabilia dedicated to members of the Frank family. The Patriarch Room and The Patriarch Cabernet Sauvignon honor Rich Frank’s father, Hy Frank, and the family legacy of him landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day. The “Hollywood” room features images from Rich’s career as the former President of Disney and Leslie Frank’s work as an award-winning broadcast journalist.

Falconry in the Garden at Bouchaine Vineyards 

On the site of the oldest continuously-family-owned property in the area, Bouchaine Vineyards sits along the southernmost region of the Carneros AVA closest to San Francisco, Marin and the East Bay. Over the years this winery has grown into a leading producer of sustainably farmed chardonnay. In 2015, Chris Kajani joined the company as president and lead winemaker and has been recognized for her sustainability practices and award-winning wines. On Friday mornings, a feathery surprise perches in anticipation of visitors during their “Falconry in the Garden” experience. During this time, Rebecca Rosen shares an overview of how her birds serve an integral purpose in the vineyards. Her Harris Hawk and Peregrine Falcon take on the job of scaring away the other species that would threaten the grapes by gobbling up fruit before they fully ripen and are ready for harvest. To be up close with hawks, owls and falcons offers a window into the life of these majestic birds, who—when prompted with a morsel of food—will fly to the leather falconry glove. Rosen’s owl will also sit patiently for a photo as glasses of wine are served there in the garden.

The Backstage Tasting Lounge at Cliff Lede Vineyards

A visit to Cliff Lede Vineyards is a feast for the senses. Opened in 2002, this Yountville winery, helmed by general manager Jason Lede, not only showcases founder Cliff Lede’s focus on both producing estate wines but celebrates the music and art created by his favorite rock icons. Lede’s love of rock music informs every aspect of their winery, a theme evident from the tasting rooms to the garden patio and even to the vineyard blocks. The label for their Rock Block Series evoked the look of an amp. Their Private Appellation Tour & Tasting features a selection of estate wine in their Backstage Tasting Lounge where guests will taste vineyard selection cabernet sauvignons surrounded by Grace Slick paintings, John Lennon drawings and Lede’s collection of guitars played by Fleetwood Mac, REO Speedwagon, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Muse. Wine tasting includes single vineyard, appellation series, platinum and library wines from their 60 acres of vines in Stags Leap District, 20 acres in Calistoga and 86 acres in Carneros. Their Napa Green-certified sustainable, Howard Backen-designed winery and tasting room are powered by a 300-kilowatt solar panel field with a three-tier sorting line, optical sorting machine and an extensive cave system to keep the wines cool. 

Merlot Mastery Experience at Sullivan [Rutherford]: 

The mention of merlot wine evokes opinions. For some it may conjure an immediate recollection of Paul Giamatti’s tirade in Alexander Payne’s film Sideways, after which one could feel the sales of merlot plummeting. Merlot, like any other wine grape, depends on the quality of the fruit and the talent and resources of the winemaker. At Sullivan they love Merlot and are deeply invested in growing the best grapes and crafting the most delicious wine. For anyone else who loves merlot or wants to learn why they should give this grape another chance, Sullivan offers a deep dive into the world. Here, merlot is king. The Merlot Mastery Experience showcases their love for the grape variety with a tour of their vineyard-to-bottle process and a tasting with winemaker Jeff Cole and owner Juan Pablo Torres Padilla. This immersive experience begins with one of their wines served side by side with European old-world producers of right bank Bordeaux and Italy’s Bolgheri to tell the story of the quality they aim for at Sullivan. It’s a bold move and an entertaining way to start the conversation. The tasting includes these three wines and a second flight showcases a vertical lineup of their flagship merlots with food pairings. 

Time Travel with the Gamble Family Vineyards

Booking a tour and tasting at Gamble Family Vineyard feels like a time-travel machine from the early days of the Napa Valley to glimpses of winemaking operations of the future. Gamble offers by-appointment only tastings that focus on the rich history and continued stewardship of the land and how they helped preserve Napa winemaking for generations. The tours take place in their original 19^th century homestead and feature horse barns and sweeping views of the valley floor. During the experience, visitors learn how the Gamble family was integral to establishing the Napa Valley Ag Preserve to protect agriculture in the area for future generations. Tom Gamble often hosts the tours, giving guests a unique look into the life and legacy of a Napa Valley farmer. Visitors may also get to see their newest vineyard vehicle, the fully electric Monarch MKV tractor. The tasting features a flight of four rare wines in their historic house. The childhood photo of Tom on the sauvignon blanc bottle offers another glimpse into what it was like growing up on the land where he continues the family legacy to this day. 

The Seasonal Wine and Food Experience Ram’s Gate

Easily accessible on a drive in from or back to San Francisco through the Sonoma Valley, Ram’s Gate offers a not-to-be missed food and wine pairing experience. The magic here is conjured in the stunning setting on a hill overlooking 28 acres of organically farmed vines of the Carneros AVA. The winery, with many dramatically appointed tasting spaces, was created by architect Howard Backen. It is one of his most majestic structures built with reclaimed wood. The bold interior design choices of Orlando Diaz-Azcuy make this setting one of the most idyllic places to reserve a wine tasting. Beginning with a tour focused on their estate farming techniques and the winemaking process, guests will then be seated for a five-wine guided tastings with each wine hand-selected by winemaker Joe Nielsen. These are drawn from their Cellar Note Series, Single Vineyard Wines and Estate Collection, coupled with specifically paired food courses from executive chef Ruby Oliveros. The culinary program highlights ideal pairings with seasonal ingredients to help guests learn how to match their favorite wines to the foods that will complement each other. Ram’s Gate also features a caviar experience, which pairs a selection from Tsar Nicoulai with Reserve wine flights. This seasonal pairing is part of a larger commitment to sustainability. Recently, owner Jeff O’Neill announced that they have officially received certification from the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers association) that their harvest this year will be the first certified organic vintage for Ram’s Gate.

Read Travel

Soho House Nashville Harmonizes with the Music City

An art and hospitality hub in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood

Julie Wolfson

16 September 2024

Walking among the red brick buildings of Nashville‘s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, classic marker signs honor the city’s manufacturing heritage. Fading painted sock company signage offers glimpses of the story that began there. It is here that Soho House Nashville inhabits the original May Hosiery Mills factory complex. May Hosiery was one of the largest employers in the 1930s, creating jobs for many Jewish refugees that the May family assisted in fleeing Nazi Germany. Operating until the 1980s the factory building then became studio space for artists. Now, with Soho House (which opened in late 2022) becoming part of the narrative, the architectural transformation preserves many historic details and highlights the work of Nashville’s arts community.

“The design and art collection honors the building’s industrial-turned-creative history,” says Soho House Nashville’s art collection manager, Anakena Paddon. “The purpose of the Soho House Nashville collection is to serve as a ‘love letter’ of sorts to the artists and makers of the city across so many different mediums and shine a light on current local talent.” The collection exhibits the works of 41 local artists throughout the building. At every turn, painting, photography, fabric and collage greet members and guests with pieces that shine a light on the prolific output of the local community. 

The art collection features artists born, based or trained in Nashville to showcase the talent of the city. “It is a chance to highlight people who are brilliant fine artists in a city primarily known for its music scene,” says Paddon. “And because of the expansive space of the building and the multi-hyphenate nature of many of the artists, we had the opportunity to acquire multiple pieces from most of the presented artists. This allows for a more meaningful representation of their work, as well as showcasing the evolving nature of an artist’s practice.”

They commissioned Yanira Vissepo’s ethereal “My Heavenly Bodies,” a fabric installation hanging in the Main Club. Lindsy Davis sculptures have been installed in the club stairwell, as well as paintings in the Sock Room. Paintings by John Paul Kesling, from very different eras of his work, range from smaller studies to the large-scale portrait in the reception area. The Soho House acquired some of Blythe Colvin’s early works, and commissioned her to make brand new custom pieces for the bedrooms that coexist with the industrial history of the building and luxurious interior design elements.

A large-scale portrait painting by Kesling titled “Long Neck Lindsy” greets guests at the entrance. This work was also part of a 2021 solo exhibition at the Red Arrow Gallery. “This piece in particular was chosen as it’s a portrait of another of our artists, Lindsy Davis,” says Paddon. ”It felt like a perfect way to set the intention at the guest’s arrival: that this is a creative space, built by creatives for creatives, with art at the crux of its soul.” Red Arrow also supported the collection curation for and helped them forge very relationships with our artists.

After originally being home to artist studios, the building has had several different uses and owners before being transformed back into a hub for artists and creatives. Several of the artists in the collection had had studios in the building during earlier iterations—including Caroline Allison, Yanira Vissepo, David Onri Anderson and Dane Carder. The Soho House Nashville regularly hosts art-focused programming, including an Art Crawl, which coincides with the monthly neighborhood arts crawl. Soho House Member Evan Brown creates art-centric events for the Art Club hosting a series on the business of art, intimate conversations with artists and offsite gallery visits. 

In a city known as a legendary music destination, Soho House has also become a favorite site for musicians to stay, dine, become members and attend music events. “Music is a key part of Soho House Nashville’s culture because it is an integral part of our city,” explains Hunter Claire Rogers, head of membership and communications. “And being in Nashville means we are spoiled for choice with artists writing, recording and performing here. We have enjoyed hosting music that spans all genres, having hosted well-known acts along with artists that are on the brink of being discovered.” Bands play in the Sock Room, Secret Garden and outdoor stages. 

A plush screening room seats about 60 plus people for film and television events, where they hosted a “Barbie” sneak peek and RuPaul’s Drag Race finals. The screening room has a state-of-the-art sound system and is also a popular place to plan record premiere listening parties. 

Guests of the Soho House have access to the member spaces when they reserve one of their 47 bedrooms that feature high ceilings, an array of glass, some with retro vanities or freestanding bathtubs in the main room. Bathrooms are spacious with industrial framed mirrors, large tiled shower rooms, and Soho’s plentiful collection of Cowshed products. Room touches include cocktail-making accessories, art books and vintage accessories. The restaurant, bar and multiple lounge spaces all open to house guests and members. The large gym space features TechnoGym equipment and natural light from the massive industrial windows.

In the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, it’s also easy to catch more live music at Flamingo Cocktail Club across the street. Don’t miss Bastion for their dining room which features tasting menus or hang at their casual bar for cocktails and nachos. Dicey Tavern serves pizza and wings. Gabby’s is the spot for burgers (you may stand in line with people who drove two hours to get their cheeseburger fix). Early morning head over to Dozen Bakery for their standout egg sandwiches, crispy croissants and loaves of freshly baked bread. The area also features beer breweries, a cider house and many places to explore within walking distance before venturing out to Broadway to see the lights and catch a show.

Read Food + Drink

Experiencing the Depth of SingleThread with Audi

e-tron EVs enable new activities for guests of the legendary restaurant and inn

Josh Rubin

29 July 2024

Experiencing tomato season in Healdsburg at SingleThread paints an enticing picture of their mission to build a more thoughtful and sustainable future that doesn’t compromise on the little details; details that aren’t always noticed, yet always felt. This culinary destination sews together the story of a biodynamic farm, luxurious five-room inn and award-winning restaurant to create a delicious, seasonally driven tapestry in Northern California. Now with Audi as the official automotive partner, the fully electric e-tron vehicles are a complimentary amenity for guests of the inn to explore the wine country of Sonoma County and experience the SingleThread mission connecting the land to their kitchen and dining room. 

Behind the wheel of a 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback, our first stop was the 24-acre SingleThread Farm. Touring with the founding couple, executive chef Kyle Connaughton and head farmer Katina Connaughton offer a glimpse into their ethos. “Right now we are living in tomatoes and thinking about broccoli,” says Katina. “But we are never not thinking about tomatoes.” In summer tomatoes play a starring role. At the farm visitors can taste tiny champagne-bubble-sized tomatoes from the vine and buy baskets of cherry tomatoes to take home from the farm shop. 

“The farmers are the first chefs,” says Kyle as we stroll among the carefully planted and thoughtfully maintained rows of fruits and vegetables. “Ultimately, we plan our menu and cook based on what’s coming in, so we make our requests and then ultimately it’s the farmers who say here’s what you have right now. We’re just cooking that day, and giving guests the best of whatever is coming from the farm at any moment.”

The farm experience sets the tone. “At SingleThread we tell the story of today, this moment, really through Katina’s eyes of what’s happening at the farm and the ingredients and what’s in season,” says Kyle. “And also all for her floral displays, and the way that we also incorporate flowers and things from the wild and the farm.”

“The kitchen starts here… it’s really a labor of love,” Katina says. “We are trying to build layers of habitat here and strengthen our fabric of biodiversity and ecology. We’ve been experiencing a lot of environmental shifts, and we have to learn how to adapt to an ever changing climate.”

In an area known for vineyards and wineries, SingleThread makes every effort to be mindful and sustainable. “We harvest every morning and we’re bringing it into the kitchen and serving it right there,” says Katina. “It’s just so beautiful. There’s so many thoughtful layers that go into it. Everything that we’re serving is so nutrient dense. So I want our guests to leave feeling invigorated, to feel alive and to feel nurtured. That all starts here.”

The single thread from the farm to the inn is as clear as it is to the restaurant itself. At the inn, which is one floor above the restaurant, meals can be enjoyed in-room or on the building rooftop. The gorgeous Japanese breakfast spread with grilled fish and California-grown Luna Koshihikari rice is one of the menu items only available to guests. Summer produce complements the dishes with cubes of delicate tofu topped with tiny tomatoes. Hot pot dinners pair a refreshing cool tomato salad with a donabe filled with seafood, chicken or wagyu beef. In the middle of summer, in the full fine-dining experience, a course charmingly named Tomato Picnic features small cups of gazpacho, bonito covered in tiny tomatoes and a bite sized fried green tomato. The flavors are local with global influences and a clear focus on the time the Connaughtons spent living and working in Japan. This along with a three Michelin key level pampering in one of their five guest rooms makes SingleThread one of most sought-after destinations in California. 

SingleThread Inn sits just steps from the historic central square of Healdsburg in this small, walkable town. Enabled by their partnership with Audi, guests can explore local wineries, a tour of Hog Island Oyster farm, olive oil tasting at McEvoy Ranch and hikes in the Redwoods among the growing list of experiences designed to further connect visitors to this destination. SingleThread will even make a temaki bento picnic lunch presented in boxes handmade by Joey Morlock, a chef at SingleThread, to take on the journey. At the farm they offer workshops from floral arranging to chopstick carving. Through these experiences we gained deep context for the stunning three-Michelin-star meal the restaurant has become famous for. And it’s that context that the Connaughtons feel so strongly about offering.

Luxury is in the details and often more felt than seen at SingleThread. The dining room, like the inn suites, has an understated chic Japan-meets-California aesthetic. The Japanese hospitality practice of anticipating a guest’s needs before they do, Omotenoshi, runs deep at SingleThread. In the dining room a table captain communicates using hidden hand signals that alert another server, whether a guest requested sparkling water and the placement at the table of their seat. In the kitchen with Kyle, we hear him call “left hand.” He later explains that once they notice a guest is left-handed they begin to orient the dishes toward their dominant hand and will even plate the dish to optimize their experience.

The “Early Summer in Sonoma” tasting begins with a dizzying array of small bites featuring vibrant chilled produce and premium seafood. Where another restaurant might offer a tiny opening amuse-bouche bite, Connaughton and his team fill the table with a dramatic, elegant display of small dishes to wake up the palate presented on a sprawl of moss and flowers that ground the experience in the nature that enabled it. It’s a light, refreshing and opulent way to begin the meal. 

Locally raised duck appears on the menu as duck liver with salad and later with morel mushrooms on rice. A wagyu beef course adds some richness. Dessert continues the thread of the Connaughtons’ experiences and influences in Japan with ume shiso, matcha wagashi. With or without the wine pairings it is an intoxicating experience. Especially with an idealized culinary approach to their non-alcoholic pairings where a team of four has conceived of thoughtful beverages to highlight the flavors in each course, using the seasonal ingredients available at the moment—arguably an even more appropriate beverage pairing than the wines sourced from the world’s finest wineries. 

At the end of the evening each guest is presented a hand-tied menu as a memento of the meal with a handwritten note from the Connaughtons and an origami paper flower that opens to reveal a pack of seeds as a soulful suggestion to bring the thread of growing a meal into your home—in our case komatsuna, a leafy Japanese vegetable. It’s tempting to want to plant the seeds right away. 

Read Food + Drink

The Latest Single Ingredient Journey of Krug Blooms at Harbor House

The prestige champagne company celebrates their 10th single ingredient journey, Krug x Flowers, on a Northern California oceanfront bluff covered with edible blossoms

Julie Wolfson

8 July 2024

Along the winding curves of Highway One, the Harbor House sits nestled on the bluffs above a private cove in the tiny Mendocino County town of Elk. Inside a house built in 1916, this landmark inn features 10 guest rooms and a 20-seat, two-Michelin-star restaurant. It’s here, amidst sweeping ocean views, that Krug Champagne unveiled a taste of the 10th iteration of their consumer-facing single ingredient journey—a program that spotlights the immense power of one culinary component that aligns with their famed liquid. For 2024, Krug is celebrating the delicate flavors and vast potential of flowers in gastronomy.

To bring these forthcoming experiences to life, Krug partners with notable chefs from around the world to explore culinary possibilities and devise champagne pairings. Previous years highlighted everything from lemons to rice, while this year’s flower theme challenged chefs to explore florals beyond simply being garnishes for color. Further, more than 100 chefs contributed to this year’s ancillary recipe book, “Krug x Flowers: All For One and One Flor-All.”

At the Harbor House launch celebration, three of Krug’s Ambassade chefs—Matthew Kammerer of Harbor House, Cassidee Dabney of The Barn at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee and Nathan Rich of Twin Farms in Vermont—offered a preview of what guests will experience during the immersive four-day itineraries that comprise the “Insider Journeys: Discover Krug Single” event series, done in collaboration with membership-based luxury travel agency Indagare. The chef’s dishes were paired with the newest editions of Krug Grande Cuvée and Krug Rosé. Throughout our experience many more vintages were served, each with a story of the weather, harvest, triumphs and challenges of the winemakers and cellar master. 

Chef Kammerer took time to explain why flowers are a favorite ingredient at Harbor House. “We harvest up to 30 different flowers here, and on our farm site even more,” he shares. The menu at Harbor House features hyper-local ingredients that these foraged flowers are served alongside, including seasonal components from their nearby ranch and farm, and salt harvests from the ocean below. Menus are set daily depending on the ability of local fisherman to navigate the whims of the weather and tides. Estelle Ngo, Head of Krug, also hosted tastings of current releases and favorite vintages.

For our experience, a beachside lunch of oysters, black cod and mussels was served with Krug Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition, Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition and Krug Rosé 28ème Édition. As the sun set, an elegant dinner was served in the Harbor House dining room, filled with an installation of romantic wild-flower-inspired design. Chef Rich served golden Oscietra caviar with nasturtium petals (paired with Krug Clos De Mesnil 2006). Chef Dabney served her surprising and delicious Carolina gold rice with clams and lavender (paired with Krug Clos D’Ambonnay 2006). Chef Kammerer presented delicate scoops of marigold ice cream with blossoms from the Harbor House garden. 

With all of the conversation about flowers, fine dining and local activities, the star of the experience was the champagne. Each meal and most of the adventures in the consumer-facing “Krug x Flowers” experience will feature a champagne toast with the maison’s newest offerings along with special pairings from their catalog and likely a jeroboam, too. For the newest Krug Rosé 28ème Édition, Krug’s cellar master, Julie Cavil, blended 32 wines crafted between 2010 to 2016. The pink hues and full bodied flavors are derived from 10% traditionally macerated Pinot Noir from vineyards in Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, with a final composition of 58% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 17% Meunier.

The new Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition is comprised of a blend of 44% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier made from 146 wines from 11 different years with the youngest from 2016 and the oldest dating back to 1998. The flavors, distinctly floral in composition, pair beautifully with this year’s single ingredient. 

The Krug Indagare Insider Journeys will debut at Harbor House in October, Twin Farms in November and Blackberry Farm in December. Experiences will be available exclusively through Indagare.

Read Design

Exploring Mexico City with Leica’s New Sofort 2 Hybrid Instant Camera

With Las Alcobas as a relaxing home base, we trek across CDMX’s Polanco neighborhood and beyond

Julie Wolfson

24 June 2024

A quiet boutique hotel can be the best respite from a busy day in a large cosmopolitan city. Just past the bustling side streets of Parque Lincoln, Las Alcobas offers the ideal location and access to the city—from exploring the streets of Polanco among the Colonial Californiano style buildings to some of the city’s most luxurious shops and cafes. Beyond the neighborhood their concierge team plans tours to the pyramids of Teotihuacan, taco crawls, and a day focused on sights that tell the life, art practices, and love story of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. To capture the vibrant sites and experiences, we took along Leica’s new Sofort 2 out for a spin.

A hybrid instant camera with a print function, the Leica Sofort 2 brings together digital capabilities with the eternal analog applications. Images can be stored in the internal memory and on a memory card with the option to print on Instax Mini instant film. With film effects ranging from Normal to Vivid, Pale, Canvas, Monochrome, Sepia, Yellow, Red, Blue and Retro, the camera also has a built-in flash. With seamless connection with the Leica FOTOS app, images can also be transferred and printed from other Leica cameras and iPhone photos making it a fun camera to document travel adventures. 

Before we embark on our explorations, it’s worthwhile to note that the rooms at Las Alcobas feature marble bathrooms, spa tubs and rain showers. Their restaurant, Anatol, offers breakfast specialties like soft scrambled eggs, Oaxacan cheese stuffed tortillas with black bean sauce and hoja santa and Lobster Esquites with epazote butter on the dinner menu. Their signature Margarita Las Alcobas arrives at the table in an elegant glass with a lime zest topped dome of bubbles with Ensenada 1941, Casa Dragones Blanco, Licor de Naranjas, jugo de limón verde and sal de Colima. Formerly a private residence and now a 35-room boutique hotel, Las Alcobas is on Avenida Presidente Masaryk. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, this cozy oasis is just two blocks from the Leica Store.

Near Las Alcobas, the iconic bar Limantour’s Polanco outpost is a destination for cocktail enthusiasts. Their creative seasonal menus continue to celebrate local ingredients with culinary inspirations. The Jamaica Mezcal pairs Mezcal 7 Misterios Doba Yej with hibiscus, cardamom syrup and lime, served in a tall terracotta cup topped with a wedge of orange and a polka dot straw. The newest menu features street food inspirations like Gelatina de Mosaico.

While Contramar continues to be the popular see-and-be-seen restaurant of celebrated chef Gabriela Camara, locals know that her Entremar features the same menu in a quiet section of Polanco facing Parque Uruguay across from the handcrafted collections of ONORA Casa. Enrique Olvera’s Pujol and Jorge Vallejo’s Quintonil are also both a short walk from the hotel.

With a focus on Mexican designers, curated alongside some of their favorites from around the world, IKAL stocks everythinf from apparel and accessories to interior accents that lean into an overall feeling of whimsy and surprise. Nearby, we climb the stairs up to Xinu’s fragrance gallery which feels like entering an ethereal natural history museum exhibit. We explore LAGO’s flagship collection of Mexican and South American designers, and particularly appreciate the Oaxacan pottery on the store’s second floor—among natural linen dresses, a wall of throw pillows and handbags by Carla Fernández.

One of the tailored excursions planned by the concierge team at Las Alcobas focuses on the art and interwoven story of Kahlo and Rivera, two of Mexico City’s most revered artists. This start in the morning, floating in a colorful trajinera along the canals of Xochimilco to buy drinks, food and flower crowns. Mariachi musicians drift alongside boats ready to play private concerts. Paintings and souvenirs of their adorable pink Axolotl salamanders abound, with the chance to see live ones in an animal exhibit nearby. 

For the next stop, we head to Museo Anahuacalli—designed by Juan O’Gorman for the Diego Rivera Museo. The plan to erect this pyramid-shaped building began in the 1940s with the goal to build a temple to display Rivera’s collection of Pre-Columbian art and with the intention to be the resting place for the artist and his beloved Kahlo after death. The floors are arranged from bottom to top to reflect the underworld, the earth and the heavens. Recently, architect Taller Mauricio Rocha designed three additional geometric structures adjacent to the original buildings. 

Then we progress on to Coyoacán Market market—designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, who also designed the city’s famous National History of Anthropology Museum. And afterward, we walk out of Parque Centenario to the Fuente de los Coyotes and to Museo Frida Kahlo to walk around the gardens and explore her iconic vibrant blue house filled with art and personal collections.

Las Alcobas teams up with Eat Mexico to take hotel guests around CDMX to cooking classes and street food tours. Taking the guesswork out of which taco stands to try. A local expert plans the path, orders food, offers rich historical and cultural knowledge, and streamlines the experience to sample foods from many food stands and cantinas. The Navarte at night tour features tacos al pastor at El Vilsito, tacos arabe at Tacos Tony and a small-batch mezcal tasting with food pairings. 

Carrying the Sofort 2 around Mexico City adds a level of fun in capturing architectural sights, culinary bites and the people who make this world capital a sought after destination. Images can be stored in the camera so that the most memorable moments from the trip can be printed later. 

Read Food + Drink

Inside The Connaught Bar Book with Agostino Perrone

Take home 100 recipes from one of the most lauded cocktail bars in the world

Julie Wolfson

12 June 2024

The particular magic of the Connaught Bar defies category. The award-winning bar has been lauded for its elegant and timeless atmosphere. The cocktail menu, often cited as one of the best in the world and currently number five on the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, both time travels and globe trots. The team of bartenders, headed by Agostino Perrone, orchestrates an intoxicating adventure with warm hospitality and agile professional flare. So, when it came time to create a Connaught Bar cocktail book, Perrone envisioned an artful representation to tell the story.

“We worked to distill the stories that we share daily in person,” says Perrone. To that end Perrone along with Gorigio Bargiani and Maura Milia poured through a decade of the archives to choose one hundred cocktails to highlight. “We certainly used popularity as an initial filter, then a variety of cocktail styles and ingredients, as well as our personal affection to certain drinks. Each creation reflects a story made of people, so it’s only normal that we all have a special connection with some of the drinks.”

The pale green cover has a luxurious texture and subtle iridescent sheen. The book begins with a forward by Massimo Bottura, an introduction by Perrone, and a glossary of essential bar tools before launching into a chapter about The Connaught Martini. For many guests a visit to the Connaught Bar will not be complete without a martini made tableside. Perrone feels that their martini cart encapsulates their ethos and approach to mixology and hospitality. “It is all about making the guests our focal point,” he explains. “This cocktail is all about personalization, from the spirit base to the aromatic bitter and the garnish. To bring home the magic that happens at The Connaught when we make the drink for our guests and we create memories for them, means that readers should focus on dedicating themselves to creating a special moment, whether for themselves or for their own guests.”

The second chapter begins with the curation of 100 cocktails that tell the Connaught Bar story in alphabetical order, beginning with the 21^st Century and Amber Black and ending with the Yellow Submarine. Along the way fans of the Connaught Bar will find some of their favorite memories in anecdotes, recipes and photographs. “It’s a simple choice of setting the names and therefore the cocktail stories as a main criterion for the order. This is not a mere recipe book, but a collection of our legacy and all the drinks that help us build that.” 

When asked about the balance of tradition and innovation in the cocktail recipes Perrone replies, “Tradition is rooted in our skills and knowledge of classics, techniques, as well as the style of The Connaught. Innovation comes from the will to do something unique, to always add a personal touch that might come from travel, personal taste, the encounter with a guest, the discovery of new ingredients and so on. We keep on injecting all these elements into our cocktails to delight our guests and create new flavors and stories. The matrix remains quintessentially classic though with the Connaught Bar signature always present.”

In addition, there elements that are inspired by Perrone’s childhood visits to Italy, like the creation of cocktails such as the Benvenuti with Ambrato and the Garibaldino with an Italian liqueur made with rose petals and bergamot. The menu also features ingredients from around the world from Japanese culture to Icelandic geography and even a Ukrainian mathematician. These global flavors and ideas are an integral part of the Connaught Bar’s story, appealing to their hotel guests from around the world.

Each cocktail is presented with an introductory story and recipe flanked by a full page photograph by Lateef Okunnu. “He knows our cocktail style very closely and dares experimenting with colors, light and composition in the same way we experiment with flavors and techniques,” says Perrone. “The elegance and class of our creations and work remaim central.” The imagery combines traditional cocktail photography techniques and uses different backgrounds to focus on the textures and colors of the bar’s décor.  

The recipe for the Hidden Park Cocktail, inspired by shinrin yoku, the Japanese concept of forest bathing, reveals the experience of immersing oneself in the tranquility of nature in the glass. It is made with cucumber and rose gin paired with riesling, clarified grapefruit juice, basil and Szechuan pepper syrup, served with a pickled young peach in the bottom of a flute. The flavors are stirred together to heighten the gin’s flavor profile and highlight the floral notes in the wine to craft a sensorial adventure. “While there are instructions for homemade preparations to really make the readers raise their mixology game, we also wanted to immerse them into our own story,” says Perrone.

Perrone along with the entire teams that collaborated on the book wanted to make sure each cocktail recipe delivers a dedication to harmonious flavor combinations that carry a meaningful message. “Serving and pleasing our guests has always been a labor of love for our team and we hope that the Connaught Bar book conveys that,” he concludes

Read Culture

Milan Design Week 2024: Ruffino Celebrates the Legacy of Oro Chianti with a Golden Exhibition

Six artists explore the power of gold in one glowing installation

Julie Wolfson

29 April 2024

During the recent events of Milan Design Week, walking up the steps to the Dazio di Levante building, next to the Arco della Pace at the Piazza Sempione, visitors were able to enter Ruffino Estate’s Oro Salone del Mobile exhibition, where the Tuscan wine brand revealed six golden visions—entitled ORObyRUFFINO—inspired by their flagship liquid, Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti. The bottle itself was displayed in a mirrored infinity room for a dazzling viewing of the star of the show.

The exhibit celebrates the legacy of Ruffino Chianti in conversation with Italian art and design. In an immersive circular space, with the works facing each other, six artists explored the theme of gold from their distinct perspective—whether that’s gold as a valuable metal, a metallic hue or a significant, historic material. Filippo Caradini presented a mirrored cabinet, Tristano de Robilant surrounded a mound of gold with hand-blown amber glass, Ettore Marinelli debuted a Dionysius sculpture he calls “Oro Fuso,” Rachel Lee Hovnanian adorned a marble table with gold accents, Officine Saffi Lab’s created a reflective ceramic form called “The Gold Fever,” and Chiara Lorenzetti’s presented her kintsugi bowl “At(o)mosphere.” 

Inspired by his travels in Greece, Marinelli’s sculpture portrayed Dionysius the Greek god of wine and ecstasy. Though he often works in bronze, for Oro Fuso he worked with resin and gold paint. The work shows dynamic movement in the obscuring of the body, as if he has been shot from two directions or is in a time machine. Another interpretation might be that the body is being pulled into the past and the future at the same time with gold crystalizing him in the present moment. As the only piece representing a human figure, Dionysius faces out toward the other works, inviting conversation about how each artist conceived their contributions to the exhibition. 

Working with Carrara marble sources in Italy, Hovnanian made a small marble table. The artist traveled to the quarry to choose the exact piece of marble she wanted to work with. The gold was sourced from a family member in Florence who owns a jewelry business. Regarding the proportion of the small size of the table, Hovnanaian wanted to invite viewers to feel the intimacy of drawing close together to share wine and a meal. “That’s what it is about, human connection. That’s what is so wonderful about working in Tuscany. People take time to break bread,” she says. “Food and wine is part of my life. My mother always said food is love. That’s a perfect match for me.”

Working in Biella, Lorenzetti has become well-known for championing kintsugi, the Japanese craft of repairing with gold. With her original works focusing more on repairing to a full seamless and undetectable restoration, Lorenzetti was fascinated when she first encountered traditional Japanese technique. She traveled to Japan and studied with Hiroki Kiyokawa. “When I started in 2016 there was no one in Italy doing kintsugi. It changed the way I work,” she says. Lorenzetti describes the experience of learning the tradition and process as a revelation. She finds the journey to repair fragility to create something precious and unique fascinating.

The gold itself begins as a powder that Lorenzetti sources from Japan. She then embarks on the long process of transforming the broken pieces of pottery and power into a single form. Lorenzetti installed her kintsugi creation in the exhibit in front of a circular mirror to reveal a reflection of more surfaces of the vessel, as well as glimpses of the five other works. Including a kintsugi focused work in the exhibition offers a clear representation of the transformative power of gold.

Just a few nights before, we observed—while standing on the vast stone terraces of Ruffino’s 11th century home, Castello di Montemasso (a former monastery)—that the sunset glowed a warm golden hue across the Tuscan valley. Ruffino was founded in the heart of Tuscany in 1877, by Leopoldo and Ilario Ruffino. They dreamed of producing wine that would be enjoyed around the world. The company now has estates across Tuscany’s leading appellations including Chianti Classico, Montalcino and Bolgheri. With its iconic gold label their Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti has become a sought after vintage and symbol of their prized Tuscan wine making achievements.

“Ruffino is writing an exciting new chapter in its history,” says Sandro Sartor, President and CEO of the brand, regarding their efforts during Milan Design Week, where the golden bottle display, artistic works and video installations tell an intoxicating story. This celebration of their idealized vision of Chianti Classico reveals how the Ruffino winemakers carry these traditions and passions into the 21^st century.