Since the 1970s, California’s lauded wine region Napa Valley has ruled the roost when it comes to Old World-beating Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s an underdog tale for the ages, ripe with echoes of David vs Goliath as the plucky upstarts from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars — just six years old at that time — went toe-to-toe against the historic big shots from Bordeaux. It was an auspicious beginning that would lead to a bright future.

Established in 1970 following the purchase of Stag’s Leap Vineyard (S.L.V.), Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars wouldn’t have to wait long to achieve recognition. In 1976 there was a showdown, an international blind tasting now referred to as the Judgment of Paris — mythological connotations very much intended.

Six bottles of American Cabernet Sauvignon were pitted against four esteemed bottles of French first- and second-growth Bordeaux. Much to the dismay of those present — including the entirely French judging panel — Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 S.L.V. Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was named the victorious red. Napa Valley’s pedigree as a wine region was secured. To this day, a bottle of 1973 S.L.V. sits inside The Smithsonian; in 2013 it was named as one of the ‘Objects that Made America.’

For most, that’s where the story ends — but for the team at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, this historic victory was just the start. Since then, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars has built upon that initial success. Today the wine is found in cellars and fine dining establishments around the world. Guests can also experience the wine and vineyards at its FAY Outlook & Visitor Center, designed by Barcelona-based architect Javier Barba.

The pinnacle of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars offering is the Estate Collection. Crafted by winemaker Marcus Notaro with fruit exclusively from the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards surrounding Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, these Cabernet Sauvignons express a complexity and subtle richness that build upon the winery’s early success. Notaro says you can enjoy these now or gracefully age them for decades.

In June 2023, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars trajectory was further solidified as it transitioned to full ownership under the Antinori family, one of the most renowned wine families in the world. This winery will continue to set the benchmark of what to expect from world-class Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for decades to come.

Take Three / Estate Collection

Picture a glass of champagne, the tiny streaming bubbles giving the wine a unique shimmer and sparkle. That famous effervescence is why everyone pours it for celebrations and romantic dinners. Bubbles seem to make us and our lives sparkle too. So it may seem surprising that the region’s latest trend is making wines without that trademark fizz.

But climate change, which is upending many wine traditions, is behind a rush of new still-wine projects. Grandes marques Louis Roederer and Charles Heidsieck have debuted bubble-free chardonnays and pinot noirs, the region’s main grapes, as have cult grower producers Jacques Lassaigne and Marie Courtin.

Grower Benoît Déhu released several micro-cuvées from red Meunier grapes, while Drappier’s Trop m’en Faut white is Pinot Gris. The official label term for these wines? Coteaux Champenois.

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Long ago, all the chilly region’s wines were no-fizz, but they often weren’t successful. Some years were too cold to fully ripen the grapes and give the wines sufficient flavor concentration. The discovery of how to put bubbles in the bottle — adding sugar and yeast so the wine ferments a second time — was a godsend.

It transformed tart, acidic wines into a more palatable style. Blending different grape varieties and vintages helped.

Still wines were quickly sidelined, except in the village of Bouzy and area of Rosé des Riceys, whose pink wines were appreciated by Louis XIV. The few modern trailblazers included Bollinger’s red La Côte aux Enfants, around since 1934.

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Then, over the past two decades, came climate change. The temperature in Champagne has risen around 2° Fahrenheit in that

Naomi Astley Clarke has carved out an enviable reputation as one of London’s most sought-after interior designers. Named as one of Andrew Martin’s top 100 designers in the world, she has worked in the industry for over 25 years.

Known for her studio’s effortless blending of fine British craftsmanship with global design flair, she counts film stars and music moguls among her star-studded client list. But her latest project is a little different: The luxury designer has swapped glamorous residences for the interiors of a private jet.

Her task? To come up with a conceptual design for a Gulfstream G700 jet. With a cabin spanning 56.11 ft long (excluding baggage) and 8.2 ft wide, it’s a far cry from the sprawling homes of her well-heeled clients.

[See also: The Connaught Unveils The King’s Lodge Suite]

However, when she was approached by a specialist in private aviation and asked to explore how a jet could be transformed into an extension of the home, she relished the opportunity.

“I adore the technical challenge of designing for restrictive, multifunctional spaces,” Astley Clarke tells Elite Traveler. “Every inch has to be accounted for and made the most of, and I think

Lying just outside of the infamous Los Angeles smog, but close enough to retain some of LA’s glamorous culture, Victorville, California, is a city like no other, gracefully straddling desert expanses and high mountain lakes, Old West opulence and Beverly Hills bravado.

Begin your trip to town with a stop at the California Route 66 Museum, located in the heart of Victorville’s Old Town. A tribute to the highway that once served as the gateway to the West and, for that matter, US folklore, the museum features a variety of Route 66 icons such as Hulaville and the Green Spot Motel’s neon sign, paying homage to what John Steinbeck once dubbed “the Mother Road.”

Following on naturally from this highway heritage, Victorville has become a US motorsport capital, sitting between San Bernardino’s famed Glen Helen Raceway to the south and the dry lake racing at El Mirage Lake to the north. It has also featured in countless movies, from Lethal Weapon to Kill Bill: Volume 2.

Cutting between these locales, and right through the heart of Victorville, is the legendary LA-Barstow to Vegas dual-sport route, a 400-mile rite of passage on the bucket list of every serious off-road motorcyclist.

For visitors looking for relaxation, not adrenaline, a stroll past Old Town’s Veterans Memorial and Old Victor School is well worth the effort, as is a trip down to nearby Big Bear Lake for an afternoon of boating on alpine waters or mountain biking along miles of winding, wooded trails that will accommodate and excite riders of all skill and fitness levels.

The 96th Academy Awards ceremony, aka the Oscars, is soon upon us. Taking place on March 10 at the Solby Theatre in Hollywood, the event will honor films released in 2023. Some big names have received several nominations (Oppenheimer is taking the lead with 13 nominations; Poor Things is a close second with 11). As ever, predictions are flooding in as to who will scoop the most golden man statues.  If you’re considering hosting your own Oscars gala, movie-inspired cocktails are an obvious choice. The following — from Barbenheimer to Pour Things — are as punny as they are delish.

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Pour Things

Ingredients

– 1 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
– 1 1/2 oz Patrón Silver tequila
– 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
– Lime wedge for garnish

Method

In a shaker, combine the St‑Germain, tequila and fresh lime juice. Then add ice and shake vigorously until nicely chilled. Strain over ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

The Torched Cherry

Ingredients

– 1/2 oz. Dress the Drink Smoked Cherry
– 2 oz. Dewar’s 12-Year-Old
– 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Method

Stir all ingredients with ice and strain over ice in a rock glass. Add fondant lace wrap around the interior of the glass before pouring the cocktail. Garnish with orange peel and cherry.

The Barbenheimer

Ingredients

– 1 1/2 oz Bacardi Gold R