Million Air Summer 2019

Top 100 Restaurants

A GASTRONOMIC JOURNEY TO THE MOST INVENTIVE, EXCEPTIONAL AND DELECTABLE RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD

THE PRIVATE JET LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE elite traveler POWERED BY

You knew feeling the mist from Niagara Falls on your custom- tailored tour would be a lasting memory of your trip. But you didn’t know you would also get exclusive access to control the LED lights that illuminate the falls at night in vibrant colors.

Find your moment with TCSWorld Travel

Call 1.800.941.0935 to create a bespoke journey with a Luxury Custom Travel consultant

Luxury Jet Expeditions & Custom Travel

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2019

When you reach the top, there’s only one thing left to do ...

We’ve long had aviation down to a science. You inspire us to reach higher. Every day, we spark innovation, apply passion and perfect details. We advance aviation to an art form.

elite traveler SUMMER 2019 11

Welcome You’ve been voting in droves, and now the votes have been counted.We announce 2019’smouthwateringTop 100Restaurants with a brand-newnumber one! The rest of this issue is packed with food and wine: From delicious sake tasting onboard residential yacht TheWorld to VistaJet’s exclusive wine club and a guide to Napa Valley, we’ve covered some exceptional experiences on land, water and in the sky. Our style section takes us to the streets of Savile Row for impeccable tailoring for discerning gentlemen. As this is our men’s style issue, we offer pastel and classic suiting in our men’s fashion pages, and sartorial excellence set within London’s UnescoWorld Heritage Site, Maritime Greenwich. We sat down with the legendary chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, famed for reinventing French cuisine 30 years ago by pairing Asian flavors withWestern ingredients. We also dive into the world of whisky with Richard Paterson, who has spent the last half-century honing his trade, going against the grain (sorry) and trailblazing the idea of multi-cask matured and finished Single Malt whiskies. We also present our third annual Top Cars with some futuristic designs and incredible performance. With these bold looks and powerful engines, you’d never know that these brands are taking fuel and emission standards into the heart of everything they do. In the Explore section we are inspired by the approaching 2020 Summer Olympics, coming to Japan next year. We’ve rounded up the best suites in Tokyo from opulent penthouses overlooking the buzzing metropolis to chic ryokans that embody the minimalist style Japan is so revered for. We bring you an Olympic itinerary that combines customized tours of the hidden shrines, mystical gardens and ancient traditions of Japan with the excitement of watching the Games in style. The other destinations we transport you to in our Summer edition include the sandy shores of the British Virgin Islands, the ancient streets of Istanbul and the fresh air of Italy’s jewel, Lake Como. We take to the skies to round off the issue, flying among the bright pink wings of Tanzania’s flamingos. As always, if you want to comment on anything in this issue, drop us a line at editorial@elitetraveler.com

Robertas wears Brunello Cucinelli windowpane dress suit, $6,990, cashmere sweater, $1,225, Brunello Cucinelli in New York, +1 212 813 0900, brunellocucinelli.com; Dunhill dress shirt, $350, Dunhill in New York, +1 212 753 9292, dunhill.com; Bulgari Solotempo watch in bronze, $5,600, Bulgari in New York, +1 800 285 4274, bulgari.com

Kristen Shirley visits Stefano Ricci’s headquarters in Italy with creative director, Filippo Ricci

Kristen and Richard Paterson celebrate The Dalmore L’Anima Aged 49 Years at Sotheby’s

Samantha Coles travels toMonaco to see Hôtel

Behind the scenes at the Summer issue fashion shoot in Greenwich, London

@ELITETRAVELER AROUND THE WORLD

de Paris Monte-

Carlo’s recent renovation

For daily around-the-world updates, follow us on Twitter @elite_traveler and on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest @elitetraveler

CONTENTS

El Celler de Can Roca’s Oyster and distilled soil

Inspire: Top 100 Restaurants You, our loyal readers, have spoken, andwe present this year’s results of the top restaurants in theworld. Anew number one takes the crown across the pond inEurope, and other exciting developments in the list await Page 76

On the cover Robertas wears Berluti wool sweater, $1,130, printed Scritto silk shirt, $1,030, Berluti in New York, +1 212 439 6400, berluti.com; Bulgari Octo Roma watch in 18K rose gold, $13,900, Bulgari in New York, +1 800 285 4274, bulgari.com

elite traveler SUMMER 2019 14 Contents

Discover 25 Object of desire Lalique’s one-of-a-kind barrique celebrates Château Lafaurie- Peyraguey’s anniversary 26 Motoring A trio of customizable vehicles encourage you to design your own

Style

Influence 66 Jean-Georges Vongerichten We sit down with the chef credited with reinventing French cuisine 68 Richard Paterson ‘The nose’ unveils the rarest whisky The Dalmore has ever produced, while talking about his legacy 70 Steph Dutton One of Penfold’s esteemed winemakers dispels the myths surrounding re-corking 71 Stockton Rush The founder of OceanGate on the scientific goals of his journey to the RMS Titanic

29 Aviation The VistaJet Wine Program is the first-ever wine club in the sky 30 Design We raise a glass to an art installation of 200 hand-painted champagne bottles 31 Wine & spirits The Last Drop’s new intuitive pouring apparatus enhances your whisky experience

36 Men’s fashion Pastel hues and classic suiting see you through summer and beyond 38 Men’s watches We look at some of the mechanical innovations of calendar watches 41 Women’s fashion Boho prints and denim delights are elevated on the runways this season 44 Women’s watches Skeleton watches combine creative flair with complicated techniques 46 Jewelry Gems inspired by the ocean and dreamy floral blooms

48 Destination style We check out the home of smart tailoring: Savile Row in London 49 The voyager Kanazawa, Japan holds a special place in chef Eric Ripert’s heart 50 Craftsmanship Behind the scenes at the Saint-Louis crystal workshop, in operation since 1586 52 Accessories We perfectly pair men’s accessories with our

automobile 28 Yachts

The evolution of Wally and the yachts that have set the standard for the industry

favorite spirits 56 Fashion Historic Greenwich,

London, plays host to our annual men’s style issue’s fashion shoot

26 Each Mil-Spec Hummer H1 began as a 1995-2001 Hummer H1 before being stripped down to the frame and meticulously customized

elite traveler SUMMER 2019 16 Contents Explore 114 Top suites: Tokyo Japan’s bustling capital is home to some exceptional suites 124 Destination guides Inspire 76 Top 100 restaurants The gastronomic destinations you and your peers are loving this year 98 Top cars

elitetraveler.com

Relax in the verdant landscapes of Napa Valley, USA and Lake Como, Italy or seek culture in Istanbul, Turkey 134 New hotels A Himalayan adventure at Six Senses Bhutan, and the unveiling of the grande dame, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo 136 The hot list A Swiss wine festival that only happens once every 20 years and Apollo 11’s 50th Anniversary 140 Elite luxury homes Notable properties in the French Alps, Italy’s Tuscan hills, Los Angeles and New York City 144 Flight of fancy A serene lunch among a flock of flamingos

The latest and greatest vehicles that define the leading automobile brands in the world

The legend of Lister lives on Heritage car brand Lister has been brought back from the brink with a new investment. We head to its English facility to talk to the owner about protecting the brand’s legacy and the new LFT-666, a car bringing Lister firmly into the 21st century.

76 Central’s Desert Plants dishes

PininfarinaBattistaRevealed The Italian brand unveiled the fastest road-legal Italian car in the world, the

all-electric Pininfarina Battista. A giant leap in electric-motor technology, the zero-emissions Battista produces the equivalent 1,900 hp, accelerates from0 to 62mph in under two seconds and will travel 280miles on a single charge. Golf at Terre Blanche The award-winning Terre Blanche resort, situated in the heart of France’s Côte d’Azur, now offers a host of curated golf programs headed by professional golfer Vincent Jouhaud. Attendees will have access to state-of-the-art technology and biomechanical analysis with the help of the coveted Biomecaswing Performance Center.

136 The 1955 poster for the Fête des Vignerons

Photo César del Rio

FLIGHT STAFF

MILLION AIR

HEADQUARTERS 7555 Ipswich Road, Houston, Texas 77061 www.millionair.com +1 888 589 9059

Executive Team | Million Air

Chief Executive Officer ROGER WOOLSEY

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Magazine & Special Events millionairmagazine@millionair.com

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Director of Marketing ALLISONWOOLSEY awoolsey@millionair.com

Marketing & Publishing Operations

SVP, Associate Publisher LORRAINE COUSLAND

Senior Director of Distribution & Operations KAT CZARNECKI kat.czarnecki@elitetraveler.com

ELITE LUXURY PUBLISHING, INC

National Advertising/Editorial Inquiries: +1 713 640 4013

Million Air Magazine is published by Elite Traveler Custom Publishing, 441 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017. © 2019 by Elite Traveler/Elite Luxury Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, print or electronic, without the express written consent of Elite Traveler Custom Publishing.

MILLION AIR

Take off

Welcome aboard, and welcome to the world of Million Air! One of the vital roles that Million Air plays in the life cycle of the business tool is one of both function and of reputation. It is our job to see that all of your obvious needs are flawlessly attended to, such as rental cars pulled to your aircraft, shelter from the elements, catering and fuel for your departure...but what about your business and personal reputation? An FBO is not merely a gas station, but an extension of you, your company, your flight department and your reputation. Your FBO selection is one more critical decision in showcasing your own quality and brand image. Imagine the thoughts going through your customers’ minds as they await your arrival in the lobby of the arriving airport FBO. Is the FBO staff treating them indifferently as if they were just a ‘ride,’ or are Million Air ladies and gentlemen pampering them? Are they simply waiting in an impersonal and outdated terminal, or are they being recognized as a VIP of your company in a plush, warm and inviting lobby? These questions must be asked and acted upon when setting the stage for managing first impressions for both you personally and for your organization. Even the best businesses in the world have lost hard-earned goodwill due to a lack of focus in selecting key vendors, partners or strategic suppliers. As a result, the pressing business need that justified the private aircraft in the first place might be missed because of a misalignment with a critical delivery element, or it could be squabbled along with your reputation if left with a less desirable FBO. Million Air continues its unwavering pursuit of serving your every need. I invite you to email me personally on how we may improve our focus, so that we may remain worthy of your continued loyalty. Business or pleasure, we want your travels to be safe and memorable, and your arrivals tailored specifically to you and your needs. Million Air is proud to be the premier chain of Luxury FBOs. We see our tasks clearly — to establish the infrastructure and business strategies that deliver consistent service, decrease operating costs and manage not only our brand, but your experience, image and reputation as well. Everyone here at Million Air looks forward to providing you with the service you expect and the opportunity to see you off on yet another safe journey to one of our fine FBOs.

Keep ’em flying…

Roger Woolsey CEOMillion Air ceo@millionair.com

PARTNER WITH MILLION AIR AND REACH THE ELITE Become an exclusive partner of Million Air, North America’s premier private airport terminals. By placing your print ads in Million Air Magazine or displaying your product at one of our 30 terminals, your marketing message will speak directly to an audience of the highest net worth individuals on the planet. We welcome more than one million passengers annually, each with an average net worth of $3.6m. So climb aboard the Million Air Collection and gain a first-class, all-access pass to the world’s wealthiest consumers. For more information contact millionairmagazine@millionair.com

MILLION AIR FLIGHT BRIEFING ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, USA

Mighty Mississipi LONG KNOWN AS THE ‘GATEWAY TO THE WEST,’ ST. LOUIS OFFERS BOTH OLD-WORLD CHARM AND CONTEMPORARY LUXURY

WHERE TO SLEEP In the middle of St. Louis’s businesses, galleries and restaurants, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis isn’t just surrounded by luxury, it is luxury. While the largest dine-in wine cellar in St. Louis is impressive, it is the sumptuous Ritz-Carlton Suite that best encapsulates its namesake’s amenity-rich philosophy. With a Carrara marble bath and Waterford chandeliers, this suite may well be the best on the Mississippi. 100 Carondelet Plaza +1 314 863 6300 ritzcarlton.com

Eero Saarinen's famed Gateway Arch

Perched on the banks of the majestic Mississippi River, St. Louis is a city as iconic as the land on which it sits. From all-American culture and a rich pre-Civil War history, to some of the best ultra-luxe options, any exploration of St. Louis should begin at the Old Courthouse. This stunning domed testament to US justice has been hearing cases for over 150 years. Home to the pivotal Dred Scott trial, in which former slave Dred Scott sued for his freedom and, according to some historians, hastened the onset of the American Civil War as a result, the Old Courthouse is a must-see for both history buffs and humanitarians. For a literal and figurative taste of a more modern US icon, take a guided tour of the oldest and largest Anheuser-Busch brewery, located mere footsteps from the bustling downtown district. In addition to three national historic landmarks on-site, you get the opportunity to peruse the chilled beechwood aging cellars, enjoy a photo op with some of Budweiser’s world-famous Clydesdale horses and indulge in some complimentary brews in the post-tour hospitality room. After the tour, swing by Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals and one of the most revered ballparks in the country, for a tour, a game or maybe just a box of Cracker Jack. End your stay with a trip to St. Louis’s single most defining landmark, the Gateway Arch, 630 feet of Art Deco grandeur designed to pay tribute to the adventurous spirit of West-bound pioneers. Intrepid travelers can take a tram ride to the top or embrace their inner Tom Sawyer with a sightseeing cruise aboard a replica, 19th-century paddle-wheel boat. Either way, you will be entering the Midwest in style.

WHERE TO EAT Once the executive chef for TCS

Expeditions’ private jet excursions, Carl McConnell is used to cooking for the on-the-go traveler. But when it came time to settle down, Carl and his wife Nancy opened the quaint Stone Soup Cottage just outside St. Louis. With only a handful of tables, the farm-to-fork partnership with nearby Wiese Nursery ensures Stone Soup’s flavors are big.

Busch Stadium

5809 Highway N +1 636 244 2233 stonesoupcottage.com

WHERE TO FLY Boasting 80,000 sq ft of corporate hangars, as well as a red-eye alleviating snooze room and on-site rental cars, Million Air St. Louis — located at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, just minutes from downtown — is the best way to begin your stay in this all-American city.

MILLION AIR ST. LOUIS (SUS) Spirit of St. Louis Airport Chesterfield, Missouri T +1 866 532 0408 F +1 636 532 7901 E custservice@millionair-sus.com W millionair-sus.com

Gazebo at Forest Park

MILLION AIR FLIGHT BRIEFING BEIJING, CHINA

Dynamic dynasty FEAST YOUR EYES ON TRADITIONAL CHINESE ARCHITECTURE IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY

WHERE TO SLEEP As one of Bejing’s most prestigious

The unmistakable Great Wall

addresses, the China World Trade Center soars majestically. From street level, the view is breathtaking, but the vista from the China World Tower Summit Wing on the 80th floor is even more impressive. The hotel is decorated with tasteful, modern interiors and design that marries traditional Chinese beauty with Western chic. WHERE TO EAT Located at the China World Hotel, Aria restaurant was named after the operatic song for the solo voice. Winning 10 awards in the past three years, the restaurant offers guests contemporary European cuisine that is complemented by an extensive wine selection and a stylish dining environment. No. 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing, 100004, China +86 10 6505 2266 shangri-la.com

heart of Beijing’s party district. A city within the city, the courtyard complex includes restaurants, a cafe, bar and an art gallery. It is home to beautiful gardens, a rooftop terrace and one of the finest Peking roast duck meals in Beijing. Don’t forget what China is famous for — the Great Wall. Beijing is the political center of China and the most strategic city in the north. Many dynasties helped build the Great Wall; there are about 373 miles of the wall in the city. The sections built during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) amount to about 342 miles, and sections from other dynasties add up to about 25 miles. Sampling some xiao long bao — steamed dumplings filled with hot, aromatic soup — is a must. For this unique culinary experience, grab some from street vendors or go to Din Tai Fung, which is famous for these delicious dumplings.

What was once the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty — from 1420 to 1912 — now serves as a museum, with an extensive collection of artwork and artifacts. Stroll through the Summer Palace, where you can take in the vast lakes, gardens and other palaces. In December 1998, Unesco included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage Site list. It declared the Summer Palace “a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.” Make sure you pay a visit to 1949 The Hidden City. Nestled between skyscrapers, this complex is nearly 65,000 sq ft of neo-industrial chic tucked away in the

WHERE TO FLY Million Air has partnered with CJET in Beijing, China, to operate the first premium FBO facility at Beijing Capital International Airport. Million Air provides a range of FBO services delivered with the professionalism of the Million Air brand. The facility features an on-site customs and immigration office for the convenience of travelers arriving from abroad.

MILLION AIR BEIJING (ZBAA) Beijing Capital International Airport Inter-Terminal Road Chaoyang District Beijing, China, 100621 T +86 10 6455 7365 (Beijing)

Beihai Park

Lakeside in Beijing

F +1 281 880 8000 (US) E info.zbaa@millionair.com W millionair.com/zbaa.aspx

Million Air White Plains grand opening

Earlier this year, Million Air White Plains (HPN) celebrated the launch of its new fixed-based operator (FBO) facility, at Westchester County Airport, with an exclusive grand opening event. The party was a roaring success with 300-plus guests in attendance. They enjoyed a private concert from Chris Isaak and practiced their technique on an AboutGOLF simulator with professional golfer appearances. Breitling watches and Shreve, Crump & Low jewels were on display for guests’ perusal. On the ramp, guests toured a Cessna Citation Longitude, Cessna Citation M2 and Embraer

Legacy 500 aircraft as well as luxury cars fromMiller Motors and a Bell 429 helicopter. The new development at Million Air White Plains combines award-winning service with the luxurious ambience of Million Air to bring a one-of-a-kind experience to the White Plains, Westchester County Airport. Whether you’re arriving to or departing from the area, Million Air HPN is the facility setting the bar for every travel experience in private aviation. Guests can drive into a 6,865-sq-ft indoor valet area created to provide a climate-controlled transition

into the facility. Upon entering, the grand coffee bar and great rooms serve as the central gathering area for passengers awaiting their flights. There, travelers will be greeted by a barista and a beverage of their choice. The new luxury space was deliberately designed with a luxury resort-like ambience that includes elegant seating groups, wood and rock features, and six stone- framed fireplaces outlined by wood beam ceilings reflective of theWhite Plains community. The $70 million project was years in the making, for its new 22,000-sq-ft terminal, 50,400-sq-ft hangar and

MILLION AIR FLIGHT BRIEFING WHITE PLAINS, NY, USA

About Million Air Million Air is an award-winning network of luxury executive FBO terminals spanning four continents. Million Air White Plains has the largest contiguous leasehold at Westchester County Airport. Million Air has been named Best Large FBO Chain for the past eight years, delivering genuine care and exceptional service to aircraft owners, pilots and their distinguished guests. Million Air also provides aircraft charter, management and sales as well as FBO services. To read more about Million Air, visit millionair.com

Westchester County Airport, and they are really what’s driving the community, the local economy and creating jobs,” said Roger Woolsey, CEO of Million Air. “Our job is to be the first and last impression for the White Plains community and greet these market makers. Million Air looked at the expansion project as an opportunity to once again raise the bar on luxury. Fueled by our dedication to our pilots and passengers, we have taken every consideration into account to make sure all amenities reflect Westchester in a beautiful light.”

ramp facility upgrades, to meet the growing customer demand for enhanced services, expanded space and unique design at the Million Air White Plains FBO. The aviation complex today totals more than 82,000 sq ft of hangar space and 7.25 acres of ramp space. The hangar incorporates a partial curtain wall facade to showcase the aircraft within, with heights capable of housing a Gulfstream G650. Floors are heated with a hi-tech radiant heat system allowing comfortable temperatures

to be maintained for aircraft and pilot alike. “Big corporations are bringing airplanes to

MILLION AIR FLIGHT BRIEFING VICTORVILLE, CA, USA

The mother road ONCE A FIXTURE OF THE WILDWEST, VICTORVILLE NOW PROVIDES A LITTLE PIECE OF HOLLYWOOD IN THE DESERT

WHERE TO SLEEP On the pine-rimmed shores of its namesake, the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa offers modern travelers the same escape Serrano Indians sought when they retreated to Big Bear Valley every summer. Whether you're enjoying an indigenous, ingredient-focused treatment in the Spa of the Pines, or watching the whitecaps from the fireplace- adorned Summit Suite, Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa captures nature at its most luxurious for your pleasure. 27984 California Highway 189 +1 909 336 1511 lakearrowheadresort.com

The route John Steinbeck dubbed “the mother road”

Lying just out of the 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 Hula Ville 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

WHERE TO EAT Diane's Saddleback Grill serves classic US cuisine in an unfettered environment sure to encourage any appetite. Begin with the lobster escargot, a domestic take on the French classic, before indulging in the provincial rack of lamb, a feast of herb- crusted Italian lamb glazed with a rich Bordelaise sauce. 282 California Highway 173 WHERE TO FLY Just 90 minutes north-east of Los Angeles, Million Air Victorville is a perfect alternative to the crowded transportation centers of the US south-west. A member of Southern California Logistics Airport, this high-desert FBO sits alongside Interstate 15, matching its regional glitz with leather sofas, an espresso bar and other amenities sure to keep both pilot and passenger pleased. +1 800 858 3334 saddlebackinn.com

El Mirage Lake

between San Bernardino’s famed Glen Helen Raceway to the south and 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 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.

Big Bear Lake

MILLION AIR VICTORVILLE (VCV) Southern California Logistics Airport 18590 Readiness Street

T +1 877 246 6659 F +1 760 246 4625

E csr.vcv@millionair.com W millionair.com/vcv.aspx

Contributors elite traveler SUMMER 2019 18

Barossa Valley, Australia STEPH DUTTON Penfolds senior red winemaker Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Steph began her love affair with wine while she was working in some of the city’s top restaurants. As senior red winemaker, she oversees the production of some of Penfolds finest bottles and, in this issue, she talks about how to re-cork your precious vintages. This year, her travels will bring her to Seattle and Portland, Oregon. p70

Kanazawa, Japan ERIC RIPERT Chef & co-owner, Le Bernardin

Eric’s job as chef of New York City’s three-Michelin-starred Le Bernardin takes him around the world in search of gastronomic inspiration. While he loves Kanazawa, Japan for its deeply rooted traditions, his favorite destination is the Cayman Islands. He visits annually for the Cayman Cookout, to see his restaurant, Blue, and enjoy the white-sand beaches. p49

Everett, Washington STOCKTON RUSH Founder & CEO, OceanGate, Inc

It comes as no surprise that Stockton, co-founder and CEO of OceanGate (a venture that helps fund manned ocean dives in the name of research) is an adventure traveler himself. He loves to explore new places, and he particularly enjoys British Columbia’s Desolation Sound to fish and collect oysters; watch whales, dolphins and seals; and explore the uncharted wilderness. p71

Alness, Scotland RICHARD PATERSON Master distiller, The Dalmore Richard is one of the most revered figures in the Scotch whisky industry— after all, he’s nicknamed 'the nose' for his keen ability to nose whisky. The native Scot and third- generation whisky blender leads tastings and hosts events throughout the world, but in his free time you can find him in Italy enjoying food, wine and history. p68

Words Emma Reynolds. Photos Rebecca Davidson

A NEW PLACE OF DREAMS AND NEW SENSATIONS

The beautiful swimming pool with its elegant pavilions nestling beneath palms and olive trees is situated in the most sensuous and life affirming of settings. Close by, shaded by the pergolas is «Le Jardin» restaurant, offering a tempting and innovative menu throughout the day. This idyllic traditional Moroccan garden setting encapsulates the true spirit of the Royal Mansour, Marrakech.

www.royalmansour.com

TEL.+212 (0) 529 80 80 80

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THE PRIVATE JET LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE elite traveler A COMPANY

Senior Vice President, Associate Publisher Lorraine Cousland Head of Luxury, Editor Thea Halstead Group Sales Director Richard Crosby

EDITORIAL Luxury Editorial Director Kristen Shirley Managing Editor Samantha Coles Contributing Timepiece Editor Roberta Naas Assistant Luxury Editor Emma Reynolds Chief Sub-Editor Patti Stallard Group Art Director Henrik Williams Designers David Cooper, Sandra Boucher

ADVERTISING UNITED STATES Executive Director, NA, multimedia (jewelry, watches, beauty) Heather Hanson heather.hanson@elitetraveler.com NORTHEASTERN US/MID-ATLANTIC/MIDWEST Director of Travel & Spirits Corey Zaretsky corey.zaretsky@elitetraveler.com WESTERN US/HAWAII Regional Director Tiffany H Carey tiffany.carey@elitetraveler.com EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA

CONTRIBUTORS Robertas Aukstuolis, Alexandra Cheney, Peter Clover, Nicholas Duers, Steph Dutton, Ben Harries, Becca Hensley, Lauren Jade Hill, Kenny Ho, Allison Reiber DiLiegro, Stockton Rush, Shaun Tolson

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VistaJet Wine Program To create the first-ever exclusive wine club in the sky, VistaJet combined the expertise of wine producers, such asMarchesi Antinori and Artemis Domaines, with that of anOxfordUniversity professor Page 29

Page 25 Object of desire Lalique marks the 400th anniversary of its Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey in style. Page 26 Motoring A trio of customizable vehicles from industry heavyweights McLaren, Audi and Hummer to make your own. Page 30 Design These restaurants don’t just serve exceptional food, they’re also brimming with fine-art displays. Page 31 Wine & spirits The Last Drop’s new apparatus puts on a personal show every time you pour a dram of whisky.

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by Samantha Coles Object of desire

In France’s Bordeaux wine region, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey has stood among 990 acres of vineyards since 1618 where it produces the esteemed Premier Grand Cru Classé. The Château was acquired by another French icon, famed glass designer Lalique, and opened as a charming hotel last year. Naturally, the interiors are all Lalique and pay homage to the surrounding vineyards. To mark the Château’s 400th anniversary, Lalique created a one-of-a-kind barrique: The piece is fashioned from crystal, making it the world’s first and only completely translucent barrel. It was two years in the making and features an engraved motif, Femme et Raisins (Woman and Grapes), which was originally created by founder René Lalique in 1928 for the woodwork on board the Côte d’Azur Pullman Express. The etching uses the cire perdue process in which a duplicate metal sculpture is cast from an original — an ancient technique that dates back to 3,500 B.C. It can hold up to 255 liters (that’s 300 bottles) and is filled with Château Lafaurie-Premier Grand Cru Classé 2013, the first vintage that Lalique president and CEO Silvio Denz oversaw. The barrique was created especially for the Château’s milestone anniversary, but you can commission your own vineyard-inspired crystalware — Lalique has created bespoke objects and furnishings for royal palaces and yachts in the past, including a $1m crystal staircase. Contact Pat Rowan, boutique director, customerservice@lalique.com, +1 212 355 6550, lalique.com Lalique barrique

DISCOVER

by Alexandra Cheney Motoring

(CUSTOM)ER SERVICE Bespoke options are en vogue. Veritable personalization, however, requires a depth of detail still untapped by many manufacturers. From work to play, this trio of customizable vehicles encourages drivers to choose their own adventures

Road runner: McLaren Speedtail

in the original Blade Runner . Inside the Hyper-GT, a trio of high-resolution digital screens display everything from navigation to infotainment, while the engine start button and power-operated door controls (since it’s rather tricky to close a door when you’re sitting in the middle of the car) are housed in the headliner. The roof is electrochromic glass, instantly dimmable, thus rendering sun visors irrelevant. Speedtail is long, measuring 16.9 ft — an inch longer than a Cadillac Escalade. From nose to tail, McLaren’s largest concern is the uninterrupted flow of air, which is why the body of Speedtail can flex. Christened ‘active ailerons,’ portions of the tail can bend, reducing drag and aiding downforce at higher (read: faster) speeds. Coined ‘titanium deposition carbon fiber,’ the body of the car features bespoke carbon fiber created out of 1,000 strands versus the normal 3,000. The result is smaller squares as well as the ability to customize, should the owner choose to weave precious metals like gold or silver into the quilted pattern. McLaren will produce only 106 editions of Speedtail, all of which have been pre-sold. Deliveries begin in 2020. From $2.27m, cars.mclaren.com

Words like sleek, stunning and extraordinary come easily to the lips of those viewing Speedtail, McLaren’s low-drag, 1,035-horsepower, gas-electric hybrid powertrain Ultimate Series vehicle. Its list of lengthy superlatives include: first-ever Hyper-GT and most aerodynamically efficient, perfectly symmetrical and fastest-accelerating McLaren. A proclamation: The Speedtail is a testament to the current and future technological accomplishments at McLaren. Speedtail clocks zero to 186 mph in 12.8 seconds (3.7 seconds faster than the P1). Its delta seating configuration means the driver is front and center — literally —with a passenger behind each shoulder. Some suggest the interior triangular layout is an homage to the aforementioned P1, while others believe it’s the only way to achieve a terminal velocity of 250 mph. Either way, the shape of Speedtail when viewed aerially is that of a teardrop, “the most efficient shape found in nature,” according to Ian Howshall, McLaren’s Ultimate and Super Series Product Manager. A production car, Speedtail’s design aesthetic parks somewhere between the Jetsons’ semicircular Space Car and the vehicles buzzing around vertical Los Angeles

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Steamroller: Mil-Spec H1

Cross 30 inches of water or ascend a 60-degree slope, but make it luxurious. That’s the objective of Mil-Spec Automotive, the brainchild of CEO AdamMitchell, president Chris Van Scyoc and CIO Ian Broekman, three midwestern men capable of restoring a quarter-million- dollar, military-grade Humvee, but each of whom fail to meet the age required to hire a rental car. Each Mil-Spec Hummer H1 began as a 1995-2001 Hummer H1. As each enters the Wichita, Kansas factory, it’s stripped down to the frame, sandblasted and powder coated. The body is stiffened via 10-gauge aluminum, while the engine is replaced with a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8. The fine-toothed combing includes upgraded insulation, cooling systems and suspension. Encouraged, if not exacting, client customization then begins. From exterior running boards or a hood scoop to interior bucket seats, perfectly circular panels with a font, spacing and short hands inspired by wristwatches and marine-grade hand-stitched leather, consider Mil-Spec’s offerings indulgent with a side of apocalyptic preparation. The Motor City-based company built five individually numbered production trucks and is currently working on another four for 2019. ‘Detail-oriented’ falls inadequately short in describing the passion and precision this trio of men exude. It’s worth noting, though, that a military-specification vehicle, even with Nappa leather and a Bluetooth-enabled sound system, remains a rough-riding workhorse. It’s not exactly a pragmatic daily driver, and gas mileage is negligible and the exhaust rumble clearly remains a passenger. From $225,000, milspecauto.com

First Drive: Audi A8 The browns, greens and blacks of the layered hills and coast-hugging roads of Big Sur brilliantly offset the deep blues and bright whites of the vast Pacific Ocean and its crashing waves. It’s a familiar scene to those acquainted with California’s Central Coast, as much a state of mind as a locale. Enter the A8, Audi’s flagship

stereotype. The air-quality package offers a duo of air ionizers that fill the interior with negatively charged molecules along with a Grasse, France-produced pair of scents (sea breeze and mountain air), while the rear-seat comfort package introduces 16 spherical air chambers, as well as seven different programs (with three intensity levels) that target muscles from your toes to your scalp. It’s a massage that’s almost as tailored as your bespoke suit. In the driver’s seat, Audi implemented 41 different driver assistance systems available to six different users, providing a total of 400 different functions. Allow me to translate: The touchscreens recognize your handwriting, the car’s artificial intelligence will learn your cuisine preferences, and the downloadable app can give you walking directions from any location to the place you parked your A8. From $83,800, audiusa.com

sedan, which matches both the cadence and philosophy of the region. Among the redwoods and S-curves of the Pacific Coast Highway, the turbocharged, 335-horsepower, quattro all-wheel drive V6 glides smoothly along. It isn’t here to be flashy or fast, but there certainly is — and should be — “a sense of ceremony when you get in,” says Anthony Foulk, one of Audi’s senior project managers. While the base model is absolutely satisfactory, the lengthy list of options creates a customization experience so specific that the A8 manages to escape the stodgy sedan

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by Thea Halstead Yachts

BRAND SPOTLIGHT/// WALLY

Following Ferretti Group’s investment into yacht designer and builder Wally earlier this year, we look at three yachts that have made this brand such an innovative and dynamic force in the superyacht world wally.com

WALLYACE These days you’d be hard-pressed to find a yacht without a beach club that enables you to easily access the water. However, this wasn’t always the case, and Wally is one of the companies responsible for the development of the trend. Wally’s founder, Luca Bassani, devised this ‘terrace-on-the- sea’ concept with his 1998 sailing yacht, Tiketitan , and applied it to Wally yachts, both motor and sailing, from that point onwards. 118 WALLYPOWER Boasting a head-turning angular glass superstructure, the 118 Wallypower Galeocerdo is a fine example of Wally’s preference in using glass extensively in the superstructure of its yachts. She looks like a bullet, or a stealth bomber, and her sage exterior takes on the colors of her surroundings. Galeocerdo is one of the fastest yachts in the world; she was wind tunnel tested by Ferrari and can reach When introduced in 2001, Wallytenders broke the mold for yacht tenders on the water. Day boats were suddenly funky, aspirational yachts. The new 48 Wallytender continues in this vein with a striking profile, composite construction and a zippy top speed of 38 knots. One of the more recent models to come out of the shipyard, the 48’s large interior volume has enough room for a proper cabin, shower room and galley so it can easily be taken out for longer voyages. speeds of 65 knots. 48 WALLYTENDER

The wine vault on board The World has over 1,100 labels to choose from

Food and wine around The World Following her dry dock period earlier this year, The World , the largest privately owned residential yacht in (you guessed it) the world, is back on the water and heading on a culinary-focused itinerary. Throughout 2019 she will play host to a series of food and wine extravaganzas, as expert chefs and sommeliers from all corners of the globe are flown in to create extraordinary experiences for those on board. Guest chefs coming on board this year include Soenil Bahadoer during the yacht’s voyage from Cagliari to Barcelona and Jonas Andre Nåvik during The World ’s time in Japan. As owner and head chef of Michelin- starred Fagn in Norway, Nåvik combines Scandinavian cooking with his own more global style. For oenophiles, Tsushima Kitahara, a 13th-generation sake producer from the Shichiken Brewery, Hokuto City, will also come on board when the yacht is in Japan in October. Kitahara will host a series of sake tastings and talk guests through the intricacies of sake production and the history of the revered rice wine. Even if you don’t catch one of these culinary itineraries, The World is no stranger to fine dining and even finer wine. As winner of The World of Fine Wine ’s World’s Best Wine Lists awards for best wine list on board a ship for the last four years, she has long been recognized for the quality and excellence of her wine. Under the watchful eye of beverage manager Marinela Ivanova, The World has 1,100 labels on board, all hand-picked from 19 countries and housed in the extensive wine cellar that holds more than 16,000 bottles. Cheers! aboardtheworld.com

Photos Guy Gurney, Anthony Holder

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Aviation WINE AT 45,000 FT by Emma Reynolds Like many great ideas, VistaJet CEO Thomas Flohr’s VistaJet Wine Programwas conjured up over a glass of, well, wine. “I am a wine lover and a fair amount of my friends, who are clients, are wine lovers. When we traveled together, we discovered that the taste differs in the sky [and] on the ground,” Flohr tells Elite Traveler in an exclusive interview. “We talked to some very experienced people in the wine world, and we finally concluded that we should explore this matter further.” Flohr invited top wine producers, including Marchesi Antinori, Château Lafite Rothschild, Ca’ Del Bosco and Artemis Domaines, to complete several tastings in the air and on the ground to determine which wines taste best when soaring 45,000 ft above the earth. Flohr also enlisted Oxford University professor Charles Spence to back up these findings scientifically: Spence noted that cabin pressure, altitude, air quality and noise level affect our smell and taste the most, causing some wines to taste differently when flying. The VistaJet Wine Program is the first-ever exclusive wine club in the sky where members can book bespoke tours to private vineyards in Napa Valley, Italy and France, plus meet with esteemed winemakers that few people have access to. As part of the program, members will receive 12 carefully selected bottles each year and receive tastings while traveling anywhere in the world with aWine and Spirit Education Trust Level 2-trained cabin host. An avid wine enthusiast and collector himself (his private collection exceeds 3,000 bottles), Flohr hopes to bring something different to VistaJet members who have access to nearly everything. “We’re dealing with some of the smartest, wealthiest and most influential people in the world. They’re pretty opinionated, and they know what they want,” he says. TheWine Programwill keep members busy exploring for years to come because Flohr designed it specifically for the serious wine lover. “You open their eyes to something they haven’t experienced before.” vistajet.com/wine

The Signature Wine List includes Ruinart champagnes, Château Pape Clément, Pessac Léognan and the Gaja, Rossj Bass Chardonnay

ANTINORI È APERTO

The Barricaia at Antinori nel Chianti Classico

grounds of nearby Cantina Antinori in Chianti Classico— a modern winery (rebuilt in 2012 but dating back to 1385) whose brilliant architectural design is almost as jaw-dropping as the views over its verdant vineyards. Afterwards, a helicopter will take you to one, or both, Antinori estates for tastings: Castello Della Sala near Orvieto or Tenuta Guado Al Tasso in Bolgheri, before spending your last night at a residence on the Tenuta Gauda Al Tasso estate. Elite Traveler readers who book the Antinori experience will have the opportunity to acquire one case of the exclusive Guado Al Tasso 2010 vintage, usually reserved for Antinori’s top customers. chairmans.office@vistajet.com

Antinori has producedwines in Italy for more than 630 years (you may know its world-class Super Tuscan, Tignanello), yet it only opened its doors to the public in 2013. Now, it offers exclusive behind-the-scenes access to VistaJet’s wine club members, who can spend a weekend touring the historic estate and have dinner with Antinori’s 26th-generation vintners as part of this once-in-a-lifetime itinerary. Aweekend of Tuscan wine awaits: Enjoy an evening at the 500-year-old Palazzo Antinori, the family’s private residence, sampling vintages from their personal collection before spending the night in Florence. The next day, tour the

Photos George Baxter, Ivan Rossi Fotografo

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Art by Samantha Coles

CHAMPAGNE SUPERNOVA

To commemorate InterContinental Hotel’s 200th opening (you might have spotted the Shanghai Wonderland in an earlier issue of Elite Traveler ), an installation by mixed-media artist Alexander Hall (also known as Haut de Gamme) has been displayed in select hotels throughout the world. The installation is comprised of 200 hand-painted champagne bottles — fitting for the momentous celebration. Every hanging bottle is unique and inspired by one of the 200 hotels; each one captures the character, history and individuality of its location. The InterContinental New York Barclay bottle depicts a bird cage, as it was the first hotel to have one in its lobby. It was filled with canaries and other song birds, and guests could house their own birds in the 14-ft cage. While the whimsical, fun installation was commissioned exclusively for InterContinental, you can still bring a little champagne-inspired art into your home. Haut de Gamme’s vibrant, punky prints are daring and chic — his signature style is Pop Art-esque bright colors, dripping paint and gold leaf. A limited edition series features a number of original prints with Dom Pérignon-style bottles reimagined in Technicolor glory. As Hall explains: “My inspiration for this painting stems from experiences with people, which made me want to create something that made others feel positive. From the response of my other works, I wanted to create this piece with softer pastel colors to reflect my emotions of excitement building up. It’s one of my favorite pieces because I remember holding myself back from overworking it (which is very easy to do!). I had fun doing it, and I think it shows.” From $11,015, hautdegamme.com

TAKE THREE/// THE ART OF DINING

KRONENHALLE, ZÜRICH A former beer hall might not be the first place you’d think of having an extensive fine art collection, but that’s just what Kronenhalle in Zürich has. Hanging on the restaurant’s dark mahogany walls, you’ll find an eclectic collection fromMatisse, Picasso, Braque, Rodin, Kandinsky, Bonnard, Chagall and Miró, and the lamps are by Giacometti. Picasso and Giacometti were frequent visitors, as were Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. Gustav Zumsteg, son of the restaurant’s founder Hulda Zumsteg, amassed the collection with his mother over many years. Don’t leave without trying the famous chocolate mousse, served with a generous helping of double cream. kronenhalle.ch

LA COLOMBE D’OR, FRANCE With a story as fascinating as the pieces displayed on its walls, Colombe d’Or opened in 1920 in the quaint village of Saint Paul de Vence as a restaurant and hotel. It was a hideaway for creatives during World War Two and Picasso, Braque, Léger and Matisse were all regulars. They settled their respective bills with original artworks instead of cash, and these pieces fill the rustic restaurant and hotel today. Despite the unbelievable art on display (be sure to visit the courtyard to see a Fernand Léger mosaic, framed by foliage), the cuisine is not fine dining; instead, it is hearty, traditional French fare such as steak with gratin dauphinois and Burgundy snails. la-colombe-dor.com

CASA LEVER, NEWYORK Casa Lever is housed within the landmark Lever House on Park Avenue, and is a power lunch favorite for New York’s movers and shakers. The modern art lining the walls is from the Lever House Art Collection, founded in 2003 by real estate tycoon Aby Rosen. The displays often rotate (the Collection is committed to showcasing new and exciting contemporary art) but you can expect to dine with around 23 of Andy Warhol’s famous silk screens watching over you. The pieces depict many famous faces, including Aretha Franklin, Judy Garland and Dennis Hopper. The cuisine is exquisite Milanese: Try the ricci di mare (sea urchin linguine). casalever.com

Photos www.hautdegamme.com/@hautdegamme, Nico Schinco