Iconic Concierge Vancouver Summer 2017

SUMMER 2014

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publisher’s LETTER

it’s finally here!

summer, that is. and in a way i think we must have skipped spring. it was so cold and rainy for such a long time, that we needed to get a break, and so we left for california for a nice wine country experience, getting the much needed vitamin d. but let’s not complain, we just celebrated canada’s 150th birthday and it was the nicest long weekend we could have imagined, giving our city this magic touch that people worldwide fancy about. even jackie chan.

“i love vancouver,” the beloved hong kong born actor told us when he came to the city to help launch the new daily direct flights between the cities, offered by hong kong airlines. jackie is also a vivid car enthusiast, his team just recently won the 24 hours of lemans and he owns several supercars himself.

olaf robrecht publisher olaf@iconic-concierge.com

yes, it has been some busy months, members of our team went to montreal for the formula one grandprix, jason looked into the newest styles in fashion at pitti uomo in florence, and those of us who stayed in vancouver experienced some interesting events and made connections and new friends. while you read these few lines we are already working on some very cool projects you will find out about on our social media and in the next edition. for now - enjoy the summer, see you around. and thanks for all your support, we really appreciate it!

what else? ...

A lot. We had some very busy months, but we admit, it was a lot of fun, too. We always draw a crowd at the airport when we show up (“what did you bring this time?”), and this time it turned into a little McLaren exhibition, before we headed out to San Francisco. We actually had a film crew with us - you can already see Robbie’s (in)famous coin test on YouTube, and we will publish some more video material soon. This year’s Diamond Rally was another milestone for us - for the first time we had a car in this ultimate supercar charity challenge. Actually, two cars: Our unique 911 Porsche, raising awareness for Children’s Wish Foundation, and a Bentley. Finally, our little excursion with the amazing Sea Ray L650 Fly - you can read all about it in this edition. Do we love what we do? Yes, we do!

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ICONIC CONCIERGE

No aspect of your life is too abstract for an 1859 advisor.

Portfolio Management | Banking and Financial Services | And more

National Bank Private Banking 1859 is a trade name used by National Bank of Canada, National Bank Financial and National Bank Investments.

As part of National Bank Private Banking 1859’s activities, its banking, lending and business transfer services are delivered through National Bank of Canada. Trust, estate planning and settlement services as well as securities custody and management are facilitated through National Bank Trust.

Brokerage services are delivered by National Bank Financial. Mutual fund brokerage services are delivered by National Bank Investments. Insurance services are delivered by NBF Financial Services. National Bank Financial, National Bank Investments, National Bank Trust and NBF Financial Services are subsidiaries of National Bank of Canada. National Bank Financial is a dealer member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). National Bank Investments is a mutual fund dealer member of the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and a member of the MFDA Investor Protection Corporation. National Bank of Canada is a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA).

ICONIC CONCIERGE

vol. 5 [2017]

www.iconic-concierge.com

On the cover: HUBLOT ambassador BAR REFAELI.

PUBLISHER:

OLAF ROBRECHT olaf@iconic-concierge.com

AUTOMOTIVE EDITOR: FASHION EDITOR: WINE EDITOR: FOOD & BEVERAGE EDITOR: CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

PHOTOGRAPHY: COPY EDITOR:

ROBBIE DICKSON JASON SARAI BARRY MCNABB KEITH TRUSLER JASON BOUDREAU, MEAGAN FAYE, JESSE DEAN COOK, MIKE STRAUS, JIM GORDON, JASON SARAI, KEITH TRUSLER, DR. CHRISTIAN BRIX DAVE HAMILTON, KUNA LU, TODD TALBOT, KEVIN UY MIKE STRAUS

DESIGN/ LAYOUT:

YADA-YADA MEDIA

ADVERTISING SALES:

ALLIE HENDERSON allie@iconic-concierge.com

iconic_concierge Iconic Concierge is published by

Printed in Canada.

All rights reserved. No part of Iconic Concierge Magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. The views expressed in Iconic Concierge are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher or staff.

Although all reasonable attempts are made to ensure accuracy, the publishers do not assume any liability for errors or omissions anywhere in the publication or on the website. Iconic Concierge reserves the rights to ads produced for advertisers.

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ICONIC CONCIERGE

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As Canada’s largest automotive group, we connect you to the calibre of brands, products, and services you deserve.

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dreamT E A M

OLAF ROBRECHT publisher

An entrepreneur who is always on the lookout for new projects he is passionate about, Olaf has run several businesses since he came to Canada 16 years ago. These days you will find lifestyle and car magazines as well as a design & marketing company connected to his name, although he might be better known for his little collection of spirited automobiles.

ROBBIE DICKSON chief gear head

Born in England, Robbie is a selfstyled entrepreneur with a passion for exotic cars, boats and watches.

He owned pretty much every car you can imagine although he still calls a Lotus Elise he once owned his favourite. Tracked extensively, Robbie claims it was “the most affordable fun you can have with your clothes on ...”

JASON SARAI

bespoke stylist & fashion editor When Jason found the world of bespoke suiting and styling, he had little choice but to turn it from a passion project into his life’s work with Style by Sarai. He has gone from being fashion advisor for family and friends, to the trusted bespoke stylist for professionals and grooms-to-be, by enhancing their confidence and helping them become their own style icon.

CRAIG STOWE luxury events

Craig is recognized as Vancouver’s #1 creator and producer of luxury events bringing together affluent buyers and sellers of luxury brands in an engaging business social event setting.

He is the President of Luxury Alliance Group, Luxury & Supercar Weekend, Porsche Rally, Hublot Diamond Rally and VP of Partnerships for Pacific Polo Cup.

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ICONIC CONCIERGE

MEAGAN FAYE

ALLIE HENDERSON

lifestyle editor & data nerd

advertising

Meagan is a full-time lifestyle blogger, fusing her passion for data and style together to create successful campaigns for the brands she partners with. Her career has brought her to fashion weeks all over the world where she works directly with leading luxury brands. Her goal is to disrupt the influencer industry by helping brands measure the success of their campaigns with key marketing metrics.

Allie is the only Lady in our Gentlemen’s magazine team.

The former professional freestyle motocross racer is now a successful entrepreneur, running her own company “Temple Foods” and promoting and coordinating car related events.

“These guys simply needed a woman on their team, how else would things happen otherwise?”

JESSE DEAN COOK

JASON BOUDREAU CFP, CLU

luxury real estate specialist

wealth advisor

Having worked as a Global Executive for a multi-billion dollar corporation, Jesse has a decade of international business experience and is now one of the top luxury real estate agents based in West Vancouver. He truly cherishes the relationship he has with his clients, helping them navigate the process of selling and buying their spectacular residential properties.

As the founder of VELA Wealth, Jason is fuelled by watching clients fulfill their vision of life success for their family, community and legacy.

Focusing on inter-generational wealth transfer, life insurance, legacy and estate planning, he advises successful entrepreneurial families on how to make meaningful choices at the intersection of their life and their wealth.

KEITH TRUSLER

BARRY McNABB

imbibing authority

wine expert

The Brand Ambassador for The Glenlivet and Aberlour for several years now, Keith is a veteran of the restaurant industry in Vancouver and has extensive experience as a bartender, mixologist and chef.

As a Connoisseur of single malt whisky he tirelessly pursues the finest dining and imbibing experiences the city has to offer.

It was a bottle of 1989 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet that changed his life. That was in 1990. The addiction to wine was set. And the journey to know everything and anything about wine. Today, after many travels to all notable wine regions in the world, Barry has a broad knowledge of the nuanced interplay between food and wine.

KEVIN UY

JIM GORDON LEETA LIEPINS

automotive photography A self-described petrolhead and horologie addict, Kevin combines a passion for automotives, nature and design to create vivid imagery for private and corporate clients. He has worked on local and national projects across Canada and is known for an almost surreal touch to his images, using the best of natural, ambient and artificial lighting.

city experts

They are the hosts of JoyTV’s “Our City Tonight” covering Vancouver’s entertainment, fashion, nightlife, food & wine events, interesting people and exciting places. Jim is also the co-host/producer of “The Travel Guys” TV show and the weekly CTV Vancouver film critic.

Leeta is also a columnist for several other publications and a brand ambassador.

ICONIC CONCIERGE

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CONTENTS COVER

FEATURES

AUTOMOTIVE

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26

48

The HKA Ambassador in Vancouver

The Art of Fusion

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Jackie Chan

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HUBLOT

The Art of Fusion

COLUMNS

HUBLOT

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34

WATERCRAFT

Hublot Diamond Rally

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Thrill Seeker

You Want This!

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The Gentleman

They Should Have Taught You This In School

51

38

Broken Ribs and Concussions

42

Wine Country Getaway

Sonoma County & Napa Valley

60

Sprezzatura

Pitti Uomo 92 Florence, Italy

Financials

The Next Generation Simon Pickup / Hydra Energy

64

The Dapper Gent The Right Scent For You

66

Head2Head

Audi R8 V10 Plus v McLaren 540C

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It’s All In The Details

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Our City Tonight Café Il Nido

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Ask The ... Concierge

Matthew Scott, Fairmot Pacific Rim

ICONIC CONCIERGE

The Sea Ray L650 Fly

AVIATION

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Lineage 1000E

Great Gatsby in the Sky

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PERSONALITIES

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Jackie Chan

The HKA Ambassador in Vancouver

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Michael & Andrew Hungerford The Property Brothers

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DESTINATIONS

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Wine Country Getaway

Sonoma County & Napa Valley

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The Grand Tour

From Wineries to the Race Track

Elpie Marinakis Jackson Wedgewood Hotel & Spa

EVENTS

Forget Chocolate and Roses!

Real Estate

L For Luxury

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

What Women Want

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A Flying Cruise

Entrepreneurial Families: Board of Directors

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Head2Head Audi R8 V10 Plus v McLaren 540C

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The Specter Journal

2017 Rolls-Royce Wraith

Watch Special

The Ultimate Supercar Charity Challenge

Publisher’s Letter

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/ summer 2017 /

IMBIBE

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Iconic Cocktails The Mojito

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Vinoteque Bordeux Wines

22

Tiffany & Co Grand Opening

56

Hennessy Prestige Dinner Fairmont Pacific Rim

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Ride & Drive Gala

Audi Downtown Vancouver

CONTENTS

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48

42

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JACKIE CHAN

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The Hong Kong Airlines Ambassador Visits Vancouver

On June 30th, 2017, Hong Kong Airlines made its North American debut with the launch of its non-stop daily service between Vancouver (YVR) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

Aboard the inaugural flight to commemorate the airline’s entry into the Canadian market was Hong Kong-born martial artist, Academy Award-winning Hollywood actor, and race team owner Jackie Chan. Chan, a world traveler himself, is serving as a Hong Kong Airlines ambassador and took part in the Canada 150 celebrations at Canada Place on July 1.

We had a chance to meet both Jackie Chan and Hong Kong Airline’s new Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. George Liu, who were in the city for a few days.

Liu previously served as the Director of Airline Global Brand & Marketing at the US-based Boeing Commercial Airplanes for 10 years, where he managed strategic partnerships with customer airlines in establishing, enhancing and refreshing their global brands. Liu brings to the position over 25 years of experience in brand strategy, marketing, communications, customer relations, and government affairs.

Asked what he is looking forward to the most, Liu says: “Hong Kong Airlines is at an exciting stage of development as it evolves to become an international carrier. Leveraging on my experience and understanding of the

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ICONIC CONCIERGE

Hong Kong-born martial artist, Hollywood actor and world traveller Jackie Chan was aboard the inaugural flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver

“Our Business Class, which is priced extremely competitively, features a fully stocked and very stylish Skybar - complete with attendants serving premium wine, beer and cocktails.”

To commemorate the airline’s entry into the gateway city, Hong Kong Airlines has partnered with two well-known Vancouver dining destinations to curate a special in-flight culinary program.

The flight from Vancouver offers a Business Class menu from Dynasty Seafood Restaurant’s Executive Chef Sam Leung and Dim Sum Head Chef Garley Leung.

industry and the marketing landscape across the globe, I am looking forward to working closely with the management team to take the airline to the next level.”

Operating one of the youngest fleets in the world, currently consisting of 33 aircraft with another 15 orders placed, Hong Kong Airlines is Hong Kong’s second largest airline, serving more than 30 destinations in the Asia Pacific region. With their new year-round service between Vancouver and Hong Kong, Canadians will now have greater access to Asia’s World City and beyond with this new transpacific route.

“With nearly 400,000 Canadians traveling to Hong Kong each year, we are thrilled to be able to offer this direct access to the world-class city that is Hong Kong,” says George Liu. When asked what will set them apart from existing airlines servicing this route, Liu was very excited to tell us about the service they will offer.

“Every day, on every flight, with every passenger, we will deliver welcoming service that evokes the spirit and excitement of Asia’s World City. As a distinctly Hong Kong airline, Hong Kong is truly embedded in the airline’s DNA. Pricewise we have positioned ourselves right between our competitors, what sets us apart is the experience you will have. Take our Economy Class; our Vancouver passengers will find an iPad Mini 4 preloaded with movies to deliver a flexible and versatile in-flight entertainment experience, with movie popcorn from Joe & Steph’s to create the best sky theatre experience. We also have a self-serve bar, serving water, soft drinks and light snacks, and even an amenity kit for our Economy passengers.”

Dim Sum Head Chef Garley Leung and Executive Chef Sam Leung of Dynasty Seafood Restaurant

Says Liu: “Vancouver is world-renowned for having some of the best Cantonese food outside of Hong Kong, and we are delighted to have Dynasty on board as our partner to create this amazing dining experience.”

The Skybar features a unique cocktail created by David Wolowidnyk, the Fairmont Pacific Rim’s mixologist at its new restaurant Botanist. His signature cocktail, the Bauhinia, is made with Rémy Martin XO cognac, champagne, freshly pressed grape juice, tea, and lemon. The beverage is inspired

by Hong Kong’s official flower—a hybrid plant native to Hong Kong. The vibrant magenta tree flowers embody Hong Kong’s history of uniting East and West.

We spent almost an hour with George Liu, and we must say that we have rarely seen someone describe a new position as passionately as he did. Our last question to him, before the man himself would join us, was about Jackie Chan.

“We feel partnering with Jackie Chan offers a timely opportunity to establish an East-meets-West, cross-cultural connection for our customers, and it complements our truly Hong Kong brand as we are developing Western gateway cities. It’s a natural fit,” says Liu. “Jackie Chan is a trusted and well-known personality here in North America and in his hometown of Hong Kong. His role as ambassador will help cultivate a global audience for the airline, starting right here in Vancouver. In addition, his accomplishments as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF/ UNAIDS, a celebrity cabinet member of the American Red Cross, and founder of the Jackie Chan Civil Aviation Foundation in China, serves the our mutual interest in philanthropic and charitable endeavours.”

Business Class passenger will enjoy items such as baked mince pork pie or hand-shredded smoked chicken

The Bauhinia cocktail made by Botanist’s Head Bartender at the Fairmont Pacific Rim

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It was in 1995 when Chan filmed ‘Rumble in the Bronx’ right here in Vancouver. After we had heard so much about Hong Kong Airlines, we decided to chat with him about his true passion: cars and racing. Just a few weeks ago he made history in Chinese Motorsport, winning the LMP2 category at Le Mans and finishing 2nd overall.

Chan co-founded the team in 2015, joining the likes of Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and, more recently, Patrick Dempsey - all film and TV stars who participated in the Le Mans 24-hour race.

We didn’t ask Jackie about this, but we heard through the grapevine that in return for loaning the cars at no cost, the sheik did have one request: A dinner with the actor.

Asked what got him interested into becoming a team owner, Chan says, “I will always support Chinese motorsport and driver development, and this was a good chance to create the team together with David Cheng. But I have been involved with racing for a long time, and I hope that more people can come to China, too, to participate in our races. China has a great industry in car production, and racing is very important for our development and research.”

We had a fun time with the iconic actor, who seems to be a watch connoisseur, too. We spotted a rare Richard Mille RM 053 Tourbillon on his wrist.

Chan had also helped organizing a celebrity race in China for years, and was involved in the Paris-Dakar Uber Rally.

Jackie Chan’s newest movie The Foreigner, which also stars Pierce Brosnan, is slated to hit theatres in October.

Asked if he has been behind the steering wheel of his racecar, he laughs. “Unfortunately not, as an actor my insurance company would not allow it.”

One of his most recent movies, ‘Kung Fu Yoga’, features an impressive array of exotics, from a McLaren 650S, Lamborghini Aventador, Ford GT, Bugatti Veyron to a rare Devel Sixteen.

“We were filming in Dubai, you know,” the actor explains.

“There are so many unique and rare supercars there, and

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the Dubai government and even the royal family generously offered their full support and (lent) us a number of supercars.

Actually, and don’t tell anyone, we damaged one of the limited edition McLarens during the filming of the car chase. So embarrassing. But know what? A new McLaren was delivered the next day – the sheik had ordered his shop to have his blue McLaren covered in yellow so we could complete the scene!”

ICONIC CONCIERGE

The next day, Chan joined the Canada 150 festivities at Canada Place. We hope he had a great time in Vancouver. It was one of the most beautiful weekends - and we know for a fact that he will be back.

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Big Bang Ferrari King Gold.

King Gold case inspired by the brands’ iconic lines. In-house UNICO chronograph. Interchangeable strap with a patented attachment.

Limited edition of 500 pieces.

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Chanel Paddle Board It started with the most drooledover surfboard ever created, after Gisele Bündchen was captured clutching one on the beach. And now Chanel introduced their own stylish paddle board.

So if you care about the aesthetics of your equipment, get this carbon and polyester board with the iconic Double C logo. Price “available upon request.” Well, their “Beach Rackets & Balls” set is C$4,300, and a set of four tennis balls in a leather pouch is C$500. Just to give you an idea! www.chanel.com

Stefano Ricci Belts Are you looking for the ultimate fashion statement? Nothing but the very best will do? Well, in this case make sure to stop by the Stefano Ricci store on West Georgia. They have some pretty amazing belts starting at $1,350 and going up to $6,200 for the regular ones, but if you feel like spending a bit more they will also gladly sell you their diamond studded ones - ranging from $50,000 - 85,000.

1139 W Georgia Street

Maybach Sunglasses

Steampunk Coffee

There’s nothing wrong with your Tom Fords, but if you want to set yourself apart from “the crowd” get some Maybach shades!

The Elektra Belle Epoque Riforma Limited Edition uses ancient Elektra machines that were found in abandoned hotel and restaurant cellars.

Each frame from the limited gold editions range ‘ICONS OF LUXURY’ is made by hand from solid 18K White Gold and natural horn, and some of the models even include diamonds.

Expect to pay between C$25,000 and C$75,000 for your new shades. And please make sure you don’t leave them behind. www.maybach-luxury.com

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ICONIC CONCIERGE

They were completely dismantled, recalibrated and provided with a new and modern heart, keeping alive these precious and beautiful witnesses of history.

US$22,000 www.elektrasrl.com

Volocopter 2X “Re-inventing mobility in urban areas.” This 18-rotor all-electric 2X ‘multicopter’ has a maximum flight time of 27 minutes at 51km/h, and max range is 27km. Batteries are swapped in minutes, according to the manufacturer. The 2X is said to be easy to fly thanks to an automatic height and position control. Available in early 2018. No price has yet been announced. www.volocopter.com

Aston Martin Sneakers

Even if you don’t have the car you want these sneakers. The ‘Aston Martin x Hogan’ limited edition luxury sneaker is available in four striking colours ways, reflecting the elegance of the silhouette of an Aston Martin sports car and detailing from their artisan leather craft.

Made in Italy. € 345-375 (~C$535-560) www.hogan.com

Bugatti Bicycle You always wanted to own a Bugatti? Here you go: Bugatti has teamed up with German luxury bikemaker PG to create the lightest (and possibly the fastest) urban bicycle ever; a 95 percent carbon fibre construction keeps the weight at less than 5kg. 667 units, each of which can be customized with an extensive range of leather and paints, are available.

The price? It’s a Bugatti - US$39,000 www.pg.de

2TB USB-Stick

Hasselblad X1D 4116 Edition

The Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT is the “world’s highest capacity USB flash drive.” The USB 3.1 device has a read speed of 300 megabytes per second and a 200 MB/s write speed. Kingston says the 2TB model can store up to 70 hours of 4K footage. It could also store 100 PC games of about 20GB in size.

Zinc alloy metal casing. ~ C$2,000 www.kingston.com

The X1D-50c 4116 Edition has been created to commemorate Hasselblad’s 75 years at the pinnacle of photography. The X1D is the world’s first mirrorless digital medium format camera and comes with a 50MP CMOS sensor that captures the finest details with true natural colours.

Dual SD media card slots, USB 3.0 Type-C and miniHDMI connectors, Wi-Fi & GPS. C$17,500 www.hasselblad.com ICONIC CONCIERGE

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man about town GRAND OPENING TIFFANY & CO VANCOUVER

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After more than a year of renovations, Vancouver’s Tiffany & Co. at the corner of Burrard and Alberni invited us to the Grand Opening of their new two-level flagship store on May 5th. Taking over the space on the upper floor, the new Tiffany & Co. is now triple the size of its former space, boasting 9,762sq.ft. The use of marble, walnut paneling, and velvet drapery and the curved granite facade on the outside reflect the historic jewelry company’s latest design esthetic, giving the store a real Fifth Avenue feel with the touch of the ’30s and ’40s.

1) Darya Zozulia 2) Claire Ren & Lucy Yun 3) Frank Sum & Sunny Xu 4) Lu Han & Hazel Ma 5) NiNi

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W W W. SHOW CAS E P I AN O S .CO M VANCOUVER 1224 West Broadway TEL 604.437.5161 WEST VANCOUVER #102 - 2168 Marine Drive TEL 604.281.2878 RICHMOND Aberdeen Centre #3480 - 4151 Hazelbridge Way ACADEMY 604.270.8861 PIANO STORE 604.270.8883

The Gentleman

They should have taught you this in school....

by Dr. Christian Brix

Fishing With Confidence!

“Go after what you want, and if you can’t have it, move on.”

The dating world is one that for most single people can slide by the moment in any direction along the scale between playground and nightmare. It is essentially impossible to simplify it to a science, but there is an attitude or way of thinking that can guide a gentleman along the path to meeting/keeping a great girl. That “girl” we are referring to is the classy, confident, cool, and fun girl we usually hope to meet. If that isn’t your kind of girl, then you might be holding the wrong magazine.

previous paragraph inspired you to ask her out again... right?). If she doesn’t like you, she will likely make excuses. It is that simple. If she wants to play the games, then perhaps she isn’t ready for the sophisticated and confident gentleman that you now are.

If you want to meet the girl you see across the room, then go introduce yourself. If you want to ask the girl you have known for a while to take your relationship to the next level, then do it! Go after what you want, and if you can’t have it, move on. Seriously though...move on.

What do you have to lose by taking a risk and being who you are? Joan Crawford said “Love is a fire, but whether it is going to warm your hearth or burn down your house, you can never tell.”

Lastly, regardless of what your friends or society tells you, meeting someone online can be a great way to connect when we are busy, new, and/or unwilling to hang out in bars. The philosophy online is the same as in real This may seem shocking to you, but she wants to know life. Don’t be a liar. By that I mean don’t have pictures that you like her. For this girl, playing from high school when you were 50 it cool and pretending you don’t really pounds lighter and had way more care is just annoying. It shows that hair. As well, if you do meet someone “Love is a fire, you don’t have the confidence to go great that way, don’t lie about it to after what you want. everyone for fear of judgment. If you but whether found love, be proud of yourself! If it is going to Of course we aren’t talking about you didn’t find love yet, try not being warm your hearth being overbearing or creepy. It is so cheap, and join a site that isn’t about showing people that you know free and full of creepers. It might be or burn down who you are, you know exactly what better. your house, you want, and you aren’t too insecure you can to show it. If you are playing it cool, A fulfilling relationship can only be you are just playing games, and a found if you are confident in who never tell.” great girl will either think you are a you are, sure of what you want, and - joan crawford wuss, or that you may not even like if you carry that confidence, respect, her. To win this girl, you need to and honesty into the proverbial portray confidence in every encounter. “sea”.

For some reason men have decided that the end of the first date or two represents the beginning of the “game.”

Who will text first? Do I seem too anxious? Who will initiate the next date? Does she like me? Should I have worn a different shirt? It is truly the saddest display of mental jousting in a coliseum of insecurity. If she likes you, she will respond to your invitation (because the

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So why not just go all-in and see what happens? We usually regret things we did a lot less than the things we never tried.

Dr. Christian Brix Writer – Chiropractor - Broth Baron - Gentleman www.brixfamilychiropractic.com

The Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 Magic Gold Magic Gold fuses gold with an alloy of ceramics, making it the only truly scratch proof 18 carat gold. Technically, only a diamond can mark it! This amazing watch just won first prize in the “Best of the Best� category at the 2017 Red Dot Awards, in which 5,500 creations from participants from 54 different countries took part.

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THE ART OF FUSION “Hublot’s story began with this motto, which guides all its actions, innovations, developments and partnerships.

Now a distinctive character trait, ‘The Art of Fusion’ forms the brand’s very DNA, embodying this subtle connection between a past ingrained with traditions and a future nourished by visionary ideas.”

Jean-Claude Biver

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

1080 Alberni Street

ICONIC CONCIERGE

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H

ublot is a relatively new brand in the watch world, but its history is already as prestigious and explosive as its watches. Hublot is the brainchild of Carlo Carocco, a scion of the Italian fashion dynasty Binda who left the company in 1976 to strike out on his own and produce a watch that would transcend fashion. Carocco’s dream: An elegant, sporting design that would be the envy of watch enthusiasts the world over.

REACHING A Tribute to an FOR THE STARS

Icon

by Kevin Englund

Carocco moved to Switzerland, formed MDM Geneve and created his first watch, which he dubbed Hublot. The word means ‘porthole’ in French, which is what his watch resembled: a strong circular shape punctuated by twelve tiny titanium screws that secure the lunette to the case. Carocco then decided to name his brand the same thing – Hublot.

The watch, introduced at the 1980 Basel Watch Fair, featured the first natural rubber strap in the history of watchmaking. The powerful new combination of a gold watch and rubber strap led to the brand’s first collection and another overarching theme in its history: fusion.

Eventually, Carocco realized that his creative work and multiple activities for the Foundation MDM to help the world’s underprivileged children kept him too busy to focus on the watch business. It was time to find a CEO to direct his watchmaking house.

From 1957royalty to celebrities, watch connoisseurs worldwide quickly Speedmaster showed appreciation for the Hublot. Carlo Carocco had taken Broad Arrow

Jean-Claude Biver is one of the rare few to have made his mark on Swiss watch making. He was already well known by this point, having played key roles at Audemars Piguet, Omega and Blancpain, and helping establishing the Swatch Group. He was the right person to bring Hublot watches to the next level. And he did so in a most spectacular fashion.

an enormous risk, but within a few short years, Hublot watches entered the exclusive and prestigious circle of great watch brands.

The 1980s saw the gradual introduction of diving watches and chronographs, followed by dress watches called Elegant Chronographs that dropped the bolts and smoothed some of the Fusion’s hard lines.

In 2004, 25 years after the unexpected marriage of gold and rubber gave birth to a unique watch, Jean-Claude Biver took on the post of CEO and board member of Hublot. His first project was the launch of the new Fusion, reinterpreting its DNA by going back to first principles: Fusion through the traditional art of watch making, bringing together unexpected materials such as gold, ceramics, Kevlar, carbon fibre, pink gold or tantalum, while retaining the unique, timeless Hublot feeling for watch design.

At Baselworld 2005 he then revealed his masterpiece: the Big Bang, a timepiece that is now firmly established as one of the most iconic sports watches of the 21st century.

After winning that year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneva, the Big Bang would go on to claim dozens of other international awards and recognitions, as well as record-breaking sales.

New models of the Big Bang were introduced, including gem-set variants, diving watches, the even bigger and bolder King Power, and the more experimental MP series.

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2008 marked another milestone in the company’s history. Not only was the first ladies’ Big Bang introduced, Hublot was also bought by luxury conglomerate LVMH. The year also started Hublot’s association with the world of soccer, sponsoring the Euro 2008 and then the FIFA World Cup and Manchester United, each with its own special edition watch. The brand has since partnered up with several ambassadors from the world of sports, fashion and the arts, and started collaborations with industry leaders to create unique, limited edition timepieces, most notably the partnership with Ferrari, resulting in several limited edition masterpieces.

Hublot now has more than 50 boutiques around the world, with the newest being in downtown Vancouver. Opened in June of HUBLOT BIG BANG “Painstaking Perfection” - A key principle behind the design and creation of Hublot is the art of fusion. The Big Bang collection - launched in 2005 – is the perfect illustration of this concept.

Big Bang watches use cutting-edge technology to combine unexpected materials like ceramic, carbon, titanium, tungsten, gold, and diamonds.

The Big Bang retains the original Hublot ‘porthole’ look and is available in 38mm, 41mm, 44mm, 45mm and 48mm sizes. Big Bang watches are popular with both men and ladies, and have made a big impression on the world of watches and celebrities, winning many awards and acquiring fans in the world of sports and fashion alike. this year, it is the first freestanding Hublot store in Canada. The 2,800 square foot store is one of the largest Hublot stores worldwide and is located at 1080 Alberni Street, next to De Beers. It features a wide selection of the brand’s timepieces and includes VIP rooms.

THE HUBLOT COLLECTION HUBLOT CLASSIC FUSION “Bridging the past and future” - It’s all in the name. The Classic Fusion line draws inspiration from the very first Hublot timepieces created in the early 1980s. A watch that was met with much acclaim upon its creation, the original Hublot featured a rounded case with a bezel fastened by visible screws and the signature rubber strap. Adding a touch of modern sophistication, the Classic Fusion line incorporates modern materials such as ceramic and titanium as well as traditional metals like gold and steel into elegant silhouettes, producing timepieces that are both avant-garde and inherently classical.

HUBLOT SPIRIT OF BIG BANG Hublot unveiled the BIG BANG with a tonneau case in 2014.

It features the BIG BANG codes with its 6 H-shaped titanium screws through the watch bezel, the lugs on either side, the two strap attachments, Hublot’s famous hands, the SuperLuminovafilled baton indices, and the overmoulded rubber screw-down crown with the iconic letter H adorning its profile.

HUBLOT MP LIMITED EDITIONS Pioneering bold masculinity with a creative flair at ever turn, Hublot has created an array of stunning limited edition timepieces representing some of the very best from the vibrant imagination of the Hublot design team.

One of the most stunning Bexamples isC Othe O U T I Q U E VA N U V E RLaFerrari, which 1080 Alberni Street boasts a 50-day power reserve — a world record for a handwound tourbillon wristwatch. It is also the watch with the most watchmaking components created to date by Hublot (637 pieces), making it one of the most expensive watches in the world.

HUBLOT NOVELTIES The brand introduces several unique and limited timepieces a year, most often to introduce new materials or complicated movements, in collaboration with artists, or to celebrate special events.

HUBLOT Vancouver 1080 Alberni Street | Vancouver, BC | Ph: 604 559 8883

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Unparalleled performance, for all of life's roads.

Bentayga.

Introducing the extraordinary SUV. Visit Bentley Vancouver or call 604.730.8998

Bentley Vancouver

1770 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 3G7 Canada For information call 604-730-8998 or visit bentleyvancouver.ca The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2016 Bentley Motors, Inc. Model shown: Bentayga.

Singer Track1 Amazing news for watch and car aficionados: The most spectacular chronograph movement of the year, the AgenGraphe, has a new home – Singer Reimagined. Wait - isn’t that a boutique car manufacturer? Yes and no.

Rob Dickinson, founder of Singer Vehicle Design and passionate watch collector, and Marco Borraccino, a well-known watch designer, met in 2014 and produced the Track1, the first in a brand new line of Singer Reimagined products. And given all that Singer stands for, Dickinson and Borraccino knew that this new watch would need a custom movement to power it. That’s where Jean-Marc Wiederrecht from Agenhor comes into the picture.

Agenhor is a Geneva-based family business supplying movements for the most prestigious names in the horological industry. The

AgenGraphe is a horological sensation, and took ten years to develop and perfect it.

The Singer Track 1 comes in a grade 5 Titanium case with brushed and polished surfaces, sapphire crystal on top and screwed in, with sapphire crystal, case back. The 43mm diameter slightly oval case is clearly inspired by the ‘60s and ‘70s watches. The chronograph has the central place on the dial. It is capable of measuring 60 seconds, 60 minutes and 60 hours. The minute and hour totalisers share the same scale, while the seconds’ scale has a separate outer scale with applied indices for every five seconds.

Something you have to see in person is the spectacular night view - the indexes, including the time indicator, are engraved and filled with luminescent material. US$: 41,000

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Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer

Rolex Cellini Moonphase

True to OMEGA tradition, every new Speedmaster carries the spirit and design inspiration of the past. In case of the Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer, the motor racing heritage returns in the distinctive minute-track style alongside other unique details such as the bevelled arrowhead indexes filled with Super-LumiNova and expanded subdials.

Some of our readers may not know the Cellini line, which, according to the Rolex Company, was developed in celebration of sculptor and goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini and is “the ideal timepiece for those who have an appreciation of true artistry.”

The Rolex Cellini collection combines classicism with the eternal elegance of traditional timepieces.

The 44.25mm watches include materials such as stainless steel and 18K Sedna gold, as well as slick ceramic to create the bezels. The sapphire crystal has also been reworked to give the watch a slimmer appearance. Some models include a black leather strap that contains a section of orange rubber through the middle. Calibre 9900/9901 (with gold). Transparent case back. Starting at C$10,500 for the stainless steel and black leather strap model. Lugaro Jewellers | 996 Park Royal S West Vancouver & Metropolis at Metrotown (Burnaby)

The all-new “Moonphase” is an elegant, modern-looking model featuring a moon-phase indication that is accurate for 122 years once correctly set. Rolex fans have been waiting for a moonphase complication since the 1950s. The moon disc is made out of a meteorite stone. The Cellini is powered by the Rolex calibre “3195”, certified as a Superlative Chronometer.

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39mm | 18 ct Everose gold | brown alligator leather strap C$30,750 Rolex Boutique | 1119 Alberni St | Vancouver

Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie

Breguet Marine Équation Marchante 5887

Eleven years of research and development. 935 parts assembled. Two patents filed. An acoustic resonance cage producing an extremely pure sound. Eleven security functions ensuring maximum peace of mind. These few elements alone give an idea of the magnitude of the almost gargantuan task of creating the Grande Sonnerie, Greubel Forsey’s most complex creation to date.

Appointed “Chronometer-maker to the French Royal Navy” in 1815, A.-L. Breguet follow in the wake of this unique heritage introducing the new Marine Équation Marchante 5887.

The magnificent Grandes Complications watch features the self-winding Cal. 581DPE movement with running equation of time, perpetual calendar, tourbillon and 80-hour power reserve. The modern and dynamic appearance with central lugs combines polished and satin-brushed surfaces and visible flanks, showing a crown topped with a polished “B” against a sandblasted background.

This watch has three modes to choose from: Grande Sonnerie (which strikes the hours and the quarters in passing), Petite Sonnerie (which strikes the full hours in passing) and Silence (which does not strike in passing). The movement is manually wound, but features a self-winding system that provides about 20 hours of power reserve in Grande Sonnerie mode.

Price CHF 1,150,000 — appr. US$1,165,000

Available in 950 platinum with a blue dial and rhodium-plated movement, or 18k rose gold with dial in silvered gold and anthracite movement. Sapphire-crystal caseback, Alligator leather strap with 18k folding clasp. 43.9mm diameter.

US$230,400 (platinum); US$215,000 (18k rose)

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HUBLOT DIAMOND RALLY THE ULTIMATE SUPERCAR CHARITY CHALLENGE

by CRAIG STOWE, Founder and President of Hublot Diamond Rally images: John Neaime, Peter Aziz, Blake Jennings, Dylan King, Justin Rudolfo, Alan Stucchi, IceBreak, Project 604

T

he Hublot Diamond Rally started 5 years ago as a local luxury and supercar spring drive to Whistler for owners who wanted to blow the dust out of their sleepy supercars.

21 different local charities are involved in the rally. Drivers and their teams raise money and awareness for the charity of their choice, proudly branding their supercars with their charity and sponsor logos.

The rally was unrestricted, open to anyone who owned a qualifying vehicle. Registration meant just showing up at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel on the first Saturday of June.

While the original drive from Vancouver to Whistler consisted of only 21 luxury and supercars, after five years, the rally has morphed into a sold-out gathering of luxury and supercar owners, all raising funds for their favourite charities.

The original rally name was created as both a Canadian nod to our Southern rally friends who run the very successful GoldRush Rally, and a salute to Canadian mined De Beers diamonds.

WE ARE INTERNATIONAL ...

The rally has now gone global. In the first two years of Diamond Rally, all of the drivers were locals. But now, we have drivers flying in from around the globe to join their friends for the annual Hublot Diamond Rally Charity Challenge. Many of the founding drivers are owners of multiple supercars, who see the rally as an opportunity to invite their friends and clients to fly to Vancouver to drive alongside them on the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

In 2017, the rally name was expanded and updated to include both a new title sponsor and the charity focus directly in the title. Now, the rally is officially known as “Hublot Diamond Rally Charity Challenge�.

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It’s always good to have a friend with a spare supercar.

This year we were honoured and delighted to be joined by Valentino Balboni. For almost 40 years, Valentino had the best job in the world - he was Lamborghini’s chief test driver, and for over four decades spent most of his time behind the steering wheel. The man himself has long since become a legend.

Valentino Balboni joined the Lamborghini of Vancouver team in an amazing Countach.

Epic blue skies welcomed the drivers right from the starting location at Brian Jessel BMW in Vancouver, where they fuelled up on breakfast and attended the safety meeting.

A full Vancouver police department motorcycle squad escorted the group of supercars onto the upper levels of the highway, en route to Chances Casino in Squamish. After a brief pitstop for photo opportunities, we continued along the highway

to Pemberton Airport for supercar drives along the runway, with breath-taking views of the Coastal mountains. The day wrapped up at the Four Seasons Resort Hotel in Whistler, where rally participants and sponsors gathered for the awards presentation.

NEXT ROUND...

We’re gearing up to do it all over again next year on June 2, 2018. So join us host an amazing driving rally on Canada’s most scenic road - the Sea to Sky Highway 99.

Raise funds and awareness for your charity cause, and connect with like-minded luxury and supercar owners.

For more information and details about Hublot Diamond Rally Charity Challenge, visit our website: www.diamondrally.com

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HUBLOT DIAMOND RALLY PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS Vancouver is known as the luxury and supercar capital of North America. Rarely will you see so many exotics sitting on the patio of your favourite coffee house.

These

cars

provide

ample

material

for

professional

photographers - and young, striving amateurs alike. It is the newest hobby of these talented young photographers, who track down rare Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McLarens and Bugattis like Hollywood celebrities, and publish them on their social media.

DIAMOND RALLY PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

IceBreak

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Alan Stucchi

Justin Rudolfo

Dylan King

It was about time to honour these skills, and to show some of their amazing work. The “Hublot Diamond Rally Photography Awards” were born.

We teamed up with the organizers of the rally, put together a small jury, and were proud to present the winners at a separate

event at ‘Taste & Circle’ in Gastown. Congratulations to all who took part, you are all winners!

And here we go, please enjoy some examples of the photos that some of the best upcoming automotive photographers in Vancouver shot at the Hublot Diamond Rally 2017.

DIAMOND RALLY PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Project 604

Peter Aziz

Blake Jennings

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE? DO BROKEN RIBS AND CONCUSSIONS FASCINATE YOU? WELL, GET A GOOD PSYCHOLOGIST, AND IF THAT DOESN’T HELP GET THE BEST INSURANCE MONEY CAN BUY ...

AND KEEP ON READING AS WE INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS SPORTS.

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THRILL-SEEKER ICONIC CONCIERGE

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Knock Yourself out!

Come on, you are a little bit of a daredevil, right? Getting close to actual danger, the chance of a possible injury, maybe even facing death kind of thrills you. Ever since ancient times, men have wanted to fly as close to the sun as possible without getting burned – even if our wax wings run the risk of melting. Well, Icarus: Today we examine just a few of the ways some crazy people are testing how close to death they can get.

Extreme or dangerous sports usually tend to attract men in their late 20s to early 40s, who live for the moment - which is a good thing, since it could always be their last. And there are truly some extremely dangerous sports out there that can be life-threatening.

You think MMA? Yes, it may be one of the bloodiest and most dangerous sports to have come up in recent years, with the only rule being to beat your opponent into submission. Lots of blood and maybe a few broken bones are pretty much guaranteed; however, surprisingly enough it isn’t close to being the most dangerous sports in the world.

What about racing, skiing, or boxing? They must be among the most dangerous sports. Right? Wrong.

Would you have guessed that running is one? No? Well, according to statistics the odds of dying are 1 in 97,455. Which puts it on our Top 10 list. But no, we found something more exciting for you that offers

some damn good risk of a serious injury. Yay!

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Think about it ... from smaller injuries such as twisted ankles and sprained muscles to torn ligaments, concussions, and broken bones.

Plus, it’s not over when you have finally made it. Yes, you might be on top of the world - but you still have to get back down. Twice the fun, twice the risk.

CAVE DIVING

The National Speleological Society defines a successful dive as one you return from. Yes, the claustrophobic subterranean adventure of diving is a popular sport, but with hypothermia and decompression-related illnesses potentially causing failure of the spinal cord, brain and lungs, it is pretty dangerous. Add in the possibility of getting lost due to low visibility and/ or lighting failure, plus the odd shark passing by, and it’s clear that your first cave diving excursion could also be your last.

Our research shows that about 10 cave divers a year die on average.

That’s not too bad? Well, there are only a few thousand cave divers in the world.

Just you in a little plastic shell, smashing into rocks, being tossed out and drowning...

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BULL RIDING

Hop on! Those cute 1,800 pound beasts will definitely have some fun with you. Have an ambulance - or a hearse - ready. Just sayin’! Yes, in bull riding, getting injured is expected. As Gary Leffew, former world champion bull rider and owner of a Bull Riding School, says: There is more to bull riding than just pain. It can be an art if you take it to the next ride.

WHITE-WATER RAFTING

That’s an obvious one, right? Just you in a little plastic shell, smashing into rocks, being tossed out and drowning. Game over. Seriously broken bones or twisted knees are common injuries, but with untamed rapids, hidden rocks and steep waterfalls, there’s a good chance for a bit more.

DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKING

It’s about exhilaration, adrenaline, it’s about pushing edge of your own abilities. It’s about going as far as you can go to the limits of your own competence. There’s absolutely nothing safe about hurtling down a mountainside at 50 km/h on a narrow 40 cm trail, supported by a thin rubber and aluminum contraption while rocks, trees, and cliffs fly past you on either side.

cliff) may very well come SPLAT (that’s the sound that most likely occurs when you wait too long to pull the cord). There are some statistics floating around the Internet, one of them says that the odds of dying are around 1 in 2,317.

WINGSUITIING

Well, best described as gliding through the air using a wingsuit.

We have all seen this on the big screens at Cactus Club and other restaurants and bars. Unreal - you can reach speeds of up to 350km/h! Cool? Oh yeah, and there’s more great news: You don’t need any training. Just find someone who’ll sell you a wingsuit, and jump off a high enough cliff. You can absolutely do it, most likely once.

Game over. But hey, you did it!

Kidding aside - there are a lot of steps along the way to safely proximity-flying a wingsuit, and you better follow them all. Last year there were over 20 deaths in three months.

BIG-WAVE SURFING

“Big” is a bit misleading. We are talking gigantic, huge, terrifying. We are talking about the 100-foot wave. And the risk of drowning, getting pulled under by the current, getting your head smashed against hidden rocks, or getting knocked out by your own board. So, enjoy and knock yourself out!

BASE JUMPING

After BASE, where a jumper hurls himself with nothing but a parachute from Buildings, Antennas, Spans (that’s bridges) or Earth (let’s say a Maybe conquering the world’s biggest waves is for you?

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presented by

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WINE

SONOMA COUNTY &

NAPA VALLEY

COUNTRY GETAWAY!

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quick call to Aurora Jet Partners (www.aurorajet.ca) and just two days later Robbie and I met at their hangar at YVR. The Challenger 300 seats 9 comfortably, so it was a pretty relaxing flight to San Francisco. San Francisco? Yes, our car would get delivered to San Francisco. Robbie had heard about a hot new restaurant he wanted to check out, and after the whole Mickey and Goofy fiasco I quickly agreed. Plus, haven’t been to San Fran in a long time ...

The flight takes pretty much 2 hours, unless you opt to go to Napa in which case you would have to make a quick stop to clear customs in Seattle.

“IF YOU’RE GOING TO ...

SAN FRANCISCO...”

We’d had it! It was depressing, we needed the sun ...

L

et’s just say it how it is: We’d had it.

Vancouver was in the middle of a weekslong rainstorm, and just the glimpse of a blue (-ish) sky got us ecstatic. No, really, it was depressing to start each and every day with the sound of rain hammering against the windows. Clearly, it was time for change. We needed the sun. The Okanagan didn’t look too promising with all the rain and threatening lake levels, but there was no time for a lengthy Europe or South America trip. California it was! Robbie immediately started fantasizing about Disneyland and Universal Studios (definitely some childhood issues there, but that would fill a book...), but Barry quickly jumped in telling us about the amazing wineries in Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Decision made – although we did have to promise Robbie that we’d get him a Mickey hat.

“LEAVING ON A JET PLANE...”

While Sonoma and Napa are definitely within reach for a nice road trip, the 1,500km trip would have cost us at least two full days just for driving. That’s two extra days we can enjoy in the sun with a glass of wine. No, there’s a better way to do it: A

And yes, we went to Robbie’s restaurant. ROOH (www.roohsf. com) is in the South Beach district, a modern and sexy place with lots of bright colors, gold mesh curtains hanging from the ceiling, cozy banquettes, and a long marble bar. Best described as “elevated, progressive Indian cuisine,” we can highly recommend the seven-course tasting menu. As for the hotel: The Fairmont. Nothing beats the history (it was the first hotel to bear the Fairmont name, and it famously survived the earthquake of 1906) and location. Ask for a Bay view room on the 18th floor or higher in the tower.

The next morning the Concierge dropped off a nice little box while we had breakfast. The silver double-R on it made us smile - our ride had arrived!

“A rapid fastback unlike any other car on the planet. Uniquely weird, easy to fall in love with,” as our colleagues over at Top Gear had described it, the Wraith is the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce ever produced. A massive 6.6-litre, twinturbo V12 engine producing 624bhp and 590lb ft. of torque propels this 2,365kg living room on wheels to a hundred km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

It was quite the photo opportunity, parked right in front of the Fairmont, contrasting well in its Salamanca Blue paint with a bright white interior. The luggage was already in the trunk, and off we were, crossing Golden Gate Bridge just minutes later.

Wine Country, here we come!

The hotel of our choice in Sonoma was the award-winning stunning Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa. It features a fine-dining restaurant, a bistro and a lounge, and daily wine tastings are complimentary. The spa features mineral baths from an ancient hot spring.

Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa | 100 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma, CA

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We had the best time at Buena Vista Winery. Yes, it is the oldest commercial winery in California, but it is the personal touch that Jean-Charles Boisset gave this estate. At times we felt like part of .. Moulin Rouge? Take a picture with the Count of Buena Vista!

Buena Vista Winery | 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, CA

INDULGE YOURSELF...

“There’s only two things you will do in Napa Valley and Sonoma County - eat and drink!” Well, that’s at least what they say. We would add relax and get spoiled. We made it to our hotel, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, in little more than an hour.

It’s a nice and scenic 100km drive, and trying to find and figure out all the little extras on the Wraith made it a fun one, too!

Time to relax - the spa at the Fairmont in Sonoma is fantastic, and with our first appointment at Buena Vista Winery in the early afternoon, there was enough time for a massage and some time at the pool.

“IT’S ALL ABOUT WINE...”

California’s Wine Country is known worldwide as a premium wine-growing region. There are over 400 wineries in the area north of San Francisco, most of them located in the area’s valleys, with Napa Valley and the Sonoma Valley being the most famous ones. Sonoma, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley you are confused? Here’s a quick geography lesson that we got ourselves: There’s the town of Sonoma, with its historic Sonoma Plaza. Then, there’s Sonoma Valley, referring to the area between Santa Rosa and the town of Sonoma. And the then there’s the entire region encompassing it all, officially known as Sonoma County. Got it? Ok, back to what’s important - the wine!

BUENA VISTA WINERY (SONOMA) Our first stop is still the most memorable one. And we had only picked the winery based on its architecture. Boasting wonderful Tuscan-style buildings, Buena Vista Winery is the

oldest commercial winery in California, founded in 1857. And since 1984 it is also the largest vineyard estate in the area.

Impressive, but thanks to the vision of one man this winery is so much more than just history. In 2011, Buena Vista became part of Boisset Family Estates, a renowned and charismatic family with a collection of historic wineries and roots in Burgundy, France.

Jean-Charles Boisset now leads Buena Vista Winery with a vision of the wine world centered on family, passion, history, innovation, a commitment to fine wines, and a dedication to sustainable winegrowing. And The Count found his new favourite car - go and check his Instagram!

We decided to have dinner in Sonoma, and the helpful concierge at the Fairmont highly recommended “The Girl & The Fig” right in the Sonoma town square. A lovely place with an inventive French country fare. Definitely a great choice if you don’t want to drive too far.

ST. FRANCIS WINERY (SONOMA) The tip came from TripAdvisor: “If you do anything in Sonoma County at all, make sure you have time for a Wine & Food Pairing at St. Francis. Without a doubt, this is the best Wine & Food Pairing we’ve ever experienced.” Works for us, so our first trip on the third day was to St. Francis Winery for a multicourse pairing by Executive Chef Bryan Jones. It has been voted the #1 Restaurant in America by OpenTable Diners in 2013 & 2015 for a reason!

St. Francis Vineyard was established in 1971, and is known for its long tradition of luscious, elegant, fruit-driven wines. St. Francis farms more than 400 acres of Certified Sustainable estate vineyards in Sonoma Valley and Russian River Valley, each with varying compositions of loam, clay, and volcanic soils. We definitely learned a lot about wine, winemaking, and the region The knowledgable and very passionate staff made this a truly unique experience. We love the wine, and if you have time book their award-winning Wine & Food Pairing at their own bistrorestaurant, voted “Best Restaurant in America” by OpenTable diners.

St. Francis Winery 100 Pythian Road Santa Rosa, CA.

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We made a stop at James Cole Estate Winery. We had met James a few years ago in Kelowna, where his brother operates a winery, and always wanted to check out his car and motorcycle collection. Make sure to book a tasting in their barrel room!

James Cole Estate Winery | 5014 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA

- all explained with breadsticks and even writing on labels. We love the passion at St. Francis!

We then decided to make our way across the mountains for the first time, and visit what Bordeaux is to France and what Tuscany is to Italy: Napa Valley. The drive is around 30 minutes, so we arrived perfectly timed for a coffee and some delicious baked goods at Bouchon in Yountville, before we visited the city of Napa at the southern end of the valley. Once a jumping-off point for wine country excursions, Napa has undergone a renaissance, offering many tasting bars, galleries, shops and great restaurants.

Take your time and stroll through the streets before you head out to visit another winery.

JAMES COLE WINERY (NAPA) James Harder was born and raised in a rural farming community just outside of Edmonton, Alberta. We met him some years ago in Kelowna, where his brother Jeff operates Ex Nihilo Vineyards in Lake Country just north of the city. James is a fellow gearhead who owns a beautiful classic Corvette and has a small collection of vintage motorcycles right in the cellar room. He is also a coowner of another unique winery: Tank Garage, a winery that comes to life in a 1930s era gas station in Calistoga.

The day came to an end, so we decided to explore the culinary treats of Napa. Our recommendations are La Toque and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s acclaimed Morimoto restaurant.

The centerpiece of town, Historic Sonoma Plaza.

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA WINERY (NAPA) It wouldn’t be a visit to Napa Valley without a stop at Academy

Francis Ford Coppola Winery offers a unique experience. See their big memorabilia-filled movie gallery with the Tucker and Don Corleone’s desk from The Godfather. If you are hungry - they have a great restaurant. You are up for a swim? Well, they have a pool!

Francis Ford Coppola Winery | 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, CA

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2017 Rolls-Royce Wraith. Power. Style. Drama.

ENGINE: V12 6.6 litres | POWER: 624 hp @ 5,600 rpm (465 kW) | TORQUE: 590 lb.ft. @ 1,500 - 5,500 rpm (800 Nm) | TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic | DRIVETRAIN: RWD FUEL EFFICIENCY: City 16.9 l/100km /Highway 10.0 l/100km | TIRES: (FT/RR) P255/45R20 | P285/40R20 | LENGTH: 5,281 mm (208”) | WEIGTH: 2,440 kg (5,379 lbs)

D

rama? Yes - who is the driver, who gets driven? The Wraith is a driver’s car! You just don’t want to be in the passenger’s seat, or in the (actually pretty comfortable) back. The “Grand Touring redefined for the modern-day seeker. Restless in spirit, confident in style” is based on the (BMW-derived ... sorry Robbie) Ghost platform, and the most powerful car in Rolls’ history. It is also the closest thing to a sports car that Rolls-Royce has ever attempted to produce. The 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12, which produces 590lb ft and 624bhp, makes it possible to reach 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. But who would do that? Well, we did. Of course we did. It felt weird, though. It’s not what the car is built for. But it is good to know that it has the power if needed.

No, this self-levelling car with its roll-cancelling air suspension and adaptive dampers is made for comfort. You enter the cabin with its breathtaking sumptuousness through suicide doors which you then close by pressing a button. The leathers is the softest in the market, and the wood panelling running throughout the fascia and doors seems to come straight from a multi-million-dollar superyacht. The Wraith comes with all the latest technology, although well-hidden and not in your face. The way a Rolls-Royce owner expects it to be. We loved the fibreoptics starlight headliner. A $15,000 option (standard in the more exclusive Black Edition) it makes driving at night a whole new experience.

Btw: Robbie did the famous coin on the engine test. An urban myth in England says that you can place a coin on its edge on the engine block of a Rolls Royce and turn the engine on and the coin won’t fall over. We did exactly that, and it didn’t. You can find our little video on our youTube channel.

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Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola’s winery at the northern end of the valley in Geyserville - although “winery” is not the right description. This everyone’s-welcome play land is about a relaxing wine-country style. They have a public pool (!) with special shallow zones or splash-in fountains for kids, and you can play a round of bocce on beautiful courts overlooking surrounding vineyards. And yes, then there is wine tasting, of course. Sadly, though, there’s no Godfather wine. Sorry to disappoint all the fans.

Once you are done with the tasting, have lunch in the full-service restaurant celebrating fresh, local ingredients, or visit Coppola’s memorabilia-filled movie gallery with the1948 Tucker Sedan and Don Corleone’s desk from The Godfather.

We spent a few hours exploring the winery, with its huge wine cellars full of thousands and thousands of barrels, before we headed back to the Fairmont in Sonoma. It was our last night, and we picked Chef Manuel Azevedo’s LaSalette restaurant for dinner. A “New Portuguese” cuisine in a white tablecloth setting, with a focus on seafood and fresh produce, it is a true winner.

Cheese, bread, and sausage are all made in-house.

We had an amazing time in California’s Wine Country, but after four days it was time to head back to San Francisco.

On our way out we made a quick stop at the Sonoma Speedway.

624hp? 590 lb.ft.? Tempting, very tempting. But we doubt the

good people at Rolls-Royce North America would have found it amusing to see pictures and video clips on social media of their Rolls-Royce with screeching tires, trying to set a new lap-record for living rooms on wheels.

But all kidding aside - we love this car! It is amazing, the quality is outstanding and yes, we are sure it would have done well even on the race track. Maybe next time?

“TIME TO SAY GOOD-BYE...”

We handed the keys to the concierge at the San Francisco Fairmont. And when we left the hotel an hour later to explore the city once more, the car was gone.

Our Trip to the California Wine Country had come to an end.

We enjoyed another amazing dinner in the city, and left the next morning for the airport. And guess what? A bottle of red wine was waiting for us in the cabin. A good Okanagan Merlot.

Welcome home. Although after 4 days of wine tasting, we were actually longing for a beer.

Two hours later we arrived in Vancouver. And guess what?

It was raining. Home sweet home ...

Oh, right, we still have to get Robbie his Mickey Mouse hat!

OUR ICONIC GUIDE TO WINERIES, RESTAURANTS & HOTELS IN NAPA & SONOMA We got you interested and you want to plan your very own wine experience in Sonoma and Napa? Great! But we could obviously only give you a glimpse of what you can do in California’s wine country. From hotels to restaurants, there are many to choose from. And wineries? There are so many wineries in Napa Valley and Sonoma County, it is hard to pick. It all depends what you are looking for - is it the best wine? Or the nicest estate? The best experience? Do you want the food and wine pairing? The following are just some recommendations.

HOTELS

RESTAURANTS

WINERIES

SONOMA COUNTY: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa www.fairmont.com/Sonoma

SONOMA COUNTY: Sante at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn 100 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma, CA

SONOMA COUNTY: Buena Vista Winery 18000 Old Winery Rd, Sonoma, CA

Farmhouse Inn www.farmhouseinn.com

Ca’Bianca Restaurant 835 2nd St, Santa Rosa, CA

St. Francis Winery 100 N Pythian Rd, Santa Rosa, CA

Kennwood Inn & Spa www.kennwoodinn.com

The Girl & the Fig 110 W Spain St, Sonoma, CA

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards 8761 Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg, CA

MacArthur Place www.macarthurplace.com

La Salette 452 1st St E Suite H, Sonoma, CA

Chateau St. Jean Winery 8555 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, CA

NAPA VALLEY: Calistoga Ranch www.aubergeresorts.com/resort/calistoga-ranch

NAPA VALLEY: Mustards Grill 7399 St Helena Hwy, Napa, CA

NAPA VALLEY: Robert Mondavi Winery 7801 St Helena Hwy, Oakville, CA

Bardessono www.bardessono.com

The French Laundry 6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA

Château Montelena 1429 Tubbs Ln, Calistoga, CA

Auberge Du Soleil www.aubergedusoleil.aubergeresorts.com

Torc 1140 Main St., Napa, CA

Mayacamas Vineyards 1155 Lokoya Rd, Napa, CA

Meadowood Napa Valley www.meadowood.com

Auberge du Soleil 180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford, CA

Francis Ford Coppola Winery 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, CA

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CURATED BY US, DISCOVERED BY YOU 1 0 1 - 1 0 1 4 H O M E R S T R E E T , VA N C O U V E R , B C MON-SAT 10-7 / SUN 11-5 604-687-0316 SUQUETINTERIORS.COM

LIVING YOUR LIFE BY DESIGN

by Jason Boudreau

We all have a vision for our ideal life. The version of our best life that we hope to attain. The difference between achieving that life and dreaming about it comes from whether we are living our life by design, or by default.

How do you live your life by design?

Start by understanding your ‘why’. Your why becomes the guide.

A deep examination of what you want, what makes you happy and what really matters to you, will help uncover your ‘why’. Consider your values, goals and ambitions. What are your hopes, fears and motivations? What is your ideal vision for your family, business, community and philanthropic desires? What do you want your legacy to be? Writing out what is important to you in detail is the first step and building your plan for your ideal future.

Next, it’s time to take stock and create a plan to realize the vision of your ideal life.

Once you have clarity around your vision for your future and the facts of your current situation, you can map out the specific steps to make your vision of life success a reality.

Begin with the end in mind. How much money will you need to achieve your vision? What does your work-life balance need to look like? How will you achieve that? How will you achieve your ideal physical fitness? How much time do you need to devote to your community efforts to fulfil your ideal vision? How will you adjust your schedule to support these goals?

Working backwards will help you map out the specific, tangible steps you need to take towards achieving these goals.

Lastly, and most importantly, review and adjust. Even the best plans require course correction from time to time. Track and monitor your progress. Be prepared for successes, obstacles,

and unexpected circumstances. Do regular check-ins and work with professional coaches and advisors as appropriate to support and guide you.

Don’t lose sight of the goal. This is your life and only you can make it what you envision. As easy as it is to default to autopilot, it is that much more rewarding to watch what was once only a desire, become your reality.

How a great wealth manager can help.

Traditionally, a wealth manager is known as the person who supports and helps to manage your financial affairs. However, true wealth comes from various facets of your life, including your family, your business, your community and your legacy. At VELA, we feel it’s time to reexamine what role a wealth manager truly plays. We believe, a great wealth manager supports and helps manage your true wealth.

As experienced professionals, we are defined by our ability to meaningfully connect the dots between our clients lives and their wealth. We believe your bold thinking needs to be supported by a holistic plan, designed to make your vision of life success a reality.

We craft innovative solutions driven by your vision of life success for your family, community and legacy.

By asking lots of questions, supporting thoughtful action and providing ongoing monitoring and support, we work in tandem with you to create your vision of life success.

Jason Boudreau CFP, CLU Wealth Advisor Principal & Founder - VELA Wealth Management www.velawealth.com

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THE NEXT GENERATION VANCOUVER’S YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

words by Mike Straus photography by Todd Talbot

FUELING CHANGE Vancouver energy tech entrepreneur Simon Pickup is solving alternative fuels’ adoption problem with innovative business practices that could end the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.

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great many people have said a great many things about making the shift toward alternative energies. But Hydra Energy CEO Simon Pickup might be the first person to make alternative fuels a practical solution that can compete with fossil fuels on cost.

Pickup, 28, has been working with hydrogen in one capacity or another for the better part of two decades.

Says Pickup: “When I was 9 years old I entered this science fair, and I really wanted to place well. I figured the best way to get the judges’ attention was to blow something up. My dad is an engineer, so he told me about a device called a hydrogen electrolyser. So I built a simple apparatus to do the electrolysis – it’s basically a bucket of water and other chemicals that you run electricity through – and I made the hydrogen output into a tub of water.”

At the science fair, Pickup covered the tub in soap, which caused a buildup of hydrogen bubbles. He then lit a candle and moved it toward the bucket. And just like that, a 9-year-old had caused a small-scale hydrogen explosion at a school science fair.

“I really just wanted to blow something up, but the science fair required students to do a report, too, so I wrote a report on how hydrogen will solve the fuel problem.”

Pickup continued work on his electrolyser for years, building larger and larger prototypes each year, until eventually he was inspired to found a clean tech non-profit in high school.

“We advocated to municipal governments on the value of developing hydrogen infrastructure,” Pickup explains. “The motivation was there, and I saw a unique opportunity to do hydrogen better in BC. As a non-profit youth group, our costs were low.

Plus we had the time and a stake in it.”

Pickup says that pursuing a variety of different alternative energies is the best strategy for the cleantech industry to take, but his choice to focus on hydrogen is part of a vision he has of making alternative fuels more affordable and effective for large vehicles. He points to the energy density challenge as a barrier that makes most alternative fuels unsuitable for heavy-duty trucks and other large vehicles.

“Once you get bigger than about a mediumduty pickup, the cost of the electric battery outweighs the vehicle’s payload potential.

Today’s electric batteries can’t power a huge portion of our transportation mix. That’s where hydrogen comes in.”

Pickup’s company, Hydra Energy, builds dual-

fuel hydrogen engines that can be hooked up to any existing gasoline or diesel engine.

These hydrogen internal combustion engines bring the cleaner burn and better efficiency that hydrogen fuel cells are known for, but at a smaller cost. Pickup’s solution can also be installed on existing vehicles.

While hydrogen internal combustion engines have a long history of use – Pickup says that former United States President Richard Nixon had a hydrogen-powered vehicle in his motorcade – they haven’t yet seen widespread adoption due to a variety of logistical barriers. Pickup may well be the first person in the hydrogen fuel space to overcome those barriers.

Historically, there are three challenges that have prevented hydrogen from taking dominance as a fuel: Lack of refuelling infrastructure, the high cost of hydrogen fuel, and the high cost of converting a vehicle fleet to hydrogen-based fuel systems.

“At Hydra, we set out to solve each of those problems,” Pickup says. “Our model is called hydrogen-as-a-service. We bring together supply and demand to overcome the chickenegg problem of not having the infrastructure.

We’ve also developed retrofit technology to allow existing vehicles to run on hydrogen, and we upgrade fleets at no upfront cost to solve the cost problem.”

Hydra Energy’s business model involves upgrading vehicle fleets to become hydrogen

hybrids – and then supplying the hydrogen fuel – with all costs amortized over the course of a 5-year or 10-year service contract.

Pickup was recently named one of BC Business’ Top 30 Under 30 for 2017, the magazine’s annual definitive ranking of the province’s top young entrepreneurs.

Hydra Energy has also recently won a BCIC Ignite Grant worth $1 million for advanced research and development of the company’s hydrogen fuel technology.

Hydra Energy’s next step will involve continuing to develop its hydrogen technology in collaboration with Dr. Steven Rogak, a mechanical engineering professor at UBC and clean energy expert. Rogak’s work in the UBC Combustion Lab is providing Hydra with the emissions testing and deep data analysis required to improve on Pickup’s hydrogen systems.

Hydra is also working on a large-scale, commercial-grade demonstration of its hydrogen-as-a-service model. Pickup says he’s forging partnerships with trucking fleets, engineering firms, and gas companies to develop a fleet of fifty Class 8 heavy-duty trucks – all powered by hydrogen.

“We’re going to build the largest hydrogen fuel station in the world – it’ll be done in 2019. It’s the first time that hydrogen will be sold cheaper than gas in a sustainable way.”

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man about town HENNESSY PRESTIGE DINNER FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM VANCOUVER photography by Kuna Lu

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Gentlemen - this was one of those evenings you won’t forget! In late May 12 selected influencers from all over Canada were invited to the private Hennessy Prestige Dinner at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. A luxury experience that started with your private chauffeur for the night, followed by a stylish and casual meet and greet with some delicious hors d’oeuvres. The highlight of the evening was the actual sit-down 5-course dinner, where we were to sample some of the ultimate Hennessy cognacs, including the Hennessy Paradis and the Hennessy Imperial, as well as the Dom Pérignon Blanc and Rosé. A trio playing classical music accompanied the culinary experience, while each course and the paired cognac and champagne was introduced

by Jean-Baptiste Rivail of Moët Hennessy.

After the dinner we were invited for the ultimate treat - a fine dessert paired with the masterpiece of the Hennessy collection, the Richard Hennessy. The bottle itself is a hand-crafted crystal decanter that takes 40 hours to create. A blend of the Grands Siecles, the Richard Hennessy is a unique assemblage of over 100 eaux-de-vie matured to their fullest. As they say, “Richard Hennessy cannot be explained.

It simply must be understood.”

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HUNGERFORD

Michael & Andrew

PROPERTY BROTHERS

photography by TODD DUNCAN

What do you do for work?

We’re partners in the real estate business, investing, managing and developing properties across Western Canada. We are proudly Vancouver-based and have deep roots in the community with a business track record that spans 40 years and many awards. We invest in various asset classes, including residential and commercial.

What sets you apart from the competition?

We have a unique background having spent more than 10 years outside of Canada getting educated. We both have Stanford MBAs, we share a passion for legacy projects and take pride in what we do. Between us, we’ve lived and worked in London, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and San Francisco. When you spend time outside of your market, it gives you a fresh set of eyes to look at your own city.

That perspective is a benefit we have, being outsiders and then coming back to apply our global experiences locally in building a highperformance real estate company. The thing about us is that we’re not afraid to challenge ourselves. We’re not afraid to dream big, and what defines us is our can-do attitude, our work ethic, our ability to think outside the box and set ambitious goals.

What are you working on now?

We are working on a significant number of large-scale, high-quality commercial and residential real estate developments across Western Canada, but we are both really excited about TROVE. It’s the first project of its kind in Vancouver and it will marry our passion for real estate and cars.

TROVE is a building comprised of 48 luxury lofted commercial condo units with an elaborate clubhouse amenity. TROVE is built for the car enthusiast and will be a community of like-minded passionate people who will enjoy the lifestyle of sharing space, activities and conversation about cars. The units will look and feel like a luxury car showroom with a large entertainment space that can be a den, man cave, office or private sanctuary where you can store any fine collectibles like automobiles, wine, art, motorcycles.

It’s a home for your car and an opportunity for high net worth individuals to invest in a space that has its own economic value in addition to offering a unique lifestyle in a facility supported by a clubhouse and a curated calendar of

events like weekend races, trips, wine tasting evens, interesting speakers, coffee and chrome weekends and new car releases. We will have different interior design packages to choose from, inspired by car brands. We will have the Stuttgart, Maranello and Goodwood packages.

It’s really about passion, fun, excitement, energy and bringing all that into a real estate project.

TROVE will cater primarily to the collector; however a number of commercial businesses will also be integrated into the community so that owners can easily get services on site such as car wrapping, wine storage and auto detailing.

Trove is located in Richmond, right across from the Richmond Auto Mall. The location is perfect because it is at the intersection of two highways so you can open up your car and really enjoy it without waiting in traffic.

How did you come up with the idea?

The idea came from our own personal experience. We both have a passion for cars and nowhere to store them. Between us we have six young children, and we are terrified that our kids will knock their bikes over in our garage onto our cars or that their skis will fall onto the hood. We both wanted to store our cars in a place where we can enjoy them and entertain.

Some people will want to have a space to work on their cars, whilst others may be looking to buy more cars and have a place to put them.

Michael has a passion for supercars and Andrew has a passion for restoring vintage cars. Our grandfather was a total car nut and he had Aston Martins and Ferraris. We have this vintage Mercedes that Andrew has been restoring for the last five years. Michael is obsessed with supercars and high performance racing.

unit over won’t necessarily be storing a car, and won’t want to sit down and talk to you about cars either.

Why Vancouver?

We’ve seen it applied in other major cities like Miami, New York, London and Los Angeles, but Vancouver is the number one per capita luxury supercar market in North America and we are really excited to bring this here. It’s time.

Vancouver has a lot of collector communities, but there’s no opportunity for people to congregate and share an experience in a physical setting. So they meet in cafés or parking lots. In the TROVE Club, there will be a kitchen and a bar and it will be super cool and modern; it’s a place you can hang out with other car aficionados and attend curated events and bring your friends and talk to your neighbor who is getting the latest Lamborghini. It’s bringing people’s passions together in a place where they’re also getting return on their investment because it’s real estate.

As developers, we’re inspired by building legacy and the success of this project will be measured not only in the beauty of the building and clubhouse and environment, but in the success of the owner experience and engagement. And we will both be part of that.

How can people best reach you and your team?

TROVE will be launching at Luxury & Supercar Weekend on September 9th & 10th, 2017.

To register your interest, please visit TROVE online at: www.thetroveclub.com or email marketing@thetroveclub.com.

For car people like us, there aren’t many options. The cost to build a new garage is high or if you live downtown in a penthouse, your car is exposed to potential theft or vandalism. The only other option is buying a warehouse unit, but you wouldn’t want to hang out there. The guy who has the next

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SPREZZATURA A VISIT TO PITTI UOMO 92 IN FLORENCE, ITALY

by Jason Sarai

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itti Uomo (“Pitti Men”) is a biannual menswear industry event in Florence, Italy which dates back to September of 1972. Menswear brands and tailoring houses from around the globe come together propelled by a common interest of elevating men’s style and promoting the highest of quality in service and products. This allows for the discovery of new brands, showcasing of new collections and fabrics, setting new trends, and celebrating the diversity therein.

The trends for the Fall/Winter season of the current year are featured in January and the trends for the Spring/ Summer season of the following year are featured in June. Pitti 92 showcased the fashion forecast for Spring/ Summer 2018 and presented over 1,220 brands/collections globally whilst entertaining 30,000 visitors.

The three day event consisted of exploring vendors and their products ranging from hats to luggage, networking with prominent influencers and leaders in the industry, and participating in projects promoting world peace and love through diversity and style.

Badara Ndiaye (@BadaraOfficial) invoked the #PITTIDIVERSITY movement with style influencers and leaders from Senegal, USA, Canada, South Korea, Italy, Turkey, Lebanon, Australia, and more which I am humbled to have been a part of. Parties included the L’Uomo Vogue, GQ, and Mini event celebrating the exclusive Beyond Native capsule collection as well as the Stefano Bemer, Ambrosi Napoli, and The Rake Magazine event celebrating the relaunch of Sartoria Vestrucci.

Aesthetically appealing style should not be associated with discomfort or loss of functionality, which is why numerous brands married lightweight fabrics and materials to their innovative designs to create luxurious products which not only possess visual pleasure but also provide protection against the elements as well as comfort and ease of wear.

Bold colours and patterns dominated the fairgrounds at Pitti 92 from rich reds, yellows, blues, and earth tones to thick-stripes and enlarged checks. Hats were the prominent accessory piece at Pitti and were sported in pink, orange, yellow, and cream hues. They also incorporated interchangeable bands in order to use the same hat for multiple outfits.

The resurgence of interest in the history of menswear sparked the return of timeless classics such as the linen safari jacket,

seersucker suit, and the double-breasted waistcoat with lapels.

The safari jackets’ innate ruggedness can be refined by having it constructed in a crisper lighter-coloured fabric and pairing it with a tie and odd trousers. Cuban-collared patterned shirts were paired with dark blue seersucker and tobacco linen suits.

The lack of necktie catalyzed filling the empty space with cotton bandanas or lightweight cravates, allowing for injection of personal flair.

The brightly coloured bandanas and cravates also possessed subtle prints to add a classic flavour to the outfits. Doublebreasted waistcoats with lapels were worn to contrast the suit or replaced the suit jacket entirely to retain an aura of elegance even as temperatures climbed in the “City of Lilies”.

Previously garnering less than average attention in mainstream menswear, loafers and jewellery made a flashy debut.

Sleeker silhouettes and hybrid designs such as monk strap loafers and suede tassel loafers scattered across the warm cobblestone roads. Large gemstone rings, signet rings, and beaded bracelets juxtaposed metal against cloth in the flurry of handshakes and hand gestures. Gemstones were prominent in light blue and green whereas bracelets were popular in white marble, matte black, and ocean blue.

This exhilarating journey allowed myself and the Style by Sarai team to draw global inspiration to bring back only the most exclusive fabrics and products alongside the best of style and designs for my clients in preparation for the upcoming year.

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Top 10 Award-Winner 11th Consecutive Year

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The

Dapper Gent!

Get yourself a Signature Scent – The Secret Style Weapon.

It tells people who you are!

Tommy Tropics

by Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Tropics is a Woody Aromatic fragrance for men, launched this year. The fragrance features lavender, cypress and pistachio leaf.

Royal Eagle Black

by Stefano Ricci A blast of strength in a dynamic and elegant essence. A fragrance with sparkling notes of lemon, enriched with coriander and lavender, creating a Mediterranean atmosphere that the sandalwood, musk and amber make mysteriously modern.

Orris & Sandalwood

by Jo Malone London The surprising duality of orris. Woody and floral.

Powdery and deep. The scent of Tuscan hillsides with irises in bloom. Ok, that doesn’t sound manly, but be confident!

It is captivating and compelling.

MAN

by Jimmy Choo The first fragrance for men from Jimmy Choo. A powerfully fresh and modern fragrance created for a confident and refined man with a rebellious spirit, it captures the independent attitude of the dynamic and urban Jimmy Choo man.

Man In Black

by Bvlgari Splash some of this on with your business suit to win over your employees or show everyone that you’re on your way up in the company. The escaping hints of iris, rum, spices, tuberose and leather notes ensure everyone knows exactly how you got where you are in the world.

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Finding the Best Bang for your Buck!

photography by Kevin Uy

This episode of Head2Head is all about value. We challenged each other to find the best supercar for $200K. That may sound like a reasonable budget, but let me remind you that most supercars are actually well over $300k. The Lamborghini Aventador is over $500k, as is the Ferrari 488 Spider. So to find a worthy supercar for $200k is not as easy as you may think, and deciding who wins this one is harder than Benny Hill on a Viagra overdose.

cars: Audi Downtown Vancouver; McLaren Vancouver

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AUDI R8 V10 PLUS

MCLAREN 540C

It’s kinda funny - so far we have always picked a German and a British car for our Head2Head competitions. So I am pretty sure Robbie knew exactly what car I would bring. I guess we’re pretty predictable. Anyway, yes, there are other brands, and regardless of what Robbie will tell you: Audi’s luscious R8 is everything you’d want in a sports car. Period. Now skip the rest, flip the page and enjoy the next article.

If you were smart you skipped Olaf’s drivel and landed right here. Good for you! This is the smartest thing you’ve done all day, as I am about to reward you with some classified inside information! How? Why? What? Huh? Because I chose a car that McLaren DOESN’T ACTUALLY WANT YOU TO BUY! That’s right, I brought the McLaren 540C. So now you’re thinking, “well, I’ve never heard of the 540C, so tell us more about it, oh masterful one.”

Still here? Ok, you need some convincing. I get it. Well get this: The R8 has the looks, it has the performance, and the build quality is the best that money can buy. I’ve been a fan for a long time - ever since Audi showed the concept car back in 2003 at the Geneva Motor Show. I was praying that the car would get the green light for production, and it did, and in late 2006 it changed the world of high-performance sports cars. First equipped with a 4.2 litre V8 with 420hp, the R8 was based on the platform of the Lamborghini Gallardo using Audi’s Space Frame aluminum monocoque. Two years later the first V10 was unveiled, using the Gallardo’s 5.2 litre FSI engine.

The R8 V10 Plus, which I’ve had the pleasure of driving frequently (and yes, I’ve even taken it to the limits on the racetrack), offers a whopping 610 hp. And don’t forget – it is naturally aspirated! This is the most powerful engine ever put into production by Audi. Add the all-wheel drive, the sevenspeed automatic transmission, the carbon-ceramic brake discs ... and this amazing interior with the diamond-stitched leather seats - this is by far the nicest interior you will find, and the end of the day, this is what you see when you drive your car, right?

So you can see why the R8 is my clear choice. Get behind the steering wheel, and fire it up ... now that’s what a supercar sounds like! Now kick it and play with 413 pound-feet of torque, and you will quickly see that McLaren disappear behind you.

Oh, those Brits ...

V10 5.2 litres 610 hp @ 8,250 rpm (455 kW) AWD 7-speed automatic 0-100 km/h: 3.2 seconds Top Speed: 330 km/h C$213,900 (C$235,300 as tested)

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You’d better be sitting down for this: McLaren quietly introduced the 540C in 2015. It’s nearly identical to the 570S, with the only noticeable difference between the two being the price tag – it’s about $50k less expensive. The 540C has a V8 twinturbo engine pumping out 540HP and does 0-60 in 3.4 secs.

This means that they created the 540C to compete on price with the Porsche 911’s etc, but McLaren barely make any money on them so instead they promote the 570S at $50k more - which they do make money on. This by definition now makes the 540C by far the best value supercar on the planet, hands down. Game over. I win. (Of course I do).

But why stop there? Let’s compare this to the Audi Olaf brought to the table. First of all, my doors swing up, so when I pull up to the strip club people go “woooooow… who’s this handsome dude in the best value supercar on the planet?” But when Olaf pulls up they go “Oh, that’s not Iron Man, that’s more like Rubber Man.” Ok so maybe I’m paraphrasing, but you see where I’m going with this. But Tony Stark’s car does have the all-wheel drive so you can use it in the winter, plus an interior to die for. No, really, it’s that good, but the 540C weighs almost 800lbs less, which means performance-wise I can make up for the 80HP gap between the two cars if we were to race. BTW: the 540 starts at $196,500 - beat that!

V8 3.8 litres 533 hp @ 7,500 rpm (397 kW) RWD 7-speed automatic 0-100 km/h: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 320 km/h C$200,450 (C$218,440 as tested)

AN ICONIC LINEAGE DB11 is the Aston Martin you’ve been waiting for. Spectacular standard-bearer for an all-new generation of cars, DB11 is the most powerful and most efficient ‘DB’ production model in Aston Martin’s history. At its heart a brand new twin-turbocharged V12 engine delivers phenomenal performance combined with vastly reduced fuel consumption and emissions. Pioneering aerodynamics cheat the wind, generate exceptional stability and preserve our world-renowned design purity.

To experience the DB11’s formidable new standard for yourself, contact: Aston Martin Vancouver 1770 Burrard Street Vancouver BC V6J 3G7, Canada For information call 604-734-2905 or visit astonmartinvancouver.ca © Aston Martin 2016. Vehicle shown for illustrational purposes only.

Aurora Jet Partners is one of the most innovative and progressive private aviation companies in Canada that specializes in providing custom-tailored, high-quality private travel solutions to discerning clients.

Services include jet charters, managing fractional jet partnerships and providing complete turnkey flight departments.

With more than four decades in private aviation, our experienced group of dedicated professionals consistently provides on-time and on-budget service to exacting safety standards.

With Aurora Jet Partners, The sky is not the limit.

AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT | ACQUISITIONS & SALES FRACTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS | CHARTERS

aurorajet.ca

sales@aurorajet.ca

888.797.JETS (5387)

GREAT GATSBY IN THE SKY

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rivate jets all pretty much look the same inside. Yes, some may have a different colour scheme, but that’s most likely it. Why not bringing the glamour, elegance and excitement back to the flying experience? That’s exactly what Embraer’s Vice President of Interior Design, Jay Beever, thought. So he teamed up with former Disney Imagineer and renowned designer Eddie Sotto to create two fully customized Lineage 1000Es, the ideal canvas for this shuttle aircraft with its five cabin zones.

Jay and Eddie bonded over the thrill of resurrecting the art deco designs found in the buildings, furniture, jewellery, cars and ocean liners of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Intensive research generated specific interest in famous art deco destinations, including Manhattan and Hollywood, leading the way for captivating storylines pertinent to the private aviation experience.

The effort includes two designs. The Manhattan, featuring deep, rich woods, is the embodiment of the Empire State Building crossed with the Rainbow Room, whereas the Hollywood, shown in these pictures, has a bright, silver screen appeal. This balance of dark and light materials characterizes the relationship between East Coast and West Coast styles.

With that, the team breathed life into a concept that would bring the thrill back to flying and give passengers a reason to dress up - namely a chic air shuttle, capable of connecting the art deco cities that inspired the concept in the first place.

The Manhattan and the Hollywood offer a bespoke experience on a traditionally commercial route. Simply put, these aircraft are intended to make the journey fun again. First class is a gross understatement.

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A YACHT ABOVE THE CLOUDS CURATING LIFESTYLE IN FLIGHT

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oday, luxury is increasingly defined by experiences. We no longer accept the ordinary; it needs a bit more to feed our expectations and to make those rather brief moments in which we can leave our hectic business lives behind exceptional. More and more businesses cater to this philosophy and demand, creating tailored experiences and products. We have seen the most luxurious cars and yachts, and we just learned about some very stylish private jets. Let’s take this a step further: Introducing the ultra-luxury Airliner conversion.

Imagine a 2,400-square-foot luxury home with the ability to fly you and 39 of your closest friends anywhere you want in the world. Which is exactly what Kestrel Aviation Management, just south of the border in Washington State, offer. Most recently they turned a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that usually carries between 240 and 335 passengers into private jet so spacious and well-equipped that it resembles an airborne penthouse apartment.

Its interior, co-developed by yacht and aircraft design special-

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ists Pierrejean Design, features high domed ceilings, hardwood floors, sculptured hardwood doors and hand-tufted carpets with silk accents. There are entertainment and study lounges, dedicated dining spaces, a master bedroom with ensuite and dressing room, and a bathroom with shower.

If you are interested in having one yourself, sure, not a problem. They don’t come cheap, though: The base Boeing 787-8 carries a list price of $224.6 million, while the modifications add another $100 million or so to the price tag.

man about town RIDE & DRIVE GALA AUDI DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER photography: Kevin Uy

1 Hosted by Dilawri Group of Companies, ‘The Ride & Drive Gala’ was a luxury evening in support of The Ride to Conquer Cancer. For its third consecutive year, Dilawri Group of Companies is the National Vehicle Sponsor for this 2-day, 250KM bike ride that takes place in four provinces in an effort to raise awareness and donations.

“100% of proceeds raised from The Ride & Drive Gala will be donated to the BC Cancer Foundation,” says Brad Laviolette, Regional Marketing Manager for the Dilawri Group. “Money raised will directly support leading clinicians, scientists, and researchers whose search for new discoveries and improved patient outcomes will have a real impact in our communities throughout the province, across Canada, and around the world. “ This year’s event raised $28,000!

1) Krista Freeborn; Sam Matino 2) Malina Parmar; Rob Douglas; Simona Dobreva 4) Simon & MarieClaude Biancardi 5) Laura Ting; Nicole Stratton; Jorge Villoria 6) Lindsay Abbott; Lindsay Carswell 7) Olaf Robrecht; David Ying 8) Robb Begg; Krista Freeborn 9) Brad Laviolette; Tony Kirschner

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business

women of

VANCOUVER

Elpie Marinakis Jackson Co-Owner & Managing Director WEDGEWOOD Hotel & Spa

by Meagan Faye

The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa is Vancouver’s only Relais & Châteaux property and often voted as one of the top luxury hotels in the world, by prestigious publications such as Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast. This luxury boutique hotel is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver and it is known for its elegance, charm and commitment to personalized service. With Elpie Marinakis Jackson at its helm as the Co-owner and Managing Director, the Hotel continues to achieve new heights in service and hospitality.

Elpie’s late mother, Eleni Skalbania, founded the hotel in 1984 with the vision to create the first luxury boutique hotel in Vancouver. Elpie proudly continues her mother’s legacy while introducing her very own refined taste and educated expertise in managing every aspect of the family owned hotel. She was involved with the hotel right from the beginning, by working weekends and summer time alongside her mother at a very young age, and moved from department to department during her university years. Balancing her studies at UBC while working 6am shifts was no easy task, but the experience gained in this role helped Elpie build the foundation for her career in hospitality. It also molded her into the iconic leader she is today.

While Elpie had studied law at university, her mother knew that she had the same love of people as herself and was determined that Elpie would follow in her footsteps. “Over time, my mother had me taking on more and more responsibilities, making it almost impossible for me to maintain the part-time role that I had. I think this was her plan all along, and it worked! I fell in love with every aspect of the hotel industry and after a short period of practicing law, I left to pursue my career at the Wedgewood Hotel.”

Eleni herself was a very well-respected hotelier in Vancouver, paving the way for her daughter in the industry. “I was really fortunate to have someone like my mother as a role model. She could be tough when she needed to be, but was known for being fair and compassionate. I had the opportunity to learn from her and her years of experience and travel all over the world. That being said, she did not coddle me, she made me work hard and it helped me learn what it would take to be a leader in the hotel industry. I appreciated that she did not sugar-coat anything for me and I am truly a better manager for it.”

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Some may think that Eleni’s shoes would be hard to fill, but Elpie has already carved a path of her own during her time managing the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa. In her early days as the Managing Director, Elpie dedicated her time to listening to her staff and her clients alike. She wanted to make sure she heard all of their concerns and suggestions, so that she could do whatever it took to address them. It is this high level of commitment to her team that has helped create a feeling of family within the Wedgewood. A feeling that translates through the way her staff members interact with her, with each other and most importantly, with the hotel’s valued guests.

“I wanted to really get to know my staff, and I wanted them to get to know me. I spend time with each of my managers every day and we always work as a team. We are proud to have many long term employees, a few going all the way back to when the hotel opened and others all the way to when our Spa opened in 2004.

Our resident head aesthetician, Asuncion, is one of them. Clients, including some of the most well-known celebrities, come from all over the world to experience the Spa with Asuncion.”

There is a level of commitment to each other at the Wedgewood, and a dedication to their valued clients that is unprecedented in the hotel industry. The doormen take pride in getting to know everyone who walks through their front doors. They want to know who you are, what you would like to see, and most importantly, how they can make your stay more enjoyable. The front desk staff remember the repeat guests’ detailed preferences. Bacchus is the heart of this elegant Hotel led by the talented Executive Chef, Montgomery Lau. Its patrons, both hotel guests and Vancouverites alike, enjoy not just its amazing food and extensive wine list, but most importantly, the warmth and genuine, welcoming service from both managers and waiting staff.

In the short period since Elpie has taken the reins of the hotel, she has implemented many design changes throughout the hotel, restaurant and spa. Some are minor, while others are bigger, such as the recent introduction of two bedroom suites. Again, with her ear to the ground, she quickly became aware of the need for larger suites to accommodate the current trend for multi-generation travel. Always believing in being a step ahead, she is now starting to plan for the 3-5 year updating and refurbishing of the whole hotel.

Elpie has already made an incredible impact on the Wedgewood, and plans to continue to elevate the hotel to new heights.

It is Elpie’s dedication to her staff and clients, and the unparalleled level of service at the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa that has helped her build a name for herself in Vancouver’s ever-changing hotel industry. What sets her apart from other hotel leaders, however, is her love for people, passion for excellence, and high level of attention to detail in everything she does.

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“IF YOU THINK CHOCOLATE AND ROSES ARE GOOD ENOUGH, THINK AGAIN !”

by Meagan Faye www.livingboldly.ca

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WHAT WOMEN WANT...

Summer is the season of love and happiness. Whether you are jetting out on your next vacation, celebrating an anniversary or simply celebrating life, these gifts will be sure to let the woman in your life know exactly how much she means to you. They will probably get you a few brownie points, too!

The Statement Piece ROLEX PEARLMASTER The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Pearlmaster 39mm is the new and improved version of the 34MM Pearlmaster, loved by many. Its improvements include the Rolex Movement Caliber 3235, with diamonds hand-picked by the Rolex Gem-setters in Geneva: 36 brilliant-cut diamonds, the dial set with 8 diamonds and the numbers 6 & 8 set with 16 diamonds. Priced at C$73,700, it’s a masterpiece that will last a lifetime! Rolex Boutique GWC, Alberni St., Vancouver

For The Modern Romantics TIFFANY & CO. HARDWEAR COLLECTION Tiffany’s new HardWear collection is fiercely feminine, strong and perfect for the modern woman who is a New Yorker at heart. Their newest design takes industrial elements and makes them both beautiful and elegant. Making any piece the perfect “just because” gift for her. Prices range from $400 - $6500 for a piece of modern art. Tiffany & Co. , 723 Burrard Street, Vancouver

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The Perfect Gift For Everyday VERSACE DVI SMALL CITRUS BAG Colour is in this season and every woman in your life needs a piece that she can sport to stay in style. After all, when your woman is on trend, so are you!

The Versace Dvi Small Citrus Leather Shoulder Bag is the perfect size for summer. Your lucky lady can carry all of her necessities, while leaving the rest of her “luggage” at home. It’s lightweight and clean cut, but it will definitely draw the right kind of attention. It’s made from genuine Italian leather and features the iconic Versace Medusa head logo along its closure. At $2400, it’s worth every penny!

LEONE, 757 W Hastings St., Vancouver

For The Anniversary DE BEERS ENCHANTED LOTUS The Enchanted Lotus Collection from De Beers is both a delicate and meaningful token of appreciation. The Lotus symbolizes eternity, beauty and purity. All things that you know the wonderful woman in your life is! The pendants come In a variety of settings and stones, including Rose Gold & Carnelian, Gold & Lapis Lazuli, and Gold & Jade. The pendant weighs in at about $3700.00, making it an easy winner for a special occasion. De Beers Diamonds, 1088 Alberni St., Vancouver

B O U T I Q U E VA N C O U V E R 1080 Alberni Street

For Those Who Want To Make A Bang HUBLOT BIG BANG POP ART “ONE CLICK” Which one are you? Elegant, modern, sporty, relaxed, chic, understated, sublime, magnetic, irresistible, flashy, joyful, upbeat. These are just some of the adjectives and states of mind that the multifaceted and creative style of the new Big Bang Pop Art “OneClick” 39mm evokes. Meant for those who want to draw attention while paying homage to Andy Warhol’s screen printing process, tthis watch will surely get your girl’s attention.

Starting at C$26,000. Hublot Vancouver, 1080 Alberni St.

Romantic Gateaway ... OR HOW ABOUT A WEEKEND GETAWAY?

HYATT ZILARIA ROSE HALL Does the phrase “Summer Getaway” have you dreaming of a luxury retreat to the tropics? Well, in that case the Hyatt Zilaria Rose Hall is probably where you want to go. This property, located in Jamaica’s Montego Bay has recently been revitalized by Hyatt. It has the a touch of elegance on every corner, making it the perfect adults only allinclusive destination for love birds like you.

Turn up the romance with a beachfront couples massage, or indulge in tropical cocktails in the adults-only pool. Their attentive staff ensures you’ll make the most of your vacation, from playful nightly entertainment to 24-hour room service.

Rose Hall Road, Montego Bay, Jamaica

rosehall.zilara.hyatt.com

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RAND OUR FROM WINERIES TO THE RACE TRACK. A TRIP TO THE OKANAGAN VALLEY.

PHOTOGRAPHY: FRESH FINISH MEDIA | HELICOPTER: VALHALLA HELICOPTERS | CAR: AUDI DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER MODEL: REBECCA TRAUB | CLOTHING: LEONE VANCOUVER | LOCATION: 50TH PARALLEL ESTATE WINERY

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hings have changed in the Okanagan Valley. The once sleepy valley with its rolling hills, lush valleys, high peaks, sparkling lakes, and sandy beaches has turned into a booming destination area with almost 200 wineries, world-class ski resorts, the fastest growing airport in the country - and now its very own racetrack, Area 27.

Hill, was first on our list. The owners Sheri-Lee and Curtis were already waiting for us, and after a fun wine tasting with this power-couple, our helicopter had arrived. Valhalla Helicopters offers various wine tours, and can customize your individual tour and sightseeing experience.

We opted for a scenic round trip over the lake, Kelowna and West Kelowna.

The 4.83km long Formula One-type track east of Oliver, designed by the Quebec-born Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve, held its formal official opening ceremonies this June - and memberships to this private club are almost sold out. Gearheads from near and far couldn’t wait for this track to happen, and never before has the South Okanagan seen this type of supercar traffic.

The next morning we left for the South Okanagan. After a walk along the waterfront in Penticton we had lunch at Liquidity Wines in Okanagan Falls. Their tasting room and bistro feature sweeping views over rolling vineyards to Vaseux Lake. The art installations, paintings, and photographs in the vineyard grounds, bistro, and tasting room were carefully chosen by winery owner Ian MacDonald, and are a ‘must’ when you visit the area.

Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches and many other supercars are now part of the new Okanagan scenery, and “let’s go up to the track” is something we hear quite frequently here in Vancouver. Which is exactly what we did just a few weeks ago. No real plans for the weekend, the weather in Vancouver was horrible, and we needed some wine anyways, so we planned a visit to the Okanagan Driving up to “wine country” gives you two options. You can either take the Coquihalla, which will bring you to West Kelowna and is the fastest way to get to the Okanagan, or you take Highway 3, the HopePrinceton route, which is more scenic and more fun to drive, but will bring you to the South Okanagan. Our first night would be at Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon, so we opted for the Coquihalla, and arrived in Vernon in less than 4 hours.

50th Parallel Estate Winery, just a few kilometers away from Sparkling

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From there we went to Area 27, meeting up with fellow car enthusiasts from the Okanagan, Calgary and Vancouver. The perfect opportunity to really take our Audi R8 V10 Plus to the limits. And the 610hp allwheel drive didn’t disappoint. If you want to play with 413 pound-feet of torque and go 0-100 in less than 3 seconds, this is your car!

Our last night was at the beautiful Spirit Ridge Resort in Osoyoos. The official hotel for Area 27, their parking lot was quite the car show, making it the perfect picture opportunity for many hotel guests and visitors.

Heading back to Vancouver, we opted for Highway 3. It was an amazing road trip, but it also showed us that the R8 might not be the right car for a wine tour: Once you have your travel bag in the trunk, there’s no room for a case of wine!

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FOR LUXURY The Sea Ray L650 Fly

photography by Dave Hamilton (9); Rob Violeau (1)

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arrived at M&P Yacht Centre, we simply had to experience this. So we invited some friends and business partners on a little cruise on one of the first real summer days.

Welcome to Inspired Luxury.

The L-Class Sea Ray is ushering in a new era of worldclass yachting, competing in the Luxury Class in terms of styling, quality, performance and market appeal. The L650 Fly was intended to be the “best of the best” of what Sea Ray is capable of and includes what the company feels is all state-of-the-art to compete directly against top-tier boats in class. The L650 Fly is also the first Sea Ray boat to ever be built to a CE Category “A”, Ocean, standard.

This was actually not our first time on a L650: Last year we had the pleasure of test driving the coupe version of this superyacht, but when we heard that the 2017 “Fly” had

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At an overall length of 65.1’ or 19.84m with extended platform the L650 Fly definitely has the “wow” factor of a superyacht. When our guests arrived they were simply stunned by the sheer size of this yacht. The first things that were pointed out, before getting the actual tour of the L650, was the truly amazing design. The two-tone hull with its massive windows, the huge hydraulic-lift stern swim platform with its underlit steps on either side of the boat leading up to the long aft deck, and the massive flybridge truly impress. So take-off your shoes, and let us take you on a tour!

The Flybridge It is massive. Bob Pappajohn, President of M&P Yacht Centre and our captain for the evening, tells us they had more than 30 people on it at one point, but seating is for 13 people, plus five spots forward of the helm with chaise loungers that also function as pads for sun bathing. An outdoor galley includes a sink, icemaker and refrigerator plus an optional electric grill. All of this is protected by the hardtop with opening sunroof. The Flybridge is equipped with the same elctronics as the main cockpit, with two huge screens and the Glendinning joystick. You can even

Blazer & Dress Shirt: Sarai Bespoke Pocket Square: Sarai Bespoke Watch: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II

Sport Coat: Sarai Bespoke Dress Shirt & Pants: Sarai Bespoke Panama Hat: Bertacchi Hatcrafters Sunglasses: Barton Perreira Watch: Rolex Cellini Time (left to right) MATTEO Leather Jacket: Armani (Leone) Sweater: Armani Collezioni (Leone) Watch: Hublot Magic Gold AMANDA Dress: Zuhair Murad (Leone) JASON Suede Jacket: Brunello Cucinelli (Leone) Sweater: Alexander McQueen (Leone) Sara Bespoke Dress Pants Watch: Hublot Sunglasses: ProDesign Denmark

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have three cameras around the yacht which will give you an overhead view with distance rings similar to what you find in some luxury cars.

Galley Up and Forward The L650 keeps the whole inside of the main deck unobstructed and open -- just the way most people like it these days. A huge living area with couches and big screen TV, followed by the open-concept galley with its refrigerators and freezer drawers below the counters.

Eliminating bulkheads has made the galley part of the social zone on this deck.

The Staterooms Follow us ... downstairs. At this point we had already heard that the L650 is bigger than some of our guests’ apartments, and they were in for another surprise: The 650 has four Staterooms!

A VIP with separate bathroom forward, guests to port and starboard sharing another bathroom, and a passageway with a dayhead leads to the huge beam master stateroom aft. This stateroom is packed with amenities that will be enticing to any owner, including a mini-fridge for the strawberries and champagne. The en suite has his-andhers sinks and a huge rainfall shower.

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The advantages of four staterooms are obvious for larger families or for those who like to have their friends around, but it is also ideal when you want to put the boat into the charter trade. You can also convert one of the staterooms to a pantry or office upon request.

Day Head Our L650 had the crew quarters in the stern. You can also opt for the standard arrangement with the lazarette with transom, pantograph door access and a day head.

Let’s take her out!

It looks so easy, and Bob claims it is. The L650 can be controlled by joysticks at both helms, and a third in the cockpit, and watching our captain maneuver it out, and later in the tight spot in the marina in Coal Harbour left us speechless. Unbelievable. Once out on the open water we went to a typical cruise speed of 24 knots, but Bob gave us a quick idea what a top speed of 36 knots feels like.

What an experience. No detail has been overlooked on this divine yacht. It was not easy to say good-bye, but hey, there’s still enough summer ahead of us to test-drive one of its siblings!

Leather Top: Carolina Herrera (Leone) Skirt: Carolina Herrera (Leone) Sunglasses: Dior Watch: Hublot Big Bang One Click Steel

M&P Yacht Centre 510 Nicola St. (Vancouver) ph. 604.692.03

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IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

What To Expect In The Luxury Real Estate Market

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hen buyers are searching for a luxury property there are certain details that are to be expected, especially when you are looking at homes over $5,000,000.

Builders have to separate themselves from the pack by not producing a cookie-cutter spec home that looks and feels like everything else on the market. One high-end West Vancouver builder, Benz Gillani, does this exceptionally well and has an exciting new project that we are about to bring to the market. I had the chance to sit down with Benz to go over the details of his new property, how he got into the business of real estate and where he gets his inspiration.

JDC: How many years have you been a custom builder?

BG: 6 years.

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JDC: What was your previous occupation and what drew you into a career change?

BG: I was an Investment Advisor for 19 years and thought that was what I would do for the rest of my life…I thought I was a ‘lifer.’

The business changed substantially in 2008 and I started to not enjoy what I used to love.

I was sort of in flux and at the same time, was looking for a house for myself and I couldn’t find anything I liked even after increasing my budget by 60%! A good friend of mine told me I should build my own house even though I had no experience. But, he walked me thru the entire process and that’s how it all started.

JDC: What advice would you give to people looking to jump into real estate development today?

BG: It is very competitive, so I would highly suggest that you make sure your house design is different so that it stands out.

Also, try your best to not personalize the home too much as it will limit the number of potential buyers.

JDC: What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from your previous builds?

BG: Stay true to what you really like and don’t conform to what others are telling you to do. If you like modern, build modern…don’t try and mix in every type of style, as you will lose yourself.

JDC: 1360 Queens Avenue in West Vancouver is a stunning new home. Where did you draw the inspiration for this style of property?

BG: I always look around to see what is going on in Real Estate and not just in Vancouver, but also in cities such as San Francisco and L.A. There was an unbelievable property on the Sunset Strip (L.A.) by McClean Design Architects that was simply gorgeous. Given our local climate I couldn’t incorporate all of the outside features but I took some inspiration from the clean linear lines, big windows and huge open areas including a massive entertainment space.

JDC: What details were implemented into 1360 Queens Ave and how do you feel these separate you from other newly built homes?

BG: Due to the fact that I wanted such an open space on the main floor (2000 +sq/ft with no walls), the entire house from the ground up is a steel structure. In order to house floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides you require an extremely strong structure and more of a commercial grade application. Should a major earthquake occur this house would certainly be still standing as the quality and safety features are of the highest caliber.

JDC: What are your favourite three things about 1360 Queens Ave? BG: The Powder room, the kitchen, then the Master Bedroom with the cool Walk-in Closet.

JDC: I have seen a ton of walk-in closets in my day but yours is at a whole other level! How would you describe your personal style and how does this tie into the properties you create?

BG: I have always been a bespoke kind of a guy, always properly tailored and if you will, taking inspiration from Pierce Brosnan/James Bond who are ‘my guys.’ That classic, tailored clean-cut look is what you will also find in my builds…simple, uncluttered, clean lines…a truly bespoke home.

JDC: Finally, describe the importance of your relationship with your REALTOR®.

BG: It’s funny as we’ve all had REALTORS® in the past and that’s all they have been, but with you, Jesse, its been an amazing friendship and that’s what really great about this relationship. The other thing I respect is your honesty…

Jesse, you have steered me away from things that wouldn’t be right for me and have brought opportunities to me that feel completely right. The amount of money you have to put into projects today is in the millions so it’s so nice to be able to always trust that you are serving my best interests.

I’ll be honest Jesse, I can tell that you really care about my properties and me and that means a lot. That’s what is most important to me and I really appreciate it.

It’s all in the details… 16 foot kitchen island, full Miele kitchen package including double dishwashers, touch open cabinetry, floating staircase, imported white tile, commercial grade steel construction, floor to ceiling windows with commercial aluminum upgrades, air conditioning, radiant floor heating, high end fixtures like the rain shower faucet in the powder room along with modern LED chandeliers throughout the home. Massive floor to ceiling Carrera marble slabs for the master bathroom wall treatment, custom blinds for all windows, sliding floor-to-ceiling windows for full indoor/outdoor living in the main open concept living space, 7.2 surround sound system with state of the art media space with projector and screen, modern glass wine cellar and tasting room and many, many more incredible features including beautiful views of the ocean and downtown.

For full details on this amazing 5 bedroom modern West Vancouver masterpiece please call Jesse Dean Cook directly at 604-506-5174.

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THE HIDEAWAY

Ski-In/Ski-Out Custom Renovated Mountain Chalet 6 BEDROOMS

6 BATHS

APPROX. 3,530 SQ.FT.

WELCOME TO “THE HIDEAWAY” an exceptional 3,530 sq.ft., ski-in/ski-out Chalet that was COMPLETELY REBUILT beginning in 2012 and finished in 2014 – the results are jaw dropping! The redesign for this magnificent property was completed in collaboration with Robert Bailey, who was named VANCOUVER’S INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR in 2013. The main living space of this prestigious home offers an OPEN CONCEPT GREAT ROOM that features a 86” TV and natural WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE, dining room & kitchen spaces that all enjoy great sunlight & BOOMING VIEWS OF THE CREEKSIDE MOUNTAIN BASE & SKI RUN courtesy of the vaulted ceilings and numerous oversized window features. Attention to detail is evident no matter where you look; CUSTOM MILLWORK, CAESARSTONE COUNTERTOPS & CARRARA MARBLE BACKSPLASH are just a few of the notable features of this wonderful mountain home. If you love to cook – the kitchen will take your breath away; offering SUB ZERO & WOLF APPLIANCES paired with rich design detailing you will find yourself truly at home in this exceptional space. Featuring 6 bedrooms & 6 bathrooms across 3 well thought out levels – there is AMPLE ROOM AND SPACE to make this your perfect Whistler property. The Hideaway has its very own golf room that features a STATE OF THE ART GOLF SIMULATOR – a great perk for all ages! An approximately 600 sq.ft. LARGE, FLAT, GRASSY BACK YARD with cozy treehouse is a perfect place for the kids to play out the summer months.

The ski-in/ski-out neighbourhood that The Hideaway is located in offers a convenient bridge that allows owners of the area DIRECT ACCESS TO THE DAVE MURRAY SKI RUN. Storage options are paramount as the TWO CAR GARAGE features built in owners closets as well as BIKE & SKI STORAGE. The Hideaway is one of the very few private, ski-in/ski-out properties that Whistler has to offer and it absolutely cannot be duplicated. Enjoy your very own PRIVATE DRIVEWAY for additional guest parking.

M A G G I T H O R N H I L L : P E R S O N A L R E A L E S TAT E C O R P O R AT I O N

DAZZLING VIEWS OF CREEKSIDE MOUNTAIN BASE

COMPLETELY REBUILT

PRIVATE HOT TUB STATE OF THE ART GOLF SIMULATOR

AMPLE STORAGE SPACE

SUB ZERO & WOLF APPLIANCES

LARGE & FLAT BACKYARD WITH TREEHOUSE

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AND OTHER PROPERTIES, CONTACT:

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MOJITO The Cuban Highball

by Keith Trusler

by Keith Trusler

ike most classic cocktails, the origin of the Mojito is the subject of some debate. It’s a story that dates back to the 16th century.

the mojito’s birthplace and its conspicuous consumption by one very famous American writer, let’s just call him ‘Papa’ to protect his anonymity.

Motivated by a lust for gold, and after successfully raiding Cartegena di Indias, Sir Francis Drake turned his ships toward the great city of Havana. His attempt to sack the city was unsuccessful and his crew was plagued with scurvy and dysentery. The rumors of native remedies for these ailments inspired a small landing party on Cuban shores.

What the sailors would return with would become the first versions of the famous drink enjoyed around the world today: Augardiente de cãna and fresh limes, mixed with sugar and mint to make the crude spirit palatable.

Some claim the drink was in fact invented by African slaves working in the cane fields, perhaps they deserve credit for its name. Possibly inspired by the Spanish word ‘Mojadito’ meaning “a little wet” or the term mojo, a lime based seasoning used in Cuban dishes.

Like most things alcohol related the historical records are sketchy at best and often the stories inspired by such records are exaggerated but there’s no exaggeration in stating that the Mojito is one of the cocktail world’s great classics.

When made correctly, the Mojito is crisp and refreshing, not overly sweet. The mint should be muddled gently, not pulverized in the bottom of the glass. And, of course, it should be made with a fine Cuban Rum!

While it would not become known as a mojito for another 200 years or so, this simple cure for scurvy was the inspiration for what would become one of the world’s most popular cocktails.

In Havana Cuba the restaurant-bar La Bodeguita del medio lays claim to

DIRTY MOJITO

MANGO MOJITO

FROZEN MOJITO

ORANGE MOJITO

Dirty up your mojito by using a gold rum instead of a white and changing the simple syrup or white sugar to raw sugar or demerara sugar.

This Mango Mojito tastes like summertime! You’ve gotto try it!

Definitely a colder version of the perfect Mojito. You’ll love the frosty, minty, limey goodness of this one!

This one will become one of your favourites, promised!

The orange mixes very nicely with the lime and mint.

2 oz. white rum or Cruzan Mango Rum

2 oz. Bacardi Light Rum Juice of 1/2 lime (about 1 tbsp.)

1/2 orange cut into wedges 1/2 lime cut into wedges 2 teaspoons sugar 8 leaves fresh mint 2.5 ounces white rum 1 cup crushed ice

3/4 oz. fresh lime juice 2. tsp. raw sugar 9-10 mint leaves 2 oz. gold rum (we used Mount Gay) Club Soda Crushed Ice

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Enjoy the summer!

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3 – 4 oz. club soda 1 small very ripe mango, skin removed 1/2 lime 5 mint leaves

4 tsp. sugar 12 mint leaves 2 oz. Club Soda 1 c. ice

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VINOTEQUE

Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 Grand Crus Classés

The wines were ranked in importance from first to fifth growth as required by Emperor Napoleon III. Only five wineries were assigned in the Premier Crus Classes (First Growths), Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Haut-Brion.

2003 Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, France

Robert Parker 95/100 Value CAD $850 It is well-known that Mouton Rothschild invited a great painter to illustrate its wine label each year since 1945. These ironic artist labels have captivated Mouton’s countless fans each vintage. However, the 2003 is an exception, marking the 150th anniversary of Mouton’s entry into the family to which it has since belonged without interruption for five generations. Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild (1812-1870), who acquired the Mouton estate on 11 May 1853, is depicted on the label in a period photograph. The background shows part of the deed of sale. The wine inside the bottle is equally spectacular with the classic Paulliac perfume of leather, blackcurrant, and hints of violet nose.

2000 Chateau Latour, Pauillac, France

Robert Parker 99/100 JS100 Value CAD $2,200 Chateau Latour manages to achieve a rare stylistic balance and it has been the most consistent of the First Growth chateaux in Medoc for over 100 years. Its wines are internationally known for both their elegance and purity of linear fruit flavor, and for their power, muscularity and heroic longevity. The other great hallmark of Latour is its consistency - the wines are consistently impressive, irrespective of whether the vintage is great, mediocre or even slightly disappointing. The 2000 is a beautiful vintage that represents a classic and outstanding Latour by its gorgeous evolution and flavor profile.

1996 Chateau Margaux, Margaux, France

Robert Parker 100/100 Value CAD$1,300 Scoring 100 points by Robert Parker, one of the most widely known and influential wine critics, the 1996 Margaux offers you everything you expect from a first growth Bordeaux wine. There are tons of emotions expressing in the wine. It is powerful yet elegant; with rich tertiary flavors and a beautiful bouquet of blossom and fruits flavors; has structured with great acidity and a powerful finish, an OMG wine; a wine where everything seems to be in its right place.

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written by: Louise Huang Marketing Coordinator Barry McNabb Manager www.winestainclub.com

Become a part of the Painted Rock family

Proprietor John Skinner & daughter Lauren

Join our wine club today The Perks

The Details

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ONE annual shipment

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PREMIUM OFFERS, invitations and special pricing on events and members only functions, 10% discount on all wine purchases and free shipping on 2 or more cases.

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CITY tonight!

O ur

by Jim Gordon & Leeta Liepins

The Iconic Concierge Magazine version of the weekly TV show, “Our City Tonight”, which can be seen Saturdays at 9:30am and 12:30am Sundays on JoyTV. Follow them on Twitter, FB, Instagram & YouTube @Ourcitytonight

CAFÉ IL NIDO

780 Thurlow Street, Vancouver | 604 685 6436 | www.cafeilnido.ca

For more than 30 years Franco Felice has been going about the business of making some of the best Italian food in the city. As the owner of Café Il Nido, Felice – who can still be found cooking in the kitchen a few times a week - believes in catering to his customers. With us, he had his work cut out for him: No gluten and no garlic. Not a problem, he says in his usual relaxed, welcoming approach, and then he’s off to create what will be a memorable late afternoon meal.

were enjoying the second course – Pork Loin with Casper Bernier and Tornato – the Italian-born Felice talks about his philosophy which helps to partially explain his loyal customer base. “I always try and tailor to the needs of my customers, while also creating a meal which will be enjoyed and remembered,” adding, “I don’t like to put too many ingredients in a meal as it can overpower everything. Simplicity is the best approach.”

Nestled in a cozy corner at Robson and Thurlow in downtown Vancouver, Café Il Nido is a little-known gem that must be experienced.

On this early summer day, we choose the patio, an inviting oasis in the middle of our noisy city.

For our main course, we choose the homemade, gluten free potato Gnocchi in a marinara sauce with dried ricotta & Tagliatelle bolognese with slowly cooked beef and veal in an herbed tomato sauce. And again, Felice chooses a deliciously paired wine – IL Nespoli Riserva Romagna Sangiovese.

Both courses are prepared with just the right seasoning, made even better by sauces created inhouse. You’ll also find the price is even more appealing compared to other Vancouver restaurants in this category.

With a serious knowledge of wine, Felice suggests two glasses of Filarino Sangiovese Rose which goes wonderfully with our first course: Swordfish Ceviche with just the right amount of tomato, lime, radish and fresh cilantro. While we

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While he’s off chatting with some new customers from out of town (along with loyal customers, tourists seem to flock to this place), we both comment on Felice’s staying power in this city’s over-crowded restaurant scene. Restaurants come and go; others enjoy the spotlight for a little while then fade. For Café Il Nido and its face – Franco Felice – great food in a relaxing environment has been the goal for nearly 30 years. Trust us, he has succeeded….

Ask the ... Concierge!

An Insider’s Guide to Vancouver Matthew Scott Fairmont Pacific Rim Art buff, culinary connoisseur, world traveler, and style guru, are some of the best ways to describe Matthew Scott, Chef Concierge at Fairmont Pacific Rim. The born and raised Vancouverite began his concierge career at Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC, where he opened the hotel’s Fairmont Gold floor. He then moved back to the mainland, taking on a concierge role at Fairmont Waterfront before joining the pre-opening team at Fairmont Pacific Rim in 2009. Matthew has been an actively engaged member of the esteemed Les Clefs d’Or Canada organization since 1997.

THE BEST PLACE FOR COFFEE ... is a place serving an amazing selection of tea!

The new TWG boutique offers an incredible array of teas from around the world. Their tea specialists are delighted to indulge your sense of smell and will open any and every tin you wish.to be.

1070 W Georgia St. | 604.692.0071 THE BEST PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER I believe a romantic dinner is based on the person you are sharing the meal with, not the venue.

Having said that, I prefer smaller, neighbourhood bistros; current favourites include AnnaLena (1809 W 1st Ave), Burdock & Co. (2702 Main St) and Pear Tree (4120 East Hastings St, Burnaby).

THE BEST VIEW PATIO For stunning mountain and water views and the best tanning opportunity, the rooftop patio at Lift is in a league of its own…they also offer one of the best happy hours in the city. | Menchion Mews | 604.689.5438 THE BEST PLACE FOR ENTERTAINMENT From the day we opened, our Lobby Lounge has been “scene” as “the” place to lounge in the city. The musical talent is equal to the beauty of its design and sets the tone for an evening of indulgence!

A ‘WOW’ EXPERIENCE IN VANCOUVER For the first time ever, “Dinner in the Sky” is coming to Vancouver this summer. Dine 150ft in the air suspended from a giant crane with stunning views of the Vancouver skyline. | www.skydine.ca THE BEST PLACE FOR COCKTAILS Our new dining room, Botanist, offers an inventive, playful and organic take on the classics! The cocktail program designed by Creative Beverage Director, Grant Sceney and Head Bartender, David Wolowidnyk has received both critical and consumer acclaim.

And I can share from personal experience they taste as good as they look!

1038 Canada Place Vancouver

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