SHOP

STRIPES SEASON

Look chic in this classic pattern

Alfie blazer in

striped chino, $228 at J.Crew, www.jcrew. com.

Short skirt, $17.99 at HM, www.hm.com.

Stripe wide leg

pants, River Island, $80 at Nordstrom, www.nordstrom.com.

Postcard stripe minidress,

Zimmermann, $750 at Nordstrom, www. nordstrom.com.

Woody mini striped canvas tote bag,

Chloe, $1,090 at Neiman Marcus, www. neimanmarcus.com.

North patchwork vintage boots,

Alohas, $386 at Madewell, www. madewell.com.

Life in the Limo™

Rachell Hall Lifestyle Editor

Magical Mission of Madness

For our March issue my Mission of Madness takes us to my home city of San Francisco. We are about to find out if there is still a luxury lifestyle during what is hopefully a now waning pandemic.

My first stop for luxury, the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. I was a bit disappointed to find out that their iconic afternoon tea is still closed but way lucky for me the Ritz is also home to The JCB Lounge by Jean-Charles Boisset, an over-the-top ultra-sensory luxurious wine tasting lounge.

I am a California girl so my palate should be much more sophisticated than it actually is, but rather than being raised on Chardonnays and Champagne I was actually raised on cool pops (‘member those) and drinking out of the hose on hot summer days. I must admit that I am no Chevalier du Tastevin but I have always aspired to wine enthusiast greatness.

The tasting lounge is nothing short of spectacular, not just the wines but the opulent environment that JCB is the master of creating. His jewelry and fragrance collections are also featured along with the most exquisite Baccarat crystal wine accessories, proving that we can all be wine snobs at whatever level we desire. I no longer miss afternoon tea because our hostess Amy entertained my guests and me at the highest level. This would be the

THE RITZ CARLTON SAN FRANCISCO

RED ROOM

CLASSIC CONVERTIBLE WINE TOURS

perfect gift experience for your impossible to buy for wine aficionados.

A day in the city must include a cable car ride from Nob Hill, a museum and perhaps a casual lunch in Pacific Heights. You can also safely stroll to China Town just blocks away.

There is just no end to the fun in the City by the bay! Fisherman’s Wharf is still good, not overrun by the homeless as the media leads us to believe. Shopping … and well, shopping, always extraordinary. I had in mind that I would take the ferry to Sausalito for Sunday brunch but I am so intrigued by John-Charles Boisset’s certain style of magical madness, winemaking and creative genius that I must make a day trip to his tasting lounge in Yountville.

I first came to know a bit about the world of JeanCharles, aka JCB, in 2019 when my best friend hosted 6 girls for her lavish 65th birthday party. She treated us (her 6 besties) to a wine tour in a 1947 Packard Limousine. If you want a unique week or weekend for yourself or a special someone follow her lead by renting from Classic Convertible Wine Tours and ask for our favorite driver Daniel.

A curated wine tour should include DeLoach, Buena Vista and the sensory experience at Raymond where you can check out the private Red Room or indulge in a sensual tasting in the Crystal Cellar which you will just have to see for yourself! Say hello to Bill and have him give you a tour to learn about JCB’s philosophy of Biodynamic® farming. JCB is truly a steward of the land. This is a French gentleman who truly walks his talk.

The JCB Lounge in Yountville is, I hate to overuse the word spectacular, but I need a thesaurus to come up with more words to describe it. The fantastic eccentricity that permeates every creative fantasy that JCB manifests is a luxurious reality he wants to share with you, our amazing readers. Spend an afternoon exploring wine, fragrance

and my favorite, jewelry. His red velvet coffee table book, The Alchemy of the Senses, is a whole experience in itself, and the perfect gift for any wine lover or mystic you might know. You can do all of this while enjoying a spectacular flight of champagne or wines, your choice. Heaven on earth or what? The experience becomes just surreal … which is also the name of my new favorite champagne.

Alas, I find out that the elusive JCB, who splits his time between his burgundy vineyards and the US is residing in France this week. No worries Austin made the day, sorry, … spectacular!

Back to San Francisco proper and my homebase, The Ritz-Carlton Club Level, where the moment I got off the elevator I was greeted by my private concierge, Starsky, and what else? … wait for it … a glass of JCB No. 21 Brut Burgundy champagne. The Ritz-Carlton Club Level experience is delightfully the largest luxury club experience in San Francisco. It boasts complimentary food and beverage throughout the day and private Club Concierge services.

Yes, indeed … IT IS safe to come back to the city. And as much as I love living in Scottsdale I am silently humming the song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”.

JCB TASTING LOUNGE

P.S. – JCB offers a wine club membership, which I have of course joined. The membership includes discounts on the wine, fragrance and the jewelry collections. If you want to be a part of this party call me, I’ll be your connection 800.343.3223!