Roma to Sonoma | Layne Randolph | Wine and Travel Journalist

500 YEARS OF HISTORY AT SICILY’S VILLA TASCA | TRAVEL

Posted on August 28, 2024August 28, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Haute Living, August 2024
Over the centuries, the Palermo estate has been a haven where royalty, artists, and intellectuals sought inspiration and respite. The villa’s opulent interiors have welcomed luminaries such as German opera composer Robert Wagner, Italian violinist Niccolò Paganini, and Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, each leaving their mark on its storied halls. Wagner, for instance, stayed on the property in 1927 while he was writing the third act of Parsifal, and 60 years later, at 85, he composed “Villa Tasca” based on his visit.

Sonoma (US)

DRY FARMING IN AMERICAN VITICULTURE? | WINE

Posted on July 28, 2024July 28, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Decanter
We only take what Mother Nature gives us,’ said Lokka. Emeritus proudly holds the title of the largest 100% dry-farmed Pinot Noir estate in Sonoma County. ‘We don’t turn on water. We don’t need it,’ Lokka added. ‘When we first started dry-farming, we saw a reduction in crop load; the vines had not had water. When the water was shut off, the vines grew deeper to find it in the clay soil. Now, the vines are producing 3-3.5 tons per acre (approximately 6.75 metric tonnes per ha) with no problem.’

Roma (Italy)

CHAMPAGNE: WE’RE TASTING STARS | WINE

Posted on July 17, 2024April 17, 2026 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life Magazine
Over 400 years ago, Pierre Pérignon joined the Benedictine Abbey of Hautvillers in the Champagne region of France. As a monk, he was given the honorary title of Dom and the prestigious position of cellar master. As the story goes, when Dom Pérignon created bubbly wine, he shouted, “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!” The rest is history. Dom Pérignon was instrumental in inventing what is now known as Champagne, and he has a posthumous, eponymous Champagne, produced by Moët & Chandon, to prove it.

Sonoma (US)

BODEGA BAY | TRAVEL

Posted on July 17, 2024July 28, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life
If it weren’t for the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock film, “The Birds,” Bodega Bay might be just another scenic fishing village along the Sonoma Coast. The townspeople of Bodega and Bodega Bay embrace the area’s claim to fame with locations like The Birds Café, a visitors’ center with The Birds theme, and an annual “parade” with attendees wearing costumes from the film.

Roma (Italy)

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE SICILY | WINE & TRAVEL

Posted on July 17, 2024July 17, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life
Yes, it is part of Italy, but any visitor will tell you: Sicily is Sicily. It has an ancient soul and a distinct character. In addition to a flourishing wine industry, it is a fascinating destination to explore, especially the western, less-traveled part of the island.

Roma (Italy)

ITALY’S ISLAND WINES | WINE & TRAVEL

Posted on June 2, 2024August 28, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Haute Living Magazine
Beyond Sardinia’s Vermentino and Pantelleria’s Passito di Pantelleria, there are many little-known island wines to explore. Mother Nature has graced these little slices of paradise with breathtaking panoramas and rare wines that are lively, summery, and highly quaffable.

Sonoma (US)

RAYMOND VINEYARDS: AN EYE TO THE PAST AND A VISION FOR THE FUTURE | WINE

Posted on May 4, 2024May 4, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life Cover Story
After taking over the Raymond estate, the Boisset team set to work on transforming it into a certified organic and biodynamic operation. “Part of Raymond’s concept is the vision of organic farming, which is the future of Napa Valley.” Today, the Raymond vineyards are certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Certified Biodynamic by Demeter USA. They are also certified by Napa Green, Fish Friendly Farming, and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

Fashion

BIRDIES | SAN FRAN’S COMFY GLAM SHOE LEAPS TO THE TOP | FASHION

Posted on May 3, 2024May 4, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Haute Living Magazine
Gates has more advice for women who want to start a business. “I think we, as women, often overthink it, and we want to get to that place of perfection before we do it. And I’ve learned in this journey that some of the most successful people don’t have the answers before diving in. And that is the way to get to your success: to dive in without knowing 100 percent what you’re diving into and just put one foot in front of the other. Just start.”

Art

ROME | HISTORICAL CITY OF CULTURE AND STYLE | TRAVEL

Posted on March 30, 2024June 2, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Haute Living Magazine
Oh, but the history. No family represents the tie between the papacy and the Renaissance better than the Borgheses. The Borghese Family were the Medicis of Rome during the Renaissance period—they owned everything. Beyond the Borghese Gardens, Villa Borghese, and the Borghese Gallery is the Palazzo Borghese in the center of Rome. Cardinal Camillo Borghese bought the palace in the early 1600s.

Art

VILLA IGEIA: PALERMO’S RESORT FOR KINGS OF THE GOLDEN AGE | TRAVEL

Posted on March 30, 2024July 11, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Haute Living Magazine
This reborn resort feels as chic as it must have been when the wealthy aristocrats, royalty, and international jet set graced it during Palermo’s golden age of the Belle Epoque.

Roma (Italy)

LAZIO: VOLCANO TO THE SEA | WINE & TRAVEL

Posted on March 30, 2024March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Napa Valley Life Magazine
Southern Lazio’s volcano-to-the-sea area begins at the Castelli Romani and extends to the adjacent Latina region that hugs the coastline from Nettuno to Gaeta. Here, Lazio producers are experimenting with rare and little-used native varieties, and this, coupled with the volcano-to-sea terroir, is elevating the region to a new echelon.

Sonoma (US)

MAXIMILIAN RIEDEL: RIEDEL’S ELEVENTH GENERATION’S LEADER | WINE

Posted on March 30, 2024March 30, 2024 By Layne Randolph

Haute Living Magazine
Riedel learned firsthand from two of the 11 generations. He shared, “I was a big fan of my grandfather [Claus Josef Riedel] and how he approached business. I’m an even bigger fan of my father and how he conducts business. They gave me enthusiasm and allowed me to shine.”