At a charity auction, he bought an hour of tennis with John McEnroe. Alexis Swanson Traina, the San Francisco-based author and renowned authority on wine, style, and entertaining, celebrates the launch of her new book, From Napa With Love. If you purchase an Italian wine apprenticeship with master sommelier David Lynch ($3,200), the box will be lined with corks. Alexis Traina's favorite Bay Area places - sfgate.com Thats when I thought, how is it possible that in a world of so much color, we were operating in blue text bubbles and emojis, or modern caveman hieroglyphics as I call them." The goal was to create a useful guide to the place and to offer a look at the people who make it special. He went on to become winemaker at Harlan Estate and Bond, producers of some for the most sought-after cult wines ever made in the United States. As my temporary unemployment began, I knew I wanted to use my free time to tell the story of the valley, and to do it in a way that would illuminate the fact that life here is no longer centered exclusively on wine. Needless to say, we were immediately smitten. "The house became a case study for all of us," Alexis explains, "asking the question, How do we live with young children, romance, and fantasy with all of this art?" 2023 Cond Nast. A favorite excursion entails piling everyone into an old Woodie for burgers at Gotts Roadside and praying the transmission doesnt fall out on the way there. Her husband echoes the sentiment. C Social Front About Town Alexis Swanson Traina ", After Seagram's, Traina returned to the Bay Area to attend Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Pictured from left to right: Alexis Swanson Traina, Claiborne Swanson Frank, Veronica Swanson Beard; photo by Trevor Traina. Alexis Traina was reunited with her familyher sisters, fashion designer Veronica Swanson Beard and photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank, and parents were in Austria for the celebration. The old house had less room, but was very charming., Even with its updates, the Napa Valley getaway is a far cry from the couples primary residence, in Pacific Heights. Travel essential number one." And what better place for a Renaissance man to play than amidst the dizzying variety of activities offered by IfOnly? Alexis Traina, "Gigi Burris makes insane hats all year round, but Im particularly fond of this straw stetson with an extra broad rim." An interior designer and event wizard, Ken Fulk first visited the valley in 1994, and says We came to Napa on our very first trip to California. "Trevor has vision that I don't," says Alexis. It wasn't all work. (The grotto furniture has sentimental meaning for the Trainas--it was used as part of his surprise marriage proposal in Bergdorf Goodman's handbag rotunda.). From there, he and his wife, Alexis Swanson Traina, hopped over to the Hamptons, joining designer Oscar de la Renta and director Baz Luhrmann at a soiree hosted by Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour. The Trainas friends were treated to several parties, including a sit-down dinner with live accordion players, and tours of Viennas top attractions like the Palais Liechtenstein as well as a glimpse of the famed Lipizzaner stallions. Click through for a glimpse. Larry Lovett, Nicole Hanley, Alexis Swanson and Trevor Traina attend Venetian Heritage MAN RAY Photo Exhibition at VBH on May 4, 2006 in New York. Alexis Swanson Traina, the San Francisco-based author and renowned authority on wine, style, and entertaining, celebrates the launch of her new book, From Napa With Love. Traina is married to Alexis Swanson Traina and has two children. In the blink of an eye, Napa was no longerjusta destination for wine lovers but a haven for conviviality, hospitality, peacockery, tastemaking and soul-seeking. The latest fashion news, beauty coverage, celebrity style, fashion week updates, culture reviews, and videos on Vogue.com. I knew the house prior to the fire, and I was so crazy for it, says Alexis, who moved from Florida with her family to the region in the mid-1980s. Says, Bill, pictured here with Deborah, Ultimately were building a culture around wine and hospitality that we all hope will last for generations. Thirty-two years ago my serial entrepreneur father, Clarke Swanson, got an itch, a romantic notion of the American dream, and in the blink of an eye purchased a hundred acres in Napa Valley, on Oakville Cross Road. As a child, my family lived in a small town in southwest Florida, where my after-school friends were the elderly ladies of the neighborhood who taught me everything I know about dark chocolate, cards, port wine cheese, housecoats and men. Alexis Traina, "Gucci aviators are always sexy, mysterious, and full of fun. Here, time slows down, and things like cars, wine and friendships evolve and improve with age. The Trainas also looked to some iconic tastemaking neighbors for inspiration. Instagram feedswere inundated with pictures from the over-the-top events. Photographed & Styled By Claiborne Swanson Frank Published: Oct 26, 2017 Alexis Traina's ode to Napa Valley, which appears in the November issue of Town & Country,. The To Kalon vineyards, which are all around us, have several different owners now, but fetch some of the highest prices in the world for grapes, Trevor explains. There is madcap Dodie Rosenkranz, whose villa was decorated by Michael Taylor in a style that Britt characterizes as "palace in Calcutta." His own parents bought the land around 1969 from the Rainier Brewing Company. ", "It was born in the peak of love," adds Alexis. One of our favorite family traditions is bringing out our collection of Bavariannutcrackers, candelabras, smokersand pyramids. Traina firmly believes in taking Richard Branson's "funtrepreneurial" approach to his businesses. RSVP OUI to our newsletter and get all the latest scoop on beauty and wellness trends, tips and features. "It's a handsome, dignified house," he says modestly. Wake up to the day's most important news. Trevor Traina - Wikipedia Just about the only member of Traina's clan who seemed to have escaped the blessings of providence was President James Buchanan, who had the misfortune of being followed in the White House by Abraham Lincoln. At his behest this was transformed after-hours by Linda Fargo into a softly lit bower, echoing to birdsong and filled with ornamental lovebirds and white peacocks, orchids, chandeliers, and silvered Venetian grotto furniture (some of which has made its way into their airy dining room). I tried my hand in the vineyards and the cellar but found my niche in marketing. Plus, there are our daily edits of the hottest openings, tables and tickets, as well as our coverage of the most glamorous events in what is the most stylish state in the USA. Wedding Registry Search and Website Finder - TheKnot Alexis Traina, "Who isnt a sucker for a chic camo canvas bag for summer? Her high-society family pioneered the frozen. When the winery sold, she decided to put some of her best ideas down on paper: From Napa with Love (Abrams, $25) released in September, takes readers on a whimsical armchair tour of the valley through the eyes of some of its most notable denizens (filmmaker Roman Coppola, wine proprietress Ann Colgin, artist Ira Yeager and the like) with scrapbook-style itineraries, entertaining tips and a glimpse inside Alexis magical life at the end of a private road off Highway 29. All I knew about Napa was what I learned watching Falcon Crest. The home saw an addition by Crabb in the 1880s and a near total rebuild after a devastating fire more than a century later, in 1997. This is a BETA experience. A donor to Republican causes, Traina had sought the posting in Austria because his maternal grandfather, Wiley T. Buchanan, had served in the same post under President Gerald Ford. Wine: Alexis Swanson Traina and Target launch Modern House From Napa with Love: Who to Know, Where to Go, and What Not to Miss The holidays are defined by so many charming rituals and ceremonies that become a part of the fabric of our senses, memories and associations an endless stream of magical moments sprinkled over five weeks. (Photo by Darryl Nitke). Ultimately, as she discovered, "the art lives with us, rather than us with it.". Alexis and I were married there on the front lawn, Trevor recalls, and our son was christened here. With unparalleled photography, insightful journalism and sophisticated wit, it is the arbiter of Californias taste and trends. She's the modern face of Napa Valley luxury. I will not be revealing where we hid beers as teenagers, though!, The Trainas spend their days between their house and Trevor and Todds late father John Trainas property across the street (which is now shared among Johns children with Danielle Steel: Samantha, Victoria, Vanessa, Max and Zara) and Alexis parents place at the intersection of Oakville Cross. "We didn't want to fix everything; we wanted to maintain the patina while adding vitality." Subscribe to our weekly emails for the hottest openings, latest parties and in-depth interviews with the people putting California Style on the map. Meet Alexis Swanson Traina - archive.beautyandwellbeing.com In fact, we planned a big outdoor christening, but it rainedand it never rains in Napa. The quick-thinking couple cleared out all the furniture in the seldom-used formal parlor to allow about 60 guests to gather inside for the ceremony. One of my very favorite parts of the holiday season is the revolving door of sweet tokens, gestures, and gifts delivered by friends and family. I thought that if we could give people that information online, we could control what to buy and we could influence where to buy. "It used to be embarrassing to go to bars and demand Sunset Passions," he remembers, as he sips a glass of cabernet from his in-laws' Swanson Vineyards in the Napa Valley--his wife, a wry Southern beauty, is from the frozen-foods family. The silver-haired free spirit is known for amassing one of the most legendary prop closets in the valley, filled with trinkets and tchotchkes to adorn her candy-colored tablescapesthink confetti, party hats, miniature American flags and a collection of tap-dancing shoes for after-dinner amusement. Allison Speer, Alison Pincus, Marissa Mayer, Denise Hale, Dede Wilsey, Kathryn Lasater, Alicia Engstrom, and Ken Fulk were some of the locals who jumped the pond to attend Trainas festivities. Alicia Engstrom and Heather Pegg. Alexis Traina, "Im a gold hoop kind of girl, and I'm pretty obsessed with Jennifer Fishers hoops in all different sizes. By boarding school, things had started to come around: Id found a new hairdo, zip code, Benetton, whole new set of friends, and pool of suitors. The airy dining room overlooking the garden is balanced by two custom-made banquettes, Venetian grotto furniture and a proud pair of peacocks. I felt that story needed to be told. President Donald Trump nominated Traina last January, and in the spring the Senate confirmed his appointment. Alexis Traina, "These street-legal house slippers are some of my favorite summer accessories." The morning mists roll in from the bay far below, shrouding the prettily fretted Victorian houses that clamber up the hill and the stately Beaux Arts mansions that crown it. Lanier Residence was a stunning, historical backdrop for our cover shoot with Katie Holmes More, The St. Regis New York Debuts a Chevalier Suite, Kelvin Harrison Jr. Is Riding the Fame Wave, Dont Miss The VeuveClicquot Polo Classic, Cartier Design: A Living Legacy Opens at Museo Jumex, Julia Roberts Expands Her Role As Chopards Global Ambassador, Were Over The Moon About This New Travel Registry, Our Favorite New Tech Gadgets and Devices Right Now, Carbone Opens in The Dallas Design District, Stylish New Reads From Louis Vuitton and YSL, Get behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram. 78 Alexis Traina Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 78 Alexis Traina Premium High Res Photos Browse 78 alexis traina photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. First Name. His wife, Alexis Swanson Traina, who was at the ceremony, will return to Vienna from San Francisco with their two children after school is out. He arrived in Napa Valley at age 12 when his parents, Eleanor and Francis, bought a house and moved the family up from San Francisco. Although the house had survived the 1906 earthquake that devastated the city a year after it was built, it had been in the same ownership for a half century, and its patina of genteel shabbiness had confounded most prospective purchasers. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Alexis Swanson Traina, Contributor. The mother of two is married to entrepreneur and philanthropist Trevor Traina, attends many society galas and. As a child I knew I wanted to do what my grandfather [Robert] and father [Tim] did. Aside from being a wine connoisseur, author, and entrepreneur, Traina is also a well seasoned traveler, and now that the official first day of summer is around the corner, she wants to share her favorite summer travel essentials. Trevors dads house is a 19th-century homestead with an old-fashioned water tower and a collection of carriages and gypsy wagons., For the familyfull-time residents, weekenders and summer folk alikeNapa Valley has evolved into a place that is about much more than wine, though there happens to be a glass at most meals. "Most of the luminaries are doing this for charity, so most, if not all, of their part is usually donated," Traina explains. Month. I wasnt quite sure what that meant, just that I wanted to work with them.. "She was so patient and kind." Alexis and Trevor Traina tapped into San Francisco's design historyand the talents of iconic family friendsto create a dramatic setting for their young family. A renowned artist, entertainer, and major league raconteur, Ira Yaeger also happens to be my mothers best friend. The enormity of the renovation might have defeated some newlyweds. Cory Empting got his first job at a vineyard at 15 and immediately became obsessed. Here, time slows down, and things like cars, wine and friendships evolve and improve with age. Hamish Bowles is entranced. "I knew that this big thing was happening across the Bay [in Silicon Valley] and that I was going to leave business school with a startup Internet company," he recalls. At Home With: Trevor & Alexis Swanson Traina, Napa Valley "It was interesting to see how many people at dinner were also at the Academy Awards," he says as he settles in to a vibrant-blue Etro-upholstered chair. When did Trevor Traina get divorced? "On her watch we were really able to discover our styles and blend them," says Alexis. Napa through the eyes of a 'curious eccentric' - Napa Valley Register "T. Anthony has always made travel stylish and special. The 45-year-old tech entrepreneur had woken up in Los Angeles that morning, having spent the previous evening at the Oscars. There's also a philanthropic component to the business. Alexis Traina Hosts a Cocktail and Dinner for Veronica Beard Buy Me! I started by collecting American art in my twenties. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, At Home With: Designer Isabel Lpez-Quesada, Madrid, At Home With: Stylist Colin King, Tribeca, At Home With: Derkan & John, the Gooi, Netherlands. .css-188hsmf{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#fff;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;background-color:#9a0500;font-family:Termina,Termina-bold-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.75rem;line-height:1;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:0.02rem;padding:0.6rem 0.7rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-188hsmf:hover{color:#fff;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:#030929;}.css-188hsmf:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}Subscribe Now, .css-1fgik18{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,NewParis-fallback,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1fgik18:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}The Best Luxury Luggage for Traveling in Style, The Best Room at Tuscany's Augustus Hotel, A New Bemelmans Gallery Is Opening at Ocean House, 29 Getaway Spas for Every Type of Retreat, The Perfect Honeymoon Isn't All Over InstagramYet, The Best Carry-On Backpacks for Every Traveler, The Best Rolling Luggage for Your Travels, Inside the 60th Anniversary of the Ocean Club.