November, 2015                THE LUXURY MARKETING COUNCIL OF SAN FRANCISCO
 
MIND CANDY
Amos Chapple and His Stunning Drone Photography
 
 
View the collection here

Assorted Musings About Life
  • If the world were a logical place, men would ride horses, sidesaddle
  • Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto a freeway
  • One nice thing about egotists: They don't talk about other people
  • Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all"?
  • The speed of time is one-second per second
  • If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
  • Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL
  • The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble
  • You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks

How Smart Are You? Take the Test

Take the test here


A Few Good Salesmen

Sales: "You want answers?"

Finance: "I think we are entitled to them!"

Sales: "You want answers?"

Finance: "I want the truth!"

Sales: "You can't handle the truth!!!"

Sales (continuing): "Son, we live in a world that requires revenue and that revenue must be brought in by people with elite skills. Who's going to find it? You? You, Mr. Finance Operations? We have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You scoff at our sales teams and you curse our lucrative incentive plans. You have the luxury that you can scoff. You have the luxury of not knowing what we know: That while the cost of business results may sometimes be excessive, it drives hard revenue. And my very existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, drives REVENUE!

You don't want to know the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about, you know you are afraidyou know you not only want me on that call, you NEED me on that call!

We use words like opening, closing, competition, team building, volume, pitching, and supplier meetings. We use these words as the backbone of our life, spent negotiatingwith people we have to build relationships with!

I have neither the time nor inclination to explain myself to people who rise and sleep under the very blanket of revenue that I provide and then question the manner in which I provide it.

I would rather you just said "thank you, sir" and went on your way son. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a phone and make some sales calls. Either way son, frankly, I don't give a damn what you ‘think’ you're entitled to!"

Finance: "Did you expense the lap dances?"

Sales: "I did the job I was hired to do."

Finance: "Did you expense the lap dances?"

Sales: "You're goddamn right I did!"


Fire Emergency

To watch, click here


Everything You Wanted to Know about Yourself but Were Too Afraid to Ask

For answers, click here

 
DEALS

Napa in Your Socking
An Exceptional Gift Idea for the Holidays and Beyond

How do you show your appreciation to family, friends, clients and associates? By giving the gift that will always be remembered–a unique experience from Leading Wineries of Napa.

Leading Wineries of Napa is an exclusive community of wineries and vineyards offering specially-curated wine country experiences chosen by a panel of Napa-based experts who possess an intimate knowledge of and deep experience with Napa and its world-famous wines. The featured experiences, which are not available to the general public, have been rigorously selected based on their memorability, uniqueness, superior value and high degree of personal interaction between the winery and the guest.  

This is not some non-descript gift such as a bottle of wine or restaurant voucher that will be quickly consumed and forgotten. It’s an expression of gratitude, appreciation and thoughtfulness that indicates you’ve gone the extra mile to select a “thank you” gift that recognizes the significance of the recipient and the occasion.

There are more than a dozen experiences to choose from, with prices ranging from $80—$522 per person. Gift certificates can be personalized for the recipient and are redeemable for up to a year.

To learn more about Leading Wineries of Napa experiences, visit lwnapa.com. To order your gift experience, call 415-729-0145 or email reservations@lwnapa.com


Book a Flight on SkytraxVoted Best Transpacific Airline from San Francisco to Asia!

Save up to $1,600 on Cathay Pacific’s luxurious Business Class cabin with advance purchase.

Book today



 

 


Comforts of Carneros at Starmont Winery

  • 2 for 1 “Guilty Pleasures” tasting
    experience ($40 per person value)
  • Complimentary shipping on 6+ bottles
  • A surprise logo gift

Starmont Winery and Vineyards invites you to experience the Comforts of Carneros in our open air Tasting Room and winery pavilion. Join us for our “Guilty Pleasures” tasting, an experience that offers guests a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy mouth-watering treats such as kettle corn, wine snap cookies, and chocolate covered pistachios paired perfectly with our handcrafted, small lot wines such as Pinot Gris or our estate Pinot Noir and Syrah! This unique experience invigorates the senses and satisfies the most indulgent food and wine cravings.

To book your reservation, call 707-251-8001 or email jvelderrain@merryvale.com


Up Valley Excellence at Merryvale Vineyards
15% off Purchases as a Partner of the Luxury Marketing Council

Merryvale Vineyards invites you to experience an elevated, educational escapade of wine and food! Our Artisanal Cheese & Wine Experience offers guests a seated pairing of locally produced cheeses matched perfectly with a selection of Merryvale Vineyards wines. Developed by our CIA-trained chef, Jason Velderrain, the experience focuses on family-owned, hand-crafted products that express the values of the Merryvale Vineyards Family. Designed for Wine & Food aficionados and wine country travelers.

To book your reservations, call 707-963-7777 or email kbarrett@merryvale.com


Raquel Bickford Offers Complimentary Event Budget Consultation

Regionally-recognized, published, Corporate and Wedding Planner, Raquel Bickford of ROQUE Napa Events, is offering a complimentary 1 hour event budget consultation valued at $350

The consultation will include an overview of the project with attention to specific needs of the client, followed by communication of a design direction and concept for corporate, lifestyle and wedding clients. Raquel is an expert in event design with a degree in Merchandise Marketing and 5 years of experience. She has worked with established brands such as Microsoft, Panasonic, CBRE, Sephora and notable musicians The Band Perry, James Bay, Michael Franti + Katy Tiz.

To request your consultation, inquiries may be directed to Raquel Bickford at 707-628-9998 or Raquel@ROQUEnapaevents.com


Moving Sale - Up to 80% off
On Selected Tables, Lighting, Rugs, Antiques, Accessories, Casegoods


Gaul Searson is moving to new digs at the San Francisco Design Center. That means it’s time to reduce the inventory. Luxury Marketing Council members and guests can take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire the very finest in custom home furnishings and accessories at close-out prices.

For more information go to www.gaulsearson.com or call 415-490-5651


 
EVENTS

Mark Your Calendar

  • January 28th: Grail Comes to Napa, Gordon Huether Studio, Napa
  • February 24th: Wineries Boot Camp, Lincoln Theater, Yountville: Details TBA
  • June 9th: Real Estate Boot Camp: Details TBA
 
NEWS

We are Honored to Welcome Our Newest Member

St. Helena Chamber of Commerce
The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based association of business people organized to enhance the local economy and the St. Helena brand for the direct and indirect benefit of its members and the community. The Chamber’s Mission Statement truly has not changed much since its inception as a board of trade in 1897. At that time, the organization’s founding principles were to promote industries and furnish information to farmers and strangers. “We want to assist in establishing industries and help the town and valley in every way possible,” according to an article printed in the local newspaper on April 9, 1897. One of the founding trustees went on to speak about our splendid climate, the most perfect in the state, of our beautiful valley and fertile soil, and reviewed the rise and fall of the wine industry. Not much has changed; The Chamber continues to enjoy the support of businesses large and small and provide a range of member services including strengthening the local economy, promoting the community, providing networking opportunities and referrals and representing the interests of business with government
www.sthelena.com


In Their Own Words: Kathryn Hall, Co-Owner, HALL Wines

Winemaker, mother, lawyer, diplomat, art lover, political junkie, social activist and grape grower's daughter, Kathryn Hall defies typecasting. This charismatic and personable achiever has traveled paths and notched experiences that bucket lists can be proud of. Now she, and husband Craig are at the helm of one Napa Valley’s most exciting and talked-about sagas—the creation of HALL Wines, ascending to powerhouse status with the aid of a driven team, committed culture, defined strategy and grand gesture.     

On her eclectic background
I was born in the Bay Area and moved to Mendocino wine country as a child.  My father was a grape-grower and that’s where my love for this life began. As a child of good Irish stock, I can never remember when we didn’t have wine at the table. I come from a comfortable background, went to school in this area and then to boarding school in Switzerland.  I came back for law school, practiced in the Bay Area before moving to Texas to continue practicing law and working in the corporate sector, but with the ultimate intention of going on to Washington, D.C., because of my love of politics. In Texas, I fell in love, had two babies, and stayed.  I was appointed Ambassador to Austria, and after four years came straight back to wine country. Although I still go back and forth between Texas and California, it is wonderful to be back home in the wine country where I belong.

Read the full interview here


Pacific Union Acquires The Mark Company

Pacific Union has announced that it has acquired The Mark Company, one of the nation’s premier urban residential marketing and sales firms. The Mark Company has represented more than 10,000 residences and generated more than $5 billion in sales for some of the most notable developments in the Western U.S.

The acquisition was made through the newly–forMark McLaughlin, CEO, Pacific Union (L) and Alan Mark, Founder, The Mark Companymed Pacific Union Marketing + Sales entity. Both entities are focused on the emerging market of new home and condominium developments. Together, The Mark Company and PUM+S have a resume of meeting developer and buyer demands on 22,000 units and over $12 billion in sales volume.

Mark McLaughlin, CEO, Pacific Union (L)
Alan Mark, Founder, The Mark Company


John Legend and Raymond Vineyards Unveil “LVE: Legend Vineyard Exclusive Napa Valley Wines

Grammy, Golden Globe, and Oscar-winning singer, songwriter, humanitarian and philanthropist John Legend and Napa Valley winery Raymond Vineyards have announced the launch of LVE: Legend Vineyard Exclusive, a collection of limited-edition Napa Valley wines created in collaboration with Raymond Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset and Winemaker Stephanie Putnam.

As a world-renowned singer, songwriter and performer, John Legend’s passion for inspiring memorable moments led him to become devoted to another art form, that of winemaking. The LVE collection features a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with a suggested retail price of $85, and a Napa Valley Chardonnay, retailing for $45. LVE wines are available for purchase through LVEwines.com, and can be tasted and purchased at Raymond Vineyards in St. Helena, California (849 Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574).  The wines will be available in select fine wine retailers and restaurants in late 2015 and early 2016. For those interested in purchasing the new LVE limited-edition wines or for more information, please visit www.LVEwines.com and www.raymondvineyards.com.


News from Intero

Intero Foundation Welcomes Lana Morin Pierce as New President
The Intero Foundation, a non-profit organization benefiting children in need, started in 2002 by the founders of Intero Real Estate Services, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, announced that realtor Lana Morin Pierce will take over as the Intero Foundation president. Ms. Morin Pierce is a San Mateo native who has been a realtor for 11 years. She has been a critical component of the Intero Foundation for the past 4 years as an office representative, and most recently as CFO. Rounding off the Intero Foundation’s leadership team are new officers Vice President Vicki Ferrando and CFO Mark Jongsma, who joined Kelli Dixon as she continues her term as Secretary.

Willow Glen Office Welcomes Joe Brown as New Vice President and Managing Officer
Joe Brown, formerly the Managing Broker of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Los Altos office, has joined Intero Real Estate Services’ Willow Glen team as the new Vice President and Managing Officer. With nearly three decades in real estate under his belt, Mr. Brown is a seasoned veteran in the industry. In 1980, he closed 19 transactions in 12 months, an impressive feat considering the 16% interest rates at the time. In 1986, he earned his Broker’s license while owning his own company, Number One Realtors - Better Homes and Gardens. He became Branch Manager of Contempo Realty’s Willow Glen office in 1992, giving it the reputation as one of the most successful offices in the company. Mr. Brown also previously served as the President and COO of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Silicon Valley, during which time he oversaw 28 offices and over 1,800 affiliated sales associates.

Intero’s Most Extraordinary Estates

Intero Real Estate Services’ Prestigio Division presents their current Luxury Home Collection.

To access the magazine, visit here


 


GIFRE Wins Prestigious Product Excellence Award

Luxury Marketing Council Member, GIFRE has been selected as one of the three Tabletop finalists in the Product Excellence Awards. The Winner will be announced during the Awards Ceremony in London on Thursday 3 December.

The GIFRE catalog of fine tableware products is available here.

For further information or purchase contact Natalia Maldonado (natalia@gifre.com)


McAulay Attends Invitation-Only Event for Top Luxury Realtors®

Kris McAulay of The Preserve Land Company joined over 100 top real estate professionals serving the upscale residential market who converged the first week of October in San Juan, Puerto Rico for The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing’s annual Leaders in Luxury (LIL) conference. According to McAulay the exclusive event is a once-a-year, invitation-only educational and networking opportunity for real estate professionals who handle million and multi-million dollar homes and estates.  Leaders in Luxury attendance is limited to proven professionals in the luxury home niche,” said Laurie Moore-Moore, Founder of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, the event host. “This gives LIL attendees the opportunity to build an exclusive network of contacts focused on the upscale residential industry, while sharing ideas with the best in the business”.


Leading Wineries of Napa Announces Four New Experiences

Leading Wineries of Napa has introduced four stunning new winery experiences to its line-up including special offerings from Rocca Family Vineyards, Round Pond, Phifer Pavitt Winery and Conn Creek Winery. Details at www.lwnapa.com.

Leading wineries of Napa is an exclusive community of wineries and vineyards offering specially-curated wine country experiences chosen by a panel of Napa-based experts who possess an intimate knowledge of and deep experience with Napa and its world-famous wines. The featured experiences, which are not available to the general public, have been rigorously selected based on their memorability, uniqueness, superior value and high degree of personal interaction between the winery and the guest.


News from Zephyr Real Estate

Steve Ussery Joins Zephyr Real Estate’s Thriving Marin Office
Steve Ussery, prominent Marin agent, has joined Zephyr Real Estate’s Marin office. With over 35 years’ experience in the industry, Ussery brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from condominiums and luxury homes to beach properties and investments.  Ussery is also committed to giving back to his community and serves several deserving organizations including the Novato School District, Novato Girl’s Softball League and Respecting Our Elders, a charity organized to collect and distribute free food to needy seniors and others in Marin County. He is a member of the Marin, California and National Associations of REALTORS®, and is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE).  An avid music fan, who collects and sells rock and roll memorabilia, Steve also plays bass guitar and sings with the Bad Neighbors Band from Petaluma.

Vanessa Gamp Elected President of Women’s Council of Realtors
Zephyr agent, Vanessa Gamp is the current President of the Women’s Council of Realtors in San Francisco. A long-time member of this impressive organization, she was named Member of the Year in 2009 and served as Vice President of Membership in 2010 and 2011. Gamp specializes in helping first-time homebuyers and is the local expert on SOMA and South Beach neighborhoods. She was born and raised in the Sunset District.  

Zephyr Real Estate’s Expansion Spurs New Web Address
Zephyr has been expanding beyond San Francisco, and a new web address was needed to reflect that growth. The new site address is www.ZephyrRE.com. Earlier this year, Zephyr opened its brand new Marin office in Greenbrae. In addition, Zephyr has two brokerage affiliates in Sonoma County and a global luxury affiliate, Mayfair International, headquartered in London.


Grail Magazine Releases its Inaugural Napa Valley Edition

Grail magazine has just introduced its new Napa edition featuring the region’s most prominent chefs, leading wineries and local companies noted for the excellence of their products and services

View the magazine here

 


News from Paragon Real Estate Group

Paragon Real Estate Group Continues Expansion In East Bay
Paragon Real Estate Group has announced the addition of 25 highly-productive luxury Realtors in its newly opened office in Danville, CA. This is Paragon’s second foray outside of its prolific San Francisco home-base, having opened in Marin County earlier this year. Said Robert Dadurka, CEO, “We are thrilled to continue our growth by partnering with long time industry leader, Hank Perry, in Danville.” Perry, former President of Empire Realty, joined Paragon last month as an owner and the Managing Broker of the Danville office.


Unprecedented Art Installation
Gordon Huether Awarded Major Art Installations at New Salt Lake City International Airport

Gordon Huether Studio is excited to announce its largest and most significant commission to date! Huether will be designing and fabricating multiple art installations for the airport over a five-year period, with final installation occurring in 2020. Join us on this incredible journey, as we share the passage and progress - from creative inspiration, to conceptual development, and final installation - over the months and years ahead!
 
Sign up here to stay tuned for more news on this groundbreaking project

Click below for a video about this spectacular project!


News from Terra Firma Global Partners

Abby Royce Joins Terra Firma Global Partners in Petaluma
Abby Royce has joined the firm as a Sales Associate and will serve residential real estate buyers and sellers throughout Sonoma County. She is based out of Terra Firma’s office in Petaluma. Ms. Royce most recently was a licensed REALTOR® in Hawaii. Travelling with her husband between the Hawaiian Islands, throughout Japan, New York and the North Bay Area of California for the last decade, the Royce family carefully chose Petaluma as the place to raise their two children. Having invested in her own income properties in San Diego, Florida, Oklahoma, Las Vegas and New York has given Abby a unique education about the home buying process on a national level. Abby enjoys leveraging that experience and those relationships for her investor clients.

Jonna Beck Lewis has Joined Terra Firma as a Senior Sales Associate
Jonna is based out of Terra Firma’s office in Napa and will serve residential real estate buyers and sellers throughout Napa County. A third-generation Napan and Justin Siena graduate, Jonna attended California State University at Chico and later worked in the family real estate business where she earned her real estate license before transitioning into title and escrow services.  A twenty-year veteran in the residential real estate business, Ms. Beck-Lewis’ background and experience gives her a unique perspective in understanding land use, growth and environmental issues in the renowned Napa Valley wine country.


News from McGuire Real Estate

Introducing the New McGuire.com

McGuire Real Estate has announced the release of its newly redesigned and fully responsive website—mcguire.com—which offers a seamless user experience whether you’re viewing on your desktop computer or on your mobile device. The new mcguire.com features a clean and modern design, simplified navigation, and professional high-resolution photography of all McGuire’s listings, to reflect the luxury market and communities that the company serves.

McGuire Real Estate Travels to Berlin for the Luxury Portfolio International® Symposium
McGuire Real Estate participated in the Luxury Portfolio International Symposium in Berlin, Germany from October 11-13, 2015. The symposium hosted over 120 international attendees from 19 countries. The attendees represent independent boutique brokerages specializing in luxury residential real estate from around the world. McGuire attendees included Lauren Bensinger, Ilonka Edwards, Judy Karam, and Nancy Ruiz.

McGuire Agents Attended Inman’s Luxury Connect in Beverly Hills
Top Producing agents from McGuire Real Estate attended the Inman Luxury Connect in Beverly Hills, CA on Thursday, Oct. 22. The event focused on how brokers from around the country connect and work with high net worth clients. McGuire attendees included Robert Callan Jr., Joseph Gartland Moore, Marla Moresi-Valdes, Charlie Griffith, Claudia Mills, Robin Dustan, Sarah Kowalczyk, Lotte Moore and Lauren Bensinger. The McGuire team also met with team members from The Agency real estate group in Beverly Hills. Both McGuire and The Agency are exclusive international members of international brokerage network Savills, headquartered in London.

Tuesday Tour with @AldoCongi Captures the Pace and Pulse of the San Francisco Real Estate Market
Each Tuesday for nearly 30 years, McGuire’s VP Sales Manager, Aldo Congi travels around town on a mission to see the newest listings that are making a debut on the streets and sheets of San Francisco’s Brokers Tour. His fast-paced presence, and expert opinion of the city’s real estate market—past, present, and future—have become as much a staple of Tuesday Tour as the properties being shown each week. To gain more insight into the current San Francisco real estate market, follow @AldoCongi on Twitter for real-time updates from #AldoTueTour. Visit the McGuire Blog for weekly recaps of #AldoTueTour.


News from Lake Tahoe (Trinkie Watson Reporting)

SNOW!
Ski resorts opened the week of November 9, well ahead of earlier projection.


MARKET:
Contrary to the madness of Bay Area real estate, the Tahoe scene is much quieter, with stronger activity in first half of the year.  Great time to buy that vacation home!

PROJECTS:

  • South Lake Tahoe: Zalanta Resort at the Village, a mixed use retail/condominium development at Stateline. Now under construction; deposits being taken
  • Truckee: The Railyard, a mixed use retail/condominium development with movie theater to start construction spring of 2016
  • Northstar: Mountainside’s Stellar condominiums and townhomes are well under construction with first units available this winter. Controversy continues over expansion and incorporation in Squaw Valley and now for proposed development by Mountainside Partners (formerly East West Partners) and Southern Pacific Industries on the south-east mountains above Martis Valley.  

THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS:
From Truckee to North Shore to South Lake Tahoe, many restaurants offer special dinners for Thanksgiving, and music abounds in local bars over the weekend.  This holiday kicks off Christmas shopping in the myriad of retail stores, and the Realtors® jump on board with huge support for food, coat, toy and gift drives. Choral and classical groups perform holiday concerts during December.

   
INTELLIGENCE
 

The Knight Frank Wealth Report

Read the full report here


“How Millennials Are Changing Wine”
by Lettie Teague, Wall St. Journal




 

 

 

Read the article here


From Paragon Real Estate Group:

  • San Francisco real estate market report for November 2015
    Read the report here
  • Q3 San Francisco Apartment Building Market report
    Read the report here

The Mark Company Monthly Reports

Click the city names to read the reports

The Luxury Marketing Council is proud to recommend the following
preferred member partners:

 
 
Lots of Luxe is a publication of The Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco. For submissions or information, call 415-332-1085 or email nucifora@luxesf.com.