Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Auction Lots Revealed
found online - Archie McLaren's 1987 Gemballa Ferrari Testarrosa that will be at the Exotic Car Showcase at the Auction.
2016 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 from Bunnin Chevrolet Among the Amazing Entries Assembled to Dazzle & Entice Bidders
Exotic Automobiles and Trips to Exotic destinations will be among the array of high-end lifestyle enhancements featured at the 31st Annual Central Coast Wine Classic’s Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Auction Preview & Auction on Saturday, August 13. The morning will begin at 10 am with the Exotic Automobile display as Wine Classic Patrons peruse the array of Live & Super Silent Auction lots that will be auctioned during the daylong festivities.
Ferrari collector Richard Cole of Santa Maria, at the behest of Ferrari owner Archie McLaren, Founder & Chairman of the Central Coast Wine Classic, has invited his Exotic Automobile collector friends to join him at the Nesbitt Estate to initiate the Auction day proceedings. Among the rare exotic collectible automobiles that will be present are: 1965 Ferrari 275GTB; 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona; 1982 Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer; 1989 5000QV Lamborghini Countach; 2002 Ferrari 575 Maranello; 2005 Ferrari Super America; 2007 Ferrari F430 Spyder and a 2015 P1 McLaren Supercar, as well as a 1987 Gemballa Ferrari Testarossa, only one of three constructed and the only one in the United States, owned by McLaren.
Effused McLaren, “I am beyond thrilled about this turn-out of aficionados and collectors of what I term Kinetic Art Forms. Richard has so many friends with this interest, from California to Washington State, he was the obvious resource that we needed to make the concept a visceral reality.”
In addition, Leo Bunnin, owner of Bunnin Chevrolet & Cadillac in Santa Barbara, is providing a new 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 that will be auctioned to a winning bidder meeting a certain required minimum bid.
Among the 70 Super Silent Auction Lot offerings is a collection of 45 Glass Artist Etched & Hand-Painted Large Format Bottles that were donated by wine and art collectors Carl & Marilynn Thoma from Chicago, who have been attending the Wine Classic for 25 years and have been Number One bidders on three occasions. The donated bottles range in size from Three Liters, the equivalent of four regular bottles in wine volume, to Nine Liters, the equivalent of a full case of wine. Carl & Marilyn Thoma collected these bottles over the years from Wine Classic Annual Auctions and felt that it was time to confer them back to the originator of the concept, the Wine Classic having been the originator of the concept of creating special blends for inclusion in large-format artist bottles to be auctioned. The bottles will be auctioned individually.
Rare Wines are also available during the Live Auction, with renderings of collectible wines coming from various fine wine areas, including Australia and Italy for example, as well as renowned areas of France, such as Bordeaux, the Rhone, Burgundy and Champagne, and California, such as the Central Coast and the Napa Valley, both areas of which have been long-time supporters of the Wine Classic. In fact a number of storied Napa Valley wineries will be in attendance, including Chappellet, Herb Lamb Pride Mountain and Spottswoode, as well as superb newer Napa Valley wineries such as Alpha Omega.
The remarkably exotic Lifestyle Auction Lot Destinations include Bhutan, China, a comprehensive French Wine Country Excursion and an AMA Waterways Cruise through Bordeaux wine country in France. The Bhutan excursion for two people hosted by Yangphel Private, Ltd, the Leading Adventure Travel Company in Bhutan, which will be represented at the Auction by the Bhutanese representative of the company, Karma Lotey. The Customized China adventure is a twelve-day comprehensive excursion that begins in Beijing and ends in Shanghai, with an array of educational and interesting exotic destinations along the route. The culinary and fine wine excursion through France begins in Paris at the renowned restaurants in the Eiffel Tower and Restaurant Guy Savoy, the heads into Bordeaux and St. Emilion followed by the Rhone River Valley, the Burgundy region, Champagne and back to Paris. Relais & Chateaux properties are the accommodation and culinary focus along the route.
The Annual Fund-A-Need Auction Lot, during which all amounts bid by Wine Classic Patrons inure to the benefit of the Leni Fe Bland Fund for the Performing Arts. 2016 Central Coast Wine Classic Honoree Sara Miller McCune created this organization to recognize Ms. Fe Bland and her mission in the Santa Barbara performing arts. This special lot will be presented half way through the Live Auction. The resulting funds will be distributed in September.
For more information please visit the website www.CentralCoastWineAuction.org. To register for any of the 18 events, please contact Beverly Aho at (805) 544-1285 or by e-mail at sylphie333@yahoo.com. No online ticket purchases because founder McLaren believes “our patrons are more than a computerized payment.” Creating a customized experience for every person is paramount.
There are fun and exciting SUVs and there are dull but practical SUVs. The all-new 2016 Hyundai Tucson falls somewhere in the middle. A competent, solid compact SUV without the bells and whistles most car buyers don’t really care about anyway.
Hyundai - used with permission
2016 Hyundai Tucson SE
Price as tested: $24,320 Engine: 2-liter, four-cylinder with 6-speed automatic transmission Mileage: 23 City / 31 Highway Curb Weight: 3,499 pounds
There are fun and exciting SUVs and there are dull but practical SUVs. The all-new 2016 Hyundai Tucson falls somewhere in the middle. A competent, solid compact SUV without the bells and whistles most car buyers don’t really care about anyway. Following in the footsteps of what made Toyota the biggest auto brand in the world, Hyundai is trading flashy for everyday sensibility and drivability – and it’s working. The compact SUV segment is one of the most competitive segments in the auto industry and Tucson competes admirably with the likes of Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV and Ford Escape.
Refreshed for the first time since 2010, Tucson is bigger, better equipped, more powerful and more efficient than its predecessor. Offering exactly what Hyundai buyers have come to know and love – excellent features at a great price – Tucson stands out in the crowded market segment. The test Tucson SE featured the larger of two new engines – a 2-liter, four-cylinder that produces 164 horsepower. A 1.6-liter tubocharged four-cylinder, which pumps out 175 horsepower, is also available on the Eco, Sport and Limited trims. But Tucson’s 11-plus second zero-to-60 time left much to be desired.
But that’s the price you pay for 31 mpg. Government estimate for Tucson put gas mileage at 23 mpg on city streets and 31 mpg on the highway. The test SUV averaged about 27 mpg over approximately 400 miles. Surprisingly, though, the Tucson offered a smooth, extremely quiet ride experience. Even at top speeds, road noise was muted, a rarity for an economy car. For 2016, Tucson offers an advanced All-Wheel-Drive system. The system includes a driver-selectable AWD lock that allows a differentiated torque split between front and rear wheels, for off-road and extremely slippery road conditions. The system also includes Active Cornering Control, which automatically transfers torque to the wheels with the most traction. Finally, the system incorporates both Hillstart Assist and Downhill Brake Control to assist drivers facing sharp hills – a feature that came in handy while cruising the streets of San Francisco.
In addition, the Tucson SE goes high-class with LED taillights and running lights, heated and ventilated leather seats, a panoramic sunroof and automatic emergency braking. And all for an incredible price: A base Tucson sells for about $22,700, while the limited trim can push the sticker price much higher to $30,000 and beyond. The test Tucson with SE trim and Preferred Package, which includes an auto up-down power driver’s side window, LED fog lights, roof rack and illuminated vanity mirrors, carried a stick price of $24,320.
Overall, the Tuscon is a capable, quiet, somewhat-luxurious compact SUV. In typical Hyundai fashion, the five seater offers a lot of bang for your buck. Satisfying even in its most basic form, Tucson is a real hidden gem in its crowded class.
EURAIL .. The Best Way to See Europe Railway Service
Exceptional comfort and the wide and various range of services available to customers have made TGV trains into a commercial success. In the enjoyment of a relaxed atmosphere passengers can read a book at leisure, write their postcards to their family and friends, make a phone call or just have a meal, relax and take pleasure in a smooth train ride.
You can travel by train through Europe on a large variety of special trains. Examples are high-speed trains, scenic trains or night trains. Special trains mostly require a small supplement or a reservation fee from Eurail Pass holders. Visit: www.Eurail.com.
Eight Superb Reasons to visit Mexico for the 2016 Grand Prix
Go beyond the race and get to know the country that hosts the best #F1ESTA
Mexico City was ranked the #1 travel destination for 2016 by The New York Times
After a 23-year-absence, October 2015 marked the return of Formula 1® to Mexico. In under a week, the country managed to woo drivers, teams and fans alike thanks to the Mexican people’s spirit, its warmth and its passion. Now, as we begin the countdown for the FIA Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix 2016 (October 28th-30th), it is time to go beyond the race and explore eight additional reasons to visit Mexico and fall in love with its landscapes, its gastronomy and, most of all, its people.
1. The beautiful beaches. From north to south and from east to west, Mexico is surrounded by 231,813 km2 of stunning coastline. With access to both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, over 450 Mexican beaches offer a wide variety of heavenly sceneries and enviable weather and the perfect location to enjoy activities such as sailing, surfing, snorkelling and good old fashioned rest and relaxation.
Suggestions: the Mayan Riviera, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit.
2. The naturally adventurous destinations. The vast Mexican landscape consists of an exciting variety of different ecosystems such as deserts, jungles and forests, which provide it with great biodiversity. All of these present the perfect opportunity to practice multiple outdoors activities such as climbing, kayaking, skydiving, rafting, diving, mountain biking and much much more.
Suggestions: zip lining in Chihuahua’s Canyons, snorkelling in Cozumel’s reefs, rappelling in Chiapas.
3. The immense heritage. Mexico’s origins date back to ancient cultures such as the Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs, which were followed by 300 years of Spanish colonialism, enriching its background even further. In addition, the country is divided into 32 states, each of which has its own folklore and customs, making it a country filled with variety.
*Fun fact: Mexico has 33 World Heritage Sites listed by the UNESCO: 27 Cultural, 5 Natural and 1 Mixed sites. It ranks 1st in the Americas and 6th in the world, behind Italia, Spain, China, Germany and France.
Suggestions: Hospicio Cabañas Museum in Guadalajara, International Baroque Museum in Puebla, Uxmal archaeological site in Yucatan, Northeast Museum in Monterrey.
4. Its rich culture. The multiculturalism inherited by Mexico has influenced many aspects of daily life such as its architecture, crafts, festivals and art. From archaeological sites to delightful deluxe art collections, there are over 1,121 museums around the country – close to 150 in Mexico City alone.
Suggestions: Soumaya Art Museum in Mexico City, Monte Alban archaeological site in Oaxaca, Diego Rivera Museum in Guanajuato, Descubre Museum in Aguascalientes.
5. The mouth watering cuisine. Mexico’s authentic gastronomy –the one that goes beyond the stereotypical taco– is renowned throughout the world for its diverse mix of flavors. In addition to the classical chilli based food, the Mexican menu combines diverse elements such as pescado a la talla (fish) and cochinita pibil (pork), to less conventional delicacies such asmaguey worms, ants and fried grasshoppers. For those with less exotic tastes, top restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world are also available with excellent quality menus.
*Fun fact:The Traditional Mexican Cuisine is one of the few cuisines to be named as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity By UNESCO. On the other hand, the new creative interpretation and fusion of Mexican Cuisine has been recognized as one of the most innovative in the world: Mexico City is home of three restaurants on S. Pellegrino & Acqua Panna’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015 (Pujol, Quintonil and Biko).
Suggestions: Panuchos from Yucatan, Pozole from Guerrero, sweets from Hidalgo, Mole from Oaxaca.
6. The world-class entertainment. Over the past couple of decades, Mexico has hosted a variety of performances that belong in the world’s finest cities. World famous artists Madonna, Paul McCartney and U2 have held concerts in Mexcio, as well as acclaimed theatre productions –all of them organized by the F1 Mexican Grand Prix promoter, CIE–, have found in Mexico a discerning audience. Additionally, the country has also welcomed MLB, NFL and NBA matches.
Suggestions: The Lion King at Telcel Theatre, Adele at Palacio de los Deportes, Oakland Raiders vs. Houston Texans at Estadio Azteca.
7. The luxurious lifestyle. Mexico has many options to pamper even the the most demanding of visitors. From streets filled with the most exclusive designer boutiques, to blissful and calming spas; all over the country you can find attractions for an extravagant and indulgent vacation. Moreover, don’t forget that Mexico is often a synonym for fiesta (party), throughout the country you can find a nightlife offer that is up to the level of the world’s most entertaining cities.
Suggestions: Shopping in Masaryk, cleansing in a temazcal in Morelos, partying to the beat of the world’s best DJs in Cancun.
8. The warmth of the Mexican people. The element that truly makes Mexico unique is its people. Mexicans stand out for being warm, loving and for welcoming visitors with open arms. No matter where you are from, from the moment you step on Mexican soil you will be treated as a friend – or even family.
For all of these reasons, and many more –including, of course the F1 Grand Prix–, Mexico is an ideal destination for an integral vacation. It is a country of many faces where you can enjoy varied enjoyable activities for different likes and wants.
A wide variety of tickets and hospitality packages are still available for the F1 Mexican Grand Prix 2016, for further details please visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com.mx
For all the latest information, please visit the official race website: www.mexicogp.mx
Fiji Airways Launches its New Non-Stop Service from SFO to Fiji
Fiji Airways’ new A330 aircraft landed at SFO yesterday afternoon and took off for the first time late last night, marking the start of the airline’s new seasonal non-stop service from San Francisco (SFO) to Fiji
Fiji’s National Carrier will offer twice-weekly non-stop services from San Francisco to Nadi, Fiji until August 14th, 2016 and again during the holidays, in December 2016 and January 2017. The flights will operate from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Fiji (NAN) on Thursdays and Sundays, with flight times to provide easy connectivity to the Fiji islands, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific Island nations. Flights are available for purchase on www.fijiairways.com.
About Fiji Airways: Founded in 1951, Fiji Airways Group comprises of Fiji Airways, Fiji's National Airline and its subsidiaries: Fiji Link, its domestic and regional carrier, Pacific Call Comm Ltd, and a 38.75% stake in the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island, Nadi. From its hub at Nadi International Airport, Fiji Airways and Fiji Link serve 49 destinations in 13 countries (including code-share). Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. Fiji Airways rebranded from Air Pacific in June 2013. Visit www.fijiairways.com for more information.
Exceptional comfort and the wide and various range of services available to customers have made TGV trains into a commercial success. In the enjoyment of a relaxed atmosphere passengers can read a book at leisure, write their postcards to their family and friends, make a phone call or just have a meal, relax and take pleasure in a smooth train ride.
