Winter 2024/2025 EU NetJets

Winter 2024/2025

NORTHERN SOUL

Where best to catch

the aurora borealis

RENAISSANCE MAN

Robert Vallois on art

and philanthropy

DEEP THOUGHT

The all-round benefits

of modern meditation

NET GAINS

Seafood-centric

dining in the Algarve

STRONG SHOWING

Fortified wines are

stealing the spotlight

- A n Is land Sanc t u ary like no oth e r

cd: ROBB AARON GORDON

LOVELANAI.COM

TAKING OFF

WITH EACH EDITION OF THE MAGAZINE, I AM INSPIRED BY THE ARTICLES—

OFTEN GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND REFLECT.

This time, I paused as I got to the “Check In Your Chakras” article

and read the first sentence: “Is mental health the ultimate luxury

amenity?” It quickly resonated, as something we say often at

NetJets is, “The ultimate luxury is the absence of worry.”

The article focuses on an up-and-coming concept of resorts incorporating robust wellness

offerings beyond the standard spa services. One travel advisor said it best: “Reflecting

on these experiences is a gift to take home with you … It is a way to measure your reality

when you are back to a busy life, and many are unforgettable experiences.”

NetJets aims to do the same – create an exceptional, unforgettable travel experience.

We strive to remove the worries from your busy days. The ultimate luxury.

Only NetJets!

Adam Johnson

Chairman and CEO

CONTRIBUTORS

ANNE-MARIE

CATTELAIN LE DÛ

Robert Vallois is

a man of Eclectic

Taste (page 36). He

talks to our Parisbased

writer about

his gallery, his

collection, his love

of African art and

– perhaps, most

importantly – the

need to display all

these works.

IVAN CARVALHO

The Algarve,

Portugal’s beautiful

Atlantic coastal

region, possesses

bountiful natural

produce that its

restaurants are

turning into new,

delicious menus,

according to our

well-travelled

scribe in Surf and

Turf (page 62).

ZOEY GOTO

Covering all

things American

for many British

publications, the

journalist has been

particularly taken

with Philadelphia’s

food scene

recently. For

Raising the Steaks

(page 12), she

explores Philly’s

finest eateries.

ELISA VALLATA

Our style and

fashion guru

identified a scarlet

hue to the most

desirable jewels

for the coming

season – a theme

she captures in

the dark surrounds

of the stunning

photoshoot

A Study in Red &

Black (page 58).

KATY SPRATTE

JOYCE

In Check in Your

Chakras (page 40),

the Midwest-based

travel writer looks

at the increasing

importance holistic

health programs

are playing in the

offerings of highend

resorts and

hotels all around

the world.

This symbol throughout the magazine denotes the nearest airport served by NetJets to

the story’s subject, with approximate distances in kilometres where applicable.

6 NetJets

CONTENTS

8 NetJets

HEART OF TUSCANY

Il Borro, page 24

44 62 18

IN THE NEWS

Philadelphia rising, an

Italian idyll, the northern

lights and more

pages 12-25

HEARTS AND MINDS

Hotels offering advanced

wellness amenities are

growing in popularity

pages 40-43

SHINING GEMS

Stunning ruby and

diamond jewels offset by

a background of darkness

pages 58-61

NETJETS UPDATE

All-access events,

Owner exclusives and

staff in profile

pages 28-30

SLOPE SENSATION

With a larger skiing area

and burgeoning facilities,

Deer Valley is on the up

pages 44-49

TASTE OF PORTUGAL

The Atlantic coastal

region of the Algarve is a

paradise for gastronomes

pages 62-67

TIME TO HEAL

Mayo Clinic’s guide

to making the

most of meditation

pages 32-34

NEW COURMAYEUR

The traditional Italian

mountain town is

taking a dynamic twist

pages 50-57

SPIRITED APPROACH

Fortified winemakers are

showing that there are

numbers in strength

pages 68-73

© IL BORRO, © THE LODGE AT BLUE SKY, VASCO CELIO, © ELEVEN EXPERIENCE

MAN ON A MISSION

Robert Vallois’ art

collection reflects a wide

range of interests

pages 36-39

ARTHAUS

Museum Reinhard Ernst is

as much a masterpiece as

the collection inside

pages 74-89

NetJets

9

NETJETS, THE MAGAZINE

FRONT COVER

Aurora borealis above

a glacier, Iceland

Image by Douglas Rissing

WINTER 2024/2025

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Thomas Midulla

EDITOR

Farhad Heydari

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Anne Plamann

PHOTO DIRECTOR

Martin Kreuzer

ART DIRECTOR

Anja Eichinger

MANAGING EDITOR

John McNamara

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Emma Ventura

STAFF WRITER

Claudia Whiteus

CHIEF SUB-EDITOR

Vicki Reeve

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Jamie Watkins

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Albert Keller

SEPARATION

Delnaz Loftimaragh

WRITERS, CONTRIBUTORS,

PHOTOGRAPHERS, AND

ILLUSTRATORS

Anne-Marie Cattelain Le Dû,

Ivan Carvalho, Zoey Goto,

Jörn Kaspuhl, Larry Olmsted,

Julian Rentzsch, Tomás

Simões, Katy Spratte Joyce,

Elisa Vallata, Xavier Young

Published by JI Experience

GmbH Thomas-Dehler-Str. 2,

81737 Munich, Germany

GROUP PUBLISHER

Christian Schwalbach

Michael Klotz (Associate)

ADVERTISING SALES

EUROPE

Katherine Galligan

katherine@metropolist.co.uk

Vishal Raguvanshi

vishal@metropolist.co.uk

US

Jill Stone

jstone@bluegroupmedia.com

Eric Davis

edavis@bluegroupmedia.com

Rachel Hale

rhale@bluegroupmedia.com

NetJets, The Magazine is

the official title for Owners

of NetJets in Europe.

NetJets, The Magazine

is published quarterly by

JI Experience GmbH on behalf

of NetJets Management Ltd.

NetJets Management Ltd.

5 Young Street

London, W8 5EH England,

United Kingdom

metjets.com

+44 (0)20 7361 9600

Copyright © 2025

by JI Experience GmbH. All rights

reserved. Reproduction in whole or

in part without the express written

permission of the publisher is

strictly prohibited. The publisher,

NetJets Inc., and its subsidiaries

or affiliated companies assume

no responsibility for errors and

omissions and are not responsible

for unsolicited manuscripts,

photographs, or artwork. Views

expressed are not necessarily those

of the publisher or NetJets Inc.

Information is correct at time of

going to press.

10 NetJets

THE SMART GUIDE

Our collection of the latest, the brightest and the best

begins with an American icon

UNSPLASH

PHILADELPHIA PLEASE

Better known for its Liberty Bell, Philadelphia is now

home to buzzing neighbourhoods, as the city’s food, drink

and hotel scene gets a serious upgrade. By Zoey Goto

THERE WAS ONCE a time

when a trip to Philadelphia

would have focused on its

greatest hits: gorging on

cheesesteaks, puffing up the

Rocky Steps, and standing

in line at the Liberty Bell.

But times are changing in

the City of Brotherly and

Sisterly Love. Beyond these

iconic landmarks, a New

Philadelphia has arisen

– a city that’s starting to

feel, dare we say it, like a

more laid-back, yet equally

delicious, alternative to the

relentless throng of New York

City. Make a beeline for the

happening neighbourhoods

of Fishtown, East Passyunk

and Bella Vista, to glimpse

Philadelphia’s evolution in all

its artsy glory.

FISHTOWN

Previously the gritty heart

of Philadelphia’s fishing

industry, Fishtown has

since reinvented itself

as a finger-on-the-pulse

district, buzzing with live

music venues, indie art

galleries and destination

eateries. All this is on your

well-appointed doorstep

when checking into Anna

& Bel (annaandbel.com), an

18th-century former women’s

asylum transformed into a

stylish boutique bolthole

with 50 guest rooms, no

two alike. The interiors

keep things local, with a

reading nook stocked by the

Fishtown bookstore Ulises

and artworks by the city’s

creatives adorning the walls.

Request a suite on the first

floor, for balcony views of a

twinkling pool fringed with

pale blue sun parasols, dolce

vita style.

Sip an aperitivo downstairs

at Caletta (calettafishtown.

com), in Anna & Bel’s lowlit

and sharply appointed

cocktail lounge. The bar

hosts musicians, or guests

can step up to the piano and

tinkle the ivories, should

they desire. There’s also

a hidden Mediterranean

courtyard restaurant onsite,

Bastia (bastiafishtown.com),

where chef Tyler Akin has

been making culinary waves,

crafting dishes such as ricotta

dumplings swimming in an

arrabbiata sauce so spicy,

it’ll sharpen the mind. Still

hungry? Then venture to

nearby Suraya (surayaphilly.com),

12 NetJets

Your very own slice of Sicily

Space, tranquillity, endless views, and access to the world-class amenities,

spa, fine dining and golf of Verdura Resort, Sicily. Explore our collection

of villas for sale, and our rental management programme.

PHONE +39 347 513 9534

OR EMAIL SALES@ROCCOFORTEPRIVATEVILLAS.COM

THE SMART GUIDE

PHILADELPIA

FREEDOM

Top row: Anna &

Bel hotel; dining at

Ambra; bottom row:

Wm Mulherin’s Sons’

kitchen and bar

a vibey Lebanese food

market and restaurant where

chef James Matty snapped

up a James Beard Award

nomination.

For a dose of culture,

Ze Arts (zearts.com) is a

small but mighty gallery,

DOUGLAS LYLE THOMPSON

NEAL SANTOS

showcasing artists spanning

Van Gogh to Warhol.

Motorheads rejoice, as

2025 welcomes the opening

of the Cannonball Club

(cannonballstorage.com), a

members’ lounge dedicated

to classic car enthusiasts.

If music is more your

thing, head to The Fillmore

(thefillmorephilly.com). It

may look rather industrial

and imposing from the

outside, but inside, this

metal-factory-turned-gigvenue

knows how to let its

hair down. Big-name touring

acts often grace the stage,

or for something more

alternative, Johnny Brenda’s

(johnnybrendas.com) is a

KIRK ROBERT CHAMBERS

MATTHEW WILLIAMS

rootsy hangout specialising

in craft beer and rock music.

EAST PASSYUNK

the kitchen. Keeping things

more casual, Gabriella’s

Round things off with

A short cab ride from

upscale, at nearby modern-

Vietnam (gabriellasvietnam.

a nightcap at new kid on

downtown is rewarded

American eatery River Twice

com) has caught the critics’

the block Pearl’s on the

by a culinary playground

(rivertwicerestaurant.com),

attention, thanks to its

Corner (pearlsfishtown.

awaiting in East Passyunk

you’ll discover a minimalist

reimagined street food,

com), where mixologists put

(pronounced “Pashyunk”).

dining room where every

including steaming hot

new spins on old classics.

Foodies should start at

detail, right down to the

pots, and skilful mastery of

Or keep the party going

Laurel (restaurantlaurel.

hand-sewn linen napkins,

punchy flavours. Or make

at Wm Mulherin’s Sons

com), where Nicholas Elmi is

is meticulously considered.

like a local and swing by

(wmmulherinssons.com), a

credited with kickstarting

If the weather is kind, pull

Mike’s BBQ (mikesbbqphilly.

100-year-old former whiskey

the neighbourhood’s gourmet

up a chair on the leafy

com) for fall-off-the-bone

bottling facility that is now

renaissance. This culinary

patio at Ember & Ash

ribs, seasoned to perfection

an exclusive four-room

heavy-hitter is renowned for

(emberandashphilly.com) for

with house rub. Gastronomes

hotel, with rustic exposed

its creative French-American

a velvety flame-licked ribeye

should time their visit to

brick walls and custom-

fusion food, so you can

that hits the spot.

East Passyunk to coincide

made audio consoles.

relax and put your trust in

For something a little

with Flavours on the Avenue,

14 NetJets

THE SMART GUIDE

MIKE PRINCE STEVE LEGATO

TASTE OF THE CITY

From top: Italian restaurant

Fiorella; New American cuisine

at River Twice

a springtime food festival

with stalls offering delectable

bites from some of Philly’s

finest restaurants. Before

leaving the neighbourhood,

which is lined with handsome

brownstone houses, be sure

to pop into the Bok Building

(buildingbok.com), a former

school repurposed into

jostling workspaces for local

makers selling a variety of

one-of-a-kind crafts.

BELLA VISTA

Stroll through Bella Vista’s

Italian Market, one of the

oldest al fresco markets in

the country, and you might

be mistaken for thinking that

you’ve been transported to

the bustling, aromatic streets

of Naples. Ramshackle food

stalls sell juicy oranges,

delicatessens peddle hulking

chunks of Parmigiano-

Reggiano and everyone is

on first-name terms. This

is the Italian quarter of a

city with the second largest

Italian community in the

US – so arrive peckish.

And be sure to attend the

Italian Market Festival

(italianmarketphilly.org) in

May. Graze the smorgasbord

at Fiorella (fiorellaphilly.

com) where traditional Italian

fare has been elevated to

fine dining levels, using

pasta recipes handed down

through generations. Still on

the Italian tip, for a special

occasion nab a seat at the

chef’s counter at Ambra

(ambraphilly.com) where the

seven-course menu runs

the gauntlet from truffle to

pumpkin tiramisù.

A few streets away, Mawn

(mawnphilly.com) is a recent

opening raising the bar of

Southeast Asian food in

Philly, one Cambodian papaya

salad at a time. Another

newcomer is Malaysian street

food restaurant Kampar

(kamparphilly.com), where chef

Ange Branca is doing exciting

things with Japanese Wagyu

and taro dumplings.

Bella Vista is also the place

to browse boutiques, with

high-end casualwear at

Totem Brand (totemshop.

com) and design-forward

jewellery at Bario Neal

(bario-neal.com). Stop by

Paradigm (paradigmarts.org)

to brush up on what’s hot in

the contemporary art world.

After a day exploring Philly’s

delights, Grace + Proper

(graceandproper.com) offers

an intimate spot to unwind,

serving gin Vesper cocktails

to a relaxed after-work crowd.

Philadelphia International

Airport: 16 km, Northeast

Philadelphia Airport: 23 km

16 NetJets

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Sotogrande. Extraordinary by nature.

THE SMART GUIDE

AURORA IN THE ARCTIC:

OUR FIVE FAVOURITE HOTELS TO TRY

TO CATCH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Viewing the aurora borealis is like hitting one of the world’s great visual jackpots,

but it can take a patient traveller. Here, we’re running down five favourite cosy

bolt-holes from Local Foreigner, a luxury travel consultancy and NetJets

partner – these are the best places to while away your time as you wait for Mother

Nature’s most dramatic show to start. By Jordy Lievers-Eaton

THERE’S A SHORT list of

wonders that appear again

and again on travellers’

bucket lists – standing

awestruck before the Great

Pyramid of Giza, spotting the

“Big Five” in sub-Saharan

Africa, and snorkelling the

Great Barrier Reef come

to mind – but witnessing

the surreal swathes of the

aurora borealis snaking

across an Arctic sky may

top them all. The northern

lights are one of the world’s

most mesmerising natural

phenomena, but there’s never

any guarantee that they’ll

make an appearance on a

given night, so the best way

to set yourself up for success

is to choose a fabulous

hotel and get comfortable.

Fortunately, there’s no

shortage of amazing

hideaways, tucked far into

icy wildernesses, and today,

we’re walking through five of

our favourite extraordinary

destinations to hole up

in the hope of catching

nature’s most spectacular

artistic display.

ELEVEN DEPLAR FARM

Ólafsfjörður, Iceland

Iceland’s most exclusive

accommodation, Deplar Farm

© SHELDON CHALET

GREEN DREAM

Sheldon Chalet, Alaska

18 NetJets

Villa Estoril

Estoril

The Agency Portugal presents a unique residence where

striking design meets breathtaking ocean views.

Wherever you’re going,

we can take you there.

For those who seek a destination that combines quality of

life, outstanding investment potential, and the unmistakable

allure of Southern Europe, Portugal emerges as a

distinguished choice. This remarkable country attracts

discerning individuals who appreciate natural beauty,

security, and a year-round mild climate.

At The Agency, we specialize in offering the most exclusive

and sought-after properties, backed by impeccable service

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© HOTEL FØROYAR © ARCTIC BATH

THE SMART GUIDE

defines Nordic luxury. The

13-room former sheep farm

is folded into the remote

valleys of the Troll Peninsula,

offering unparalleled

access to pristine Icelandic

wilderness. At Deplar, guests

are immersed in an ethos

of spirited adventure and

holistic wellness, whether

that means fat biking across

the snow-covered valley or

practising yoga at midnight

beneath the never-setting

sun in summer. The hotel is

45 minutes from the nearest

STYLE FEATURES

From top: Arctic Bath;

Hotel Føroyar

town, and this dramatic

isolation means that from

October to March, each clear

evening brings a chance

for winter colour. The staff

also tracks aurora forecasts

and will alert guests when

activity is high. The aurora

is best viewed from the

warmth of the outdoor

geothermic pool (which

conveniently has a swim-up

bar), and when the heavens

open up, the sky comes alive

with mesmerising ribbons

of green, pink and purple

dancing across the vast

Arctic expanse.

STORFJORD HOTEL

Skodje, Norway

A mere 40 minutes from

Ålesund, but worlds away

from urban life, Storfjord

is a secluded property in

the heart of the Sunnmore

Alps. Seemingly plucked

from a Scandinavian folk

tale, from the outside the

timber-beamed moss-roofed

hotel looks more like a home

for Norway’s mythic elves

than a modern boutique

hotel with thoughtful design.

Inside, the cosiness quotient

is at an all-time high, with

crackling fireplaces and

neatly arranged nooks of

pillow-topped armchairs.

On clear winter nights,

from September to March,

the Arctic sky comes alive

with shimmering curtains

of coloured light. Whether

you’re bundled up on the

hotel’s terrace or venturing

out with a private guide

to a nearby viewpoint,

Storfjord enhances the

experience with its snug

Norwegian charm. After

a night of aurora chasing,

return to roaring fires, warm

wooden interiors and hearty

Scandinavian cuisine,

such as Jotunheimen

reindeer steak.

SHELDON CHALET

Denali National Park, Alaska

There’s private, and then

there’s only-villa-in-anational-park-in-Alaska

private. Located 1,800

metres above sea level,

perched on a granite

outcropping that’s the

only constant in an active,

90-square kilometre

glacial amphitheatre, the

truly epic remoteness of

Sheldon Chalet leaves us

buried in an avalanche

of clichéd hyperbole. The

chalet is owned by the

son and daughter-in-law

of Don Sheldon, who went

bravely into this Olympian

landscape in a 1960s

Cessna. If the idea of

champagne, elk charcuterie

and fresh Alaskan king crab

preceding a one-on-one

audience with the northern

lights speaks to you, then

Sheldon Chalet is calling

20 NetJets

THE SMART GUIDE

ICE AND FIRE

From top: Storfjord

Hotel; Deplar Farm

– it’s just so far into the

middle of the great wide

nowhere that you might not

be able to hear it yet.

ARCTIC BATH

Harads, Sweden

Appearing out of the

surrounding trees like some

© STORFJORD HOTEL

sort of Nordic mirage, the

eco cabins at Arctic Bath

sky to start dancing. During

HOTEL FØROYAR

between Iceland, Scotland

seem to rise from the frozen

the window of daylight,

Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

and Norway, flanked by

waters like pieces of a

speed over the icy surrounds

The long horizontal lines of

the Norwegian Sea and

shipwreck. The main building

via husky-drawn sledge or

Hotel Føroyar, with its turf

the North Atlantic. Rooms

is a frosted coffee cake

by snowmobile, keeping

roofs set into the hillside

here are simple, but

afloat on the River Lule, and

an eye out all the while for

above Tórshavn, call to mind

this is a place you don’t

houses an open-air bath

moose and reindeer strolling

the stepped terraces of

happen upon by accident,

year-round, inviting guests

through the pines. And when

Balinese rice paddies – but

and visitors who make

to embrace the Nordic

the colours of the aurora do

you’ll need to pack your long

the journey are rewarded

tradition of cold therapy.

reveal themselves, guides

johns for a visit. A self-

with a culture that’s

And that’s why you’re here

on the northern lights

governing nation that’s part

unique – and between

– to immerse yourself in the

photography tour will make

of the Kingdom of Denmark,

November and February, in

bracing wellness traditions

you look like an expert as

the archipelago that

the week before the new

of the northern reaches while

you get snaps on their wide-

comprises the Faroe Islands

moon – skies painted with

you wait for the midnight

angle cameras.

is suspended in the triangle

otherworldly hues.

© ELEVEN EXPERIENCE

22 NetJets

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APPLICABLE PURCHASE AGREEMENT. ALL DIMENSIONS, FEATURES, AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. All images and designs depicted

herein are artist’s conceptual renderings, which are based upon preliminary development plans, and are subject to change without notice. All such materials are not to scale and are shown solely for

illustrative purposes. Renderings depict proposed views, which are not identical from each lot or home. No guarantees or representations whatsoever are made that existing or future views of the project and

surrounding areas depicted by artist’s conceptual renderings or otherwise described herein, will be provided or, if provided, will be as depicted herein or that such views will not be obstructed in the future

THE SMART GUIDE

TIMELESS STYLE

Elegant, self-contained and set amid the storied Tuscan countryside –

there’s much to love about Il Borro, the stunning medieval estate reimagined

by the famed – and fashionable – Ferragamo family. By Ivan Carvalho

VERDANT VISTA

Il Borro is located

in the beautiful

greenery of Tuscany

RARE IS THE hotel

that delivers upscale

accommodation, fine wine

appealing rural retreat with

an array of attractions to

pass the time.

Il Borro is centred in a

collection of tightly packed

buildings next to an old

and dining, and the rustic

Ensconced in the verdant

stone bridge, where upscale

charm of country life under

hills of the Valdarno

lodging has been created out

one roof. Il Borro in Tuscany

countryside, this Relais &

of one-time residences of

succeeds by spreading its

Châteaux property – and

former farmhands and their

footprint across an entire

a NetJets Partner – is the

livestock. There’s a quaint

medieval hamlet to create an

brainchild of Ferruccio

little church as well as bijou

Ferragamo, scion of the

shops where artisans sell

famed Italian fashion house.

textiles and craft jewellery

The Italian entrepreneur

on a daily basis to recreate

had a soft spot for this

the atmosphere of an idyllic

secluded village, given he

Tuscan village.

and his family often visited

A short stroll brings

on hunting trips. In 1993, he

guests to the heart of the

purchased the land from a

estate, dominated by a

local aristocrat and sought

19th-century villa that’s

to breathe life into the

home to elegant suites, a

© IL BORRO (2)

abandoned village.

The main cluster of

guestrooms of the 58-key

spa and two restaurants. The

first is the relaxed Tuscan

Bistro and bar where hearty

24 NetJets

ITALIAN HEART

Clockwise from top left:

the villa and gardens;

Tuscan Bistro; the Oro

del Borro jewellery shop;

Il Borro’s CEO Salvatore

Ferragamo presents one of

the estate’s wines

portions of tagliatelle and

local game meat are served

alongside plates of fried

meatballs in a rustic tomato

purée. Much of the produce

is sourced on site: eggs from

FRANCESCA PAGLIAI

ALEXANDRAKOREY

© IL BORRO LINDA VUKAJ

free-range hens, cheese made

from the farm’s herd of sheep,

tunnels that slowly descend

where creativity mixes with

out a mountain bike or

vegetables and herbs, spelt

underground. Here, you can

seasonal ingredients and

joining a group to engage

wheat used for the house

sample a selection of 13

produce derived from the

in a local custom popular in

pasta and, of course, wine and

wines, produced under the Il

estate’s garden. For more

the woods around Il Borro:

olives (this being Tuscany, Il

Borro label and adhering to

casual meals, an inhouse

truffle hunting. In total, the

Borro dedicates more than

organic viticulture principles.

pizzeria delivers piping hot

settlement covers over 1,100

30 hectares of its estate to

Among the options is a

slices of Italy’s favourite food

hectares and guarantees

the production of extra-virgin

refreshing sparkling rosé using

from a wood-fired oven.

visitors the opportunity to

olive oil).

sangiovese grapes and aged

Active types aren’t

escape from the stresses

Situated next to the

60 months on the lees, as well

overlooked as the hotel

of city life, all reachable

reception, where a smart

as a sangiovese red that’s

provides guests with outdoor

within less than an hour from

boutique sells footwear,

fermented in local amphorae.

pursuits on the property,

the glorious splendour of

handbags and other fashion

For diners, Osteria del Borro

including horse riding, tennis

Florence. ilborro.it

accessories, the cellar invites

allows patrons to sample from

and golf. Also available

Florence Peretola Airport:

visitors into a series of

a variety of tasting menus,

are scenic trails for taking

76 km

NetJets

25

Private Paradise

IN GREECE

Nestled on a gorgeous private sandy beach, Porto Zante Villas &

Spa on the Greek Island of Zakynthos is a resort of world-class

villas, voted one of the World’s Best Hotels & Resorts for 2024

by Condé Nast Traveller among other awards, and considered

to be the most private beach resort in Europe, offering unique

experiences for families and couples alike.

For further information about Porto Zante Villas & Spa in Greece,

call +30 210 8218640, visit portozante.com or contact reservations@portozante.com

NOTES FROM NETJETS

Latest happenings, onboard updates,

companywide news and profiles

© NETJETS (4)

PREMIER ART SHOW ACCESS

Owners and guests were welcomed to attend Art Basel Miami Beach to enjoy VIP passes to

the world’s premier art show and exclusive access to the NetJets Lounge within the

Collectors’ Lounge. NetJets’ relationship with Art Basel proudly spans over two decades.

For this year’s show, NetJets collaborated with acclaimed Parisian artist Silvère Jarrosson.

Created specifically for NetJets, Jarrosson’s latest abstract collection, Inner Horizons,

was showcased within NetJets’ private lounge. The NetJets Lounge provided a tranquil space

to view the bespoke collection and enjoy the finest hospitality.

SCENES FROM

THE GALLERY

Owners had the

chance to meet

artist Silvère

Jarrosson at

Art Basel Miami

Beach

28 NetJets

NETJETS BY THE NUMBERS

OWNER EXCLUSIVES

50+ PREMIER PARTNERSHIPS

FROM COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADES

TO ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCES,

OWNERS LIKE YOU GAIN ACCESS TO

EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS FROM OTHER

PRESTIGIOUS BRANDS

BENEFITS IN THE US

Accendo Cellars

Addax Wines

Amulet Estate

Avis Chairman’s Club

Barton & Gray

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Colette Club

Cornell Vineyards

Destination Napa Valley

Eisele Winery

Elyse Winery

EmpireCLS

Frank Family Vineyards

Full Swing Simulators

Gargiulo Vineyards

Knights Bridge

Mandarin Oriental

Mayo Clinic

Memento Mori

Merriam Vineyards

Mirror

Nexus

Northrop & Johnson

Oil Nut Bay

OVID Napa Valley

Seven Apart

Skipstone Wine

St. Supéry Estate

Technogym

The Calling

Four Seasons

Local Foreigner

The Vineyardist

True Spec Golf

Wheeler Farms

CATEGORY

NetJets Vintner Circle



Automotive

Travel

Cocktails & Cuisine

Cocktails & Cuisine





Automotive


Golf



Travel

Health & Wellness




Travel

Travel

Travel





Health & Wellness


Travel

Travel


Golf


15+ PARTNERS LOCATED IN EUROPE

DISCOVER ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

OUTSIDE THE US

BENEFITS IN EUROPE

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts

Bulgari London Hotel

Chalet Zermatt Peak

Cookson Adventures

Forte Village

Grantley Hall

Il Borro

La Caminera Country Club

La Samaritaine

No.14 Verbier

SHA Wellness Clinic

Six Senses

SIXT

Sky Tempesta Racing

Sublimotion

The Great House

The Set Hotels

The Wisley

CATEGORY

Travel

Travel

Adventure

Adventure

Travel

Travel

Travel

Golf

Lifestyle

Travel

Health & Wellness

Travel

Travel

Sports and Recreation

Cocktails & Cuisine

Travel

Travel

Golf

25+ GLOBAL PROPERTY PARTNERS

THESE LUXURIOUS DESTINATIONS

OFFER NETJETS OWNERS VIP AMENITY

PACKAGES, COMPLIMENTARY NIGHTS

AND EXCLUSIVE RATES.

NEARLY 20 VINTNER

CIRCLE PARTNERS

ENJOY SPECIAL VINEYARD TOURS AND

WINE TASTINGS ACROSS NAPA VALLEY

AND SONOMA, CALIFORNIA.

100+ EXCEPTIONAL EVENTS ANNUALLY

WE INVEST IN EXPERIENCES THAT ELEVATE OUR OWNERS’ LIFESTYLES AND ENHANCE

THEIR PASSION FOR TRAVEL, FOOD AND WINE, MUSIC AND PREMIER SPORTS, SUCH

AS GOLF, EQUESTRIAN SPORTS, TENNIS AND MOTORSPORTS.

To learn more about Owner Exclusives, visit netjets.com/exclusives.

NetJets

29

NOTES FROM NETJETS

JULIAN RENTZSCH

MANDARIN ORIENTAL

© MANDARIN ORIENTAL

INSIDE TRACK

RAM CHARI

Chief Information Officer

WHEN DID YOU START AT NETJETS?

I started in January, 2023 as VP of Flight

Operations IT. Before NetJets, I spent 10 years

at JP Morgan Chase, leading technology teams

on modernisation and digital transformation

journeys across Asset Management and

Commercial banking.

WHAT DOES YOUR NORMAL DAY

CONSIST OF? Leading the teams that are

delivering technology to enhance the life of

each Owner, one exceptional travel experience

at a time. The best part of my day is spent

partnering with my stakeholders from our

different business groups. We ensure their

strategy and priorities match my team’s backlog

and align our best technology talent to solve

complex business problems with ingenuity.

The technology solutions we develop always

prioritise safety, security and service while

balancing the needs of the Owner, Crew and

employee experience. I am grateful and excited

to be part of the leadership team building an

exciting future for NetJets.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU

FACE IN YOUR ROLE? The pace of change

in aviation and technology is a fun challenge.

This includes staying on top of these changes

while leading technologists to execute our

exceptional vision for the future of NetJets and

private aviation.

From Bangkok to Barcelona, Mandarin Oriental

hotels offer contemporary luxury in meticulously

designed hotels, resorts and residences. Enjoy

a taste of local culture with unique dining and

holistic wellness experiences, personalised to you.

AS A LOYAL NETJETS OWNER, you can enjoy

two exclusive benefits from our partner Mandarin

Oriental Hotel Group: a complimentary night to

use at any of its properties worldwide, plus Elite

status in its guest recognition programme, Fans

of M.O. This means you will enjoy special offers at

its world-renowned hotels, restaurants and spas;

access to curated experiences; and additional

advantages from other luxury brand partners.

NETJETS FANS OF M.O. ELITE RECEIVE

THE FOLLOWING:

- One complimentary night in any hotel worldwide

- Dining benefits, spa treatment enhancements,

and member experiences

- €750 concierge credit when booking a

Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Home

- 15% off at the Shop M.O. boutique.

To take advantage of this exclusive invitation,

email the dedicated Mandarin Oriental Team

for NetJets Owners at netjets@mohg.com.

Learn more about Owner Exclusives by visiting the NetJets Owner

Portal or speaking with your Owner Services Team.

30 NetJets

LIVING WELL

32

NetJets

MEDITATION

IN FOCUS

An ancient philosophy with modern twists

can be key to maintaining a sense of

balance in life – especially while travelling,

according to a Mayo Clinic’s expert

JÖRN KASPUHL

SOMETIMES WE THINK of meditation as a buzz

word that goes along with spiritual practices

or yoga exercises, but meditation – defined as

a practice that involves training the mind and

body to achieve a calm and focused state –

has promising health benefits. Reduced stress,

improved sleep and lowered blood pressure are

just a few ways in which meditation is thought

to improve health.

One of the best things about meditation is

that it is for everyone. It is simple, has no cost

and no special equipment is needed. A person

can meditate anywhere and anytime. But simple

doesn’t equal easy, and training oneself to

meditate can prove challenging sometimes.

John Mack, LCISW, is a meditation expert at

Mayo Clinic. To begin, he suggests these tips:

Make meditation approachable – commit to

5-10 minutes each day. Find a comfortable and

quiet space to help reduce distractions. Focus

on your breathing to focus your mind and ground

yourself in the moment.

“Remember, success is not preventing a

wandering mind while meditating but noticing it

and gently bringing your attention back to your

NetJets

33

LIVING WELL

“

team

Meditation is for everyone and

there is no one right way to do it

John D Mack, LICSW, MSW, part of the Primary Care

at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

JULIAN RENTZSCH

breath,” Mack says. “As you improve, attention and focus

will strengthen, and the need to bring your attention back will

reduce over time.”

Mack also believes it may help to connect the practice

of meditation with another activity that is well established

to help make it a habit. For example, making it a habit to

meditate for five minutes after you pour your first cup of

coffee or just before lunch.

If traditional meditation seems too challenging, Mack

encourages NetJets Owners to try alternative forms of

meditation such as guided imagery.

“Guided imagery meditation uses mental visualisation

to create peace and calm,” he says. “For example, picturing

yourself standing on a beach with the sun on your face

and warm sand between your toes. This can be a selfguided

practice, or you can follow along with a recording.

Guided imagery encourages you to use your five senses to

make the scene as rich with details as possible. As you

immerse yourself in the imagery, your mental and physical

relaxation deepens.”

Mack and other experts have a few tips on things that

might help travellers to focus better when meditating away

from their normal spaces.

Consider light meditation tools. Maybe it’s an app on your

phone or noise-cancelling headphones, but these types of

items can help create a better environment for meditation,

no matter where you are.

Use your travel time. While you are on your NetJets

flight, close your eyes and focus on your breath. Find quiet

spots: Even a few minutes in a corner of a hotel lobby can

make a difference.

Stay consistent. Even while travelling, try to keep your

regular meditation practice on schedule.

Practice breathing. Deep breathing exercises are great for

calming the mind. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a

few seconds, and exhale through your mouth.

Incorporate mindfulness into your travel activities. Whether

it’s eating a meal, taking a walk, or simply observing

your surroundings, being fully present can enhance your

travel experience.

Practice gratitude. Note everything you’re thankful for on

your journey. This can help you stay positive and mindful

throughout your travels.

“Meditation is for everyone and there is no one right way to

do it,” Mack says. “Choose the meditation practice that best

fits your lifestyle and interests.”

MAYO CLINIC AND NETJETS

NetJets is excited to partner with the Mayo Clinic Executive Health Program to bring expert

medical, health and wellness content that matters to you. With a focus on preventive health

and wellness with timely, coordinated access to multidisciplinary care, including advanced

diagnostics, state-of-the-art prevention strategies and therapeutics, the Mayo Clinic Executive

Health Program provides individualised, comprehensive care to meet the unique needs of

business leaders in the demanding stages of their careers. The QR code will lead you to more

thorough information about this world-class programme, and your Mayo Clinic Executive Health

liaison for NetJets Owners will be happy to answer your questions.

34 NetJets

Your Private Ocean

Escape Awaits

Experience and indulge in the ultimate superyacht getaway.

Discover exclusive Northrop & Johnson benefits for NetJets

Owners, available only at go.nandj.com/netjets

36 NetJets

OWNER’S PROFILE

ECLECTIC

TASTE

Inspired equally by Art Deco and the underappreciated artists –

ancient and modern – of Benin, the predilections of collector and Paris

gallerist Robert Vallois are only outdone by his generosity of spirit.

By Anne-Marie Cattelain Le Dû

JOEL SAGET / AFP

AN IMPRESSIVE TRIO of attractions awaits at Galerie Vallois’

two establishments on the Rue de Seine, Paris. On the one

hand, contemporary art; on the other, Art Deco antiques, with a

fabulous 1924 red lacquer sideboard by Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann

and Jean Dunand currently on display; and, for more than 10

years, works from Africa. Two galleries (at street numbers 35

and 41); two elegant, luminous spaces in the most sought-after

district for art dealers and buyers from all over the world. The

first was opened in 1983 by Robert Vallois and his wife Cheska

– well-known personalities in the art world, respected hugely by

their peers. It’s in 41 that Vallois has his secret lair, his strange

cabinet of curiosities, where he spends most of his days. To find

it, you have to take the steep, hidden staircase on the right-hand

corner of the gallery, at your own risk.

“I start my day with a little coffee and a big cigar,” admits

the master of the premises, with a mischievous look, as he

pulls out his second cigar of the day at 10.30 in the morning.

Bob, as the 87-year-old is known to friends and family, is

enthroned in the midst of some fine pieces from the Sámi tribe

– the nomadic animists of the Nordic world – and hundreds

of African art-works. “Works that I contemplate every day and

don’t sell at the moment,” he explains.

“How did I go from Art Deco antiques to contemporary

art, and then to this completely different passion for Benin?

NetJets

37

OWNER’S PROFILE

“

by

African art has always had, and still has, a special

place in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. And

so began my Benin adventure in 2012, supported

a few nearby gallery owners

By chance! A curious coincidence.” In fact, his interest was

piqued by the visit of an inspector from the French fraud

control agency, who came to check on his business. “When

the inspector didn’t find anything suspicious, we struck up a

conversation, as if we were friends,” Vallois relates. “He told

me he was doing his best to support an association in Benin,

a country of artists strangled by poverty. This confidence

caught my attention. I decided to help, especially as African

art has always had, and still has, a special place in the Saint-

Germain-des-Prés district. And so began my Benin adventure

in 2012, supported by a few nearby gallery owners.”

It was yet another adventure for this atypical art dealer, who

left school in Monaco at the age of 16 without a diploma (“I was

bored, teachers weren’t my thing”). At the age of 18, Vallois

volunteered for the Monegasque Red Cross in Budapest, a camp

for Hungarian refugees fleeing Soviet repression after the

1956 uprising – “I’ve always been sensitive to people’s plight”

– and on his return was reunited with his childhood friends,

the artists César and Arman. Some time later, Arman helped

found the École de Nice, a group of eclectic artists. Art was

already titillating the young Vallois, who was also interested

in antiques. So why not open a small flea market in his home

town of Cap d’Ail, near Monaco? Endowed with the sensitivity

and eye for beautiful objects and works of art, Vallois’ natural

empathy quickly won him a clientele of connoisseurs. Business

was brisk. So, even though he was attached to the South of

© GALERIE VALLOIS

38 NetJets

BENIN BENEFACTOR

Robert Vallois with Jean-

Michel Abimbola, Minister

of Culture of the African

country, with which the

Frenchman has done so

much work

Facing page: inside

Galerie Vallois

France, where he had spent his childhood and adolescence,

Vallois set his sights on Paris.

In 1972, he took the plunge and headed to the French capital,

renting and fitting out commercial premises in the former

Halles Saint-Denis. From flea market to antiques dealership,

Vallois, and now Cheska, soon made a mark with the quality of

their knowledge and know-how.

At the age of 45, Vallois decided to leave Les Halles and move

to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, on Rue de Seine, the beating heart

of the art trade. He opted for a strategic location facing the

narrow Rue Visconti, which runs all the way to Rue Bonaparte.

In 1983, he inaugurated La Galerie Vallois d’Art Moderne et

Contemporain. Later, the opportunity to acquire the nextdoor

property, number 41, enabled him to reconcile antiques,

contemporary sculpture and other artistic expressions,

paintings, photographs and more. Vallois became a member of

the Compagnie Nationale des Experts, the largest art chamber in

the EU, and established himself as a major player in the market.

“My galleries have enabled me to satisfy my fantasies, to

support Benin and to reveal a number of young African visual

artists,” he says. Following that inspector’s fateful visit in 2012,

Vallois financed the construction of a nursery school in Benin

to educate 140 children, donating the school to the community.

The elders, who manage the village and ensure respect for

people, rules and traditions, gave him a plot of land on which

to build a cultural centre. Delighted, Vallois created the Centre

Arts et Cultures, a multidisciplinary space in Abomey-Calavi.

As a bonus, he opened a small museum next door dedicated to

récades, the crook-shaped staffs that traditionally served as

symbols of royal authority in the country, and featuring pieces

that he and a few of his antique dealer friends had acquired

at public auction. “There was talk of art restitution,” he notes.

“[but] no, it was a spontaneous gift. The most important thing

is that these objects are shown, admired and preserved.”

Today, Le Centre, as it’s called, located in the Lobozounkpa

district, includes a small museum, a library, artists’ studios,

exhibition rooms, a café and areas for youngsters. Its 15

employees organise a wide range of activities, from film

screenings and puppet shows to readings and exhibitions.

“I’m only here to finance, always with the support of a few

colleagues, not to manage,” emphasises Vallois. “I have

regular email exchanges with the people in charge, and every

month I receive an impressive illustrated activity report. This

exceeds my expectations, because the whole population,

including the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, is proud of

this place. At the outset, I also benefited from the expertise

of Dominique Zinkpè, a self-taught Beninese artist who

inspired me to publish the book Contemporary Artists of

Benin – Artists of the World, which [writer] André Jolly agreed

to write.” Since 2015, in parallel with its commitment to

Benin, Galerie Vallois has frequently exhibited young African

artists and visual artists.

“At Les Vallois, all artforms coexist smoothly,” smiles

Vallois. “Cheska, my wife, manages the Art Deco antiques,

my son Georges-Philippe looks after contemporary art, and

my grandson Zacharie oversees the destiny of our gallery in

New York on Madison Avenue. Almost a dynasty! Plus, one

of my granddaughters, Emma, is a talented draughtswomanturned-tattoo

artist, and the youngest, Louise, is already

showing an interest in our galleries. So, without feeling

guilty, I can smoke my cigars from my hiding place, enriching

my collections and my knowledge of these animist peoples

who fascinate me. And, when the idea of travelling strikes

me unexpectedly, all I have to do is take off with NetJets,

my lifeline. I have nothing to program, and no long queues

at checkpoints. It saves me a lot of paperwork and fatigue.

It’s essential for me to continue, despite my certain age, to

breathe the air of the times, to join my friends, my tribe.”

en.vallois.com; lecentre-benin.com

© GALERIE VALLOIS

NetJets

39

HEALTHY MINDS

COMFORT ZONE

Calming times at

The Lodge at Blue Sky

KOBUS LOUW / ISTOCK

40 NetJets

CHECK

IN

Is mental health the

ultimate luxury amenity?

Many premium hotels and

resorts are banking on it,

expanding their wellness

portfolios to offer guests

holistic programs that

more thoroughly explore

the mind-body connection.

By Katy Spratte Joyce

YOUR

CHAKRAS

NetJets

41

HEALTHY MINDS

YOU HAVE TO travel far to reach The Lodge at Blue Sky, the

Auberge Resorts Collection set on 1,400 pristine hectares in

Utah’s Wasatch Range. This lovely property has an abundance

of what you might call LRE: luxe ranch energy. There’s a

regenerative agriculture system at the on-site farm, a horse

rescue, chic and contemporary lodgings, a mountaintop yurt

and 30 kilometres of trails, to name just a few of its outstanding

features. But it’s at the Edge Spa, tucked into an aspen grove

on the banks of Alexander Creek, where many visitors start

their real journey here—perhaps with an “intuitive energy”

reading with resident healer Sugar Forbes.

Forbes is a household name at Blue Sky. A grounded,

magnetic being whose sessions are becoming a major draw

to this stretch of the West, she’s also a compelling example

of the resort’s mental-health-focused service. On one visit,

18 months ago, what was supposed to be a 90-minute

introductory experience extended past three hours, covering

many of life’s stressors, from illness and familial warfare to

the joys and angst of parenthood. “Energy work” during the

session later morphed into monthly check-in calls, ongoing

a year and a half later—proof of Blue Sky’s dedication to

encouraging self care for its clients beyond the time they

spend at the property itself.

Wellness is baked into this stunning outpost, with the

approach going beyond traditional offerings such as a

robust spa programme and access to the great outdoors.

The property’s director of wellbeing, Molly Craig, explains:

“Whether our guest is a mum of three on a solo getaway or the

CEO of a large tech company, more and more people are looking

for answers and ways to create a sense of peace in their lives.”

Sugar Forbes, Craig adds, is integral to the experience. “Her

extremely popular offerings range from intuitive readings,

NATURAL HEALING

The ever-innovative

Belmond Maroma

to chakra-balancing sleep rituals, to customised sessions of

all kinds in between. Sugar's magic is her gentle, welcoming

energy and ability to make every individual feel comfortable.

In her sessions, she channels information and offers tools to

support them on their personal healing journey.”

The incorporation of mental health and mindfulness

programs among premium operators has become increasingly

popular, according to Dahlia Swerdloff, a travel advisor with

Fora X. “More and more, high-end properties are offering

experiences to allow their clients to leave in a better mental

state than when they arrived,” she says. “These tailored

offerings focus on mental health and wellbeing by reconnecting

with nature, our bodies and our minds.”

Swerdloff points to Mayan bee therapy, sound healing

and underwater meditation at Belmond Maroma, Tulum, and

sound healing, goat yoga and a slew of outdoor activities at

Wyoming’s Brush Creek Ranch, as well as the suite of services

offered across the Aman portfolio. Examples of the latter

include: Amanpuri, Phuket, which has a multiple-day wellness

immersion; Amanjena, Marrakech, with its holistic immune

support retreat; and Aman Tokyo, where a Misogi retreat

includes a spirit-cleansing Ogama ritual at a local temple along

with immune support and breathing exercises and Japanese

mindfulness techniques.

“Reflecting on these experiences is a gift to take home

with you,” Swerdloff adds. “It is a way to measure your reality

when you are back to a busy life, and many are unforgettable

experiences. It is easy to forget even the best massage, but

sleeping under the stars or walking out of a dense forest that

opens onto a deserted beach with wild horses… These are

perspectives that are not easily forgotten.”

aman.com; aubergeresorts.com; belmond.com; brushcreekranch.com

“

Whether our guest is a mum of three on a solo getaway

or the CEO of a large tech company, more and more people

are looking for answers and ways to create a sense of

peace in their lives

Molly Craig, director of wellbeing of The Lodge at Blue Sky

42 NetJets

BRIAN CHORSKI

NetJets

43

ON THE SLOPES

DOUBLE

THE

FUN

A huge expansion of its pristine skiable

terrain, along with a scaling up of luxury

lodgings, means even more room to move,

both on and off piste, at Utah’s already

uncrowded Deer Valley resort.

By Larry Olmsted

44 NetJets

JASON PETERS

WITH WHITE-GLOVE service, fine food, four- and five-star

slopeside hotels, and strictly limited daily lift ticket sales,

Deer Valley has long been known as one of the most luxurious

ski resorts in North America. Soon it will also be known as one

of the biggest.

This is likely the largest expansion ever in American

ski travel – just the new terrain being added would, on its

own, make this the nation’s seventh largest ski resort (the

addition essentially comprises the entire back side of the

existing mountain). Deer Valley is already a big ski area by any

standards, but by next season it will have more than doubled

in size. When the project is finished, Deer Valley will cover

2,317 hectares, more than every resort in Colorado. But in

skiing, bigger is not always better, as the largest resorts can

be among the most popular and crowded. That, however, will

not be the case here.

“Over the past few years, skiers have placed increased

importance on avoiding crowds during their winter holidays,”

says Rick Reichsfeld, president of luxury ski travel agency

Alpine Adventures. “While Deer Valley has long recognised the

inherent value of limiting the number of skiers on its slopes,

NetJets

45

ON THE SLOPES

this expansion truly presents a quantum leap for those seeking

the widest array of skiing – and yet sharing it with the fewest

fellow skiers. By nearly tripling skiable area, doubling the

number of lifts, and adding an entire new base area with easier

traffic-free access, Deer Valley’s world-class guest experience

legacy will be solidified for decades to come.”

The impact can already be felt, as the first phase opened

in advance of the peak December holiday festive season. This

includes Deer Valley East Village, an entirely new base area and

entrance to the resort that will allow arriving visitors to avoid

Park City and its traffic altogether, with 500 much-needed

new parking spaces. The base lodge is temporary, with limited

skier amenities including a rental shop, but for other services

there is an all-new full-service resort hotel, the Grand Hyatt

Deer Valley, with some 400 rooms, suites and residences,

plus a signature restaurant, cocktail lounge and live music

performance space. The substantial new lodging will also be a

welcome addition for the annual Sundance Film Festival in late

January, which always fills every hotel in town.

Connecting Deer Valley East Village to the existing terrain is

the resort’s first six-person heated bubble chair, one of three

new chairs now open in phase one. The other two service 19

new trails spanning an added 128 hectares. This winter’s new

additions pushes Deer Valley past luxury two resort rivals –

Idaho’s Sun Valley, and Colorado’s Beaver Creek – in size,

adding eight beginner and 11 intermediate runs.

"Our terrain expansion truly feels seamless,” says Steve

Graff, Deer Valley’s vice president of mountain operations. “You

can ski from Bald Mountain and Bald Eagle directly into the

new terrain, which flows together as if it’s been part of Deer

Valley from the start. With thousands of additional hectares,

we’re able to uphold the uncrowded ski experience Deer Valley

is renowned for, offering skiers expansive and lengthy runs –

some of the longest in our resort. This allows for a continuous

descent from the top of Bald Mountain and Park Peak all

the way to East Village, spanning over 3,000 feet of vertical

drop. In addition, the north-facing, off-piste terrain later this

year is remarkable, offering an area as vast as Daly Chutes,

Daly Bowl and Lady Morgan combined.” These three sections

comprise most of the resort’s expert black and double-black

skiing, and that level of challenging terrain is also doubling for

next season. A large expanse of gladed tree skiing will be one

of the most significant additions to Deer Valley’s variety.

Most of the massive expansion will be finished next year, for

the 2025-2026 winter season, adding another 1,050 hectares

of skiing and nearly 100 new trails, along with six more lifts,

including a 10-passenger high-speed gondola. A permanent

base lodge in East Village will follow for winter 2026-2027,

and, in the near future, there are another 300 or so hectares,

several more lifts, and as many as eight additional hotels

planned. One thing that is not changing is the resort’s ski-only

policy, as Deer Valley remains one of a tiny handful of resorts

not allowing snowboarders.

Salt Lake City will host the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, and

when the Games return after a 32-year absence, Deer Valley

will once again host the alpine freestyle skiing competition –

but on a much larger stage.

WHERE TO STAY

The St. Regis Deer Valley (marriott.com) has one of the best

locations, sitting above the Snow Park Lodge, the ski resort’s

main base lodge and lift access point, to which it is connected

by private funicular. This makes it the closest of the luxury

on-mountain lodging to downtown Park City and its myriad

offerings, just over two kilometres away. On the other side

of the hotel is a trailside ski valet with direct ski-in/ski-out

access. The full-service resort has luxury residences as well

as guest rooms, a large spa, standout American, Italian and

French eateries (see below), and a covered outdoor seasonal

cocktail lounge that has become the most coveted après spot

on the mountain.

Higher up in the middle of the resort are two ski-in/out

properties: the large Montage Deer Valley (montage.com) and

the boutique Stein Eriksen Lodge (steinlodge.com). The former

is another very full-service option with multiple restaurants

and bars, a large spa and family-friendly features such as an

arcade and bowling alley, in addition to luxury residences for

rent. The latter won the US’s Best Ski Hotel at the 2023 World

Ski Awards and is especially well known for being the only fivestar

spa in Utah. It also hosts the most desirable on-mountain

lunch at Deer Valley, an institution for decades and sometimes

a challenging reservation for non-guests. The parent Stein

Collection has a portfolio of nearby managed luxury rental

homes in addition to the hotel, and also operates The Chateaux

Deer Valley (the-chateaux.com), set in Silver Lake, Deer Valley’s

secondary base area. Also in Silver Lake Village is the Goldener

Hirsch (aubergeresorts.com), a boutique European chalet-style

luxury hotel with Austrian-inspired dining. Mainly differentiated

by size and location, all are ski-in/out properties, and any would

be a top luxury hotel at most ski resorts.

DEER HIGHLIGHTS

Facing page, clockwise from top left:

Stein Eriksen Lodge; the Goldener

Hirsch; Tupelo’s Southern fare;

Riverhorse on Main

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CARLA BOECKLIN MICHAEL SKARSTEN

© TUPELO

© AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION

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ON THE SLOPES

New this winter is the Grand Hyatt (hyatt.com), located in

the Deer Valley East base area, which for the foreseeable future

will be the least busy entry point. There is one strong contender

outside Deer Valley, The Lodge at Blue Sky (aubergeresorts.

com). This is the area’s most ultra-exclusive property, with

oversized accommodations set on a 1,400-hectare ranch with

its own slate of outdoor activities including Nordic skiing,

snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, fat-tire biking,

backcountry skiing and heli-skiing. The resort is 30 minutes

from Deer Valley, with transfers offered.

WHERE TO EAT

In the charming town of Park City, longtime standouts include

Riverhorse on Main (riverhorseparkcity.com), the hardest

reservation to get when the celebrities come in for the

Sundance Film Festival. A local favourite for more than 15

years, it features an eclectic, seasonally changing mountain

town menu that features steaks and wild game as mains but

global quirks such as Thai curry cauliflower and Nashville

hot quail as starters. Tupelo (tupeloparkcity.com) is another

perennial favourite, with its Southern-inspired farmer- and

purveyor-driven menu, fantastic craft cocktail bar programme

and signature fine-dining take on fried chicken.

Perhaps the single most popular spot in the region (expect

a wait from après ski through dinner time) is the Saloon at

the High West Distillery (highwest.com), the nation’s first skiin/ski-out

distillery, which has become one of the top craft

whiskey producers in the US. Every better bar in the nation

stocks High West whiskies, but there are limited editions you

can only buy here, along with standout gastro-pub cuisine.

Those who don’t like long waits can reserve the more gourmetstyle

multi-course prix-fixe dinners, with or without whiskey

pairings, served at High West’s adjacent The Nelson Cottage

– also wildly popular.

Within Deer Valley, a longtime family favourite that many

return visitors make an annual tradition of is Fireside Dining

(deervalley.com), in the resort’s Empire Canyon Lodge, with or

without optional horse-drawn sled arrival. This is a four-course

meal cooked in huge open fireplaces, featuring signature

raclette and a hand-carved selection of fire-roasted meats. The

Stein Eriksen Lodge’s fine-dining spot, Glitretind (steinlodge.

com), is another must, with a European-influenced menu built

around local ingredients including Utah bison and lamb.

In a town overly heavy on steakhouses, bison and burgers,

The St. Regis offers two great alternatives. Brasserie 7452 has

French classics such as raw bar, onion soup, niçoise salad,

cassoulet and coq au vin, while La Stellina offers Italian staples

including homemade pastas – think cavatelli all’amatriciana –

gourmet pizzas and main dishes like eggplant parmesan and

bistecca alla Fiorentina. The St. Regis also has Deer Valley’s

hottest après watering hole, The Vintage Room, set within a

giant glass greenhouse out on the snow. Raw bar and freshly

shucked oysters accompany lots of champagne and signature

Bloody Marys, a cocktail famously invented at the original

New York St. Regis. Another taste of Europe is offered at the

Goldener Hirsch restaurant in the form of German/Austrian

Alpine specialities such as schnitzel and apple strudel in a fine

dining setting.

READ MCKENDREE

© AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION

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“

This expansion truly

presents a quantum

leap for those

seeking the widest

array of skiing –

and yet sharing it

with the fewest

fellow skiers

Rick Reichsfeld, president

of Alpine Adventures

THE INGALLS

FOR NON-SKIERS

If you don’t ski, Deer Valley is an exceptional place to learn, with a

famously excellent ski school, and perfectly manicured, uncrowded

slopes. But if it’s just not your thing, there are plenty of other

activities, and in winter one of the most popular for visitors to try

is dogsledding, with several good local tour operators (deervalley.

com). The Winter Olympics were here in 2002 and return in 2034,

and the Utah Olympic Park (utaholympiclegacy.org) is one of just a

handful of spots in the country where you can ride a bobsled with

a professional pilot. The park is also home to the Alf Engen Ski

Museum and the Eccles 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum

(engenmuseum.org). Other outdoor winter activities include guided

fat-tire biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobile

tours. The most eclectic option is one you won’t find at other ski

resorts: stand-up paddleboard yoga classes inside Homestead

Crater (utahcrater.com), where the geothermal hot-spring lagoon

is always around 35 degrees Celsius. You can also just soak,

swim, or even scuba dive. For more urbane activities, Park City’s

historic Main Street invites strolling and shopping, and is home

to numerous boutiques and art galleries. Finally, if pampering is

your thing, you’ve come to the right place: Deer Valley is home to

three exceptional spas: at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, Montage and

St. Regis hotels.

Salt Lake City International Airport: 62km

SKI SCENE

Left, from top: inside and out at The Lodge at Blue Sky;

above: a snow picnic at the Goldener Hirsch

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ON LOCATION

MASSIF

RELEASE

© COURMAYEUR MONT BLANC

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The imposing peaks of the Mont Blanc massif may loom large in

the background, but the sun frequently shines on the south-facing

slopes of historic Courmayeur, Italy’s small but perfectly formed

aristocratic Alpine playground. By Emma Ventura

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FRANCESCA PAVESI

ON LOCATION

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CHARACTERISED BY PRISTINE cobbled streets dotted with

upmarket boutiques, alimentari and wood-panelled cafes,

Courmayeur is where nature, tradition and intergenerational

connections come together. Here, a cluster of glossy young

women in fur-trimmed puffer coats, taking coffee and pastries

alfresco on the Via Roma; there, a walnut-skinned maestro di

sci, shaggy haired and of indeterminate age, clattering along

the pavement in his ski boots and scarlet Emporio Armani ski

suit. Above the town, skiers and snowboarders ply 42 kilometres

of blue-ribbon pistes on Courmayeur’s Plan Chécrouit ski area

– compact but challenging enough to keep aficionados happy

for a few days – while down here, in-the-know locals are as

likely to browse the Burberry store on stylish Via Roma as they

are to queue for hot golden chicken at Polleria Boano, just

off the main drag.

Tucked at the head of the Valle d’Aosta, one of Italy’s five

autonomous regions, Courmayeur is at the heart of European

Alpine culture – origin of the legendary mountaineering

equipment brand Grivel, and home to the world’s secondoldest

alpine guides association. Every winter, the resort

draws well-heeled skiers from Milan and Turin, who come for

its spectacular slopes that comprise pretty tree-lined trails,

1,560 metres of vertical, and unequalled views of Mont Blanc.

Two peaks dominate – the distinctive Mont Chétif, a bald

hulk of 2,343 metres visible most everywhere in town, and the

4,807-metre-high Mont Blanc and its surrounding monumental

glacial park.

But Courmayeur is known as much for its aristocratic

Alpine pedigree, charismatic streets and quality dining as it

is for its slopes. At its centre is a smart but unstuffy blend

of family-run trattorie, groceries and delis that specialise in

the prosciutto, dairy- and game-based products and dishes

that are typical of Valdostana cucina – Fontina being the most

renowned of the region’s cheeses. Satisfying soups, polentas

and stews form the basis of many menus, supplemented

with local cool-climate reds and whites of such breadth

and quality that you need never look beyond the valley’s

vignerons for a food match.

FIRE AND ICE

Below: warming up slopeside

at La Chaumière

Facing page: hitting the slopes

in Courmayeur

Previous page: breathtaking

mountain views

© LA CHAUMIÈRE

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ON LOCATION

This being the mountains, foraging – for all kinds of berries,

herbs and funghi – is part of life here, and many leaves, fruits

and barks find their way into the artisanally produced liqueurs,

grappas and, increasingly, gins that go hand-in-glove with

Alpine gastronomy, available in beautiful, apothecary-style

bottles from wine and speciality produce stores.

To eat and drink like this requires a degree of earning it, of

course, which for most visitors entails a day on the slopes. There

are two cable cars for accessing the sunny, east-facing

Chécrouit ski area, which sits at 1,704 metres, some 500 above

Courmayeur, with a third cable car serving the neighbouring

Val Veny ski area. Val Veny’s north-facing slopes are generally

best enjoyed in the afternoon, while the snow on the warmer

Chécrouit area can deteriorate on warmer days and hence is

best approached in the morning. While it’s possible to ski back

down to the satellite village of Dolonne via a red run, you can’t ski

back to Courmayeur, so most folk opt to head back down via

cable car, which runs in both directions until midnight,

providing two-way traffic between the town’s on- and offmountain

après spots. But first, you’ll want to check in.

WHERE TO STAY

There are bigger and more flashy hotels in town, but Auberge

de la Maison (aubergemaison.it), run by the effusive Alessandra

Garin, is a favourite with Italian regulars. Garin inherited the

property from her parents, restyling it with collectables and

beautiful, unique decor – the living space includes part of a

salvaged Alpine hut. The 33 rooms and suites are designed

along cleaner lines than the vintage richness of the communal

spaces, some with unhindered views directly across to Mont

Blanc, thanks to the hotel’s position at the edge of the town.

There’s an elegant, antique-filled restaurant, a cosy timberlined

bar, and a smart spa with a small indoor/outdoor pool,

plus a recently opened boutique.

By contrast, the 80-key Le Massif (lemassifcourmayeur.com),

on Courmayeur’s main thoroughfare, is all about sleek Alpine

modernism, albeit softened with abundant warm wood features

and natural textures – soft cream blankets and thick-pile rugs

in the rooms, some of which boast balconies and fireplaces.

If you’re a gun on the snow, it’s perfectly located a stone’s

throw from the Skyway cable car leading to Courmayeur’s other

© MOMENTUM XP

© CADRAN SOLAIRE

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GIACOMO BUZIO

MOUNTAIN LIFE

Above: the picturesque

village of Dolonne

Facing page, from far

left: a cosy après-ski

snack at Cadran Solaire;

the Alpine charm of Les

Dames Anglaises

offering: the Mont Blanc side of the resort, where glacier runs,

heli-skiing and a snow park aimed at all levels of rider take the

on- and off-piste experience to the next level.

Going with a group? For those looking to extend their onmountain

experience, Fior di Roccia (fiordirocciamontblanc.it)

is a rustic self-catered lodge (dinners available on request) that

will place you deep in the natural paradise of Val Veny. Built

in 1893, surrounded by forest, and with thick stone walls and

heating from classic Italian wood pellet stoves, the recently

refurbished property sleeps seven and is five minutes by skis

or snowboard from the Zerotta ski lift. (The large kitchen, with

its marble surfaces, cooking range and wood-fired stove, will

make a joy of cooking all that heavenly Valdostana produce you

picked up in town.)

WHAT TO DO

For a sense of mountaineering’s origin story, stop at the Alpine

Guides Museum (guidecourmayeur.com), located opposite

San Pantaleone church on the Piazza Abbé Henry, the scenic

viewing point at the heart of Courmayeur. From here, you can

drop into the cafes, bars and stores of Via Roma, perhaps 4810

(4810courmayeur.com) for upmarket outdoor clothing brands,

including Italy’s Montura, or one of the lovely produce stores

such as Enoteca Goio (+39 165 842482) which has been selling

local wines, liqueurs and spirits since 1896.

For anyone, the jaw-dropping gondola ride up the Monte

Bianco Skyway (montebianco.com), with a stop at Rifugio Torino

(rifugiotorino.com, open in May) for lunch, if it’s open, is essential.

Connecting Courmayeur to Chamonix on the French side of the

massif, the gently rotating gondola carries you across Europe’s

most storied glacial landscape, right under the shadow of

Mont Blanc, to the highest point in Italy, Punta Helbronner, at

3,462 metres, with its opportunities for climbing and serious

off-piste action.

For an alternative day outdoors, you might hit up veteran

musher Fabrizio Lovati, aka the Dog Sled Man (dogsledman.

com), and learn how to drive a sled of Alaskan huskies through

stunning Val Veny. And when you’re done with the action,

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55

ON LOCATION

there’s the extensive QC Terme Pré Saint Didier thermal spa

(qcterme.com) just down the road, where guests pad along

snowy paths to ease away muscle aches in a series of indoor

and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation areas.

MOUNTAIN DINING

As well as a wealth of food and drink offerings in town,

there are 23 restaurants spread out over the Chécrouit and

Val Veny ski areas, offering an abundance of dining options and

après activities. Where the gondola tops out at Plan Chécrouit,

La Chaumière (lachaumiere.it) offers unbeatable views over

the valley and a light-washed, split-level space. Upstairs is a

casual bar and pizzeria with a huge terrace; downstairs is an

upmarket glass-fronted restaurant where the ingredients and

the wines are all meticulously locally sourced, and the dolci

– perhaps a chocolate mousse with crème caramel and black

cherries – are second to none. Nearby, there are plumped-up

lips, banging beats and selfies aplenty at Super G (lovesuperg.

com), the ultimate clubby après spot, and a more informal

vibe at recently opened The Outsider (theoutsidercourmayeur.

it), a fun alfresco bar that has quickly become an end-of-day

hangout of ski instructors and laid-back locals. Le Massif hotel

offers a refined slopeside venue in the form of La Loge du

Massif (lemassifcourmayeur.com), where the dining is elegant

from breakfast through to dinner but it’s hard to beat an

aperitivo at happy hour, snuggled under a fur blanket next to

one of the firepans on the smart terrace. More out-of-the-way

options for eating include Maison Vieille (maisonvieille.com),

at an elevation of 1,956 metres and accessed via a nursery

slope chairlift or by snowmobile at night. Located in an old

shepherd’s hut, it’s a cheerful place offering plenty of polenta

and sausage-based dishes, as well as soaring views of Mont

Blanc. And around the Val Veny side of the mountain, there’s

Rifugio Monte Bianco (rifugiomontebianco.eu), a historic,

red-shuttered refuge serving no-nonsense staples and run

by Alexander Campedelli, who, at 43, is the Alpine Society’s

youngest-ever president.

A highlight on Courmayeur’s annual culinary calendar is the

Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience, in March (momentumxp.

co.uk), an event founded by Heston Blumenthal and a draw for

heavyweight chefs such as Jean-Philippe Blondet and Claude

Bosi, and including Michelin-star-quality food and a slew of

après ski events on the slopes.

At any time of year, a ride up the Youla and Arp cable cars will

take you to a height of 2,755 metres and skiing about as close

to Mont Blanc as it’s possible to get. From here, follow your nose

down a serious run that takes you to Chez Croux (chezcroux.

com), an institution for coffee and pastries and founded in 1940.

If you want to take your cue from the locals, you’ll lean back in

one of the cafe’s red plastic chairs outside and tilt your face

to the sun, toasting your great good fortune with a doughy,

cream-filled bombolone and a sip of morning cappuccino.

Aosta Valley airport: 38 km (weather sensitive), or Turin

airport: 149 km

© AUBERGE DE LA MAISON

IN FROM THE COLD

The Auberge de la Maison

dining room

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A STUDY IN

RED & BLACK

Sparkling against the darkness,

the rubies and diamonds in this

season’s most desirable jewellery

pack a glamorous punch

PHOTOGRAPHY BY XAVIER YOUNG // PRODUCTION BY ELISA VALLATA

58 NetJets

STYLE GUIDE

Clockwise, from top left: GRAFF white-gold necklace and earrings set with Mozambique rubies and diamonds

Facing page: MOUSSAIEFF white-gold bangle set with Thai rubies and diamonds; platinum necklace set with Thai rubies and diamonds

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STYLE GUIDE

Clockwise, from top left: CHOPARD white-gold earrings set with rubies and marquise diamonds, from the Precious Lace collection;

DAVID MORRIS white-gold Feather chandelier earrings set with rubies and diamonds; MOUAWAD white- and rose-gold Rouge Sublime

bracelet set with rubies and diamonds; CHOPARD white-gold earrings set with rubies and diamonds, from the Precious Lace collection;

DAVID MORRIS white-gold Pinecone ring set with a Thai ruby and diamonds

Facing page, from the top: PRAGNELL platinum necklace set with Burma rubies and diamonds, from the Masterpiece collection;

platinum ring set with a Burmese ruby and diamonds, from the Masterpiece collection; BOODLES white-gold bangle set with rubies

and diamonds GLENN SPIRO silver and rose-gold Petal earrings set with rubies and diamonds

60 NetJets

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GOURMET GUIDE

SURF

AND

TURF

LUIS FERRAZ

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From its Atlantic coast to its Spanish border, Portugal’s

sun-blessed Algarve is welcoming a new wave of produce-driven

restaurants, offering fresh-as-it-gets seafood and garden veg,

plus a sprinkling of Michelin stars. By Ivan Carvalho

DANIEL SCHÄFER

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GOURMET GUIDE

PORTUGAL’S ALGARVE IS blessed by geography, given it’s

the country’s southernmost region and enjoys year-round

sunshine. A popular playground for outdoor enthusiasts,

thanks to its numerous sandy beaches and well-manicured

golf courses, the territory has sought to show another side to

travellers in recent years as the area’s chefs and food suppliers

have made important strides.

One of the newest and most inspiring culinary offerings in

the Algarve requires you to venture off the beaten track and

head inland. At Austa (austa.pt), opened in the summer of 2023

in Almancil, owners Emma and David Campus have created a

casual yet chic dining establishment decorated in neutral tones

and bespoke furniture. “We focus on the region and producers,

preparing seasonal fare where we get things from local farmers

or our own vegetable garden,” explains David, who points out

the menu’s line-caught brill, fished off the coast of Sagres.

Heading east towards the Spanish border, there are the

salt pans of Salmarim, a company that hand harvests the

finest fleur de sel for use in gourmet restaurants. One regular

Salmarim client is chef Noélia Jerónimo, owner of her namesake

restaurant Noélia (@restaurantenoelia), which is tucked away

in the sleepy seaside town of Cabanas de Tavira. Her informal

eatery is a haven for seafood aficionados who are in love with

her lemon rice with sea bass and clams, sea bream ceviche, or

prawn tempura with a spicy mango salad.

Not far from Noélia, in the whitewashed town of Tavira,

arguably the region’s prettiest settlement, chef Luís Brito has

been attentively leaning on traditional Portuguese ingredients

in the kitchen at the one-Michelin star restaurant A Ver Tavira

(avertavira.com). Brito draws on past culinary stints cooking in

Brazil and Angola to enliven his tasting menus – expect Algarve

scarlet shrimp with lemon caviar and cardamom.

For a more classic gourmet Algarve experience, a drive

west along the coast brings one to Ocean, a two-Michelin star

establishment overseen by Hans Neuner and hosted in the Vila

Vita Parc (vilavitaparc.com). This resort, with its own secluded

beach and subtropical gardens, is the ideal venue to host the

spectacular culinary creations dreamed up by Neuner.

Thanks to hands-on research by the chef and his team,

who studied flavours from the four corners of the world where

VASCO CELIO

ALGARVE ALLURE

Clockwise from top: sourdough

bread at Ocean; false oyster and

anchovy at A Ver Tavira; Emma

and David Campus of Austa

Previous pages, from left: João

Oliveira of Vista; inside Austa

JOANA FREITAS

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“ the

One of the newest and most inspiring culinary

offerings in the Algarve requires you to venture off

beaten track and head inland to Austa

© A VER TAVIRA

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65

SHAUN FISHER

GOURMET GUIDE

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Portugal’s famed navigators journeyed during the Golden Age

of Discovery, the menu is an eye-opener and palate pleaser.

Start with tuna belly, homemade miso and Japanese mustard

before tucking into a feijoada of lobster, pork belly and

chorizo. And once you’ve finished off the meal with a glass of

aged madeira or port, ask for a tour of the wine cellar with its

impressive vaulted ceilings.

Continuing the epicurean journey, a must stop is Vila

Joya (vilajoya.com), a prestigious restaurant housed inside a

discreet private villa with 13 rooms. Austrian-born chef Dieter

Koschina, who has held down two Michelin stars for more

than two decades, takes a bold approach and even concocts a

special tasting menu that changes daily. Imagine balfegó tuna

marinated with avocado, quinoa and tiger’s milk, or carabinero

prawns with datterino tomato and jalapeño.

Heading further west along the Atlantic oceanfront, you

reach Portimão and the Bela Vista Hotel & Spa, a property

perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sandy

beaches of Praia da Rocha. Since 2017, its restaurant Vista

(vistarestaurante.com) has carried a Michelin star, thanks to

the efforts of chef João Oliveira. Maritime influences are

ever present, such as his dish of mussels, sea urchins, clams

and cockles.

To accompany many of these gourmet creations, diners will

often see sommeliers turning to bottles from the Morgado

do Quintão winery (morgadodoquintao.pt). This local organic

producer, which organises tastings of its wines and olive

oil on the family-owned estate, has garnered recognition

in recent years for its efforts to promote indigenous grape

varietals, notably negra mole, a red grape and the white grape,

crato. BStay at the winery’s hotel to bask in the shade of the

property’s majestic 2,000-year-old olive tree and raise a glass

of sparkling wine made from negra mole grapes and take pride

in discovering that the sun-kissed Algarve is a region where

epicureans are well looked after.

Faro Airport; Portimão Airport

BLUE HEAVEN

The Ocean restaurant

at Vila Vita Parc hotel

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TASTING NOTES

FORTIFY

YOURSELF

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With producers newly focused on ageing techniques, refined character

profiles, purity and freshness, there’s never been a better time to add

fortified wines to your gastronomic experience.

By Tomás Simões

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TASTING NOTES

PORTS OF CALL

Right: Quinta das

Carvalhas technical

director Álvaro Martinho

Lopes

Far right: inside the Real

Companhia Velha

Previous pages: the

historic Quinta das

Carvalhas estate

© QUINTA DAS CARVALHAS

USUALLY MAKING their appearance at the

tail end of a meal, fortified wines often get

short shrift. Yet in wintertime these liquid

beauties are the perfect companion to beat

the chill, and recent developments in regions

best known for producing such delicious

libations are making wine directors and

sommeliers rethink what to stock.

But first, a primer. Fortified wines are those

that typically contain 17 to 20 per cent alcohol

due to the addition of distilled spirits, such as

brandy. Portugal is arguably the world’s leader

in this category, given it’s home to several

styles developed over centuries of diligent work

by winemakers. Pride of place naturally goes to

port wine, and the producers working the steep

slopes and hillsides of the Douro Valley.

Today, independent port wine houses run by

families such as Niepoort have been making

strides to change the image of this drink – think

of Colonel Pickering pouring himself a glass in

My Fair Lady. Dirk Niepoort, together with his

son Daniel, have been looking to revolutionise

Douro wines by focusing on lightness and lower

FERNANDO BAGNOLA

70 NetJets

alcohol in their table wines while developing a

range of intriguing vintage ports, a style made

entirely from grapes from a declared vintage

year that typically requires just a few years in

the barrel before seeing a longer development

over decades in the bottle. “We want port not

to be seen as stuffy, but a bit snobby,” says

Dirk. Still, don’t expect shippers to wrap these

carefully crafted bottles in the style of Cristal

champagne.

Though vintage is the most prized type of

port, it makes up a small percentage and volume

of sales. Pairing-wise, it works wonderfully with

a pepper steak when it is young, notes Dirk

Niepoort, but can also be used for a starter of

foie gras. Recent efforts have also been made by

Niepoort and others, such as fourth-generation

winery Poças, to focus on colheita ports, which

are vintage-dated tawny style ports which pass

considerably more time in contact with wood

and present themselves with an amber hue

and a nutty, caramelised character, allowing

themselves to shine alongside chocolate

desserts or rich sweets such as pecan pie.

Tawny ports not from a specific vintage can

also be blended and aged for decades. One

recent release making waves is a 50-year-old

tawny from Real Companhia Velha, whose ties

to the region date back to 1756. Aged in oak

casks and from old vines in the producer’s

Quinta das Carvalhas vineyard, the wine shows

off the complexity of port with traces of

nutmeg, cedar and citrusy notes. “We seek the

character of the age, but with elegance and a

captivating freshness,” explains the house’s

master blender Pedro Silva Reis.

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TASTING NOTES

ISLAND SUN

The coastal estate of

Cantine Florio

Not to be outdone, Portugal’s other

noteworthy fortified wine, madeira, named

for the island where the grapes are grown,

has made a giant leap forward, thanks mainly

to the work of one producer: Barbeito and its

third-generation owner Ricardo Diogo Freitas.

“In the 1990s, when I entered the business, the

style of Madeira wines from all the companies

here was the same: very sweet, lacking acidity.

So I created a new style, one that is very pure.”

Freitas’s first step was to eliminate the

practice of using caramel to colour the

wines. He also refreshed the labelling with

a sharper font and playful characters to

show off his single-varietal wines made from

sercial, verdelho and malvasia grapes. He has

successfully redefined the popular notion of

madeira to create a generally slightly drier,

more food-oriented wine. As well as careful

selection and long ageing, the wines are

not de-acidified, so they retain much more

freshness and tang than the traditional

madeira wines drinkers may remember from

the past. Freitas has been rewarded for his

three decades of stewardship with sommeliers

at Michelin establishments now seeking him

out and a new, emerging audience that has

downshifted in average age from 60 to 40.

The dilemma that long plagued madeira –

lots of bulk shipped cooking wine – can also

be found with marsala, Italy’s finest fortified

wine, which hails from Sicily. But a group of

producers focusing on the higher end of the

market has forged a new path. Two names to

look for on the shelf are Marco De Bartoli and

Cantine Florio, who have expertly navigated

the techniques for making the wine, which

commonly relies on three local white grape

varieties (grillo, catarratto and inzolia) while

leveraging a solera-type system – a process

of fractional blending over several years – and

achieving varied sweetness through boiling

the must or fortifying partially fermented

must. Seek out their superiore marsala wines,

including De Bartoli’s 1988 Superiore Oro

Riserva, which has been added to the menu at

Gucci Osteria in Florence.

Not to be forgotten in this discussion

is sherry, which takes its name from the

Spanish town of Jerez in southwest Spain,

where the fortified wine is made from white

grapes. Tagged with a somewhat stuffy

image itself, sherry has received help from a

new generation of winemakers, notably the

dynamic pair of Ramiro Ibañez and Willy Perez,

who are putting a new face on Bodegas De la

Riva. For an apertif, try their Manzanilla Fina

Miraflores Baja, made from Palomino grapes

grown just seven kilometres from the coast on

limestone soils. Aged in solera, the barrels are

only half-filled, to allow the classic “flor” layer

to form and transmit umami and nuttiness to

the wines. Perez adds: “You can really feel

the presence of the ocean here in the glass

with the saline notes. It takes your palate on

a journey.”

© CANTINE FLORIO

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“

Real

We seek the character of the age, but with

elegance and a captivating freshness

Companhia Velha master blender Pedro Silva Reis

THROUGH THE VINES

The vineyards of

Barbeito Madeira

© BARBEITO

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INSIDE VIEW

COLOUR BINDS

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© VG BILD-KUNST, BONN 2024; PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHRISTIE‘S

The combination of Reinhard Ernst’s love of abstract art and

the late Fumihiko Maki’s architectural genius has produced a museum

of creative depth in the western German state of Hesse

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© VG BILD-KUNST, BONN 2024; PHOTO: BERND FICKERT

INSIDE VIEW

ABOVE

Loom, 1959,

by Morris Louis

PREVIOUS PAGES

Katharine Grosse’s

Ohne Title, 2015

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© VG BILD-KUNST, BONN 2024; PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S

ABOVE

Pyramid, 1988,

by Helen Frankenthaler

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INSIDE VIEW

AN ABSTRACT

CONCEPT

The final creation of the Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Fumihiko

Maki, who died last June, Museum Reinhard Ernst in Wiesbaden is more

than a repository for the eponymous owner’s art collection – it is a work of

art in itself. The tenth museum designed by Maki, this was his only one in

Europe and takes the form of granite blocks that reference buildings around

Wiesbaden, in the western German state of Hesse, and quartz sand, which

was used on the joints of the building to capture the light. Maki also studied

Ernst’s collection to produce the ideal location for the German entrepreneur

whose foundation funded the building. Five years in the making, it opened,

fittingly, last June and is dedicated to the abstract art that Ernst has made

the focus of his collections. “Abstraction is a world language,” Ernst says. The

museum is dedicated entirely to abstract art and will showcase works from

artists such as Wolfgang Tillmans, Helen Frankenthaler and Katharina Grosse.

The first permanent exhibition, entitled Colour is Everything!, represents 60

masterpieces of abstract painting from Europe, the US and Japan from the

past 75 years. Artists include Josef Albers, Hans Hoffmann, Lee Krasner,

Tōkō Shinoda and Morris Louis. It represents a festival of colour, but also

encapsulates Ernst’s philanthropic nature and desire to open up his collection

to more and more people. “Art belongs to everyone,” he says. “My desire to build

a museum for abstract art is closely related to my conviction that a collector

has a responsibility to society. Private collectors can own the artworks, but

they should make them accessible to a large audience.” Emotion is definitely

at the heart of what this new museum is about – and it is fitting that the first

special exhibition is a tribute to the man who created the building: Fumihiko

Maki – Maki and Associates: Towards a Human Architecture outlines Maki’s ideas

and his work. This is art with a beating heart. museum-re.de

Frankfurt Airport: 30km

FACING PAGE

Maki’s masterpiece

of a museum

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HELBIG MARBURGER

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MORRIS LOUIS (1912–1962) LOOM, 1959 AND GAMMA EPSILON, 1960/61; HELEN FRANKENTHALER (1928–2011) SPANNING, 1971; PHOTO: HELBIG MARBURGER

INSIDE VIEW

ABOVE

Scenes from the Colour is

Everything! exhibition

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THOMAS SCHEIBITZ (*1968) 101–2002, 2002; ERNST WILHELM NAY (1902–1968)

CHROMATISCHE SCHEIBEN, 1960; PHOTO: ROBERT LICHTENBERG

FRANK STELLA (*1936),THE SPERM WHALE’S HEAD, THE CHASE – SECOND DAY AND

STUBB KILLS A WHALE (MOBY DICK SERIE) 1988-1989 PHOTO: HELBIG MARBURGER

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MADE IN ENGLAND | SINCE 1879

GOLDFINGER,

and related James Bond Indicia © Danjaq and MGM.

GOLDFINGER,

and related James Bond Trademarks are trademarks of Danjaq. All Rights Reserved.

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Winter 2024/2025 EU NetJets

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