I thought that if we could give people that information online, we could control what to buy and we could influence where to buy. Wishes are delivered via cleverly devised themed packaging--a quarterback experience with Joe Montana ($43,000) will arrive in a box with a note resting on a piece of turf. They ran the winery for more than 30 years before selling it in 2016, and its where Alexis honed her instincts for celebrating the ceremonies and rituals of winefirst, with the introduction of a salon-style tasting room, then a modern sip shoppe. Historically, its mind-blowing, she says. Is this socializing, is it business? Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. It goes with absolutely everything and brings me endless joy." These two works formed the nucleus of a sophisticated collection that now spans the decades from Eggleston and Arbus to Gursky and Wall. From there, he and his wife, Alexis Swanson Traina, hopped over to the Hamptons, joining designer Oscar de la Renta and director Baz Luhrmann at a soiree hosted by Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour. Picking up where Robert Mondavi left off, the Harlan family has completely rewritten the playbook of American wine. Alexis Traina Shares Her Summer Essentials. Our food guy is a well-known food critic." 22 Black-Tie Wedding Guest . Trevor Traina has not been divorced. Start spreading the news: The "New York, New York" star is ready to make it anywhere More, Sir Richard Bransons Mahali Mzuri camp in the world-famous Masai Mara game reserve is the trip you've been waiting for More, The "Bad Cinderella" star is the first Latina originating a leading role in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical More, An inside look at the hottest hotel in the U.S. capital, housed in a former bank in the Penn Quarter More, The Tony-award-winning actor is starring as King Arthur in a new revival of "Camelot" at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center this spring More, With roles playing B.B. My name is Alexis Swanson Traina, I am a wife, mother of 2 young children, blogger, and also Creative Director at Swanson Vineyards, where I have worked with my dad since graduating from college. I always intended to collaborate with my youngest sister, the photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank, on the project. Traina has his own Napa vineyard, "but if you want to be friends with your wife," he explains, "you drink her wine. There's also a philanthropic component to the business. His own parents bought the land around 1969 from the Rainier Brewing Company. Click through for a glimpse. The family tree also includes great-great-grandfather Herbert Henry Dow, who founded Dow Chemical; Trevor's onetime stepmother, bestselling novelist Danielle Steel; and his former stepbrother, Sean Wilsey, author of the bestselling memoir Oh the Glory of It All, which redefined sibling rivalry, the perils of wealth and why children should never have unsupervised access to their stepmother's lingerie drawer. It was part of a Christmas gift to my now husband, Kurt. We keep the valleys mechanics quite busy, Trevor admits. 78 Alexis Traina Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 78 Alexis Traina Premium High Res Photos Browse 78 alexis traina photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. Everything awesome about summer in Napa Valley can be traced back to a glass of rosepeople sip it like water here. On October 10, she emailed us an .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}update after evacuating from Yountville, and this week, she sent us news that she and a number of local winemakers, chefs, and other concerned citizens (including many profiled in this story) have partnered with Tipping Point to form Napa & Sonoma Relief, a fund that will provide support to those most impacted by the fires. I wasnt quite sure what that meant, just that I wanted to work with them.. But its not just milestones that make the house special; its also everyday moments. Traina and his wife, Alexis, packed up their two children and moved to Vienna. "That's such a specific moment in life and time. I started by collecting American art in my twenties. , $25) released in September, takes readers on a whimsical armchair tour of the valley through the eyes of some of its most notable denizens (filmmaker Roman Coppola, wine proprietress Ann Colgin, artist Ira Yeager and the like) with scrapbook-style itineraries, entertaining tips and a glimpse inside Alexis magical life at the end of a private road off Highway 29. Hamish Bowles is entranced. The airy dining room overlooking the garden is balanced by two custom-made banquettes, Venetian grotto furniture and a proud pair of peacocks. Trevor's collection had its genesis when, aged 22 and newly graduated from Oxford and Princeton, he found himself at the Seagram Building in Manhattan on the first day of his first job. ". Though Traina was approved by a unanimous voice vote of the United States Senate in March, he could not officially go to work in Austria until his credentials, in the form of a sealed letter from the president of the United States, were accepted by Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen, federal president of the Republic of Austria. Alexis Traina and Elena McAllister . Inside the Home of San Francisco's Most High-Profile Couple For tech entrepreneur Trevor Traina and his wife Alexis Swanson Traina, a historic Napa Valley home is an ideal respite from city life Written by David Nash Photographed by Douglas Friedman View the gallery One of HiNote's recent projects is a special collaboration with JJ Martin, founder of Milanese brand La Double J, offering 16 vibrant templates from cocktail hour invitations to sweet messages of encouragement. " Alexis Traina, "My summer bags are always bursting with Veronica Beard dresses, bathing suits and jean jackets. Needless to say, we were immediately smitten. This story appears in the April 13, 2014 issue of ForbesLife. Half of IfOnly's business is now bespoke. Years later, he saw the image for sale at an auction and purchased it. The mother of two is married to entrepreneur and philanthropist Trevor Traina, attends many society galas and. In fact, we planned a big outdoor christening, but it rainedand it never rains in Napa. The quick-thinking couple cleared out all the furniture in the seldom-used formal parlor to allow about 60 guests to gather inside for the ceremony. That's the ultimate luxury.". HiNote provides a reimagined alternative to digital communication, offering a vast collection of personalized templates that can be used to send messages. Alexis Traina, "Gigi Burris makes insane hats all year round, but Im particularly fond of this straw stetson with an extra broad rim." The company offers one-of-a-kind items and experiences, from a $35 guitar pick signed by Chris Cornell (formerly of Soundgarden) to a $45,000 private training session with Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice--"luminaries," as Traina calls IfOnly's talent. Consider, for example, some of her favorite pairings: Oreos and merlot, cake and Sancerre, barbecue chips and ros, chocolate bonbons and a bottle of Modern House Wines, a project that she started at Swanson in 2000 with the help of Andy Spade (another contributor to the book and one of her favorite partners in crime). There were no databases of products where you could compare television sets or phones and that sort of thing. New to Traina's list of endeavors is becoming CEO of messaging app, .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}HiNote. Photo: Photographed by Drew Alter. "Trevor has vision that I don't," says Alexis. By boarding school, things had started to come around: Id found a new hairdo, zip code, Benetton, whole new set of friends, and pool of suitors. I knew the house prior to the fire, and I was so crazy for it, says Alexis, who moved from Florida with her family to the region in the mid-1980s. [14] [15] Traina made a major loan of photographs to the Albertina museum in Vienna for the Fall 2021 exhibition American Photography. Parker Thatch always makes the best summer totes loaded with personality and charm." She chronicled it all in a blog, Alexis' Napa for the Curious and Eccentric. At a charity auction, he bought an hour of tennis with John McEnroe. Located inOakville, in the Napa Valley, the home was built in the 1860s by H.W. Alexis Traina, "Gucci aviators are always sexy, mysterious, and full of fun. "Collecting is a disease that runs in the family," he says. Last Name. Alexis Traina, creative director at Swanson Vineyards, is one busy person. Alexis Swanson Traina, Contributor. The HiNote CEO, wine connoisseur, and travel lover shares all her summer must-haves. In 2008, to generate publicity for DriverSide, he drove an Audi R8 in the Gumball 3000 rally from San Francisco to Beijing (with the help of a cargo plane). Gina Gallo and Jean-Charles Boisset were the only ones audacious (and legit) enough to purchase the Wappo Hill home that belonged to Bob and Margrit Mondavi. "The possibilities are endless," says Traina, who has already sold 2,000 experiences. Larry Lovett, Nicole Hanley, Alexis Swanson and Trevor Traina attend Venetian Heritage MAN RAY Photo Exhibition at VBH on May 4, 2006 in New York. " Alexis Traina, .css-1fgik18{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,NewParis-fallback,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1fgik18:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}Shop Our Favorite Saks Friends & Family Deals, Stylish Denim Jackets for the Transitional Season, Stylish Fisherman Sandals to Wear This Season, Heres Where to Get Taylors Single Era Heels, A Cult-Status Bag That Lives Up to Its Hype. The crimson velvet is dusted with gold; "at night, by candlelight, it's really potent," says Alexis. He started as a feature writer in the People section, which was anchored by Herb Caen's column, and has written about people ever since. Photographed & Styled By Claiborne Swanson Frank Published: Oct 26, 2017 Alexis Traina's ode to Napa Valley, which appears in the November issue of Town & Country,. It also helped that Getty "runs a true atelier, filled with acres of ancient textiles, books, and furniture from every corner of the Earth." Their life at the time was a whirlwind, as Trevor recalls. Lanier Residence was a stunning, historical backdrop for our cover shoot with Katie Holmes More, The St. Regis New York Debuts a Chevalier Suite, Kelvin Harrison Jr. Is Riding the Fame Wave, Dont Miss The VeuveClicquot Polo Classic, Cartier Design: A Living Legacy Opens at Museo Jumex, Julia Roberts Expands Her Role As Chopards Global Ambassador, Were Over The Moon About This New Travel Registry, Our Favorite New Tech Gadgets and Devices Right Now, Carbone Opens in The Dallas Design District, Stylish New Reads From Louis Vuitton and YSL, Get behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram. I started to research my book, From Napa with Love, which was published by Abrams in September, by reaching out to the areas most colorful characters, people I grew up around or just admired, like film-maker and writer Roman Coppola, interior designer Ken Fulk, and Elizabeth Swanson, my wonderfully talented mother. I could often be found doing business at my roll-top desk, shuffling papers and stamping voided checks; flipping through Harpers Hideaway Reports researching my parents travels; or at my mothers knee in dusty antique shops, that always played quiet AM radio. I wrote andproduced the book infive months. Alexis Swanson Traina Creative Director, Swanson Vineyards My name is Alexis Swanson Traina, I am a wife, mother of 2 young children, blogger, and also Creative Director at Swanson Vineyards, where I have worked with my dad since graduating from college. Those who can't find their dream experience in Traina's impressive lineup can fill out a "wish list." Photographed by Douglas Friedman / via DuJour. From Hollywood talents to art-world tastemakers to tech titans, each month we interview the leading lights who make this state the creative and entrepreneurial center of the country. Arriving at their historic, Victorian-style Oakville home, its easy to understand why the pairknown for their notable art collection, philanthropy and omnipresence on the San Francisco social scenepack up their kids almost every weekend and head here to unwind. We spend our weekends tinkering with old cars. In my awkward teenage years, I became obsessed with Lady Diana Spencer and insisted on having her same hairdo, eagerly spritzed with several bottles of Sun-In Not a good look in tropical climates, with braces. She is a devoted advocate for people with disabilities. "San Francisco right now is like the Florence of the Medicis. I worked late at night, on plane rides, or whenever I could find the time, and designed the book with my longtime graphic designer, Alyssa. The morning mists roll in from the bay far below, shrouding the prettily fretted Victorian houses that clamber up the hill and the stately Beaux Arts mansions that crown it. Elizabeths favorite place to entertain is a 1904 utility barn on her property, which she describes as Marie Antoinettes poor sisters ballroom, complete with a special perfume thanks to the henhouse thats attached to it. I already know the best trees for climbing, the ultimate hide-and-seek spots and where to build a fort, he says. Shop Our Favorite Saks Friends & Family Deals, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The acquisition was part of a complex transaction whereby vintner Robert Mondavi purchased the vineyards and Trainas parents received the property and the house. "It used to be embarrassing to go to bars and demand Sunset Passions," he remembers, as he sips a glass of cabernet from his in-laws' Swanson Vineyards in the Napa Valley--his wife, a wry Southern beauty, is from the frozen-foods family. Thats the story.. He sits on the board of six other nonprofits as well. Elizabeths favorite place to entertain is a 1904 utility barn on her property, which she describes as Marie Antoinettes poor sisters ballroom, complete with a special perfume thanks to the henhouse thats attached to it. "Ode to Joy" has been edited for Vogue.com; the complete story appears in the December 2009 issue of Vogue. Michael Taylor decorated Trevors parents homes, and his grandmothers house in Newport, Rhode Island, was done in the 1960s by Valerian Rybar; Thomas Britt decorated the homes of Alexis parents. Traina is married to Alexis Swanson Traina and has two children. gh-low. "And while each of them was very different from the others, their common thread was the love of drama, romance, and imagination. "The house is the embodiment of that commitment to each other. And living in a house like this, you realize that a great big kitchen and a great big porch are really where you want to be., For his part, Trevor adds that even the houses indoor living can feel somewhat alfresco: I joke that were camping here, because we have 18th-century wallpaper. Though they both grew up in high-style households, Trevor says, were very casual and we arent at all fancy here., Trevor and Alexis are undoubtedly the chicest couple I know, says design impresario Ken Fulk, a close friend. ), For Alexisthe daughter of Elizabeth and W. Clarke Swanson Jr., a renowned vintner, whose grandfather started the national food-production company that bears the family namewhats outside of the house is equally important. " Alexis Traina, Suzie Kondi makes these amazing French terrycloth jumpsuits that are an easy, comfy travel essential. We all have different reasons for coming to Napa Valley: the light, the air, the soil, the vistas, and, of course, the wine. Then he was out until the wee hours having dinner with a Disney executive and some tech-mogul friends at Spruce, a cozy, Michelin-starred Presidio Heights restaurant in which he is a co-investor. When the winery sold, she decided to put some of her best ideas down on paper: From Napa with Love (Abrams, $25) released in September, takes readers on a whimsical armchair tour of the valley through the eyes of some of its most notable denizens (filmmaker Roman Coppola, wine proprietress Ann Colgin, artist Ira Yeager and the like) with scrapbook-style itineraries, entertaining tips and a glimpse inside Alexis magical life at the end of a private road off Highway 29. Alexis Traina, "Who isnt a sucker for a chic camo canvas bag for summer? As a child, my family lived in a small town in southwest Florida, where my after-school friends were the elderly ladies of the neighborhood who taught me everything I know about dark chocolate, cards, port wine cheese, housecoats and men. "Most of the luminaries are doing this for charity, so most, if not all, of their part is usually donated," Traina explains. Five O'Clock Somewhere: Riverside Sundowners At Zambia's Luangwa Safari House, Designer Mara Hoffman on Her Vibrant New Activewear Line, Cara Delevingne, Tag Heuer Raise Funds for Cecil the Lion Researchers, This 50 Million Vertical Ship Will Revolutionize Ocean Exploration, Vatican For Sale: Very Wealthy Rent the Sistine Chapel, Dine with the Pope and Buy Secret Archives, Mido Launches Watch Design Contest With Famous Timepiece Designers. All I knew about Napa was what I learned watching Falcon Crest. Alexis parents, Elizabeth and W. Clarke Swanson, uprooted their family (Alexis sisters, Veronica, a clothing designer, and Claiborne, a photographer, are based in New York) from Naples, Fla., in 1985, when they purchased 100 acres on Oakville Cross Road and started Swanson Vineyards. If you purchase an Italian wine apprenticeship with master sommelier David Lynch ($3,200), the box will be lined with corks. The drive from San Francisco to the Napa Valley takes only a little more than an hour, but for tech entrepreneur and IfOnly CEO Trevor Traina and his wife, Swanson Vineyards creative director Alexis Swanson Traina, the two places feel as far away from each other as possible. She specializes in portraiture and creates images that feel like intimate X-rays, pictures full of textured physical details set against back-drops of personal history. The home was built in the 1860s by H.W. The following night, Alexis Swanson Traina hosted her husband and friends at a swinging soiree where designer Ken Fulk executed her whimsical, "American Graffiti" vision, reimagining Wilsey. Here, time slows down, and things like cars, wine and friendships evolve and improve with age. It was as if true refinement had sprung to life. I thought that at the time I would never have the kind of wallet to have a great collection, so I turned to photographs." Raising $3 million from angel investors, including his neighbors Mark Pincus and Jeremy Stoppelman, plus Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Russian billionaire Yuri Milner, Traina launched IfOnly (ifonly.com) late last year. This website is a curation of past articles. . And for the past few years, Traina has been holding that center--linking the Bay Area's tech titans with the city's Old Guard. Trevors dads house is a 19th-century homestead with an old-fashioned water tower and a collection of carriages and gypsy wagons., For the familyfull-time residents, weekenders and summer folk alikeNapa Valley has evolved into a place that is about much more than wine, though there happens to be a glass at most meals. There was a knock on the door, and the company's photography conservator came in to offer a print for his office. by Alexis Swanson Traina (Author) 68 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle $2.99 Read with Our Free App Paperback $26.94 Other new and used from $4.25 Napa Valley is a wonderland boasting beautiful weather, exquisite vistas, bespoke hotels, Michelin-rated restaurants, and world-class wineries. Its a really amazing thing to do, to stroll on a warm night with a glass of wine.In a place like this, it certainly is. Swanson Traina, the creative director of Swanson Vineyards, a sprawling estate known for . [16] The Trainas friends were treated to several parties, including a sit-down dinner with live accordion players, and tours of Viennas top attractions like the Palais Liechtenstein as well as a glimpse of the famed Lipizzaner stallions. Going to a wedding? Instead of counting his inheritance or riding the express lane to Wall Street like so many of his peers, Traina transformed his silver spoon into a full platinum table setting through a series of Internet startups. He arrived in Napa Valley at age 12 when his parents, Eleanor and Francis, bought a house and moved the family up from San Francisco. Part of HuffPost News. "It was too good to be true," he remembers. ", His first Big Idea came in the mid-'90s, when he tried to buy a cordless telephone. It wasn't all work. Situated in Pacific Heights, one of the city's most rarefied neighborhoods, the home, which Traina shares with his wife, Alexis, and their two children, was decorated by his neighbor Ann Getty.. The silver-haired free spirit is known for amassing one of the most legendary prop closets in the valley, filled with trinkets and tchotchkes to. A writer and filmmaker (Golden Globe for, By Alexis Traina. Travel essential number one." Along with Britt, Ann Getty worked with the Trainas to realize their specific vision. President Donald Trump nominated Traina last January, and in the spring the Senate confirmed his appointment. Find a couple's wedding registry and website. Top Image: Carlo Mondavi is equal parts entrepreneur, winemaker, and goodwill ambassador. Beloved fashion designer Andrew Gn, who is based in Paris, but has a considerable following in San Francisco, was also in Austria for the soire. "We were both so passionate about creating a home and a family and a life," says Trevor. Home Design Inside the Home of San Franciscos Most High-Profile Couple, For tech entrepreneur Trevor Traina and his wife Alexis Swanson Traina, a historic Napa Valley home is an ideal respite from city life. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Instagram: @sfchronicle_art. Feature photography by Clairborne Swanson Frank, Katie von Strasser is a former ballerina with a background in fashion and art. "Eventually my father said, 'You have a dozen employees now--it's time to get an office.' "He thinks on a much grander scale!". A renowned artist, entertainer, and major league raconteur, Ira Yaeger also happens to be my mothers best friend. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The 45-year-old tech entrepreneur had woken up in Los Angeles that morning, having spent the previous evening at the Oscars. "Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by the brightest and best minds that they know?". 3/8. It never ceases to amaze me.. There's this incredible mix of business and art and creativity that's producing a new Renaissance." ", "It was born in the peak of love," adds Alexis. It's the end of a long day that some would find exhilarating, others exhausting and Traina simply typical. The book offers a glimpse into the world of Napa through the eyes of a true native who has a passion for this magnificent valley. Theres nothing I love more than sitting in the passenger seat with him driving, going nowhere fast. Traina, 50, is the son of Dede Wilsey, longtime president of the board of trustees of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. That afternoon, he canceled his Virgin America flight home in favor of hitching a ride on a friend's private jet. Allison Speer, whose PR firm has been instrumental in bridging the fashion and technology worlds in San Francisco, wore Dolce & Gabbana, while Alexis Traina was in Zimmermann, Mary Beth Shimmon. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Alexis Traina opens the doors to the best of wine country living, Words by KELSEY McKINNON Photography by DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN. WHILE ON THE TOPIC OF decorating with chinoiserie wall panels, came across the wonderful Victorian-style summer home of tech entrepreneur Trevor Traina and his wife, Swanson Vineyards creative director Alexis Swanson Traina, an hour outside of San Francisco.Located in Oakville, in the Napa Valley, the home was built in the 1860s by H.W. She claims the long, unpaved, tree-lined driveway as being her favorite spot on the property. Crabb, a Napa Valley pioneer who founded the To Kalon winery. [13] His hobby is collecting photographs, an exhibition of his collection in summer 2012 at the Fine Arts Museum was discussed in the media. "I was 30," he says. Subscribe. Today, it is all chintz and chinoiserie, bright colours and white wicker, lovely lattice walls and chic perfection . Alexis Traina's birthday is 09/19/1970 and is 52 years old. "During the days, we'd work on little painted-rabbit tables and pack everything away when the kids had to go to bed," Traina says. "She was so patient and kind." Feb 3, 2011, 07:05 PM EST | Updated Dec 6, 2017. The sale marked the end of a chapter in the journey that has defined my adulthood, one that tested my fathers patience daily as I discovered a love of product design and creating new tasting experiences.