By Erin Kain By Erin Kain | September 4, 2023 | Lifestyle, Feature,
The city's cultural scene takes center stage this September, promising high design, celebratory sips and showstopping performances.
The Donum Estate’s latest acquisition? Savoy Vineyard in Anderson Valley joins the family.
VISIT
The Donum Estate’s extraordinary legacy continues to expand, this time with the brand’s recent acquisition of Savoy Vineyard in Anderson Valley. The 52-acre plot, first planted in 1991 by Richard Savoy, is known for its full-bodied pinot noir and chardonnay and is currently the only vineyard Donum owns outside of Sonoma County. Because the vineyard is already established, Donum expects to harvest around 750 cases this year and can immediately expand its wine portfolio with a stunning 2023 vintage. thedonumestate.com
The De Young Open offers an exciting new way to view art.
SEE
The De Young Open is back and better than ever. From September 30 to January 21, the museum’s triennial event will celebrate and support the Bay Area’s flourishing arts community with a juried community art exhibition. Expect thought-provoking works from Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Sonoma and more. The only show of its kind, attendees can peruse and purchase the art, while the De Young Museum will acquire a curated selection for its permanent collection. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, 415.750.3600, famsf.org
Little Saint’s The Second Story is a must-try.
DISCOVER
Healdsburg’s Little Saint was an instant hit when it opened last year. The Ken Fulk-designed eatery and hub for indie music acts (one of the favorites, The Heavy Heavy, performed there recently) just opened The Second Story upstairs. Executive chef Erick Stalker created a multicourse menu highlighting seasonal ingredients available at Little Saint Farm and the region. Look for a set menu, an ambitious wine and cocktail menu, and low-alcohol and no-alcohol beverage options. 25 North St., Healdsburg, 707.433.8207, littlesainthealdsburg.com
The new Evars Collective showroom promises a uniquely curated design experience for Bay Area professionals and beyond.
DECORATE
Evars Collective has opened its first trade-only showroom in San Francisco to the delight of homeowners in the Bay Area and beyond. By appointment only, peruse a chicly curated collection of designer brands worldwide and boutique lines of textiles, wallpaper, rugs, lighting, art and even bespoke furniture pieces. The space will occasionally host designer-sourcing soirees, art installations, workshops, pop-up events and more. 505 Jackson St., 650.585.2330, evarscollective.com
Rock out with The Head and The Heart at Down in the Valley.
HEAR
Festival season is officially upon us, and a new offering set to take Napa by storm is an intimate event by indie-folk band The Head and The Heart at Oxbow River Stage. For two days (Sept. 2-3), the band, in partnership with Another Planet Entertainment, will present Down in the Valley with a range of indie performers, including Waxahatchee, Dawes, Faye Webster and Madison Cunningham. The Head and The Heart will also take the stage—opening Saturday with an acoustic set and closing both evenings with a full band. 1260 McKinstry St., Napa, 707.880.2300, oxbowriverstage.com
Wente Vineyards toasts to 140 years with a celebratory dinner and sweepstakes.
TASTE
Wente Vineyards celebrates 140 years of continual winemaking this fall. The Wente family has owned these vines since 1883, churning out case upon case of extraordinary wine (even producing the sacramental stuff to stay open during Prohibition). Today, the family’s fourth and fifth generations are in charge and have plenty of plans to celebrate the momentous occasion. A farm-to-table anniversary harvest dinner on September 9 kicks off the festivities, while a sweepstakes giveaway throughout the end of the year promises a winning three-night stay on the Wente grounds with roundtrip airfare, luxury hotel accommodations, gourmet meals and exclusive tours included. 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore, 925.456.2450, wentevineyards.com
Experience wine country in serious style with The Ritz-Carlton SF’s latest luxury package.
STAY
Harvest season is here, and guests of The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, can book the Sips and the City experience. In collaboration with Boisset Collection, the package offers guests the opportunity to taste top-tier wines from select JCB Collection wineries, VIP transportation to and from the hotel to wine country, two nights in the grand Presidential Suite and an elegant dinner and wine pairing from the hotel’s executive chef Patrick O’Sullivan. Dishes include housemade cavatelli, tuna tartare and roasted chicken, while sips include JCB N° 21 sparkling brut, JCB N° 7 pinot noir and JCB N° 69 sparkling rosé. Through Nov. 12, 600 Stockton St., 415.296.7465, marriott.com
Beer and brats? Sign us up! Schroeder’s celebrates 130 years this fall.
CELEBRATE
Schroeder’s, the West Coast’s oldest Bavarian-inspired beer hall, celebrates 130 years this fall with its annual Oktoberfest block party in the Financial District. Since 2014, owners Andrew Chun and Jan Wiginton have maintained the bar’s charm while also pumping money into its renovation. Come for the brews, but stay for the Herman Richter vintage murals. 240 Front St., 415.421.4778, schroedersf.com
NYC street style is the name of the game at Marcella.
SHOP
Lauded fashion retailer Marcella’s first-ever brick-and-mortar store in San Francisco is finally a reality. Founded by husband-and-wife team Siyana and Andy Huszar, the womenswear brand focuses on edgy minimalism with an emphasis on philanthropy and sustainability. “As a brand committed to advancing women and girls globally in every major aspect of what we do, we feel as if we align closely with the strong social motivation of San Francisco and the Bay Area overall,” Andy notes. Shop chic designs, from asymmetric panels and sleek necklines to soft mesh cutouts and dramatic hemlines. 2029 Fillmore St., 415.480.7082, marcellanyc.com
Bioh’s slapstick comedy transports audiences to Nollywood in the ’90s.
WATCH
San Francisco Playhouse’s latest hit production, Nollywood Dreams, takes place in the 1990s during Nigeria’s film industry boom. Written by Ghanian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh, the tale follows a young woman named Ayamma, who dreams of starring in Nollywood, but after a tension-filled love triangle with a hot-shot director and his leading lady, she finds that the glitz and glamour of the movie industry isn’t always what it seems. Sept. 28-Nov. 4, 450 Post St., Ste. 2M, 415.677.9596, sfplayhouse.org
Sip bubbly and nosh on salty bites with Champagne A La Cart.
SIP
Name a better duo than Champagne and caviar; we dare you. Savor both with The St. Regis San Francisco’s Champagne cart experience held daily at The St. Regis Bar from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. A unique prelude to the hotel’s storied sabrage ritual, Champagne A La Cart features a choice of premium sips, from Dom Pérignon Vintage 2012 and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label to Moët & Chandon Impérial, paired with a sumptuous selection of Haute Caviar Company’s savory bites, oysters on the half shell and handcrafted sweets. 125 3rd St., 415.284.4000, marriott.com
Photography by: KIM CARROLL; GARY SEXTON; COURTESY OF BRAND; LAUREN ANDERSEN; SHERVIN LAINEZ; COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BRAND; KEVIN BERNE/BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE; COURTESY OF BRAND