Latest news with #SingleThread
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Which Bay Area restaurants landed on the World's 50 Best list?
Two of the Bay Area's most decorated restaurants, SingleThread and Atelier Crenn, have landed on a global stage once again. Influential restaurant ranking group World's 50 Best Restaurants included the fine dining institutions on its extended list of restaurants, from 51 through 100, which includes 37 cities around the globe. Atelier Crenn in San Francisco placed at No. 96, while Healdsburg's SingleThread was named No. 80. 'We are grateful when our name appears, a sign that our labor is seen,our flame recognized,' Atelier Crenn executive chef and owner Dominique Crenn wrote on Instagram. The restaurant has appeared on the main 50 best list, at no. 48, as recently as 2021, but fell off the list completely last year; SingleThread, meanwhile, fell from its place last year at No. 37. Past Bay Area honorees on World's Best 50 Restaurants' main list include Saison, Benu and the French Laundry, which has been inducted into the organization's 'Best of the Best' hall of fame after being placed in the No. 1 spot. The World's 50 Best Restaurants, published by the British media company William Reed, put out its first rankings of top fine dining destinations in 2002. The group has been criticized in the past for a lack of diversity in its organization, not requiring members to pay for their meals, as well as uneven gender and geographic representation in past lists. The main list, which will rank restaurants from 50 to No. 1, will be revealed in Turin, Italy on June 19.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Meet The Winemaker Changing The Face Of Sonoma Wine
Jesse Katz walking in his Farrow Ranch vineyard For decades, Napa Valley has been synonymous with pedigreed Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends, but the spotlight is beginning to shift westward—toward Sonoma. Sonoma is rightly celebrated for its exquisite Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines but now its Bordeaux varietals are earning a seat at the table—and wine lovers should take note. A growing number of producers are earning critical acclaim, including rare 100-point scores that were once almost exclusively the domain of Napa's elite, and one of the key figures driving this evolution is winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars. Kyle Connaughton, chef and owner of Sonoma's three-Michelin-starred SingleThread restaurant, credits Katz with helping to raise the region's profile: 'In such a short time, Jesse has raised the bar so incredibly high in our region. His wines stand at the top of their class compared to great Old World counterparts, while simultaneously being innovative, provocative, and approachable. He is ushering in a new era of what's possible in California winemaking, and as a chef, I'm always incredibly excited and inspired to cook for his wines.' Katz is not alone. Wineries like Vérité, which has received perfect scores for red blends that blur the line between Sonoma and Bordeaux, as well as Skipstone, Stonestreet, and Peter Michael have contributed to Sonoma's increasing stature in the wine world. The numbers don't lie; according to Wine-Searcher, the number of Sonoma County wines receiving 95 points or higher from top critics has more than doubled over the past decade. Tasting room at Aperture Cellars in Sonoma Katz, whose résumé includes tenure at the revered Napa estate Screaming Eagle, brings obsessive precision and artistry to his winemaking and viticulture and the results reflect his focus. Indeed, Katz is the first and only winemaker to ever earn a 100 point score for wine made in Sonoma's Alexander Valley—from six different critics no less. And, he's earned more perfect scores than any Sonoma winemaker to date. While critics' scores aren't the sole measure of quality, they are an important barometer of excellence. And in this case, they signal a notable shift: Sonoma is no longer just Napa's country cousin. It is emerging as a destination for world-class wines and deserving of equal—if not greater—attention from collectors and connoisseurs alike. After so much success in Napa, it's worth asking why Katz ventured into Sonoma. For him, the decision was a no-brainer: greater opportunity and diversity. 'There is so much potential in Sonoma,' explains Katz, 'finding the next great site is still very much a possibility. The best sites in Napa have already been discovered. And for someone like me who wasn't born into this industry or into wealth the barrier to entry in Napa was almost unachievable. It was hard enough even in Sonoma.' Rolling hills of Aperture's Farrow Ranch in Sonoma's Alexander Valley This sprawling county (Sonoma is 1,575 square miles compared to Napa's 789 square miles) runs from the Pacific to the Mayacamas Mountains and is home to every kind of microclimate imaginable. It has more soil diversity than the entire nation of France and is composed of a constellation of quirky small towns populated by a mix of hippies and farmers. Only a few decades ago, Sonoma's now buzzy Healdsburg Square was a Hell's Angels biker hotspot (some of whom used the square's fountain to bathe). Today, the bikers are gone, replaced by Michelin-starred restaurants, five-star hotels, and boutique shops. In keeping with this evolution, the winemaking has become more focused; consider that Alexander Valley is about to debut its first-ever sub ava, Pocket Peak, which will represent some of the region's most exquisite vineyard offerings. Not surprisingly, Katz's most prized vineyard, Farrow Ranch, sits right in the heart of it. 'It's a magical, unicorn of a site,' explains Katz, 'One of the best I've worked with in my career.' It was at Farrow Ranch that Katz discovered an intriguing block of old vine Malbec, (the source of his now-famous Devil Proof bottling, which received the first-ever 100-point score for a Malbec in US history). That success inspired Katz even more. 'For the last decade of my life, I've been focused on soils and identifying unique pockets where I can unlock their potential. One of Aperture's great successes has been our ability to find sites others have overlooked and redesign, replant and farm them in a completely new way.' Farrow Ranch is a bowl-shaped paradise where Katz cultivates Bordeaux varietals on a range of different soil types, at different elevations and oriented in all directions. This amazing tapestry of vineyard variety gives Katz and his team remarkable flexibility at the blending table, enabling them to craft deeply complex wines. 'It's a site that hasn't even hit its stride yet,' he says. 'We've planted 17 new acres and have another phase planned for 2026.' Sonoma's rise isn't about one winemaker making 100-point wines; it's more of a team effort with everyone sharing in each other's expertise across all aspects of winemaking and hospitality. On any given day one might spot a local chef wandering Aperture's vineyards on a foraging mission. Not long ago, Katz shared some of his decommissioned wine with local chef Dustin Valette (owner of The Matheson) who then used it to craft a wine-infused mustard. And, Christopher Jackson, proprietor of Jackson Family Wines, is working with Katz on a special winemaking project called Prophet and Poet; the 2021 releases just made their debut. Katz owns Aperture in partnership with his father, acclaimed photographer Andy Katz—and the winery name couldn't be more fitting. In photography, 'aperture' refers to the control of light and focus, and that's exactly what Katz is bringing to Sonoma: a sharp focus and a spotlight on the region's viticultural brilliance. If you want in on the ground floor, you'd better make your way to Sonoma soon. Aperture Collage: Katz's newest and most groundbreaking wine, these two bottlings feature the best of the best hand-selected fruit from across a portfolio of 200 acres. 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon ($425) and a 2022 Sauvignon Blanc ($125). Aperture Site Series is a collection of single-vineyard wines, each sourced from one meticulously chosen vineyard site in Sonoma County 2022 Aperture Oliver Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon | $150 2022 Aperture Del Rio Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | $150 2022 Aperture SJ Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | $150 2022 Aperture Proterra | $175
San Francisco Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Justin Timberlake's ‘unforgettable' Wine Country moment revealed by Jessica Biel
When Kyle Connaughton, chef-owner of Healdsburg's three Michelin-starred SingleThread, discovered Justin Timberlake's favorite sweet treat, he didn't just take note — he took action. To satiate the pop singer's love of Heath Bars, Connaughton drove to a nearby gas station, purchased a few, and served them side by side with the singer's dessert course. That moment, as if scripted by the writers behind the hit Hulu series ' The Bear,' is a favorite Wine Country memory that actress Jessica Biel shared with the Chronicle ahead of her husband's headlining performance at BottleRock Napa Valley on Saturday, May 24. BottleRock Napa Valley 2025: Lineup, tickets, food and more Photos: Highlights from Napa Valley's star-studded music festival BottleRock's most luxurious bites: 7 fancy foods to indulge in at the 2025 festival Biel, who described the chef's gesture as 'unforgettable,' was at opening day of the Napa music and food festival on Friday, May 24, to host a tasting of her new wine brand, Prophet & Poet, in BottleRock's premier Platinum Lounge. She also spoke with the Chronicle about her favorite wine region, what she and Timberlake like to drink at home and which of the pair is the bigger wino. Yesterday at @BottleRockNapa , I spoke with @JessicaBiel and winemaker @jkatzwine about their new wine brand Prophet & Poet. @jtimberlake headlines the festival tonight. — Jess Lander (@jesslander) May 24, 2025 For the wine brand, Biel partnered up with California winemaker Jesse Katz, best known for his Healdsburg winery Aperture and Devil Proof, a world-renowned Malbec. Katz is a childhood friend of Biel's brother (also named Justin), and he notably crafted a wedding wine for both of the siblings on their respective big days. Years later, Prophet & Poet, named in honor of Justin and his wife Rosita Biel as he's a writer and she a shaman), was tasting great, she said, and 'had the DNA to be something really special.' That's when Katz and the three Biels decided to join forces to make the wine brand 'for high-end collectors,' Biel said, aimed to 'set a new standard for wines hailing from Sonoma County.' Katz brought another famous Sonoma County vintner into the fold, Jackson Family Wines' owner Chris Jackson and his wife Ariel Jackson, to source premium grapes. While Katz said his friends give him 'full artistic freedom' in crafting the wines, he explained how he allows them to taste blends and wines from the barrel to get their feedback. The wines, released earlier this week, include a Cabernet Sauvignon, two red blends and two Chardonnays.
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Savor Launches Butter Made Without Agriculture, Showcasing the First of its Revolutionary Sustainable Fats
Savor, the pioneering food company that creates pure, versatile and sustainable fats directly from carbon without the need for conventional agriculture, today announced the commercial launch of its animal-and-plant-free butter – the first product made from a game-changing platform that has captivated chefs and food manufacturers from coast-to-coast. Select restaurants like Michelin-starred SingleThread and ONE65, and beloved bakeries like Jane the Bakery are set to be among Savor's first customers this year. This milestone, arriving on the third anniversary of Savor's founding, caps several years of intensive research and development, culinary innovation, production scale-up and regulatory assessments, coinciding with the company's recognition as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2025. The company celebrated these achievements this month with special dinners in San Francisco and New York City where esteemed guests were among the first in the world to taste Savor's butter replacement. 'Savor was founded to find the most sustainable way to feed humanity. Truly sustainable solutions can't just reduce our environmental footprint, they have to be affordable, approachable and craveable,' said Kathleen Alexander, co-founder and CEO of Savor, who was honored last week as one of Inc. Magazine's 2025 Female Founders 500. 'As the only technology with the potential to replace palm oil and other widely used fats with a very low-carbon equivalent within the next decade, Savor is positioned to make a substantial impact on global sustainability efforts in the food industry. Savor's method of producing fats and oils offers differentiated scalability and versatility, allowing us to create rich, delicious ingredients while reaching price parity with conventional fats more rapidly.' Over the last year, Savor has been quietly collaborating with select restaurants and bakeries in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, who are eager to incorporate the company's butter into their culinary creations. Renowned culinarians like SingleThread Owner-Chef Kyle Connaughton and Pastry Chefs Juan Contreras of Atelier Crenn and Clement Goyffon of ONE65 have been early evaluators. A short film showing how Contreras uses Savor's butter to reimagine a classic brioche recipe is featured on the company's new website, with others to follow. Savor's proprietary technology has also attracted multinational consumer packaged goods companies, whose R&D teams are working on ingredient innovation projects that can leverage Savor's unique ability to create customizable fats and oils. The company is actively negotiating joint development agreements with some of these partners, who have been particularly impressed by the versatility and tunability of fatty acid profiles that Savor's platform can produce—capabilities that extend well beyond the company's initial dairy-fat mimicking formulation. 'Our expanding pipeline of partners reflects a deep industry-wide status: the food sector urgently needs solutions to mitigate supply chain instability, which continues to impact revenues and margins across the board. This, while reducing emissions from raw materials and maintaining high ingredient quality and generally acceptable prices. It is such a complex challenge to solve and we intend to help our partners solve it,' said Chiara Cecchini, Vice President of Commercialization at Savor. Recent milestones critical to the commercial launch include: The production of the world's first fats molecularly constructed from point-captured carbon dioxide (CO₂), green hydrogen (GH₂), and methane (CH₄) The achievement of self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, allowing legal sales in the U.S. market The expansion of R&D capabilities at Savor's San Jose headquarters The opening of Savor's first 25,000-square foot pilot production facility in Batavia, Illinois, which has the initial capacity to produce metric tons of fat starting this year 'Savor is redefining food production with a scalable solution that delivers great taste while enhancing stable, domestic supply chains,' said Carmichael Roberts, Breakthrough Energy Ventures. 'The global demand for fats and oils continues to grow, and innovations like Savor's proprietary fats offer a breakthrough opportunity for the industry and the planet. This milestone highlights their continued innovation and the strong market demand for their approach.' 'Following a decade of experience investing in the food tech space, it is clear that fats are a crucially important part of delivering incredible, animal-equivalent taste and texture to alternatives. Savor's approach unlocks both scalability and flexibility in producing animal-equivalent fats in a way that no other current solution is poised to. As a result, this makes them inseparable from the coming food system transformation,' said Costa Yiannoulis, co-founder and Managing Partner of Synthesis Capital. The commercial launch of Savor's butter and the additional milestones announced today represent just the first steps in the company's ambitious journey. Follow along on as well as on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay up to date on future developments. For PR images and videos, please visit the company's press kit. About Savor: Savor believes in a future where we can all enjoy the foods we love without consuming our planet. Founded in 2022 and backed by leading investors like Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Synthesis Capital, the company's proprietary process follows nature's own blueprints to create pure, versatile and sustainable fats directly from carbon without the need for conventional plant and animal agriculture. Savor's teams in San Jose, California and Batavia, Illinois are obsessed with making top-quality ingredients that are scalable, infinitely customizable and deliver velvety, rich flavors that chefs, food manufacturers and consumers love. From butter to palm oil, Savor crafts delicious fats without depleting the Earth's resources. For more information, visit
