Latest news with #WineCountry
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
WWE legend reacts to Kyle Larson copying his iconic signature celebration
Triple H certainly didn't expect a piece of his iconic WWE entrance to appear in NASCAR, especially not with a wine goblet in hand. But that's exactly what happened as some viral images of Kyle Larson's 2021 Sonoma victory recently resurfaced. In that moment, Larson had some fun celebrating with an arm raised to the crowd and spraying wine all over himself and the team. You could practically hear the song 'Time to Play the Game' playing in the background. Triple H took to X to react to it, saying: 'Never thought of doing it with wine…' The moment is from June 2021 when Kyle Larson enjoyed a historic, dominant win at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma (popularly referred to as the 'Wine Country' NASCAR race). Also Read:: NASCAR Rumor: Ram eyes reality show driver tryout with UFC's Dana White's support Kyle Larson's celebration straight out of the WWE ring As NASCAR races in Sonoma this weekend, their official account used this moment to promote the race. Kyle Larson, adhering to his drinking-on-the-run tradition, sipped from a goblet of red wine and celebrated his victory by spraying the entire area with it. The wind direction caught the spray of wine and poor positioning happened. Without fail, the clip eventually made the social media rounds as NASCAR fans made the amusing connection to Triple H's classic WWE entrance process. Kyle Larson hasn't slowed down since. In 2025 he's already got three Cup Series wins and is a key player in Hendrick Motorsports' championship push. He led 411 out of 500 laps at Bristol and was the most dominant driver of the weekend. Across the board he's been fast, aggressive and sharp. He's also extended one of the longest active streaks in the sport, winning at least one race per season for 19 straight years. Also Read:: 'All it takes is Kyle Busch leaving': Kyle Busch's exit could reshape the grid, says NASCAR veteran Related Headlines NBA speculation points to internal friction among Indiana Pacers Dallas Mavericks shut Cooper Flagg down after 31-point performance in Vegas Summer League Jayson Tatum reportedly recruiting 7x All-NBA player to Boston Celtics Rival teams 'expect' Jonathan Kuminga to sign with this NBA team
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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The Best Resort in California Is Nowhere Near the Beach—but Travelers Love It for the Farm-fresh Food and Wine
When it comes to California resorts, it's clear that T+L readers love the state's wine countries, from Napa Valley down to the Central Coast—and the beaches lining the Pacific. And it's no wonder. All of these regions have become synonymous with an idealized, laid-back version of life in the Golden State, where the sun shines over neat rows of vineyards, surfers catch endless waves, and where natural beauty is everywhere you look. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below: Rooms/facilities Location Service Food Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. A courtyard in a Suite at The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection. Auberge Resorts Collection In Montecito, near Santa Barbara, San Ysidro Ranch (this year's runner-up) has gained icon status, having opened in 1893. It's played host to everyone from Winston Churchill to John and Jackie Kennedy on its sprawling, cottage-dotted property. One reader, when visiting with her mother, noted, 'Every staff member treated us with kindness and respect. From the moment we entered the property, we were amazed at all the small details." Further up the coast, the natural beauty of Big Sur is complemented by another reader favorite, Alila Ventana Big Sur (No. 11), an excellent adults-only resort. "It's all-inclusive, and the food is incredible, as is the service at the restaurant,' said one reader. And down near San Diego, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa (No. 5) in Rancho Santa Fe had particularly enthusiastic fans. As one repeat visitor to the property put it: 'Rancho Valencia is hands-down my favorite resort in the U.S.. It kind of feels like a secret, but arriving at the gate and being greeted by one of the impeccably mannered staff, you know exactly where you are. It's heaven!' The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection Exterior view of The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection. Auberge Resorts Collection 'The rooms are beautiful and the tavern and restaurant have been fabulously restored to showcase all of the history of the property.' — T + L Reader While it only opened in 2023, this year's winner, The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, has quickly become a reader favorite. 'A fantastic, understated, luxurious hotel,' is how one reader described this 6.5-acre property, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards in the little town of Los Olivos, a two-hour drive north of Los Angeles. 'The rooms are beautiful and the tavern and restaurant have been fabulously restored to showcase all of the history of the property.' Being in the heart of Central California's agricultural land, the culinary offerings are naturally a big part of the draw here. The hotel's primary restaurant, The Tavern, is an ode to regional produce and ingredients, many of which are grown on-site, and as you'd expect, there's a wide-ranging wine list showing off the best of California. 1. The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, Los Olivos Reader Score: 99.27 2. San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito Reader Score: 98.76 3. Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, Calistoga Reader Score: 97.83 4. The Ranch at Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach Reader Score: 97.25 5. Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Rancho Santa Fe Reader Score: 97.02 6. Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Resorts Collection, Rutherford Reader Score: 96.29 7. Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection, Napa Reader Score: 96.20 8. Mission Pacific Beach Resort, Oceanside Reader Score: 96.00 9. The Seabird Resort, Oceanside Reader Score: 95.35 10. The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla Reader Score: 94.29 11. Alila Ventana Big Sur, Big Sur Reader Score: 94.23 12. Alisal Ranch, Solvang Reader Score: 93.93 13. Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego Reader Score: 93.38 14. Terranea, Rancho Palos Verdes Reader Score: 93.29 15. Bernardus Lodge & Spa, Carmel Valley Reader Score: 92.70
San Francisco Chronicle
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Carín León battles through vocal struggles to close La Onda festival
It may sound harsh to call Carín León's headlining set at La Onda a disappointment, but if you asked the singer from Sonora, he might nod in agreement. León took the main stage Sunday, June 1, with visible strain and an ailing voice, powering through a closing set that capped the second edition of Wine Country's Latin-focused festival with more grit than glory. His delivery — hoarse, limited, at times painfully distant from his signature resonance — was far from the vocal force that has propelled him into the upper tiers of Latin music stardom. Still, he pressed on. 'There is no fire in my voice,' he admitted to the crowd, 'but I'm going to put heart into it.' That became the mantra of the night. What followed was near- 80 minutes of raw effort and improvised remedies: a red elixir (Chloraseptic throat spray? Tequila?), a banana between songs, apologies to the tens of thousands gathered in front of the La Onda stage. Ever the professional, León never walked off stage (albeit ending his set five minutes early) but he couldn't rise to the performance either. The crowd — warm, forgiving and singing along — carried the set as much as he did. There were highlights. His rendition of 'Tennessee Whiskey,' a nod to the crossover appeal that made him the only artist to perform at both BottleRock Napa Valley and La Onda this year, earned a swell of cheers. But the cover and most of his offerings on Sunday felt more like a reminder of what wasn't working rather than what was. La Onda's organizers had bet heavily on León. Already a banner booking for BottleRock the weekend before, he was elevated to headline La Onda on Sunday after Grupo Firme abruptly canceled after being denied entry into the United States. Tito Doble P, the rising star of corridos tumbados, was shifted to the Verizon Stage and León moved to the main stage to anchor the night. But despite his high energy and momentum, the field in front of him never quite filled. The gravity was with León, and so was the weight. That's what lingered. Not the missed notes or the rasping falsetto attempts, but the sheer will of an artist who refused to bail. 'No me voy a rajar,' he said multiple times. León didn't deliver a masterclass in vocal performance, but he delivered something human. Some nights, the voice doesn't show up; Sunday was one of them. But the heart did — and for that, Carín León still earned his moment under La Onda's closing lights.
San Francisco Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Major rap act cancels BottleRock set at the last minute
Rapper Flo Rida abruptly canceled his scheduled set on the final day of the BottleRock Napa Valley festival on Sunday, May 25. No reason was given for the last-minute cancellation. The hip-hop star is best known for tracks such as 'Low,' 'Good Feeling' and 'Wild One.' Despite the cancellation, there is still plenty of music on offer on the final day of the premier Wine Country festival, including scheduled appearances by artists like Noah Kahan, Goose and Robby Krieger of the Doors.
San Francisco Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Justin Timberlake at BottleRock Napa Valley marks a major comeback after a tumultuous year
Justin Timberlake closed the final date of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour on a high note during his BottleRock Napa Valley debut. His triumphant headlining set on Saturday, May 24, marked the second day of the Wine Country festival and the end of a year-long global tour in support of his 2024 album 'Everything I Thought It Was.' Over the course of two hours, the Memphis-born pop star offered a dynamic blend of new and classic hits, displaying his trademark energy, impeccable choreography and smooth falsetto vocals. Backed by his band, the Tennessee Kids, and five backup dancers, Timberlake orchestrated a vibrant, high-octane show that captivated the sold-out festival crowd. Songs like 'Mirrors,' 'My Love' and 'Can't Stop the Feeling' fueled the euphoric atmosphere, while an electric brass section and agile dancers added visual flair. The show came after a particularly tumultuous period for Timberlake, including several canceled concerts earlier in the year due to health issues, as well as a DUI arrest last June. But any lingering controversy seemed to dissipate in Napa. Timberlake spoke to the crowd with equal measures of sincerity and whimsy. 'I wish you all a healthy weekend with as little tannins as possible,' he quipped, describing the bitter compounds in wine. He also cheekily wore a T-shirt bearing a vintage pin-up shot of his wife, actress Jessica Biel, that, on first glance, many in the audience assumed depicted his ex, Britney Spears, following her recent headline-grabbing exploits. While his latest album received mixed reviews, the live setting breathed new life into tracks like 'Selfish' and 'Play,' which were well-received by the crowd. Older hits such as 'Cry Me A River' and 'SexyBack' stirred a rush of nostalgia that earned cheers at every turn. Timberlake, who has evolved into a polished and versatile performer over his 30-year career, demonstrated his enduring appeal and growth as an artist. The night was a reminder of his musical and cultural influence, leaving fans excited for what comes next. 'I know I'll see you again someday,' Timberlake assured fans. He capped off an action-packed day at BottleRock, which also featured a high-energy set by up-and-coming pop sensation Benson Boone, a surprisingly solid performance by actor-turned-singer Kate Hudson, and a highly anticipated reunion performance by 4 Non Blondes, who marked their first appearance in 30 years. Their rendition of 'What's Up?' sparked one of the loudest singalongs in BottleRock history. Elsewhere, the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage was alive with cooking demonstrations from stars like Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale and 'Modern Family' star Adam Devine, along with a parade of 'Top Chef' stars including Kristen KishBrooke Williamson and brothers Michael and Bryan Voltaggio.
