Stanford, Sonoma & Purple Teeth — A California Story
Some trips pack a lot into a little time. This was one of those trips.
It started with purpose and ended with wine-stained teeth and zero regrets.
Stanford & The Gordian Knot
Our California adventure began with two nights at The Stanford in Menlo Park, where Scott was teaching a course at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. The course — Special Operations Forces in an Era of Great Power Competition — is exactly as impressive as it sounds.
The program at the Gordian Knot Center is remarkable. It brings together some of the brightest minds in national security and special operations—many of them active operators pursuing their Master’s degrees. Scott is genuinely honored to be part of it, and watching him in that environment reminds me exactly who he is: a natural leader with a deep passion for developing the next generation of operators and instilling strong leadership principles in them.
We had the privilege of spending time with Joe Felter, Ahmad Nasir, Chris Cioffoletti and others who are doing truly important work. General Catalyst sponsored a dinner at the stunning Rosewood Sandhill where we got to spend time with the fabulous Paul Kwan — one of those evenings where the conversation is just as extraordinary as the setting.
Crossing the Golden Gate
Then the real fun began.
We pointed the car toward the Golden Gate Bridge and didn't look back. There is something about driving across that bridge that never gets old — the bay, the fog (fortunately it was clear), the feeling that adventure is on the other side. Because it always is.
Robert, Vonnie & An Evening at Enclos
Our destination was the Sonoma winery of our dear friend Robert Kamen, where we stayed in his casita and were treated to one of the most special evenings I can remember.
Dinner was at Enclos, a Michelin star restaurant that absolutely lives up to every word of its reputation. The food was beyond amazing — but honestly the company made it extraordinary. Scott, Robert, and his wife Vonnie — who holds the completely perfect title of Ambassador of Fun — made it a night for the books.And she earned that title. I had gifted Vonnie a pair of champagne bubble earrings and she wore them that night like the queen she is. I have the cutest photo of her in them and I could not love it more.
Ambassador of FUN!!!
Robert, being Robert, brought wine from his private collection and there was plenty. As there should be.
The Bucket List Winery — Larkmeade
The next day we set out to visit three wineries, and the first was personal.
Larkmeade was the first truly great wine Scott ever tasted. Years ago his longtime friend Greg — Wing Commander at Hurlburt Field and his wife Diane— shared a bottle with him that someone had given them. Scott never forgot it and visiting Larkmead has been on his bucket list ever since.
The vineyard itself has a wonderful story. Former owner Lillie Hitchcock Coit — yes, that Coit, as in Coit Tower in San Francisco — was reportedly the first female firefighter in San Francisco's history. Her father bought the vineyard to get her out of the city because she was, shall we say, a handful. She drank bourbon, smoked cigars, played poker and collected suitors like other women collected calling cards.
Honestly? Lillie sounds like blast.
The "Tasting" That Was Actually a Steak Dinner
After a lovely lunch at Farmstead we headed to Davis Winery for what was billed as a Collectors tasting with food pairing.
They technically cannot call it lunch. But when you see the photos you will understand. Steak with chimichurri and steak fries. A full, glorious steak dinner masquerading as a tasting. We were not complaining. Not even a little.
The winery itself was a delightful surprise — an extraordinary collection of Remington sculptures and antique tractors that made it one of the most unique tasting experiences we've had. Part art gallery, part history museum, part steak house. Highly recommend.
AXR & The Purple Teeth
Our final stop was AXR where we had an absolute blast with our host — the kind of conversation that makes you forget you're supposed to be tasting wine and just enjoy being alive.
As the sun started setting we headed back toward San Francisco. I snapped one last photo of us in front of the barn — golden light, big smiles, and the most gloriously purple teeth you have ever seen.
I didn't filter them out. Not for a second did I consider it.
Purple teeth in Napa or Sonoma are a badge of honor. They mean you showed up, you leaned in, and you were fully present for every single sip. You were in the trenches and you wear it with pride.
We caught the red-eye home that night.
Which, now that I think about it, probably has more than one meaning for this particular trip. 😄
