Our annual Haute 100 list is the ultimate compilation of the biggest and brightest names in business, technology, sports and entertainment. We don’t have to search far to find the 100 most intriguing and successful people in San Francisco, but it can be quite a task to keep up with them. As such, a yearly update simply isn’t enough.
Michael Mina Grows Empire with Wine Delivery Service
Michael Mina has extended his empire to include a wine delivery service called The Michael Mina Wine Club. The service, which launched this September, offers members bottles from the wine lists of Mina’s restaurants, thereby giving members access to rare varietals from small producers around the world. Another unique feature is that each wine comes with a recipe from one of Mina’s restaurants, of which include San Francisco’s RN74 and self-titled Michael Mina. Rajat Parr, sommelier and wine director for the group’s 18 restaurants, is overseeing the new service. According to Mina, the wine club is a way for him to connect with guests whom he considers to be extended family.
Danielle Steel Launches
Three Books in One Month
October was a big month for Danielle Steel. The bestselling author has delighted her fans with the release of three new books: the fictional Winners, along with two non-fiction works — Pure Joy: The Dogs We Love and A Gift of Hope. The 66-year old, who is said to be the bestselling author alive, has written over 70 novels, works of fiction, picture books and children’s literature. Some of Steel’s most popular bestsellers include 44 Charles Street, Legacy, Family Ties, Big Girl, Southern Lights, Matters of the Heart and One Day at a Time. More than 590 million copies of her books have been printed in 28 languages.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom to Co-Headline Leadership Summit
Jennifer Siebel Newsom was among three top thought leaders to co-headline the Network of Executive Women’s NEW Leadership Summit, the retail and consumer goods industry’s largest women’s leadership event. The writer and director of the landmark documentary Miss Representation examined “Redefining Leadership” in her closing keynote address. She discussed the media’s portrayal of women and explained how greater equality in the workplace is beneficial for men, women and for business itself. Former State Department official Anne-Marie Slaughter and recent Los Angeles mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel were co-headliners of the summit that took place in Los Angeles from Oct. 21-23.
Larry Ellison’s Oracle Team
USA Wins The 34th America’s Cup
Oracle Corporation CEO Larry Ellison basked in the glow of victory after his Oracle Team USA clinched their second consecutive America’s Cup. Ellison’s team found a way to win against all odds, rallying from an 8-1 deficit against challenger Emirates Team New Zealand in a winner-take-all 19th race to defend sailing’s most prestigious prize. Led by 35-year-old skipper Jimmy Spithill, Oracle Team USA’s 72-foot carbon fiber winged catamaran won by the score of 9-8. The race is being touted as one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. At the news conference following the win, Ellison beamed with pride, saying: “This regatta has changed sailing forever.”
Mark Zuckerberg Pays $30 Million for Four Homes in Palo Alto
Mark Zuckerberg purchased four residences adjacent to his own 5-bedroom home in Palo Alto. The 29-year-old Facebook CEO reportedly spent $30 million on the properties in an effort to secure his privacy after hearing rumors that a publicity-seeking developer wished to purchase one house in order to market its proximity to the tech billionaire’s home. Zuckerberg purchased three of the buildings in December 2012, while the third was made in September 2013. According to reports, the billionaire does not plan to take over the properties; the families who live in the houses will stay put while Zuckerberg leases the homes back to them.
