SUPER BOWL Months To Go CALLING ALL STAR WARS FANS BEN THERE, DONE THAT HOW TO GET A POPE TO TWEET PLUS

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1 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 INNOVATORS AND ENTREPRENEURS SUPER BOWL Months To Go SV s INTERVIEW WITH HOST COMMITTEE S KEITH BRUCE CALLING ALL STAR WARS FANS Oscar-Winner John Knoll Discusses all things ILM BEN THERE, DONE THAT VC Ben Horowitz on the Real Silicon Valley HOW TO GET A POPE TO TWEET Claire Diaz-Ortiz Explains PLUS A HELICOPTER TEQUILA TOUR AND EXTREME ZIP LINING IN PUNTA MITA SV.

2 The Ultimate High STORY BY CORRINE E. MEHIGAN Luxury meets extreme adrenaline with a host of fascinating and exhilarating excursion options at the Four Seasons Punta Mita think private helicopters, tequila tastings, jungle zip lining, signature spa treatments, and more...

3 The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita offers plenty of ocean activities as well as fabulous spaces to relax throughout the day and during sunset hours. For additional adventure, keep the action going with a visit to the nearby hippie chic village of Sayulita where surfing is a way of life. PHOTOS THIS SPREAD: FOUR SEASONS PUNTA MITA W hen I first received the invitation for a quick getaway to the Four Seasons Punta Mita, I leapt at the opportunity thoughts of that gorgeous sand, surf, and sun filled my mind. I soon discovered that while the resort is the perfect place to indulge in all of those seaside pursuits, it s also the jumping-off point for a host of exciting adventures. With an invitation to the Ultimate Tequila Experience, I was all-in. Which brings me to margaritas. Who doesn t love a margarita? But as we all know, there are margaritas and there are margaritas. This cocktail depends on its ingredients, the most important of which is tequila, a spirit with a fascinating history that many Americans know little about. Although the margarita may be synonymous with Mexico, tequila as a stand-alone is all the rage. While a great deal of Northern Californians feel as though they are wine experts, and many a Silicon Valley player will profess a vast knowledge of scotch, beer, and sake, only a select few can expound upon the intricacies of tequila. As the trend has increased, it s kept me fascinated. In order to truly master tequila, you must visit Tequila. Premium tequila is one of the most coveted beverages in the world and is deeply rooted in Mexico s history. With its Ultimate Tequila Tour, the Four Seasons Punta Mita has created an extraordinary experience featuring a private helicopter ride to the historic town of Tequila and its famed Mundo Cuervo distillery just one of many unforgettable experiences to be had in this little part of paradise. The Ultimate Tequila Experience is a luxury marathon, not a SV sprint. The adventure begins at dawn. After a friendly wake up call, all you have to do is accept a hot cup of coffee and the hand that guides you into your private town car. A five-minute drive to the heliport in Punta Mita is followed by a 45-minute helicopter ride with breathtaking sunrise views over the countryside. MPI Helicopters takes excellent care of each passenger along the way. Rides take place in a Bell 407 Executive that sweeps neatly over the blue agave fields for a thrilling touchdown at Mundo Cuervo. It is true rock-star treatment. With more than 250 years of history, Jose Cuervo is the oldest and most prestigious tequila company in the world. It is also one of the few multinational companies that has stayed in the same family since its founding. With experts from both the Four Seasons and the Mundo Cuervo distillery on hand to serve and advise me, including an expert sommelier, my behind-the-scenes experience began. It isn t just a tour or a tasting; it is a celebration of the spirit, a lesson in the labor of love of premium tequila-making from start to finish. We started in the blue agave fields, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, where I learned about the process of jima harvesting. The jimador cultivates and harvests the agave. It is a trade that is passed down through the generations and requires extensive knowledge of both soil and plant. It is also truly a physical job done by teams, and watching the process in action is impressive. When they handed me a coa (a harvesting tool), I could hardly hold the weight of it, much less put it in motion to shave away at the larger plant and arrive at the core. According to popular belief, the name of the harvested jima echoes the cry let out by the worker when x 53

4 Under the aging rooms, dug into the ground, the Reserva de la Familia is an intimate space that was used exclusively by the Cuervo family until recently. Learn about its legends, history, and traditions amongst the century-old barrels and demijohns with a private tasting of their best-aged tequila straight from the barrels. PHOTOS THIS SPREAD: FOUR SEASONS PUNTA MITA We started in the blue agave fields, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, where I learned about the process of jima harvesting. The jimador cultivates and harvests the agave. It is a trade that is passed down through the generations and requires extensive knowledge of both soil and plant, says SV s Corrine Mehigan. performing such a demanding task. As I handed the heavy coa back to our expert, I picked up my far-lighter margarita glass. Much better. Following our activities in the agave fields, it was time to see the oldest tequila distillery in the world, to learn about the different varieties of tequila and the inner-workings of tequila production. In the unloading zone by the ovens, we were given a taste of the recently cooked agave and I savored the sweet juice, known as aguamiel (honey water). Next up, a look at Reserva de la Familia, the Cuervo family s own underground cellar, complete with a private tasting of the aged tequila straight from the barrels. The family produces an annual special blend, encased in brightly colored custom boxes. As you might expect, these bottles are highly coveted collectors items. Here I was taught the secrets of a Maestro Tequilero. I tasted a selection of white, rested, and aged tequila, familiarizing myself with the aromas and flavors of each. The sommelier then explained the detailed blending process and I explored what best suits my particular tastes and style. Learning to combine aromas and flavors was a treat, and I combined the three kinds of tequila until I obtained the perfect blend for my palate. With this formula, unique to me, I filled my own demijohn, complete with a personalized serial number and customized seal. I SV placed a layer of wax over the cork and affixed the seal in triumph. Emerging from the cellar, I donned sunglasses and was guided to a shady garden for a three-course lunch prepared by both the Four Seasons Punta Mita chef and the Mundo Cuervo chef. Each bite was perfectly paired with just the right sips of tequila to the sounds of an authentic mariachi band. Being invited into the Cuervo family sanctuary like that and sharing 250 years of history and talent is a priceless experience. Before you know it, the day has flown by, and the helicopter has delivered you safely back to the Four Seasons. You ll never sleep better. Of course sleeping at the Four Seasons Punta Mita is never a problem the spectacular resort is located in a picturesque fishing village nestled on the southwest point of the Riviera Nayarit, just 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. The beachfront property is set on 100 acres and boasts incredible surf, lush jungles, and endless adventure. In addition, the resort includes 173 spacious casita-style guest rooms, three al fresco Richard Sandoval restaurants with ocean views (one bar has over 200 types of tequila!), a serene spa, and world-class golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus. After indulging in a poolside breakfast the following day, I decided that I was up for a little more adventure before I surrendered to that cabana on the beach. x 55

5 PHOTOS THIS PAGE: LEO CAMPOS SV s Corrine Mehigan and new friends from around the world enjoyed the non-stop action during Vallarta Adventures Extreme Zip Line Adventure with rappels off of elevated treetop platforms and testing off-road driving skills in Polaris RZR UTVs. An absolute must after the zip lining is the Punta Mita Massage at Apuane Spa, a coastal haven of rest and tranquility. Upside-Down in Paradise The Four Seasons arranged for me to spend the day with Vallarta Adventures, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta s premier tour and activity operator. They offer a wide selection of adventure-based tours and excursions with things to do for people of all ages from zip lines to swimming with dolphins, whale watching to snorkeling, scuba diving to an award-winning dinner show. Extreme zip lining through a stunning treetop canopy is absolutely not to be missed. This was a six-hour adrenaline rush that had me immediately bonding and laughing with my new friends from around the world. The zip lines (including Mexico s longest and fastest, at over 1,200 meters in length and reaching speeds up to 100kph) run through a verdant jungle canopy. In addition to zip lining, I had the opportunity to indulge in two amazing rappels off of elevated treetop platforms, a wobbly climb up the 15-meter (50-ft) high Crazy Ladder, a fun ride on the Tarzan Swings, plus suspended walkways and hanging bridges. Oh, and did I mention I also hung upsidedown while flying between the trees? Why lose our childish enthusiasm with age? I vote for fearlessness and the youthful glow that comes with saying, Been there, done that. It was a natural high like no other. Sure if I had stopped to think about it too much I might have been scared, but safety is Vallarta Ventures top priority. I felt secure under the constant care and supervision of their highly qualified guides each had received over 200 hours of formal training in canopy tour operations and safety techniques. They use state-of-the-art equipment, with not just one, but two safety ropes for added security. All equipment is rigorously inspected and constantly maintained, so all I had to worry about was laughing and living it up. Hopping into some of the coolest vehicles around, the Polaris RZR UTVs, my fellow adveturers and I tested our off-road driving skills as we explored the jungle floor on a specially designed off-road course. Sitting side-by-side one of the guides in my shotgun seat, we flew down steep grades, crossed rocky riverbeds, climbed up hills, and more. It all ended with a major waterslide ride culminating in a massive splash. It s no wonder Vallarta Adventures has been highlighted by the likes of National Geographic, BBC, The Amazing Race, and Good Morning America, to name a few. After all that non-stop action, I arrived back at the Four Seasons feeling invincible, hungry, and ready to unwind at one of the most breathtaking beaches in Mexico. The Manzanillas and Las Cuevas beaches have just recently been enhanced with a new rustic surf shack-style beachfront bar, plush swinging day beds, and floating lounge pods to create a luxury seaside escape. With the recent redesign of the two private beaches, there are fabulous new spaces to relax throughout the day and during sunset hours. In addition to the new beach experience, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita offers plenty of ocean activities, including surf lessons, stand-up paddle boarding, coral reef snorkeling, sailing, deep-sea fishing, scubadiving excursions, fly-boarding, and sailing aboard a private yacht (available to resort guests for day excursions and sunset cruises). The truly adventurous might keep the action going with a visit to the nearby picturesque village of San Francisco and the hippie-chic village of Sayulita. Upon return just rest and unwind and feed that enormous appetite. Wandering over to the new beach club at Las Cuevas Beach, I settled into a relaxing spot under the sun and enjoyed the dramatic views of the Banderas Bay, breaking only to order from the Shack bar menu with its selection of premium beers, wines, cocktails, and local bites. Options include the signature cocktail, the Machete, a smoky mezcal drink infused with watermelon and chilies, and the Cielo Rojo, a refreshing combination of Riviera Nayarit s sangria mixed with the resort s exclusive Cora beer. Don t miss either, but definitely be prepared to pair them with Kumai Oysters and/or Coconut Fish Ceviche heaven. Tequila It s Not Just For Drinking Anymore An absolute must after the zip lining is the Punta Mita Massage at Apuane Spa, a coastal haven of rest and tranquility. The sun-soaked Apuane, Spanish for healing waters, is an oasis of serenity with a staff of highly skilled and incredibly welcoming individuals to take good care of you. After a moment in the quiet room, I achieved tequila nirvana with a relaxing all-over massage using the finest tequila, indigenous sage oil, and traditional Mexican healing techniques. As the tequila was poured over my body, my sore muscles relaxed yet my mind stayed super-charged as only the very best in luxury and adventure travel can do. Whether you drink it or let it melt into your peaceful body, there is no way the restorative properties of sexy and sophisticated tequila won t sink in. The Ultimate Tequila Tour is priced at approximately $20,000 for two and is based on availability. For reservations, please call or visit The Four Seasons concierge can arrange additional tours, including experiences with Vallarta Adventures. PHOTO: FOUR SEASONS PUNTA MITA SVx 57