Luxury Portfolio member Griffith, Grant & Lackie Realtors recently closed on the sale of an elegant country home in Lake Forest, Illinois to Tom and Cara Waddle. Tom Waddle is a former Chicago Bear wide receiver and is currently a host on Fox Chicago, ESPN Radio 1000 AM and other media in the city. Brad Andersen, Managing Broker of Griffith, Grant & Lackie, co-listed the property with Lisa Trace.

The $3.25 million dollar sale was recently featured in Chicago Magazine and is the tenth closing in Lake Forest in the past 12 months of $3 million or above. Griffith, Grant & Lackie Realtors was involved in 70% of these sales. Griffith, Grant & Lackie also has 6 of the top ten agents in Lake Forest in its office. The elite group includes: Marina Vernon, Andy Mrowiec, Nancy Adelman, Elizabeth Weineke, Lisa Trace and Julie Morse.

An amazing wine country luxury estate located in picturesque Napa, California was recently added to Luxury Portfolio. The property boasts magnificent views of Napa Valley, and its nearly 300 acres is comprised of beautiful ponds and award-winning gardens in addition to gorgeous vineyards. There are 12.5 acres of cabernet and merlot grapes and 30 more prime acres awaiting new planting.

The estate home itself is also expansive, at 6,800 square feet, and fits perfectly into the breathtaking surroundings. Luxury Portfolio member Alain Pinel Realtors is currently listing his extraordinary luxury property at US $19,900,000. See more photos and detail.

New listings added to LuxuryPortfolio.com in February offer varied choices including an historic Pennsylvania estate, Florida beachfront estates and a Napa estate with vineyards. Reported luxury sales for February ranged from a majestic Vancouver estate to Colorado ski homes and luxury properties in Spain and Switzerland. Check out the lists below for the top ten new listings and sales of the past month. Click on the listing information for more details and photos of these extraordinary luxury homes.

Luxury Portfolio member Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate (SSF) participated in 13 of the top 15 residential property transactions in the Vail Valley last year and holds nearly 80% market share of the over $5 million Vail Valley luxury market. In 2009, the top three transactions were each over $15 million and brokers on both sides of the three deals were SSF brokers. Read more.

One of those top deals – a remarkable Avon, Colorado home - was also featured in the most recent edition of the Luxury Portfolio magazine, which you can flip through here.

One of the most spectacular estates on the East Coast of the United States was added to Luxury Portfolio in late January. Known as Long Point, the estate is situated in a unique and prime location on a private peninsula surrounded by the Navesink River in Rumson Borough, New Jersey.

Behind the entry gates is a landscape created by Peter Cummin, who specializes in residential and estate gardens and has breathtaking work on display in 25 states and Canada. The shingle style residence at the center of the property was deigned by the acclaimed firm of Shope Reno Wharton, a member of the U.S Green Building Council, to take advantage of the extraordinary setting along the river.

Luxury Portfolio member Turpin Real Estate, Inc. is currently listing Long Point for $29,900,000. Discover more features and see more photos.

Located in Florida and New York, Gotham Dream Cars is a premier exotic vehicle rental company and car club featuring an industry-leading selection of the world’s most prized sports cars. The company has now expanded their offerings to include premier vehicles from Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz, providing customers with choices more spacious and maybe a bit more understated than their Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

Using a real-time, web-based reservation system, customers can choose their desired luxury ride…perhaps to drive while looking at luxury homes in the Northeast or South Florida? See the entire fleet and more details.

A stone mansion built in 1915 in Bedford Hills, New York has recently sold. The luxury colonial home was designed by Walter Cook, former President of the American Institute of Architects.

The former owner, from Bangor, Ireland, brought in 10 Irish workmen for a magnificent modern renovation that took only four months. New features include an expansive entertaining space and a state-of-the-art country kitchen. Though now thoroughly up to date, the home retains original period details.

The buyer of the home is a New York billionaire who rented the home for two months before purchasing it as a weekend house. Luxury Portfolio member Houlihan Lawrence last listed the property. See more photos and details.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and many of us are searching for gift ideas for that special someone. There certainly isn’t a shortage of options - the conventional flowers and fine chocolate, sparkling jewelry, relaxing spa trips, romantic dinners, thoughtful homemade gifts, et cetera.

One unique idea is something delectable from Diamond Organics, a California-based company committed to organic farming practices and the freshness of their products. Their Lover’s Gift Basket includes hand-selected fruit, artisan cheese, organic wine (or juice), body lotion, organic European chocolate truffles and more. Overnight delivery to most areas is available, so you still have time.

2010 started off strong with several significant new luxury listings added to LuxuryPortfolio.com from members around the globe. Significant sales reported for January included several homes in the northeast United States as well as several ski properties. Check out the lists below for the top ten new listings and sales of the past month. Click on the listing information for more details and photos of these extraordinary luxury homes.

Known for fine jewelry and accessories, Cartier is a name synonymous with luxury. The celebrated brand now has another creation worthy of its reputation - a distinct luxury poker set. Two sets of playing cards, 360 chips in five colors with Cartier logos, and five dice are housed in an elegant red and black wood chest with gold-plated hardware.

With a price of just over $10,000, you may need to win more than few hands using your current poker set before getting this ultimate upgrade. Cartier.com