Good Divorce, Good Business

Three years ago, Elaine and Michael Honig celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in a $1,550 suite at New York City's Four Seasons (FS ) hotel. Sprawled on the Rivolta linens, they drank French champagne and ate chocolate-covered strawberries. The Honigs had started their marriage making sales calls for their wine business in a VW diesel that lacked both air conditioning and an operable passenger door. Food was Taco Bell (YUM ) burritos. Lodging was often a $52-a-night dive with no sheets. So a weekend ensconced in the I.M. Pei-designed aerie -- with its silk-padded walls, remote-control blinds, and a deep-soak, fills-in-60-seconds tub -- should have been the ultimate romantic restorative. Except that, says Elaine, "I felt like I was lying next to my brother. Or my cousin."

The Honigs, with their Honig Vineyard & Winery, were one of Napa Valley's golden couples. But privately, the weekend of anniversary luxe was a marital Hail Mary. Elaine wanted to slow down and enjoy their award-winning sauvignon blanc in their recently completed dream manse. Michael preferred to travel 24-7 for business, even making sales calls during the couple's nights out. Elaine wanted emotional intimacy. Michael's cards included notes such as: "Dear Elaine, You're a good egg. Love, Michael." She yearned for a child. For him, the business was the only baby he'd ever need. "It was like she was telling me she wanted me to be taller," says Michael.