The first time I took an Aston Martin on a road trip out of the Coachella Valley, my co-driver — on assignment for Car and Driver — insisted we stop along the way for time-consuming photos. We missed lunch. I wouldn’t let that happen twice. Not in the 2026 Vantage Roadster. Not on this perfect midspring day of lupines, poppies, and manzanita blossoms. The charcuterie board that awaited in Temecula was top priority.