As some of you know, I have a small army of siblings. Growing up, there was a consistent and somewhat fair "you snooze, you lose" acceptance in our house. 

One summer evening my brother and I were out playing Batman and Robin. I was around 6, Jeff 8. It wasn't terribly fun. Jeff was always Batman. But we got to wear capes, so life was good. The charade was mostly just running about in masks. I'd point at a tree or something and shout "there's one one of those no good...!" and Jeff would throw some boomerang we'd fashioned from glued popsicle sticks and I'd say "Nice SHOT, Batman!" And Jeff would say (in a calm, deep voice): "Thanks, Robin". I'd have to improvise if he'd miss the target "Aw, he's a wily one!..." and scramble to retrieve his weapon. You get the idea.

Ignoring my mom's hollering that day, we finally came in and the kitchen smelled so sweet. Fresh pineapples were chopped earlier, now all devoured. We were bummed. The family was watching a movie so we quietly pouted on the kitchen floor. Then Jeff spotted discarded strips of the hard skins in a paper bag. There still seemed to be so much yellow flesh exposed, we started licking and thought we'd struck gold. Still so sweet and sublime with everlasting flavor! So we kept licking away, giggling and snickering to ourselves (who needs those jerks!) as evening settled on Gotham. All was well until the screaming started.

Much like the way seeing one's ex can open a wound, pain really likes a visual. I looked up and there was blood in Jeff's mouth. That's when I felt the sting. I looked down at the pineapple I was licking and it too was covered in wild, bright crimson streaks. Our super powers were no match for the hidden barbs and the aggressive enzymes and acid. The pain was intense. Like a million paper cuts on our tongues, doused with lemon juice. The Joker had the last laugh once again.

Best to come when you're called, sometimes.

TONIGHT at OAKLAND YARD: Thursday Night Flights! Three German Whites and Three Austrian Reds. Wines so good you'll want to lick the inside of the bottles. Come help us take these bottles down this evening from 4-8PM ("Same bat-time, same bat-channel"). No jokers.

ALSO!!! We're sending out the signal. Announcing some stellar selections from two rising stars of the "New California" wine scene. Best to come when you're called sometimes...

SATURDAY 8/12 at OAKLAND YARD, we welcome HIGHLAWN Wine Company and winemaker, Philip Cuadra. Philip will be pouring his Albariño from Rorick Vineyard (Calaveras) and a Syrah from Halcon Vineyard (Yorkville Highlands). 

SATURDAY 8/19: METHODE SAUVAGE at OAKLAND YARD with winemaker, Chad Hinds. Chad will be showcasing the new vintage of his Vista Verde Chenin Blanc and Bates Ranch Cabernet Franc

Don't snooze and lose... trust me.

Cheers,

Daniel