I can't say I remember my first valentine. It's a peculiar thing for children to celebrate anyway, the awkward ceremony of passing out those cards. We'd even get one from our teacher. Looking back it was a considerate gesture, making sure every child got at least one. But it was always obvious. Who else would write From: Anonymous, let alone spell anonymous correctly? To their defense: Secret Admirer would be creepy as hell.

We'd all load up on Sweethearts (aka Conversation Hearts in more platonic circles). By middle school troublemakers would enjoy carving away letters in crude ways (ADORE ME became DO ME). By that age I'd have secured some See's chocolates or a Mrs. Fields heart-shaped cookie for my crush, and by high school it would be flowers and an original poem if it was the real thing. 

My first proper Valentine's dinner was rather ridiculous. I was 22 or 23 and thought myself serious enough to make a reservation for a prix fixe (that was fun to say at the time) at an upscale Italian restaurant in Glendale.

My girlfriend, Sandra, and I started with fritto misto and then a shrimp bisque and both chose the lobster ravioli in cream sauce as our mains. Perfect for a night of romance ahead! I am not proud to confess I ordered a Napa Cabernet to compliment that meal. She opted for chocolate fondant for dessert, I had tiramisu (my metabolism just called to say it misses me). We argued all night about whether tiramisu was invented in Italy or here in the states. 


There are many things to love and to celebrate this month at OAKLAND YARD.

Here's just a few this week:

TONIGHT: Thursday Night Flights! Loire Valley Whites & Spanish Reds. Flights $12 from 4-8pm!
SATURDAY: Italian Flights! Wines of Piedmont. Vibrant, aromatic, and elegant. Sorry, no tiramisu.
SUNDAY: New California Wines. Lower alcohol and less manipulation. Balanced and electric. Come taste and see!

FEBRUARY 13th and 14th: Valentines Bouquets from Flower & Forage here at OAKLAND YARD! Skip the See's and dazzle a friend or a loved one with stunning local, wild and gorgeous arrangements by Alyson Vitt (F&F).

And the pink party continues... SATURDAY February 17th: Artist James Stahlman at OAKALND YARD. For one month, it will be "Summer in Winter" here in the shop with original painting by James Stahlman illuminating our shop space. The Opening Party for the gallery will be Saturday 2/17 with the artist here from 2-5pm! All are welcome!!! We'll be pouring ALL NEW ROSÉ FLIGHTS and other delights by the glass. The exhibit will run through mid March. 

More to come! Let's keep the love going.


BE MINE, 

Daniel