For as long as I can remember, I really just wanted to belong to something. Looking back, I'm fortunate I wasn't approached by a gang or any such thing. I likely would have jumped myself in. I wanted a crew and was always on the lookout for adventure. I was into Goonies and Time Bandits and intrigued by the G.I. Joe cartoons I was forbidden to watch. 

By age 9, I spent most of my summers getting into trouble with my best friend, Jeff. Or, more often, getting him into trouble. He had a small basketball hoop in his backyard and we'd pass time playing H-O-R-S-E, attempting most shots with a low degree of difficulty but high flourish. The ball would frequently go over the wall separating their property from the rear yard of an older house.

We took turns hopping over and eventually met Tony. Tony was cool. Tony smoked cigarettes. Tony drank beer and worked on his motorcycle. Tony was in his 30s and wanted to hang out with us. He showed us his throwing stars and his hunting knives. After a few hangouts, he invited us on a secret mission. So cool. We snuck in through the metal bars of a private garage and let Tony in from the other side. Level One: Completed! We snuck into an office building with him and kept lookout. All part of our mission. We were "his eyes and ears". So cool.

You are smarter than a 9 year old, you know the ending. These weren't missions. Tony fooled two little kids into helping him burglarize spots in the neighborhood. Tony was eventually arrested. Not cool, Tony.


TONIGHT: Thursday Night Flights! Come be a part of something. Come drink delicious wines with me and Max and Jessie. No tricks, no fooling. Just delicious wines and good folks and good vibes, always. Tonight we're pouring French Whites and South American Reds. Choose your own adventure from 4-8. Flights $12.

SATURDAY: LOIRE! Come sample some of out favorites from France's Loire Valley. Four wines. All dry, mineral-driven and delightful. Flights $15 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm.

SUNDAY: MEET THE WINEMAKER... Massimo Alois (Fattoria Alois) at OAKLAND YARD! Massimo has travelled all the way from the Caitini Mountains in the province of Caserta, and will be here sharing his dynamic wines from  ancient Italian varieties of Campania! Flights Sunday from 3-6pm.


See you soon,

Daniel