I arrived in this world forty-eight years ago today, on a snowy afternoon, in Rochester, New York. I was a big baby, just over ten pounds, and my parents named me Jonathan Henry. As my mother lay with me that day in the hospital, a passing nurse stopped to glance at her medical chart. ‘Generous,’ She said, and continued her rounds.

I’ll be thinking of my parents today, and the warmth of their home during this, their favorite holiday. Listening to our customers this last week, it may well be nearly everyone’s favorite holiday: ‘No gifts. No religion,’ said our friend Harry, smilingly. Just a good meal with good wine and loved ones. We at Oakland Yard are thankful for all of you, and honored that our bottles have a place at your table. And if you find you need another bottle or two today, we’ll be open from 10 to 2 for your last-minute libations.

Sometimes – like when it’s cold in the morning and the car headlight’s out and a jury summons arrives but the wine I’ve ordered doesn’t – I’m still a big baby. But I also like to think I’m still generous, and anyone who’s seen the size of our tasting pours at Oakland Yard would have to agree. If you haven’t quite gotten enough of them, take your brother, your uncle, your grandpa, or your mother, whomever you’ve still got on hand, and bring them on down for a wine tasting this weekend, and remember, first Sundays are always crowded, so come early if you want a seat!

TODAY 11/28: MAX’S BIRTHDAY: WE’RE OPEN from 10am to 2pm

SATURDAY 11/30: SPARKLING WINE tasting:​ Spanish, Italian, French and American - festive, dry, irresistible bubblies from around the world. ​Flights $15 from 2-5pm and wines by the glass until 9pm.



SUNDAY 12/1: PINOT NOIR tasting flights and WINE CLUB PICK UP PARTY​: Taste three Pinot Noirs from three different terroirs. ​Flights $15 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 8pm.




Cheers,
 


Max