My brothers may demote me to cousin for sharing some of this. But it's on my mind this morning. To quickly bring you up to speed: every year around this time we all meet up with my father in the Sierras to fish and tell stories and eat and drink well. I've mentioned this yearly ritual in the past. I depart on Wednesday. 

The last couple years have particularly meaningful for many reasons.  The year before the previous trip, I shared with my brothers - over the first round of whiskey- that I was going to be a father. Joining them this last year as an official dad, I was able to participate in conversations about family in a different way. The one thing that struck me, and perhaps I noted this years prior too, is that they all speak highly of their wives behind their backs. She's hilarious. She's so good at this or that. She's awesome. She's been working her ass off. She's the best... 

Thinking on that recently - I'm proud to have these kind of people in my life. But it's also a pride I feel in the shop, and something I've payed more attention to here. Different folks coming in all the time, saying the nicest things behind others' backs... I have the best neighbor in the world... I love that cafe, everyone there is so damn nice... My coworkers are hilarious. The owner of that shop is a gem. My partner is amazing...  

What is the opposite of talking shit? Well, OK, it's saying nice things to people's faces. But.. what of that roundabout, never known way? What do we call those kind words behind backs? I don't know if there is even a phrase for this, but it struck me as a really wonderful thing this morning. And I really don't know who reads these, but I just may have heard the most wonderful things about you. 

TONIGHT: Thursday Night Flights. French Reds and German Riesling. Flights $12 from 5-9 and wines by the glass as always! Come share some great wine and some kind words, or just sip silently and eavesdrop on joy.

SATURDAY (5/11): ROSÉ FLIGHTS. A study in pink. All new arrivals from around the globe. All dry and all delicious and all yours from 2-6pm. Wines by the glass too until 9pm.

SUNDAY (5/12): CALIFORNIA GOLD! A sampling of some of our favorite local treasures. New arrivals and staff selections from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 8pm.

See you soon,

Daniel