Impermanence will triumph in the end, but some things stay with us for a very long time. I’ve had the same grapefruit knife for as long as I can remember, and when I use it, I think of my grandmother, because she so enjoyed her grapefruit. The knife also reminds me of the story of a Zen butcher, who never needs to sharpen his blade, because he guides it to find the space between the flesh and bone, separating without force or contact. Some mornings, I wonder how many sections are in the grapefruit - an easy enough question to answer - but I always lose count halfway through, thinking of my grandmother and the butcher.

We have two large ficus plants at the entryway to the shop, and every year, very slowly, they grow taller, adding a thick, shiny, oval leaf here and there. I’ve given them a lot of care, mostly in the form of water, and their size is such that they seem to me more than just plants; they have a presence and personality, our ersatz sentinels. And they keep growing, leaf by leaf, to a disconcerting degree, so that their height and sprawl will soon be unsustainable. I will continue to water them and hope for the best.

There are some things in my home I think will outlive me. The pewter wine dish my Belgian cousins sent as a wedding present comes in handy every day, but shows little wear; an accessory I didn’t know existed, but find so charming and useful. How do other Americans keep their bottle in its place on the table, framed, tidy, and contained? I hope to pass it along to a young friend when my wine drinking days are over. I once thought cast iron pans were indestructible, but I have seen one crack in half, and the image still pains my heart. What does one do with the broken pieces?

At Oakland Yard, we sell beverages for consumption rather than preservation. The traditions and cultures behind them are often ancient, and grape vines can live for centuries, and granted, many of our wines get better with age, perhaps improving for decades, but the product is agricultural, and ultimately perishable. We buy the juice and sell it to you, you use it to make more of yourselves, the glass gets recycled, and then we do it all again.

Now, we’re going to keep doing what we do, but this Saturday, we’ve invited our friend and importer of Portuguese goods, Rachel Farrah, to pour tasting flights of Portuguese wine, and peddle her artisanal textiles of Burel wool, still traditionally made in the country’s oldest wool factory in the Zézere Glacier Valley. Rachel will have brightly colored clutches, dazzling patterned scarves, and cozy blankets, all naturally hand-made and durable, excellent gifts for oneself or a loved one. She’s also super fun and friendly and happy to share her knowledge of all things Portuguese, so come by this Saturday afternoon for a little tasting and shopping; who knows, you might find something worth hanging onto for a very long time.

But first, TONIGHT at OAKLAND YARD: Thursday Night Flights from 5-9pm. Greek whites (Assyrtiko, Malagousia, and Moschofilero) and Domestic Reds (Leah Jorgensen, Broc Cellars and Kivelstadt Cellars). Flights $12 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until close.

THIS SATURDAY 12/11: RACHEL FARRAH TEXTILE POP-UP and Wines of PORTUGAL. Flights $15 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass all day until close (9pm).

Cheers,
Max