The internet dropped for hours a couple days ago. Trying to reconnect via WiFi, I was intrigued and gratefully amused to note the collection of nearby networks names: Cookiemonster. Desdemona. FatRussellCrow. FuckTrump. Nomenclature intrigues me - the how what and why certain names are assigned. My niece, Sadie, decided her stuffed toy horse would be forever known as Charlica (pronounced CHAR-lik-uh, just FYI). My older siblings called me Buttsum for much of my childhood, for absolutely no reason that any of them can explain to this day.

Folks who peruse the online shop or those who stop in for their daily bottle will see the names of grape varieties like Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, or Syrah gracing some labels - perhaps guiding their preference or messaging to a reasonable degree what flavors, aromas (or weight, concentration of fruit, etc) one might expect from those particular bottles. For others, the names of familiar regions (Rioja, Sancerre, Russian River) might also suggest a certain character or profile. But what to make of all these other unusual names? What does a domestic wine called Monkey Jacket - or another called Post Flirtation taste like? What does one make of a wine called "Where's Linus?" or Cousin Oscar? What about Hurluberlu??

For answers to at least some of these questions, roll in this weekend and check out our new Staff Picks section! For this first round we'll be focusing on unusual names of wines and odd varieties and will feature a section devoted to giving a bit more description and information for some of these head scratchers. While there are hundreds of bottles that excite and delight us here, this will often be a "what are we bringing to the dinner party" kind of lineup - and a selection that you can count on being, beyond unique, dynamic and delicious above all.

And, lastly, speaking of names... a handful of new neighbors have inquired about our name. Many of you likely know by now that we named this space OAKLAND YARD after the Oakland Shafter Yard that occupied this site in a slower, simpler past. There's an old photo of this location from the 1940's on our website, and Max wrote about the station a while back here. We were determined to continue the history of the site as a public place where all walks of life converge, and where connections are made. Though we've been more of a loading station for most of the past year, we're honored and thrilled to be a junction of sorts once again now that both our shop and bar have reopened. Thank you for keeping this station alive, and special thanks to all of you who continue to connect here.

Cheers to you, whatever name you choose.

Daniel