Julia, little Arlot, and I have covered over two thousand miles since leaving New York last Thursday, and I’m really looking forward to being back in Oakland. The leaves in New England were startlingly beautiful, as was the Delaware River crossing Pennsylvania. We stopped for shawarma in Greensboro, jerked chicken in Montgomery, and gumbo in New Orleans. I haven’t seen a vegetable in four days that wasn’t battered and fried. We’re currently on our way to Pilón, a wine bar in El Paso run by our dear friend Nick Diamos, and I’ve never written while actually on the road, so forgive me if I get a little carsick.

Each trip across the country, I learn some new things: It can get down into the low thirties some October nights in Virginia and the Carolinas. Also, if you’re looking to aesthetically modify your face, you can now find a ‘medi-spa’ or ‘skin bar’ in pretty much every state in the union. It turns out, Texas still doesn’t go in for unisex bathrooms, and shows no signs of moving in this direction. And there is such a thing as an albino squirrel; either that or a severely frosted squirrel leaping from tree to Carolina tree at sunrise near Brevard.

Notwithstanding the novel exploits, I’ve missed our home, our shop, our neighborhood and community in Oakland. There are good tacos out there in the world, but there’s something special about the freshness and flavors at Tacos Oscar, and it’s damn near impossible to find bread anywhere in the Hudson Valley as good as our State’s just across 40th street. We did come across a few great wine shops in the twenty-three states we’ve passed through, but none that beats our little Oakland Yard. And most of all, I miss you - our people!!! If I don’t see you when I’m back in the shop next week (think Wednesday posting up at the bar with Natsumi) then I’ll definitely see you at our 6th Anniversary Party on Saturday 11/12 !!!

Saturday, NOVEMBER 12th, 12-5pm... our 6 Year Anniversary Celebration & Artisan Market is FREE! So spread the good word! There will be bubbles, music, oysters and other food, raffles, and prizes, and early holiday vibes, as well as a fantastic collection of artists, curators, builders, and culinary wizards... And lots and lots of wine! Tasty treats from XULO & OKKON! Vendors and artists include The Plant Queen, Pablo Cristi, C.A.Vintage Vintage, Caviar&Cigarettes, Farah Trading Co., Alex Steele, Johanna Sprague, Leopard Lodge, Flower & Forage, WestWind Succulents, Pleinware Ceramics, SHOPSAME, Blowhole and vintage clothing form Homebody Vintage, Andy Shines, and others! There will be an outdoor beer and wine garden in the back lot too!

But first...

TONIGHT 10/27: THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS -
Spanish reds and Italian whites

2019 Juan Gil Silver label Monastrell
2020 Bodegas D. Mateo La Mateo Rioja
2020 Bernabeleva Camino de Navaherreros
2020 Gorgi Tondi Grillo
2020 Gregoletto Manzoni Bianco
2021 Bruno Verdi Pinot Grigio
$15 flights from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9pm.

THIS SATURDAY 10/29: Organically farmed French Flights

Compare and contrast two Muscadets and two Gamays.
2020 Domaine de la Fessardière Muscadet La Mer 
2020 Domaine de la Pepiere Les Gras Moutons Muscadet 2020 Maison Angelot Bugey Gamay
2020 Vignobles Bulliat Moulin-a-Vent Roche Noir
Flights $15 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm!

See you soon,
Max