When my brother-in-law was a young boy, he had a hamster that he named Muggsy Bogues. In addition to being one of the best things any child could name a hamster, there was likely a special affinity a youngster had for such an under-sized athlete, making his name on the big stage in the big old world (I had a similar connection to Spud Webb on the Atlanta Hawks). But being a child of the 90s, Peter was all about the 5' 3" Muggsy, for a season at least. For having the fickle heart of a child he would find his imagination captured and re-captured by other stars, and his pet Muggsy would be re-christened months later as Michael Jordan. And then Scottie Pippen a couple months after that - and still other names before the tiny creature's predictaly early passing. By most reliable reports, the hamster died as "Shaq". 

I wrote a letter a couple weeks ago, talking about the shop in it's early years. It's identity being still formed, certain aspects, still malleable, still growing. Hearing a story about his hamster on Christmas Eve I thought again about the identity of the shop. And about you all. About the wines and producers themselves - how some bottles, some specific grape varieties, or some appellations become our favorites for a time. And how, even with hearts all grown up, our affections can quickly change and new delights can capture our imaginations.

Certain bottles and certain vintages, like hamsters and goldfish, their time may be short-lived, swapped out for something similar, if not nearly identical, with the same potential to bring and sustain joy. But the shared experiences in a warm, communal space may always remain. Some of these experiences still accessible 30 years on, some maybe shared with friends or family, with laughter, on a random Christmas Eve, still lighting up a room decades beyond the initial spark.


Happy Holidays once again from OAKLAND YARD. And for those we won't see before Sunday - Happy New Year! If you need bubbles for your celebrations small or grand, we'll be here for you, OPEN NEW YEAR'S EVE until 8pm. 

Cheers,
Daniel

SATURDAY, December 31st: SPARKLING FLIGHTS!
OAKLAND YARD is OPEN NEW YEAR"S EVE from 12-8pm. We'll be popping corks and pouring dry, delightful bubbly from around the globe. Sparkling Flights $15 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 8pm!

OAKLAND YARD is OPEN TODAY and though Saturday (Open NYE Eve 12-8). Our TASTING BAR is OPEN for WINES BY THE GLASS Everyday (Indoor & Outdoor Seating). OAKLAND YARD will be closed New Year's Day and Jan 2nd.