I was strolling and chatting with Max a few days ago, when two women walked passed us. There was opportune timing and an elevated volume that aligned just right and I caught the tail end of one of them ranting: "...I don't want to learn to fish, just gimme a fucking FISH!" was the exacerbated cry of one to the other, who gave an exaggerated nod of agreement. 

Her emphatic dissent from the old proverb - Give a man a fish, feed him for a day - teach a man to fish fish, feed him for life. I'll never know the context for her particular complaint, nor if it was regarding a partner or parent or boss or bestie. Whatever the case may be, I hope she gets her fish.

As September slows to a stroll and students young and old return to classes, crushes, and old confidants for another annual adventure, I humbly invite any of you to keep up with your studies and explore the many regions of this wonderful world with us...

Join our OAKLAND YARD monthly wine club! You get the lesson and the fish. Each month, club members receive two outstanding wines for $42. We sometimes call it the 420 Club, 42 bucks, Zero bullshit (420 is our address). Max writes dynamic and detailed tasting notes for each release as we move around the world exploring various regions and grape varieties. This month it was wines of South Africa, last month wines of Friuli (Italy) and before that Languedoc (France). These are wines that we are especially excited about, sometimes from producers we adore, sometimes new releases, and very often rare finds. We are tasting all month to choose wines specifically for this club, so these bottles rarely make it onto the shelves here. 

With each club installment we will share with you exactly why we love these wines, including notes on the producer, grape varieties, production information, regional history, tasting notes and often with recipes or pairing suggestions - a mini personal wine class. Club members also enjoy 10% all bottles to go - and 10% off all wines by the glass at the bar (and Tasting Flights, which have resumed on Thursday Nights and Saturdays! Online orders are always discounted too. Join today! Stop by the shop or give us a call at (510) 808- 5129. Or you can now sign up ONLINE!

Cheers,
Daniel

TONIGHT… THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS 9/8 - Your choice of three dry and delightful Sparkling wines or a flight of delicious Austrian Reds: Max is back!...and joining Ezra and Pablo, who will be pouring Flights from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9pm. 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON 9/10:  TRANSPARENT WINE CO. at OAKLAND YARD!
Special guest ALEX FINBERG will be pouring four wines from his transparent portfolio:
Lebeau Batiste Champagne Brut Tradition
2019 Fief Noir Dis-Moi-Oui Chenin Blanc 
2020 Gregoire Hoppenot Origines Gamay
2019 Fief Noir Cocagne Cabernet Franc
Flights $15 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 9pm

NEXT WEEK… 9/15: THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS - California Reds and French Whites. Our most gracious flight attendants, Pablo, Claire, and Ezra, will feature reds from Sonoma and Solano Counties, and whites from Limoux, and the Loire and Rhone valleys. $15 Flights from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9 too.

9/17 SATURDAY AFTERNOON 9/17: ITALIAN TASTING FLIGHTS - four wines from PIEDMONT imported by OLIVER McCRUM WINES with special guest ABBY VORCE pouring flights.
2020 La Ghibellina Gavi di Gavi
2021 Prà Otto Soave Classico
2020 Castello di Verduno Basadone Pelaverga
2019 Oddero Barbera d’Alba
$15 flights from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm.