For most of us today, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, but the holiday originated in the late nineteenth century to observe, honor and recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. Working conditions were often quite poor during the industrial boom of the late 1800’s, and workers began coming together to demand shorter work days and better conditions. On Sept. 5, 1882, union leaders in New York City organized the first Labor Day parade, and tens of thousands of tradespeople and laborers took unpaid leave to march with their fellow workers, and enjoy picnics, dancing, and fireworks.

In the wine industry, as with most realms of business, we tend to overlook the folks who do much of the integral work. We celebrate the winemakers and sometimes the vineyard farmers, but we fail to recognize the many other hands that help put wine on our tables. This Labor Day, let’s remember to acknowledge and celebrate the earth movers, tractor technicians, vine planters, winter pruners, vineyard cooks, teachers, bookkeepers, bottlers, packagers, label artists, glass factory workers, longshoremen, stevedores, warehouse stockers, delivery drivers, salespeople, and many others, who, in the words of early American labor leader, Peter J McGuire, “from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

This Saturday from 2 to 6pm - rescheduled from 8/20 to 9/3, so you’ll have time to realize that this may be the very best way to spend a final steamy summer Saturday afternoon - third-generation Oakland native, superb cocktail maven, and all-around good guy, Jared Murray, will serve flights of our favorite California citrus aperitifs from Mommenpop, including a sneak peak of the newest release: Mommenpop KUMQUAT! Winemaker Samantha Sheehan, of Poe Wines and Ultraviolet Wines, makes the base wine from Napa Valley grapes, then adds organic California citrus fruit, a bit of local grape brandy, and carefully selected spices and botanicals to create these mouthwatering natural beverages without added sugar, dyes, or artificial flavors. You can use them as unique cocktail ingredients, drink them straight over ice, mix them with sparkling wine, or add sparkling water and ice for a refreshing, low-alcohol spritzer.

TONIGHT 9/1: THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS - Domestic Whites and Spanish Reds: Your gracious hosts, Pablo, Erica, and Ezra, will pour Gruner Veltliner from Oregon, and a California Semillon and ‘Orange’ wine, as well as Mencia, Tempranillo, and Monastrell from Spain. $15 Flights from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9 too.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON 9/3: MOMMENPOP APERITIF FLIGHTS
Special guest JARED MURRAY pours flights of Mommenpop Grapefruit, Seville Orange and Blood Orange spritzes. $15 flights from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 9pm.

Many thanks to the diligent and conscientious staff of Oakland Yard, who’ve kept the shop running smoothly in my absence. I’ll be back to work next week, starting this LABOR DAY MONDAY, when we’ll be OPEN 12 to 5pm.

Gratefully,

Max