When folks say ‘Piedmont’ in Oakland, they’re usually referring to the small city within a city, a short walk east of our 40th Street corridor. Incorporated in 1907, billed as ‘The City of Millionaires’ in the 1920’s, and once home to Clint Eastwood, Robert Strange McNamara, and Country Joe MacDonald, among others, this tony enclave is a fine place for a Sunday stroll, but holds little interest for oenophiles, aside from its undoubtedly numerous and well-stocked subterranean cellars. No vineyards, no wineries, just a lot of pretty houses and well maintained shrubbery.

When we say ‘Piedmont’ at Oakland Yard, it’s likely we’re talking about the most celebrated wine region in Italy. The birthplace of Nutella, renowned for its race cars and white truffles, once home to Celts, Romans, Goths, and Byzantines, and for a time under French control, Piemonte, as the Italians call it, has been an important viticultural area since as early as the sixth century BC. At the foot of the towering Alpine range, Piedmont is the source of Barolo and Barbaresco, two of many delicious wines made from the Nebbiolo grape, and also the origin of the popular varieties Barbera and Dolcetto, as well as many obscure and delicious grapes, like Ruchè, Grignolino, Freisa, Pelaverga, and Vespolina.

Importer Oliver McCrum has spent decades cultivating relationships with winemakers in Piedmont, Italy, and he now imports many of our favorite wines from the region. Please join us in welcoming Abby Vorce from Oliver McCrum Wines this Saturday to sample and celebrate the wines of Piedmont, Italy. But first...

TONIGHT 9/15: THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS - California Reds and French Whites. This evening, 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.

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.

Please also note that we have a special guest appearance this Wednesday the 21st by former Yardie, Crystal Chen, who has been across the country and back and surely has some extraordinary stories to share.

Salute,
Max