I returned last week from visiting my wife's family in upstate New York. We were 45 minutes in on the second leg of our journey home and the pilot was still navigating a desirable cruising altitude. I was managing my acute claustrophobia and dreading multiple trips to the tiny bathroom with my two and my four year old for multiple reasons. An announcement came on to alert us that the 'fasten seatbelt' sign would remain illuminated for a while as we were approaching "an unusual weather pattern that would unfortunately present moderate to severe turbulence". I didn't know the specific levels of their ranking system but severe sounded, well, severe. 

Nervous chatter and deep breaths all about. My wife's eyes conveyed both fear and compassion. Similar looks were exchanged among partners and strangers in rows around us. Hands now on other hands or knees, white knuckles here and there. The peculiar thing was that after the initial fright and the palpable tension, 10 minutes became 30 and more, with only some minor intermittent bumps and drops. After nearly an hour the seatbelt sign was off. There was no announcement again beyond beverage service beginning. Strangers checked in with each other, bewildered. Is it still coming? Was that it? Is this it? And so the next couple hours were filled with a cautious optimism coupled with a collective relief - and for that time, no one seemed to mind the inadequate legroom, the baby crying, how poor the sound on their headphones, how long the wait for the toilet, how bland their sandwich. There was silent gratitude. Nods and smiles. Unusual politeness. A shared moment that lingered, a togetherness. A near life experience, at 35,000ft.


TONIGHT 9/22: THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS - Our gracious flight attendants, Pablo, Claire, and Ezra, will be pouring Italian Whites and French Reds. Flights from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9pm! Pre-boarding can be arranged. 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON 9/24: TOM SWITZER at OAKLAND YARD. Industry veteran, man of myth... walking bear hug, Tom Switzer, will be pouring dynamic and delicious flights of French wines. Beverage service from 2-6. You are free to roam about.
Domaine Ligier Cremant du Jura Brut
2019 Gautheron Chablis Vieilles Vignes
2020 Clusel Roch Traboules Gamay
2020 Domaine Charleux Bourgogne Rouge 
$15 flights from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm.

With open arms,
Daniel