There is a fluffy gray cat wandering my block. If my front door is open for a minute too long, the feline will bee line, eager to enter our home. We just moved in a few months ago, and I don’t know what treats or kindness was once offered here. But the cat has not forgotten them, seeming ever eager to reclaim some small delights.

There's a funny conversation you'll hear at the wine shop this time of year, as we reorder and restock bottles for the shelves, replenishing the sparkling section in particular, after the high demand for bubbles amid the fervor New Year’s Eve celebrations. Familiar faces return now to buy some still whites or comforting reds for winter nights, and countless customers will recall the delight of their recent sparkling selection. That bubbly was delicious! one will remark. The Cremant was a big hit... says another. That Pet Nat was so fun! Et cetera.  And almost inevitably there will be at least one who will say the quiet part loud: I don’t know why we don’t drink sparkling more often!. And then, would you believe, in some strange, subconscious defiance of joy, an entire year (to the day!) will pass once again before that simple delight is revisited. 

I'm thinking about the memories of cats this morning. And wondering about the habits of some humans I suppose. We're not pushy folks here at Oakland Yard and we won't force bottles on anyone. But I can only encourage you, with every atom of my being, to enjoy more bubbly this year. And I encourage you to encourage others. And beyond bubbles, here's to any previously annual joys becoming bi-annual, or tri-annual, maybe even monthly, weekly..  whether it's dressing up for dinner, or riding a tiny train through the woods at Tilden Park. Returning to the Sierras or that cottage in Mendocino. Here's to hosting a costume party in March, to roasting a turkey in May. Send flowers and a love letter in January. Let's reserve more nights for board games with friends. Make pasta from scratch more. Surely we can reserve more than one arbitrary Thursday evening in November to take turns around the table declaring what we are thankful for. 

TONIGHT 1/12 - THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: Portuguese Whites & French Reds

2021 Filipa Pato WHITE Dinamico Dinamica Vinho Branco
2019 Herdade do Mouchao Dom Rafael Branco Alentejo
2021 Luis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado WHITE Douro Branco
2021 Domaine de la Damase Grenache 
2019 Domaine Graveirette Cotes du Rhone
2016 Domaine Ferrer Ribiere Empreinte du Temps Carignan
Flights $15 from 5-9pm and wines by the glass from around the world until close!

SATURDAY 1/14 - *SPARKLING FLIGHTS*
Jo Landron Atmospheres Brut
Ayunta Metodo Ancestrale Rosato Pet Nat
NV Bulli 'Jvlivs' Bolle Macerato Sparkling
Flights $15 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm

Cheers,

Daniel