I entered my elementary school's costume contest when I was in second grade. I was dressed as Fonzie from Happy Days. Four feet tall. Hair greased back, pegged jeans, black jacket, bright white T-shirt (with a deck of cards my brother rolled into one short sleeve to look like a pack of cigarettes, a late round reveal). For an hour one October evening, we paraded in a circle, surrounded by the congregation of other parents and sibling and onlookers - each round pausing briefly before the judges table for consideration. What started as 50 or so entrants dwindled to a dozen, judges either giving us thumbs up to keep walking, or a sympathetic nod to drop out off the strange procession.  At some point, I adopted the persona entirely. I was no longer simply dressed as Fonzie. I was Fonzie. All eyebrows and grins for the judges with each pass.

Eventually there was only a few of us left, all the others middle school kids with intricate applications or near professional painted faces. And somehow, on goofy charm alone I survived each round, forcing a showdown against the shoe-in: Paul Bailey, in his full Ghostbusters uniform with a homemade proton pack that actually lit up. It was a ludicrous finale. My only props were my thumbs. Part of Paul's routine was hollering the tagline Who You Gonna Call?... to rile up the crowd and get a section of supportive "Ghostbusters!" echoed back. But in the end, the only who anyone should have called was 911, because Paul Bailey was robbed and I was awarded first prize. 

I don't recall what I won. Or much of the rest of the night besides enjoying some candy with my best bud, Jeff Gleason. I do remember being stopped occasionally and asked to take photos with random parents. And a handful of disgruntled Bailey fans lingering in protest (But he's not even wearing a COSTUME!...). And I remember my mom wiping her eyes. I don't think I've ever seen her laugh so hard. 

TONIGHT - THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: Gruner Veltliner and Red Bordeaux...
2022 Birgit Eichinger Ried Hasel Gruner Veltliner
2022 Kurt Angerer Kies Grüner Veltliner
2021 Phantome Cellars Mokelumne Glen Gruner Veltliner
2019 Chateau La Rame Bordeaux Rouge
2020 Chateau Laubarit Bordeaux Rouge
2021 Chateau Renaissance 'Brèves de Comptoir' Bordeaux Superieur
Tasting flights $15 from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9pm

THIS SATURDAY 10/21: TERAH WINE CO.
Special Tasting w/ Winemaker and rising star, Terah Bajjalieh, pouring a flight of her wines! A sommelier and winemaker, Terah studied enology and viticulture in both Spain and France. She completed 13 harvests in five countries, including France, Australia, Argentina, Willamette Valley, Sierra Foothills, Sonoma and Napa. Come taste some delicious and dynamic wines from her current lineup - sustainable and organic offerings made with great care and minimal intervention … bright and balanced and, above all, very delicious. Terah will be pouring four wines from her new lineup including Piquette, Rosé, Vermentino, and a skin contact Falanghina. Tasting flights $20 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 9pm.

Cheers,

Daniel