I spent much of this week indoors, dutifully tasting wine samples and stocking the shelves, oblivious to the mounting heat, until I registered the red-faced looks of sudden joy and relief on those ambling in, surprised by the coolness of our air, and newly in the mood for a restorative breather with a chilled glass of vino. The temperature was still in the mid-eighties yesterday when the sun sank into the distant city haze and an extra-bright, super blue sturgeon moon (or was it a super sturgeon blue moon?) rose in the east and shimmered over Mosswood Park toward the ocean. Far in that distance, the winds of Idalia weakened a bit over the Atlantic, and made a bee-line for the Carolina coast. It’s hard to believe, but there may be a little rain for us here tomorrow morning before we dig into this already very welcome holiday weekend.

Once we’ve celebrated the contributions of the American labor movement with parades and parties, it may then feel as though the season has changed, but the sun’s not about to quit next week, and it’s still technically summer until the 23rd; and you know, September summer is when we fully shake the gloom and really shine. To make the most of this cusp, from dog days to fall, you may decide to procure a gift for a friend, or perhaps you desire something unique and beautiful to lift your own spirits, or maybe you just want to get out in the world and mix with your fellow Temescaleros. In light of the news of San Francisco’s Westfield mall closing and this week’s shenanigans down at Bay Street in Emeryville, all I can say is skip the malls; you’re guaranteed to have a better time, and find way more fly goods, at our upcoming flea, the Oakland Yard Artisan Market. Who wants to buy the same big-box wares you see all around town? Nobody. As Oakland’s own Kreayshawn will tell you: “basic bitches wear that shit so I don’t even bother!”

The weekend after Labor Day, Saturday September 9th from 12 to 5, in the lot behind the shop, we’ll be featuring local vendors with carefully curated vintage clothing, handmade ceramics, artisanal jewelry, distinctive houseplants, stylish art prints, California olive oil, and hand dipped beeswax candles. We’ll have wine and beer available, and Shuckbuddy will be back with scores of cold, sweet, salty oysters, while XULO brings handmade burritos with the freshest summer fillings, and D ARUMA KIOSK serves up their superbly decadent Japanese street food and SOS Bakeshop brings the mouthwatering macarons. Tell your friends and don’t miss the fun!!!

Oakland Yard will be open normal hours this weekend, including this Monday from 4 to 8pm.

Tonight: THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS - Italian Whites and French Reds
2022 Pra’ Otto Soave Classico
2019 Cantina Comero Colline Novaresi Erbaluce
2022 Conestabile della Staffa Litro Bianco
2021 Domaine Maurice Charleux et Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir
2021 La Parenthèse Pineau d’Aunis
2020 Cèdre Héritage Cahors Malbec
Tasting flights $15 from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9pm

This SATURDAY 8/19: SOUTH AMERICAN tasting flights Featuring four wines - whites and reds - from Argentina and Chile
2021 Santa Julia Blanco Natural Torrontes
2021 Maturana Wines Naranjo Torontel
2022 Louis-Antoine Luyt Quenehuao Tinto Pais
2018 Familia Furlotti Malbec
Flights $18 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 9pm.

Cheers,
Max