I was out for dinner with a small group a while back. After being seated the server asked if we wanted a round of drinks to start. Most happily ordered a selection from the well-curated drink list while others went with some classic. One member of the group I didn't know so well asked the server if they could make some drink no one had ever heard of. Then he waived off that whim and suggested another challenge: Surprise me..., he proposed. More than one in our group rolled their eyes.

Our drinks arrived. An Abeja, a Spagliato, a martini, a manhattan. The mystery drink was placed on the table last: a creamy, cloudy concoction in an ornate glass topped with a suspiciously abundant amount of fruit garnish and a tiny paper umbrella. The guy studied the drink for several seconds. "Is this a piña colada?", he asked. "Yes. Surprise!", the server whispered, with a small, sly smile and she moved on to a nearby table.

Minutes later he would confess to us: "Well, I guess I was surprised, actually. And, it's pretty damn good...".

It's been a week of little surprises around here. Strange rainy skies in May. Playoff upsets. Little ones with sleep regressions. And some pleasant surprises too. Welcome news from a friend. A new niece on the way. A nice visit from my in-laws. And surprises small and grand continue at the shop in the weeks ahead! We have ADELINE Jewelry Pop Up SATURDAY MAY 13th! Oakland native, Lindsay Ansley, will be here with some new pieces for sale from her stunning collection - and we'll have Sparkling flights and wines by the glass. SUNDAY JUNE 4th, URELIO'S Pizza will be here from 12-4pm or until sold out. Former Chez Panisse cook, Sam Cicarreli, brings his roving pizza oven to our lot for an afternoon of pizza and wine. More details and surprises to come!

But first... 
SATURDAY 5/6: LIFT COLLECTIVE Fundraiser from 2-6pm! Lift Collective a community-centered, multi-channel platform advocating equity and inclusion in the wine industry. BIPOC produced wines and Tasting Flights featuring selections from Bodkin, McBride Sisters, Camins2Dreams, and Domaine du Pourra. Flights $20 from 2-6, with proceeds going to the Lift Collective. 
 
Cheers,

Daniel

P.S. We made it to the final round for voting in Oakland Magazine's "Best of Oakland". VOTE for OAKLAND YARD for BEST WINE SHOP! HERE is the link to VOTE!  Click on FOOD & DRINK from Main Menu and then Best Wine Shop from menu list on left side when redirected. And THANK YOU for the nomination!!!