I’m writing you from the Eastern Sierras. I’m on my annual trip with my father and my brothers. Some of you know about that trip already. 

We’ll be up before the sun and will fish through the weekend and tell tales and laugh and feast and catch up on life. At the end of it all there may be some cheeky awarding of a cup for the best fisherman. There is still some debate about what makes one most worthy of that honor (whether catching the most fish or the biggest fish etc). In the end there is never any actual contesting or anything of the sort.

This morning I had a different memory return to me. I was at a school carnival with a couple classmates, Jeff Gleason and Tony Ligon. We were in fifth grade. There was the game where you have to knock all the milk cans off the platform in three tries. Jeff threw first and his pitch sailed just a hair over the top of the pyramid of stacked bottles. Tony threw next, accurately and with all this might, and cleared everything off but one bottle. I had the last pitch: a singular task, but a small target. And though I can rarely get a crumpled paper ball into a large wastebasket these days, I was able to send a perfect strike on that day and dispatch the last milk bottle. Tony and I spent the next hour disagreeing on whose feat was more challenging, and who was more deserving of the ridiculous stuffed prize. When we couldn’t convince the other of our merit, Antonio suggested we give it to Jeff, and we did. Jeff ended up giving it to a little kid who had lost a game nearby. 

I try to do and to be my best generally, though I miss the target often. Close friends will also tell you that I can also be more competitive than I like to admit. And while the etymology of my name suggests I may not naturally look to peers for judgment, I will also concede, happily, to honorable and more sage souls from time to time. 


OAKLAND YARD made it to the final round for voting in Oakland Magazine's "Best of Oakland". Thank you for the nomination and for all who voted to get us through to the final round! We humbly ask you to consider voting 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 again for the nomination!

We've got a fun weekend and flights ahead.... Roll in and join the good times. Surround yourself with friendly folks and drink and be merry. Know that I'll be raising a glass from afar. All are in good hands with our warm and welcoming crew pouring Thursday Night Flights TONIGHT... GREEK REDS and AUSTRIAN WHITES! Tacos Oscar is OPEN next door - tacos welcome here with flights or glasses anytime!:). Flights $15 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until close. 

And.. SATURDAY FLIGHTS: Wines Of OREGON
2022 Breane Day 'Vin de Days' Blanc
2022 Ovum 'Big Salt' White
2017 Twill 'Stormy Morning Vineyard' Syrah 
2021 Maison Noir 'In Sheep's Clothing' Cabernet Sauvignon
Flights from 2-6 and wines by the glass all day until 9pm


Cheers,

Daniel