As Oakland Yard enters its seventh summer, I again watch from afar, monitoring inventory’s ins and outs, injecting infusions of fresh juice culled from springtime samplings, picking spears, late and thin, from the asparagus bed of my youth, and watching peonies burst and drop their petals, the sunniest plots exploding first. The Finger Lakes are timeless in their way, as is my mother’s kitchen. I’ve heard the bay’s been gray and tepid, as is typical, but I trust our shop can still warm hearts. Here are snakes and deer and thunderstorms, country roads named after farmers, and the wilds that made me.

I had a friend who, as a child, thought when they switched the TV off, the show would stop and ‘wait’ for their return. We all know now, nighttime happens while we sleep. The world goes on without us. I have no fear of missing out, rather I’m delighted so much can happen in my absence. I trust that Oakland Yard is buzzing with friendly faces, both familiar and brand-new, and that Alyson’s fascinating floral arrangements, siren-like, draw every eye to our back bar, where you may find a friend, meet a stranger, or simply drink in peace.

My thanks to Daniel, Ezra, Erica, Claire, Gabrielle, Pablo, Bibi, Caleb, Natsumi, and Sarah, for playing their parts in keeping Oakland Yard not just afloat, but radiant - the vibrant, welcoming, stimulating, comforting, positive space it continues to occupy in my mind. Please enjoy the Yard while I’m gone. I’ll be sending new wines your way from time to time, and wishing you both sun and rain. Know you’re in my thoughts until we meet again a little later in our seventh summer.

Tonight...THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: ALL FRENCH Reds and Whites
2021 Labbé Abymes Jacquère
2021 Perroud Chiras Bourgogne Blanc
2019 Ribeauville Alsace Riesling
2021 Delobel Pineau d'Aunis La Parenthèse
2021 Sylvain Badel Si le Vin Syrah
2021 Jean Orliac Le Loup dans la Bergerie
Tasting flights $15 from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9pm

This SATURDAY 6/24: MOMMENPOP APERITIF TASTING with JARED MURRAY
Jared will be pouring spritzy flights of Blood Orange, Seville Orange, and the new Makrut Lime. And we can only hope he’ll be spinning classic soul LPs again from his dad’s dazzling collection.
Aperitif Spritz flights $15 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 9pm

Fondly,

Max

Fondly,
Max