As you read this, know that I am in a happy place. Every year at this time, my father and my five brothers and I all converge upon a string of alpine lakes in the Eastern Sierras. It is a special tradition for us. Anyone who does not attend is demoted to cousin status for a year. We arrive with a particular electricity and fall quickly into our ridiculous routines: recalling odd neighbors and quirky classmates, discussing lowbrow films and high drama exes, revealing secrets of early mischief and misfortunes previously unknown, and teasing each other mercilessly (the younger the brother the broader the target). 

We rise early and spend most of the day fishing the lakes and sometimes the connecting creeks. We fish and feast and laugh, we drink and sing silly songs, and we pass the hours in-between recalling and rediscovering memories from the treasure chests of youth. When we are not peppered along the shorelines, we squeeze aboard a rented boat, exploring the lakes and enjoying a spot that is collectively ours. This year, the gathering is a uniquely special one - with our one sister joining us, and so for a couple days, all of us siblings will be under the same roof again for the first time in about thirty years. 

Oakland Yard is a happy place too. I'll be thinking of you all, of our exceptional staff, of new faces and seasoned regulars, all under one roof there. I'm grateful for all of you who remain a part of the adventure and continue to explore with us. The joy continues tonight and in the days ahead. Max and staff are all smiles all week, serving up all kinds of delicious wine and are there to help with your weekend gatherings or getaways. We've got THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS TONIGHT! It will be all Italian themed this evening and a special lineup this Saturday of wines from Burgundy. Join us, and the family here.


TONIGHT - THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: Italian whites and reds
2022 Pra Soave Classico Otto
2022 Gorghi Tondi Grillo
2021 Mustilli Greco Sannio
2021 Marino Abate LAPA Nero d'Avola
2021 FUSO Cantine Polvanera CALX Primitivo
2020 Villa Sant Anna Chianti Colli Senesi
Tasting flights $15 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until 9pm

SATURDAY 5/18: WINES OF BURGINDY
2022 Domaine Berthenet Aligote
2022 Domaine Oudin Chablis
2021 Domaine Rollin Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Beaune Rouge
2020 Domaine Bader-Mimeur Bourgogne Rouge Dessous les Mues
Tasting flights $20 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass all day until 9pm.

See you Sunday (hopefully with some trout:),

Daniel