I am of a generation that listened to the radio. That developed patience by suffering through commercials. As kids we'd even try calling the radio station, from our landline. On certain days, at certain times, we'd be encouraged to request our favorite song and if lucky our request would be honored and our names and neighborhood might be called out on the air. On other occasions we'd call in for contests, for free concert tickets or whatnot. I never won tickets, but one time I got a consolation prize and they mailed me a T-shirt. It was absurdly large so I gave it to a guy on my soccer team (it was too big for him too but I didn't say anything).

A few weeks ago, a woman came in to buy a bottle of sherry for a special mushroom soup she was making. Max first noticed her well-worn navy blue cotton shirt, with a contrasting yellow font that simply read: FREE SCHMIDT!. While that’s my last name, we'd learn that it wasn’t hers, nor that of anyone she knew. She explained it was a reference to a fictional character, and made as a promo for a friend's project many years ago. To my surprise, she would return later that same day with her washed and folded FREE SCHMIDT! T-shirt. Offered to me in recognition of the particular delight it brought me. She even shared some of the soup she made (it was delicious). And the shirt turned out to be a perfect fit.

I'm thinking about that shirt again this morning. And about random strangers, making connections, transferring delight. The kind of people who would literally give you the shirt off their back, as the saying goes. I think of how wonderful our community can be, how amazing our regulars, or even occasional guests, can be. Interactions that go far beyond the standard transactions of a wine shop. Receiving random emails of gratitude, or kind words of appreciation shared at the register. Holiday cards. Or fresh-baked cookies. Some bring their visiting friends or parents, when they are in town, to show them the shop. Their shop. My eyes swell with pride just thinking about it. 

This has always been and continues to be so much more than just a shop. To us certainly, and to you too, we hope. And if, in any way, we can better share this space, let us know. If there are things you'd like to see on the shelves, or learn more about, shoot us an email or stop in anytime. More sherry, perhaps? Or a favorite food pop up you'd love to see here? Give us a call! Our request lines are open and we are all ears. We're here for you til 9pm everyday now. And we'll continue to expand our program, and grow one way or another, hopefully always fitting just right.
 

TONIGHT - THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: Italian whites and California reds... 
2022 Donna Paolina Fiano di Avellino
2023 Pra Otto Soave Classico
2021 Vite Colte Roero Arneis
2022 Trail Marker Wine Co Blaufrankish
2020 Vignerons Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
2021 Beaver Creek 'Survivor' Petite Syrah
Tasting flights $15 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until 9pm

SATURDAY 6/29: Wines of ALSACE
French Sparkling, white, and red from the northeast bordering Germany and Switzerland 
Hubert Meyer Cremant de Alsace Brut
2022 Domaine Wassler Riesling
2022 Domaine Mann 'Le Mouton Bleu' Sylvaner
2021 Domaine Roland Schmitt 'Plan B' Pinot Noir
Tasting flights $18 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm

Cheers,
Daniel