Some of you know my story from chatting in the shop, or maybe from our website (or our recent IG post), but the LA fires hit home very directly for me and my family. I was a public school teacher in Altadena for a decade before heading up to the bay area to learn how to make wine, and later opening Oakland Yard with Max and Julia and my wife, Glenny, over 8 years ago.

I made the difficult decision to return home this fall, living in Altadena to be close to family again, to give support to my parents and receive support from them as grandparents for our two young daughters. We've also been looking for a spot here to open a neighborhood wine shop/community space with Max and Julia (they'll remain in Oakland:), in the same spirit of Oakland Yard. The homecoming has been bittersweet, making connections but missing our east bay community. I'm still very involved and devoted to 420 40th St, and I was up there working when I learned my family were evacuating. The scale of the devastation down here and in other communities around LA is unfathomable. Nearly everyone I know in these areas lost their home to the fires. My daughter’s school burned down. The remaining buildings will not be habitable for a long time. 

And while nearly all the recent news has been heavy, I can see light. I can see love. People being lamps and lifeboats and ladders. Hundreds messages, phone calls. People reaching out from here, there, and far away. And I see communities rising, supporting each other. People offering homes and supplies. I see donation centers popping up and people showing up. And I can see little Kadie's face. Kadie was the bright, warm smile that first greeted my daughter, who was hiding her tears on her first day of 1st grade months ago (the same school in Altadena I taught at 20 years ago). Kadie was born a light. A helper. I witness her kindness every morning at drop off. A sweetness offered to my sensitive daughter and to every classmate as well. Kadie lost her home and all her belongings - her multi-generational family living there lost everything last week. And yet, at a time of such immeasurable personal loss and grief, Kadie's 7 year old heart asked her mom for phone numbers so she could call and check in on her classmates. Needed to know if my daughter was OK. Left a voicemail telling her she was thinking of her and that she was missed. A girl with nothing, seeing if others needed anything. 

I hope there are enough Kadie's for this world. 

All love,

Daniel


Tonight...THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: Txakoli & Malbec. Come gather and be a part of this beautiful community.
2023 Altxor Getariako Txakolina Blanco
2023 Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina Blanco
2023 Txomin Etxaniz Getariako Txakolina Blanco
2023 Familia Bonfanti Malbec Joven
2021 Hinojosa H Series Malbec
2022 Combel la Serre Cahors Pur Fruit du Causse
Flights $15 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until 9pm

SATURDAY 1/18: Loire Valley Chenin Blanc Flights 
Jacky et J.P. Blot La Taille aux Loups Brut Tradition Montlouis
2023 Domaine Timothée Delalle La Burette Blanc
2023 Sebastien Brunet Arpent Vouvray Sec
2020 Domaine du Closel La Jalousie Savennières
Flights $20 from 2-6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm

We’ll continue to foster community here and support communities in need, with donations to @mutualaidla and proceeds from weekly Welcome Wednesdays to benefit LA Fire Relief.

For anyone able to donate: 

Mutual Aid LA click HERE

GoFundMe for Kadie's Family click HERE