My little Simone turns 5 on Saturday. A "Covid baby", born late March 2020 as the world sheltered in place. I never figured the universe could possibly be any darker just five years on, yet here we are. But she brings us much light - and to most in her orbit - sensitive and silly and empathetic in nature, a generally happy jellybean. She and her older sister have adapted to their new school, learning all kinds of new concepts and considerations, and new words. "Dad, what is a bee-yawch?", my first grader asked the other day with genuine innocence and curiosity.

Max and Julia hosted staff earlier this month and one of the guests brought a massive telescope to stargaze on the roof above the shop. I felt like a curious kid again, bewildered to see the clarity of distant planets and their orbiting moons. I was introduced to new words that night too, when I asked what the dense, bright cluster of "something" was that I was viewing. That's a stellar nursery Mark explained, and I've not been able to get those words out my head. The juxtaposition of infancy and infinity is just too much for my head and heart to process, or to feel anything but delight and awe about.

Looking around at staff that night, and thinking of the shop and this space, this community, the town and beyond... a simple search and the metaphor comes quickly into focus. Stellar nurseries are the ecosystems within galaxies where stars are formed... born, living... eventually releasing their enriched materials back to the nursery, the process crucial for the creation of future generations of stars and celestial bodies.

With further reading, it is noted that within nurseries, gravity plays a crucial role. We hope the gravitational pull continues for spaces like this in this town. The social hubs, the gathering spaces, the stellar nurseries. These dynamic ecosystems that foster growth, and welcome into existence the expansive lights and warm energies of this community, and create space for the many many bright stars among us, impossible to count.

Come shine with us this weekend - and in the weeks and months ahead!  We'll be hosting new stars and highlighting new talents, local winemakers and chefs popping up and sharing their creations with the community here. Check out our events calendar or follow our Instagram to stay in the loop (or rather, in our orbit:).

This SATURDAY 3/29: Special guest winemakers Bill Cassata & Lane Harper pouring their stellar new releases of WILLIAM LANE wines, including:
2022 William Lane California Frappato / Nero d'Avola  
2022 William Lane High Valley Nero d'Avola
2022 William Lane Mendocino Carignano
2023 William Lane Alder Springs Vermentino
Tasting Flights from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 9pm!

But first TONIGHT... THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: Australian reds and Austrian whites
2023 Unico Zelo Fresh AF
2021 SC Pannell Field Street Shiraz
2022 Chalmers Mother Block Red Blend
2023 Weingut Stix Gruner Veltliner 1L
2023 Heidi Schrock Gelber Muskateller
2023 Brundlmayer Kamptaler Terrassen Riesling
Tasting Flights $15 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until close!

Infinitely yours,

Daniel