The fast-driving, hard patter of heavy rain on our tasting bar skylight, relentless as an Art Blakey press roll, is a newly familiar sound here at Oakland Yard, as the wettest winter in recent memory roars through town, throwing wind and water like a proper monsoon. Never have I been so happy to live above the store, as I was yesterday morning while I ambled dryly downstairs. It hailed last week, so steady that it coated the cars and sidewalk with a white sheet of icy pebbles, and customers returning from work across the bay asked if it had just snowed. No, just hail and rain here, but there was real snow last week up at Sky Vineyards, in the nearby Mayacamas Range.
It sounds like it’s not over yet, but thank you for keeping us company through the storm so far. Despite the dreary weather, we had a surprisingly fun weekend of wine tasting, with the shop full of locals looking to get out of the house, but not too far from home; the place felt like someone’s large and lively living room for most of Saturday afternoon, with friends gathering for wine and snacks, small dogs and laughter. It would have been a sad scene had you not come, the skylight drumming to an empty room.
Come join us again this week; we’ll be here - rain or shine - pouring the good wine to all comers of age. Speaking of age, if you see Jessie behind the bar tomorrow, be sure to wish her a happy birthday. We love you, Jessie!!!
But don’t wait until tomorrow; TONIGHT we’ll have THREE Flights, with a special additionalValentine’s Day ROSÉ FLIGHTS in the mix - and gorgeous Flower & Forage BOUQUETS from Alyson Vitt for $15 (while supplies last), as well as delicious, locally made Dandelion CHOCOLATE, and of course WINE (both in good supply).
TONIGHT: Thursday Night Flights! FRENCH WHITES, GERMAN REDS, or VALENTINE’S DAY ROSÉS: Picpoul, Aligote, Cotes Catalanes, Spatburgunder, Dornfelder, and Lemberger - $12 tasting flights from 4 to 8pm.
SATURDAY 2/16: SICILIAN TASTING FLIGHTS - Red, White & Bubbly from the enchanted island – $15 tasting -Flights from 2 to 6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm.
SUNDAY 2/17: ORGANIC FRENCH TASTING FLIGHTS - Natty Red, White & Bubbly – $15 tasting - Flights from 2 to 6 - and wines by the glass until 8pm.
Cheers,
Max