I'm frequently asked how I got into wine, and how the shop came to be. Motivations are rarely singular, and so the answer involves a series of simple, seemingly solitary descisions and indecisions. Saying yes one night to bar backing a friend at a wine bar. Renting a cabin on the Russian River. Following a woman to New York...
I randomly rediscovered this email, written six years ago, nearly to the day. I believe it marks the very first mention of OAKLAND YARD, if only a dream then. A letter within a letter...
March 25, 2013
Max,
Man, I'm such a sissy- my eyes welled up like crazy when I saw you wrote me. An email from me was long overdue, I confess, especially as I've been thinking of you so often these last couple of months. I was promoted a short while back and am now Wells' vineyard assistant at Copain, so things are challenging for me and will be getting very busy soon. The learning curve has been steep and I'm just trying to keep my head above water, to be honest- but being out in the vineyards and on long, lovely and lonely drives in the 'deep end' of Anderson Valley has been special. I'm enjoying life out here in the country as I expected I would, but have absolutely no real friends here and at the year mark it's left me feeling a little empty, in all sincerity.
It's made me miss the shop, Brooklyn, and obviously people like you. I don't think I ever articulated to you how much I learned from you- about wine, music, life. Being out here without interesting people like you in my life makes me feel like the world is just standing still while I grow old (don't know if that makes sense). Anyway, some days I love it here- some days I just want to move back to start our own shop. Maybe I can convince you and Julia to move out here and we can open one in Oakland... We can dream and scheme more about this soon when you're out here. Hard to believe you'll be here in six weeks- I really can't express how exciting that news is to me right now.
Talk to you soon, my friend.
Daniel
OAKLAND YARD is still a dream to me. We hope for you, too. You are ultimately the hero in this little origin story. Showing up once again at the perfect moment, to make this a better place. We're so thrilled you found us in our little corner of the world and we're so glad to have found you. The magnetism of California and the Northern Coast is as strong as ever. And we'll be celebrating this all weekend: This SATURDAY (3/30) we welcome Drew Huffine and Emily Virgil of Trail Marker Wine Co - always one of the most fun and extraordinary tastings, and certainly one not to be missed. Aside from being a talented winemaker and one of the most gregarious humans, Drew was the first to suggest I take that random shift at our neighborhood wine bar, 15 years ago.
Crazy where life takes us sometimes. Let it take you here, for now at least. Come connect and explore with us. In addition to their new 2018 Rosé of Carignan, Drew and Em will pouring a mineral driven Chablis-like Chardonnay from Mendocino, a fresh and vibrant chillable Zweigelt from Lodi and an earthy and elegant Pinot Noir from Saveria Vineyard in Santa Cruz Mountains. Special Tasting this SATURDAY from 3-6 ($15) and wines by the glass all day until 9.
SUNDAY (3/31): California Crush continues...
Flights of 'New California' wines from 2-6pm. All dry, vibrant, low-alcohol, low intervention and less manipulation. Some hands off and some completely natural expressions. Flights are $15 from 2-6 and wines available by the glass until 9.
But first TONIGHT... Thursday Night Flights! The Battle of the ñ. This evening we'll be pouring Albariño from Portugal and Spain for our white flight, and the red flight will be Pipeños (Mission/Pais grape) from Chile. Flights $12 tonight from 4-8pm and wines by the glass as always.
See you soon,
Daniel