I was recently cutting up a banana at my daughter's request and noticed her pause above the plate of small discs. "Awwww, they all look so sad..." she said, and for the first time in my life I, too, acknowledged the series of sad and somber banana faces in the center of each slice. I can't unsee them now, and so some breakfasts bring me less joy (though the occasional cannibal skit she plays out - "don't eat us!.. noooo! wait...pleeeasse...ahhhh!... " -  does offer some amusement).

While things are far from all smiles these days, we've been overwhelmed to see the joyful faces and the enthusiasm for our weekly Welcome Wednesdays and Saturday pop ups. Managing social media can be a mixed bag, but nothing makes us smile more than seeing photos of guests in the space, being tagged in Instagram posts, receiving kind words of appreciation... witnessing a moment of laughter. Folks enjoying company and flights or glasses - or just generally looking happy. And while we can never be sure of our direct impact, we like to think that the warm and welcoming vibes, the exceptional service of our staff, the good music and great wine all help to create an atmosphere for joy. Thank you for supporting and fostering community with us. Thank you for showing up and coming out to celebrate local, independent chefs and small independent winemakers. And thank you for bringing your friends and chosen family into our collective space.You recommending OAKLAND YARD to others, sharing this space, and helping us grow this community means the world to us.

We made it to the final round for voting in Oakland Magazine's "Best of Oakland". Thank you for the nominations (for best Wine Shop and for Best Wine Bar). We humbly ask you and yours to consider a final vote or OAKLAND YARD for BEST WINE SHOP! CLICK HERE for the link to VOTE!  Click on FOOD & DRINK from Main Menu and then Best Wine Shop from menu list on left side. THANK YOU again for the nomination!

Stay in the loop for more pop ups and parties through Instagram, our event calendar (or this weekly newsletter:). But first, TONIGHT: Thursday night Flights... Italian Whites and Austrian Reds
2023 Schiopetto Ribolla Gialla
2022 Gorgi Tondi Grillo
2023 Dario Serrentino FUSO CALA Bianco
2021 Kolfok All Universe Together
NV FELIX BLAU Blaufrankisch 1L
2022 Reinisch Tattendorf Pinot Noir
Flights $15 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until 9pm

THIS SATURDAY 4/26: French wine flights - New whites and reds from the Loire valley, the Vaucluse, the Rhône valley, and Southwestern France
2015 Les Bêtes Curieuses Monnières-Saint Fiacre Muscadet
2023 Famille Brunier Le Pigeoulet Vaucluse Blanc
2023 Vignerons D'Estezargues Carambouille
2023 Fabien Jouves Tu Viens Plus Au Soirées
Flights $18 from 2-6 and wines by the glass from all around the globe until close!

All smiles,
Daniel