My parents bought a new refrigerator last month. I’ve never thought long enough about fridges to have strong feelings, but this one is pretty cool as far as fridges go, I guess. Stainless steel, double French doors. A cool little secret pocket water station and beverage center tucked into the left door. But some other details in the freezer below turned out to be somewhat polarizing (no pun intended). Instead of the usual freezer operations, the ice maker and its bins below are divided into two smaller containers, with the freezer kicking out regular cubes into one small bin and very small cubes into the bin beside it, a mound of mini-cubes much smaller than dice.

Mom’s not so happy about the unnecessary second option and let us know about it. Others weighed in too, in the weeks since its arrival, and consensus seemed to be it was an impractical use of space. But then my older sister came by one day and opened the freezer to scoop a cup of ice. Her enthusiasm was immediate: "Oooooohhh! Tiny ice! My FAVORITE!..."

I was thinking about tiny ice cubes this morning. And giant whiskey cubes. Fancy frozen spheres. All the options and preferences for something so singular. I also think of Max in this regard too. Tastings through thousands of bottles all year, an endless cycle of curation... always considering all patrons and their preferences. His patient, persistent efforts to find new wines that are vibrant, fresh and dynamic - while maintaining a selection that honors our integrity and represents the highest quality and value. 

And beyond our bottle selections, Claire and the event team continue their noble quest to curate some additional excitement for all. Our Welcome Wednesdays guest chef series continues all month - and there will be more special events, guest winemakers, curated flights, and other pop ups coming your way in the weeks and months ahead! Including THIS SATURDAY, with guest winemaker Cary Quintana pouring her new lineup of Picpoul Blanc, Cinsault, Mourvedre and and her Cosmic Dance (Grenache/Syrah blend)! Also coming up next week: TOURNAMENT TUESDAYS starting 6/24, a informal game night here at Oakland Yard... Bring your friends and some cards or a small board game and join us and others for a night of games and wine until 9! Then it's the PABLUMI POP UP happening here on Wednesday 6/25- menu details on IG to follow! 

But first TONIGHT: Thursday Niight Flights... Italian Whites and Rhone Reds!
2023 Pra Otto Soave Classico
2023 Giato Centopassi Sicilane Bianco (Grillo/Catarratto)
2023 Bruno Verdi Oltrepo Pavese Pinot Grigio
2023 Famille Brunier Pigeolet Vaucluse
2022 Domaine Piaugier 'La Grange Piaugier' Cotes du Rhone
2012 Domaine de L'Agramante Ciaula Cotes du Rhone
Flights $15 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until 9pm

SATURDAY 6/21: Meet the Winemker... local winemaker, Cary Quintana of CARY Q WINES at OAKLaND YARD, pouring wines from her current lineup:
2023 El Dorado Picpoul Blanc
2023 Fenaughty Vineyard Cinsault
2021 Amador County Cosmic Dance (Grenache/Syrah)
2022 Shake Ridge Vineyard Mourvedre
Flights from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 9pm!

Stay cool,
Daniel