The Urban Grape

11/13/2024

We’ve got what you need to plan your perfect holiday event—from the venue itself to the wine and education—so reach out soon because our event calendar is filling up through the end of the year! 🎉🍾

Our team will work closely with you to create an experience that checks all the boxes, whether you’re looking to book a corporate holiday party or a birthday celebration (like ’s incredible party from over the summer)! The possibilities are endless with DC’s private event room and the beautiful tasting tables in both Boston and DC—or we can bring the party to your space!

Contact us at the link in bio today to get started! 🥳

11/08/2024

Our November Producer of the Month is none other than our very own TJ + Hadley Douglas, the founders of The Urban Grape AND wine brand ! 🥂

Founded in 2021, the goal of Progressive Wine Co. is to create accessibility and inclusion in the wine industry through the bottles themselves and the mission they support. $1 from every bottle of PWC sold supports the education of future cohorts in the Urban Grape’s Wine Studies Award for People of Color!

With the recent arrival of the Chardonnay and newest Pinot Noir vintage of PWC, the brand’s lineup is continuing to grow with the idea that there will be a bottle for every palate. Thank you to everyone who came out last night to Boston to taste and chat with TJ and Hadley at our free tasting—there is nothing like experiencing wine with our community and the people behind the bottle, and that’s what PWC and The Urban Grape is all about! 💗

Head to the link in bio to shop Progressive Wine Co., which is available for in-store pickup, local delivery, or nationwide shipping.

Cheers to Drinking Progressively and creating a brighter, more diverse future for the wine industry!

11/06/2024

Last week, I was lucky enough to spend the week at a yoga retreat in New Mexico. Yes, we did the asanas, but they were secondary to the real work—cultivating deep compassion for ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around us. Committing to love a world that doesn’t always love you back is hard and uncomfortable work, and for a few hours this morning I was angry that I had wasted my time healing myself in the face of world that won’t heal itself.

In this confusion, I was compelled to turn to trusted friend and mentor with a long history of working in politics in—someone who I don’t always agree with politically but who supports our business beliefs and wears our Progressive Wine Company shirt with pride. I asked him to help us find the way to get up and lead this company with courage.

Here is what he said: “There is now an opportunity for the small business community to define what is important to them, for their employees, and for their companies, as opposed to the government trying to define it. Your inspiration is igniting the passion and bravery of others. I know you will continue to model behavior that inspires others. Your platform as leaders causes good. I know you and TJ are up to the task of wielding your leadership responsibilities in a positive way.” It was the pep talk we needed to hear.

The Urban Grape is going to Urban Grape no matter what. We are going to call more people in and set more glasses and break down more doors and keep being a place of community every single day. All we ask in return is that you support ALL small businesses more today than you did yesterday. Small businesses are the soul of our communities, and we’re committed to making our Main Streets into a world that works for everyone.

Need a hug or a laugh? TJ and I will be pouring the new vintage of at The Urban Grape in Boston on Thursday night from 5-8 PM. We’d love to see you and do what we do best: share a glass of wine with the people we love.

om tare tuttare ture soha - a prayer for loving compassion today and every day 💗

11/05/2024

Many of you who have been with us from the earliest days remember our three-year-old Noah running around the first Urban Grape in Chestnut Hill! This morning, we took Noah to vote in his very first election, and his enthusiasm for voting has been a bright spot in an emotionally draining election year—who knew it’d be so exciting to discuss ballot questions with an 18-year-old?

It’s hard to know what the next few days, and maybe even weeks will be like. TJ and I have talked for hours about what role we will (can, should?) play this week, and here’s where we’ve landed...

Our stores have always been a place where people gather, learn, and connect. No matter what, we will continue our mission to build community through beverage, just as we did in the hardest days of the pandemic. We will make Thanksgiving suggestions so we can gather around dinner tables, we will throw outstanding tasting events with makers from around the world, we will celebrate Small Businesses (both ours and others!), and we will get you ready for the upcoming holidays with an epic Grand Tasting. Our doors are open to you this week and all month long, so come in and let us fill up your cup (literally and metaphorically)! 💗

Oh, and DC, if you would like to fill that cup with the Madam Whiskey, we are getting restocked today for pick up, with shipping available nationwide!

Now make sure to go out and VOTE today! Find your polling place at our link in bio!

11/04/2024

Happy Monday everyone, and happy November events drop day! We’ve got a jam-packed month of events and special guests coming to both Boston and DC, so make sure to save and share this calendar to get in on all the fun! 🥂

From a guided Masterclass in both cities (we’re looking at you, tequila and mezcal lovers!) to a free tasting triple-header the week of Thanksgiving, there’s something for everything this month at The Urban Grape. Come join us for the education, access, and community you won’t find anywhere else. 💜

We’ve moved our event RSVPs to Eventbrite, so make sure to follow us there—you can still find all tasting info on our website too. All the details and links are at our link in bio!

(AND most importantly this November, please make sure to VOTE by tomorrow! Every vote counts, and every vote matters—you can also find your local polling place at our link in bio!)

10/31/2024

DC! We’ll be welcoming ' winemaker Derek Rohlffs to the store on Wednesday, November 13th for a special FREE tasting from 5-8PM! Come meet this gifted winemaker and taste his wines together. These California Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are usually only available for Bravium’s mailing list, which is why we’re excited to be one of the few retailers to carry them. 🍷

Derek has always felt a “mysterious” pull to nature, which he credits to his Cherokee heritage, and this was what drew him to the vineyards and his path in the wine industry. The hawk’s feather on Bravium’s label is representative of the power, elegance, and vitality of the wines, which you’ll get the opportunity to taste!

Make sure to RSVP at the link in bio and share with your friends! Stay tuned for our November event drop—we’ve got a great lineup of visiting makers and producers all month long. 🥳

10/30/2024

Things have been in full swing at The Urban Grape, and October was no exception! 🍂 Between some amazing guest appearances, a Welcome Fall Grand Tasting in both cities, and the cutest Yappy Hour in Boston (we’re still in awe at ’s on-the-spot pet portraits!), our stores have been filled with the most incredible energy and we can’t wait to keep it going through the end of the year! 🥰🍷

Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter (at the link in bio) to be the first to hear about events, and don’t forget to keep telling your friends and community about us! We couldn’t do this without all of you, and we’re so excited to continue seeing you in the store.

Stay tuned for our November events drop, coming very soon! 👀🥂

10/28/2024

has done it again! The brand new Rosé Prosecco is here, and we’re excited to be one of the few retailers carrying this wine! It’s available now in DC and pre-order in Boston (and if you can’t wait, we can ship nationally from DC). 🥂🥂🥂

Made with a blend of Glera and Pinot Noir, these bubbles have delicious notes of ripe raspberry, strawberry, and peach with a hint of sweetness on the finish. This bottle is perfect for Thanksgiving, brunch, or any weekday night—order it now at the link in bio!

10/21/2024

Scenes from our SOLD OUT Champagne + Cheese Pairing Masterclass with yesterday! Our guests loved learning about the history of Laurent-Perrier, while tasting the delicious bubbles alongside thoughtful cheese selections from in Boston and in DC. 🥂🧀

If you couldn’t make it, stay tuned for more workshops like this through the end of the year (here’s a hint: 💐🍾)! And in the meantime, we’ve got plenty of special guests joining us for FREE tastings through the end of the month, including Robin McBride of in DC and 's winemaker in Boston this Thursday, and Stephanie Brown of on a two-city After Brunch tour.

Find our calendar at the link in bio, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about new event drops!

(P.S. DC, spots are filling up fast for the immersive VR Italian wine tasting on November 2nd—tour Sicily’s vineyards and taste through 8 wines, no flight required! Tickets at link in bio!)

10/15/2024

This Thursday, October 17th, we’ve got some exciting guests in both cities for our free tasting from 5-8PM!

🦞In Boston, we’ll be welcoming Stephen Hagen, winemaker of Oregon winery Antiquum Farm. Stephen coined the term “grazing-based viticulture,” using the animals and other natural resources on his farm to grow and create wine that is “true to place.” Bring all your burning questions about biodynamic farming and regenerative agriculture, and taste the product of these practices!

🌸In DC, we’re celebrating with a lineup of three powerhouse women—Theodora Lee of , Casey Barber of , and Sarita Cheaves of ! Come on over to the store and meet these founders and movers in the wine industry, while sharing some delicious wine and great company!

RSVP to these tastings at the link in bio, where you can also find all of our in-store events! 🥂

10/10/2024

TJ and Hadley have been busy this week traveling around Boston, DC, and everywhere in between!

From judging the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s CO-100 Small Business Awards (which The Urban Grape won in 2021!) and providing beverage catering for the two-day event, to pouring at the Consensus Brand Show in NYC and running into new and familiar faces, it’s inspiring to see how TJ and Hadley are continuing to grow the brand and making the industry that much more inclusive. Drop a 🥂 below for this power duo!

10/08/2024

Hot off the press! Dave McIntyre of the gave our 2023 “Cohort 3” Sauvignon Blanc a glowing 4-star review! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 This is a big moment for our growing wine brand, and we couldn’t be more excited about this recognition.

But wait, there’s even more exciting news coming from Progressive Wine Co. next week so make sure to stay tuned—any guesses at what it could be? 👀🍇

In the meantime, make sure to order your bottle of this “fantastic” Sauvignon Blanc at the link in bio for in-store pickup, local delivery, or national shipping!

10/02/2024

We can’t wait to welcome Robin McBride, one half of the sister duo behind the largest Black-and-women-owned wine company in the country, to our DC store on Thursday, October 24th for a free tasting! 🤩

Robin and Andréa were raised across the globe from each other, in two iconic wine growing regions, before finding each other and building a beautiful connection and brand through wine. They’ve been redefining the industry and opening it up to all drinkers, with three brands under the McBride Sisters winery—the McBride Sisters Collection, Black Girl Magic Wines, and SHE CAN Wines.

Don’t wait to RSVP for this tasting at the link in bio, where you can also shop our collection of McBride Sisters wine! 🥂

09/29/2024

National spirits shipping has been a game changer! and, of course, The Madam Whiskey from are shipping around the country to happy new homes!!

09/24/2024

We’re teaming up with to bring you a Champagne + Cheese Pairing Masterclass in Boston AND DC on Sunday, October 20th! 🍾 Because what could be better than an afternoon of sipping on delicious bubbles and enjoying thoughtfully selected pairings from local cheesemongers?

Tickets are $30 each and already selling quick, with less than 20 spots available in each city… grab yours NOW at the link in bio! 🥂🧀

09/23/2024

Boston, mark your calendars for a public tasting next Tuesday, October 1st from 5-8PM! We’re so excited to welcome winemaking power couple Natasha Williams and Wade Sander from South Africa as we gather to taste Lalela, their new wine brand. 🥂

In Zulu, “Lalela” means “come listen”, and Natasha and Wade aim to tell the 400+ year winemaking story of South Africans in the wine industry through this project. We’ve been trying to get Natasha in our store for the last two Wines of South Africa Grand Tastings, and we’re thrilled to finally welcome her and her husband in for a special evening!

Make sure to RSVP at the link in bio, and bring your friends for this Tuesday night treat with these incredible young winemakers!

09/21/2024