We are home from Ireland, and all we can say is…it was EPIC!

Fantastic meals, wonderful people, perfectly poured Guinness, bottle after bottle of Slane Castle Irish Whiskey, a rock concert to end all concerts, and endless hospitality from an incredibly gracious family added up to a truly indescribable vacation.

The setting for much of the weekend’s festivities was Slane Castle, the historic home of the 8th Marquess Conyngham, or, as we call him, Henry. Henry’s ancestral home is Slane Castle in County Meath and he’s added to its storied history while it has been under his direction. Slane has been in Henry’s family since 1701, but its first round of infamy came in the early 1800′s. It seems that King Henry IV kept the first Marchioness Conyngham as his mistress and often came to stay with her by the banks of the River Boyne. There is a bedroom in the castle that to this day bears his title, and a portrait of King Henry that overlooks the castle’s ballroom.

When Henry Conyngham (or actually, I think he was Henry Mount Charles at the time…the last name changes as one ascends up the nobility ladder) returned home to Ireland from Harvard, his father charged him with keeping the family castle up and running. No small task, to be sure. Henry began the slow business of building the Slane Castle brand, and dreamt up a musical festival to help him accomplish that task. Thirty years later, on the same banks of the River Boyne and just under the King’s Room, TJ and I found ourselves drinking Slane Castle Irish Whiskey “Wojitos” and getting our first glimpse of the stage where the Kings of Leon would play in front of 80,000 people the next day.

As if drinks at a castle the night before the concert aren’t impressive enough, later that evening we were transported to Beauparc – a house that looked just like a castle to me, but apparently is more of a manor house. This is where Henry and his wife Iona primarily live, and I can understand why. As breath-taking as the castle is, the grounds surrounding Beauparc are even more amazing, and the house maintains a cozier charm than the castle. It was here that we felt like we got indoctrinated into the group, as we drank Champagne Pannier with Henry and Iona’s closest allegiance of friends and family. We rolled home at about midnight, beyond excited for the next day’s festivities.

I’m really not even sure how to begin explaining the day of the concert. We got to the castle at about 2:30 and headed up into the VIP area. This is how an article in the Evening Herald Newspaper in Ireland describes the VIP scene:

“Over the years, the VIP area at Slane has come to resemble a sort of a rock’n'roll version of the queen’s annual garden party. And with the castle perched high on a hilltop, overlooking the concert site, VIPs at Slane are afforded the privilege of, literally, looking down on the great unwashed, as they scramble for space on the slopes.”

Except, of course, we were part of an even more rarified group, as the article continues on to say:

“But not all VIPs are created equal and even within the hospitality area, there are various hierarchies and levels of access, some clearly demarcated but others much more subtle.

At the top are those with entry to the castle itself, where the hospitality is gold-plated (many’s the hapless VIP who marched confidently up the castle steps only to discover their wristband was the wrong colour or their laminated pass didn’t have the requisite number of gold stars).”

These are only some of my wristbands. I had more on the other arm.

Yes, TJ and I had full castle access. The whole day. The whole night. It was completely unreal. Apparently, we were not the only ones who were confused by the full VIP treatment, as almost everyone at the concert started wondering if we were famous. Or, to put it more bluntly, if TJ was famous. “American footballer?” people whispered. Or my favorite, one girl pulled me aside to ask if he was Eminem. Yes, TJ Douglas…wine store owner or scrawny white rapper…your choice.

But let’s be honest. The entire point of this day was to drink, have fun and make new friends. All of which we did. We started slowly with a few Guinness, but as the weather cooled off, TJ moved on to Slane Whiskey on the rocks and I continued my love affair with cocktails made with Slane. Wojitos, Rock n Rollas, and a few other concoctions that I can’t quite remember were enjoyed by all, and definitely by me. I will without a doubt replace the rum in all my summer drinks with Slane Whiskey, and highly recommend you do too. It’s good!

TJ and I spent a lot of time wandering around in the field while it was only partially packed. I love this picture.

We also loved watching the concert…the same of which can’t really be said for most of the people in the VIP area. I hadn’t head of White Lies before but they were really good, and the reconstituted version of Thin Lizzy was fantastic. Could we look ANY happier right in this picture?

This is my favorite picture of Henry. Can you read the thought bubble over his head? If you can’t, let me help…it says, “I f*cking did this!”

But the real fun began when Kings of Leon came on the stage. I think people were worried that they might not be friendly enough to win over the crowd, but honestly, it didn’t matter. They absolutely killed their set. And once the sun went down, the entire effect of the show was beyond words. So I’m not even going to try. Instead here is a little video clip from our seats.

Just remember, you are only seeing about a third of the people at the concert. The rest are up the hill and around the bend.

Some smart people enjoyed a balloon ride over the festival. GORGEOUS!

I have no idea what I am doing in this picture. I was about 87 sheets to the wind at this point.

This all went on for hours, as Kings of Leon impressed everyone by playing an incredibly long set.

I think the show ended at about 11 (who was watching the clock by this time…not me!) with an impressive fireworks display. We headed into the castle for the after party, which also doubled as Henry’s 60th birthday party. After literally inhaling a meat pie (more on that tomorrow in my food of Ireland blog), TJ and I danced up a storm in the nightclub in the bottom of the castle (and no, I’m not kidding…there is a nightclub in the basement). There is some indecent footage of me from this part of the evening that will be immediately burned. I think we landed in bed at about 4:30 AM, a completely indecent hour for a mother of two. I am still exhausted.

Seeing a concert at Slane is incredible and something that is really not on the American radar. But it should be. All the greats (well, with the exception of Bon Jovi) have played here. U2 has played here three times and even lived in the castle while they were recording the Unforgettable Fire album. The place practically oozes with rock and roll history.

Through it all, we were continually amazed by the fact that Henry and his family treated us like family. We honestly cannot thank them enough for this truly spectacular experience.

Lots more to share from our trip. So stay tuned for additional posts over the next few day!

From now until Monday, should you need us, TJ and I will not be here….

Instead, we will be here…

With them…

And I’ll be wearing these….

Blog posts and pictures from Ireland, so stay tuned all weekend!!

**The Urban Grape is CLOSED on Memorial Day, so please plan ahead!

TJ meets with most of his wine reps on Wednesdays, and always comes home raving about some amazing jewel of a wine that he tasted and how I would have loved it. It took me a year, but I finally realized that one of the perks of owning a wine store with your husband should be the wine tastings, so I’ve been finding more reasons to head to the store in the middle of the day on Wednesdays. And let me tell you, it’s the best decision I’ve made in a while. It’s about time I got in on the fun!

A few weeks ago, we welcomed Lorenza Sebasti Pallanti to UG, and she tasted us on the wines that literally transported me to a small Tuscan village. She and her husband own Castello di Ama, located right outside of Siena. I had an immediate connection with her on many levels and could have spent all day speaking to her (and drinking her wine).

First and foremost, I adore Siena. I lived there for a summer when I was 19 and it was one of the most important experiences of my life. I will never forget watching the Palio with the friends I made there, one of whom is still a dear and important friend to me all these years later. Two years ago, TJ and I took Noah to Siena and I literally wept with joy watching him run around the Palazzo chasing pigeons while we ate gelato from my favorite Gelateria, Nannini. I couldn’t believe my life had come so full circle and had so much joy in it. Even more amazing? I was pregnant at the time with Jason and didn’t know. And despite drinking nothing but red wine for the week we were in Tuscany he seems to have turned out okay! Gotta love that Italian wine.

Lorezna and her husband Marco also have a gorgeous modern art collection that really intrigued me. I love the juxtaposition of her medieval manor (their town was settled in the middle ages) with the striking modern art. Just a very cool way to look at the world.

Lastly, I loved Lorenza because when I asked her how she got involved in the family business, she said in her fantastic Italian accent, something to the effect of, “Well, my husband’s passion is wine and…I just followed!” Oh, Lorenza, can I ever relate.

The full portfolio of Castello di Ama wines isn’t easily available in Massachusetts, but the three that we tasted were outstanding. First and foremost, their Rosato. Made from Sangiovese grapes, it’s a darker red than most of the rosés that I like due to the fact that juice has a full 12 hours of skin contact. They say it drinks more like a young red than a white, and I agree. It’s fresh, lush, and meaty and the finish stays with you. It maintains the ease of rosé while still being interesting. We have been a dedicated Commanderie de Peyrassol family for years, but I think the Castello di Ama knocked it off its perch. I am devoted.

We also picked up their 2007 Chianti Classico (and their 2006 in half bottles). This Chianti is their real work horse, but that doesn’t mean it’s not incredible. Rich in style, it is smoky with notes of tar and roses, but still manages to be silky smooth. Honestly, a delightful wine and one that will be a go to pick for us.

But the wine that TJ can’t stop talking about is the 2007 Il Chiuso. It’s a Sangiovese/Pinot Noir blend. Yes, you read that right. Tuscan Pinot Noir! Apparently, the terrain of their vineyards is quite varied and hilly, and the Sangiovese doesn’t grow well everywhere. They have patiently tried growing non-traditional varietals in the areas where the Sangiovese won’t grow, and found that they can successfully grow Pinot Noir! This wine was so comforting, so soft and round, so incredibly flavored… It won’t be in the store until June and we are both pacing the floors to have it again. We are giddy for you all to try it.

All of this made me long for Italy. I don’t know when we will get back to what we jokingly refer to as our homeland, but when we do we will be making a stop at Castello di Ama.

If you read this blog regularly, you’ll know that I have a few passions, the first of which is, of course, my family. Many of my passions have taken a bit of a back seat to the kids and now to The Urban Grape. Take movies, for instance. Or yoga. Or naps. Let’s add cooking something other than mac ‘n’ cheese from a box. These things just do not happen with any sort of regularity any more and that’s okay…for now.

But there are two things I love that I must make more time for – being actively involved in philanthropy, and my dog. Now the dog is okay, so don’t panic. Despite being recently diagnosed with Epilepsy, his health is great. But I used to walk him every morning for an hour and it was always the best part of my day. Now he’s lucky if I remember to say good morning to him. I love him so dearly, but he’s a bit forgotten. And don’t even ask about the cat. Thank goodness Chappy and Chili have each other or they might fade away from loneliness.

As for philanthropy, I’ve been actively involved in philanthropic ventures since the day I graduated from college. I’ve worked on all sides of the fundraising coin – planning events to raise money, asking for money, writing grants for money, marketing philanthropic work and giving out money and advice. While TJ and I have helped many organizations raise a lot of money in the year since we’ve been opened (I would estimate between $20 and $30k!), we haven’t been doing anything strategic and I’ve missed it.

So you can only imagine how excited I am for June 8th. That’s the day that The Urban Grape will host a Summer Wine Tasting in partnership with The Urban Hound, Polka Dog Bakery and The Boston Design Center in support of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

The evening will raise money specifically for the Alice T. Whitney Helping Hands Fund which provides subsidized veterinary care for those in need. This fund has been utilized by everyone from families who have found themselves in an emergency monetary situations but are still trying to keep their family pet, to the elderly for whom the companionship of an animal is vital, to 9-11 First Responders whose subsequent disabilities have made it hard for them to pay for the care for their dog or cat.

I know we’ll see many of our great customers at this event and I look forward to spending the evening socializing with you all while we raise money for this important fund. And dogs are welcome too, but only if you can hold on to the leash without spilling your wine!

Click HERE to RSVP and purchase your tickets (the link in the shot below doesn’t work…).

Over the past 11 months our Sunday night events have been a huge success. The evenings have had all sorts of different themes, and each has found its audience and has been fun in its own unique way. As we head into the summer, we’re handing our Sunday nights over to our customers who have booked private tastings and are making room for the many Sunday night in-store tastings that we’ve given to charity over the past year. Although it will be a brief hiatus, do know that we’ll be busy planning all of our great event ideas for the Fall.

To end the Sunday night event series with a bang, we’ve asked Nancy Cushman of O Ya to teach a sake seminar for us this Sunday, May 22 from 7-9 PM. Nancy is the area’s most highly regarded sake sommelier and having her at the store is a huge honor. She’ll be teaching us about how sake is made, how to differentiate the different types of sake, and talking about why sake is so important in Japanese culture.

TJ and I wanted to do a full-fledged sake seminar at the store because it is the beverage that we have been most intrigued by over the past year. While our education about wine will never end, it’s fun to once again feel like complete novices about something, and that’s how we feel about sake. To be able to learn about sake from someone like Nancy is an opportunity that we just could not miss, and knew that our customers wouldn’t want to either.

Here are the sakes we will be tasting on Sunday:

Sparkling Nigori
Poochi Poochi “Sound of Bubbles Popping”

Junmai Daiginjo
Takasago, “Divine Droplets”

Junmai Ginjo
Sato No Homare, “Pride of the Village”

Junmai
Suigei, “Drunken Whale”

Nigori
Rihaku, “Dreamy Clouds”

Aged Sake
Hanahato Kijoshu Barrel Aged Sake

For the past year, all of our Sunday night events have been free, and it’s a trend that we plan on continuing when we restart the events in the Fall. However, for this event we are asking for a $25 donation that will go directly to the owners of the Hitachino Brewery in Japan, who have repurposed their brewery to care for their neighbors as they recover from the Earthquake and Tsunami. All of the money raised will be used to bottle clean water, and feed and shelter those living in the area surrounding the brewery.

We only have six seats left for this event, so if you are interested in coming, please email me as soon as possible!

Today, just a few fun pictures from our Rosé Grand Tasting this past weekend to help you fight the gloominess of this weather.  All you rosé lovers (of which there are many, we sold ten cases of rosé in four hours on Saturday!) might like to know that we tasted the most fantastic Rosé today from Tuscany, a producer called Castello di Ama. We’ll be bringing it into the store soon. If TJ and I could have snuck off with the bottle we would have. I have to try it next to the Commanderie de Peyrassol but I think maybe our formerly favorite rosé has been dethroned by the upstart from Italia. We hope to have it in the tasting machine next month, so you’ll have to come in and try it for yourselves. We ordered a case just for us!

This photo does not do this display justice. When the sun shines through the bottles it’s just breathtaking!

Look at Ryan and TJ wearing pink. Preppy boys in the house!

Ryan’s table filled with some of our favorite Rosés.

TJ’s table included the stunning Villa Gemma.

Thanks everyone for stopping by. It was a bit of a madhouse, but everyone got to sample so many different wines (24!) and the atmosphere was jolly. If you missed the tasting come in and let our staff help you shop our rosé section. We definitely have one of the most robust selections in the area!

Below is my entry for Verizon Small Business’ Hardest Working Small Biz Mom Contest:

Although sweating, our two-year old shriekingly refuses to remove his bike helmet, while our four-year old, in T-Rex mode, attempts to chew my leg…all as I field a call from a reporter.  It’s just another day in our hectic, but loving, household.

My husband and I are entrepreneurs. We own and manage The Urban Grape, an eleven-month old, successful boutique wine store outside of Boston. My husband sells the wine. I sell the store itself, handling the marketing, PR, events and social media. My office is the kitchen counter, the playground, the carpool lane, or anywhere I happen to be with my two active boys.

As a stay-at-home working mom, I work during naps, while waiting for the water to boil, and after the kids go to sleep. They’ve adjusted to my too-often departures at dinnertime to attend events at the store. Miraculously, I’ve learned to physically transform myself from playground mom to business owner in under two minutes.

In the battle against fatigue, I’ve been known to momentarily nod off  while turning the pages of a book, only to feel refreshed by the end of the story.  My four-year knows when I’m overtired, and will slyly suggest we climb into bed and talk about our day. That’s code for, “You can fall asleep right here, Mommy, and I won’t tell.”

I’ve learned that no one notices if I pack a cream cheese sandwich on stale bread for lunch. I’ve accepted that I may miss a speck of dirt behind their ears. I’ve convinced myself that applesauce in a to-go cup is fresh fruit. My busy mom’s survival technique is self-forgiveness.

What matters is that my children feel my great tenderness and love for them on a daily basis.

And when your two-year old plays at the feet of a visiting winemaker, or your four-year old enthusiastically says “Welcome to The Urban Gwape!” as customers enter the store, you know you’ve found yourself on life’s chosen path.

Guys, I love you. I really do. But what is it about Mother’s Day that turns normally clearheaded men into Phil from Modern Family?

The best Mother’s Day gift I have ever heard of was from a former colleague of TJ’s who took his sons on a camping trip every Mother’s Day weekend and left his wife ALONE IN HER OWN HOUSE for two whole days. Now that is a gift that all Mother’s would truly love. But not everyone likes camping, so here is the next best idea….wine. Get your wife, mom or grandmother “A Dozen Pink Rosés.”

Here are the 12 Rosés I would put in my bouquet:

Commanderie de Peyrassol – The standard bearer in our household. A bouquet of rosés is just not a bouquet without Peyrassol.

Charles and Charles Rosé – Thinking of wild-haired Charles and his days as a rock-star roadie always provides a nice escape from the reality of motherhood. I may drive a minivan, but I am a bad ass at heart.

Fuso Barbera Rose – Sadly, we do not have this wine in the store yet. We are only carrying 2010 rosés and the distributor won’t bring the 2010 Fuso into the state until he has sold out of his 2009. But I keep the memory of this rosé close to my heart, much like a petal pressed between the pages of a book, or the lock of hair from my child’s first haircut which I really keep meaning to put in his baby book before I lose it (has anyone seen the baby book?).

M Chapoutier Belleruche Rose - The makers of my favorite every day white wine win again with this beautiful Cote du Rhone rosé. The braille on the label helps us turn a blind eye to the many time-out worthy infractions committed in front of us on a daily basis.

Domaines Ott – To a legion of overworked and sometimes under-appreciated mothers, the world’s most popular rosé wine is like a rosé creamsicle on a hot summer day.

Jean-Luc Colombo Rose de Cote Bleue – Someday, when I have successfully raised my children into adulthood, I will sit under that copse of trees and enjoy a glass of rosé and a moment of precious, uninterrupted silence.

Bieler Pere et Fils – Father and Sons, you say? A strange thing to wish for on Mother’s Day? Please refer the fervent wish of every mother with two sons – “Please, Father and Sons, send me to the spa for a day of beauty and relaxation.”

Calera “Central Coast” Vin Gris – A gorgeous, tasty rosé from California, produced in a re-purposed rock-crushing facility. Seriously. And if you think I am making an analogy to the fact that motherhood is bone-crushingly hard, you’d be right. Wine, give us wine!

Domaine Magellan “Le Fruit Defendu” – Love the label, love the wine, love the fact that it is made from 100% Cinsault grapes. Because motherhood is all about turning something unexpected into something wonderful.

Domaine Houchart – A rosé grown on soil that has been tended to by five generations of winemakers from the same family. Because all you can hope for while you are raising them is that they are paying attention to, learning about, and caring for the family business. And, please, this label…it reminds me that in a world of runny noses there is still great beauty.

Sean Minor Four Bears Rose – A man who names his winery after his “four bears” certainly knows how to make a rosé wine that can ease his wife’s aching mind and body at the end of a long day with the kids.

Chateau de Campuget – From their website – “Our philosopy is simple: constant improvement of the quality of our wines and a better knowledge of our terroir and vines; after all, everything begins with the vine…” Replace “vine” with “child” and you pretty much have the philosophy of every mother in the world.

So there you have it, the only bouquet of rosés I hope to receive on Sunday. Tongue-in-cheek silliness aside, Happy Mother’s Day to all my fellow mothers. They couldn’t do it without us, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day. And we couldn’t do it without each other (and wine!).

(If you want to build a bouquet of a dozen rosés for your wife or mother this weekend, stop by our Rosé Grand Tasting on Saturday, May 7 from 1-5!)

Our first round of allotted 2010 Charles Smith/K Vintners wine is being delivered tomorrow (May 3) and will be on the shelves and ready for sale on Wednesday (May 4). This delivery consists of his rosé and several of his more affordable Syrahs (and one Sangiovese/Syrah blend).

This wine will go fast, and will be first come, first serve; so please consider what you might like and call the store on May 4 – 617.232.4831. We open at 9:30.

Here are the labels that are arriving:

2010 Charles & Charles Rose

2009 The Boy   $55

2009 Pheasant Vineyards Syrah   $42

2008 Guido Sangiovese/Syrah   $50

2008 Motor City Kitty Syrah   $45

2009 Cougar Hill Syrah   $55

We’re so excited to be able to offer you these incredible wines. We tasted these wines with Charles last month and they will not disappoint you. If you have enjoyed previous vintages of his Syrahs, you are likely to think that these are even better.