The idea behind The Urban Wine Company was simple.  A couple of guys living in South London realized the grapes growing in their backyards were going to waste.  The pair quickly rounded up a few friends who also had unused backyard-grapes to press their first run of urban wine.  20 bottles later they liked what they tasted and The Urban Wine Company was officially born.

It’s a pretty simple process to join and become a part of this community wine effort.  If you have a mature vine that grows grapes suitable for wine you qualify, and 65 pounds later (about $94 US dollars) you’re a member. The Urban Wine Company collects your grapes along with others in the community, and then works with local wineries to produce the wine.  Membership qualifies you for up to six bottles of wine, exclusive tasting events and other fun stuff.

But even more important than the wine is the collective power of the community coming together to produce amazing and completely locally-enabled wine.  To date The Urban Wine Company has drawn about 200 members, so clearly people are sparking to the idea.

Given we live in one of the great viticulture regions in the world I think this is definitely an idea that could get some traction in and around the Greater Cincinnati area.

What are your thoughts?

Kentucky Blue Box Wines are guaranteed to be a big hit with devout University of Kentucky Wildcat fans.  Each box features a flip-up pong basketball hoop on one side, and a flip-up football goal post on the other side.  And yes, a ping pong and football are both included.

Timing for this novelty item couldn’t be better with college basketball’s March Madness beginning next month and the Kentucky Wildcats ranked third in the country, definitely in the hunt for a National Championship run.  Don’t think these wines are all novelty, though, as box wines offer unique advantages versus traditional bottles:

• More Green – Every single box of wine keeps 4 glass wine bottles out of land fills and reduces our carbon footprint by 50%.
• Fresher – Box wines stay fresh after opening, even without refrigeration, for 60 days!
• Better value – Box wines are usually less expensive for the same quality given less expensive packaging is used.
• Convenience – It’s much easier carrying around a box wine, especially when you’re headed to a sports party.

To order your very own Kentucky Blue Box Wine or for a list of retailers visit Elk Creek Vineyards’ website.

Elk Creek Vineyards is located in Owenton, KY, just over an hour south of Downtown Cincinnati. 502.484.0005