To paraphrase famous quote, “What is the definition of a good wine? It should start and end with a wag.” If you, like our human parents, love good wine, then you will appreciate this post! We have put together a list of wineries that not only produce great tasting (according to our parents) doggone wines, but also share proceeds from their sales with dog charities and pet related causes.
On the photo: Lilly posing next to the OneHope Pinot Noir.
OneHope Vineyard
A world-class vineyard in Napa valley, OneHope donates 50% of all proceeds to various causes, including pet shelters, through their partnership with ASPCA.
If you are a red wine lover, try a noticeably sweet California Pinot Noir( for Amazon link click here) with subtle floral (violet) and fruity (strawberry,dates) notes. The Wine Enthusiast gives this wine 81 points. For white wine lovers, we recommend a much lighter (but no less delicious) Paso Robles Pinot Grigio (for Amazon link click here) that will entertain you with with mineral and fruity (mango, passionfruit) notes.
Frenchie Winery
This Napa Valley’s first dog-friendly vineyard is a part of Jean-Charlet Boisset estate and was named after owner’s French Bulldog, Frenchie, who appears on the bottle of every vintage. The dogs are welcome at the vineyard, and can chill in their own outdoor suites or take naps in beds made from wine barrels, while their humans are tasting the wines. For every bottle sold, the winery donates 1 dollar to ASPCA.
Red wine lovers will appreciate Napoleon Red, a soft blend of Cabernet Savignon, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Merlot, bursting with rich berry and chocolate flavors. This wine was rated 82 points by Wine Enthusiast, and features Frenchie as a Napoleon. For white wine lovers, we recommend a crispier Marie Antoinette Chardonnay (naturally, with Frenchie dressed as the infamous queen), with its rich bouquet of apples, peaches and honeysuckle. Honestly, we would buy every bottle just because of the labels!
Mutt Lynch Winery
We love this Californian winery’s slogan, “Bark Less, Wag More!”. That’s exactly what most of the canine companions do when the visit Mutt Lynch winery with their humans. In addition to producing award-winning wines with amazing names (Chateau d’Og, Foo Foo Le Blanc, Domain du Bone, Portrait of a Mutt, Merlot Over), this winery supports dozens local and national animal rescue organizations, helping to raise funds and contributing up to 25% of their sales to the pet causes.
Red wine lovers will appreciate sweet and spicy Zinfandel blend with cherry tones, Portrait of a Mutt. For white wine lovers, we recommend their beautifully balanced Savignon Blanc, Fou Fou Le Blanc, full of fresh citrus, melon and pear flavors.
Chateau La Paws ™
This brand should be given an award just for the clever and original name! This line of delicious wines was created by Diageo Chateau & Estate/Rosenblum Cellars (California) with the goal to support no kill shelters and adoption organizations through the partnership with North Short Animal League America.
Red wine enthusiasts will like the medium-bodied Red Blend (Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon) with berry and chocolate flavors and smooth, velvety texture. The white wine lovers will appreciate Chardonnay, with its multiple layers of aromas, opening with melon and orange, and then slowly transitioning into tropical fruits, apples, followed by the lemon and vanilla.
Blind Dog Wines
The story behind the Blind Dog Wines line is a little bit sad yet beautiful. It started when friends of the property caretaker of the Ecluse Vineyard in Paso Robles, Duane Robinson, turned to the organization Dogs for the Deaf. Duane was deaf and needed an assistant dog, and Dogs of the Deaf is an organization that rescues abandoned dogs and trains them to help deaf people. The two Duane’s assistant dogs, Bingo and Topaz, eventually became blind, and the vineyard, to honor their loyalty and services, created their award-winning Blind Dog Wine. Every year, a percentage of proceeds from the sales of this wine goes to Dogs for the Deaf.
The Blind Dog Wine is an eclectic blend of two Paso Robles reds, full-bodied and rich with dark berry flavors, spicy undertones, and a great smooth pleasant finish.
Have you tried any of these wines? Have we missed any other wineries that make great wine and support pet causes? Please drop us a line and we will add your favorite wines that support dog causes to our list!