Dog-Friendly Wineries

DEARDEN WINES AND ROBERT BIALE VINEYARDS, NAPA

It makes perfect sense that the Wine Country–canine combination has become increasingly popular. Those who adore their four-legged friends tend to be the same people who appreciate the finer things in life: exploring the outdoors, soaking up gorgeous vistas and the bounty of nature, including good food and wine. And those who grow grapes and make wine also tend to have lifestyles conducive to canine companionship.

Napa winemaker Chris Dearden of Dearden Wines, who also doubles as the general manager of Robert Biale Vineyards, says he has had a dog at his side almost as long as he’s been working in the industry. Storm—a Newfoundland show-dog rescue adopted by Chris and his wife, Paige, and their two children, Addie and Sam, in 1995—was his first companion in the vineyards. Storm was featured in the popular Winery Dogs of Napa Valley (Winery Dogs Publishing, 2005) coffee table book. Since then, the Dearden family has had a series of the Newfies (black) and the closely related Landseer (black and white spotted, “like the cows,” says Chris).

The Deardens’ enormous dogs have become intertwined with their family history, and the wines they make. One of the Dearden Wines offerings is “Sleeping Giant,” the nickname for the Mayacamas mountain range seen from their Napa Valley property. Another is named “Little Giant.” “Newfoundlands and Cabernet are two passions of owner and winemaker Chris Dearden,” reads the description of this series on the Dearden Wines website. “The ‘Little Giant’ label is a tribute to the Newfoundland breed. These dogs are sturdy, loyal little giants that have been bred as a working dog on the eastern seaboard…. Cabernet Sauvignon is often thought of as being a little giant as well. Dark in color, and substantial in body, Cabernet is often a loyal dinner companion and pairs well with full-bodied dishes.”

Well-behaved dogs are warmly welcomed at Robert Biale Vineyards in Napa, says Dearden, and many people bring their pets with them to sit on the winery’s porch, taking in the view of the eastern hills. Plans for the Deardens’ own Sleeping Giant Winery in Carneros have been approved and construction will begin in the coming year. Clover, the Deardens’ gorgeous 2-year-old Landseer, will undoubtedly be on hand for pets and photo ops with wine-tasting, dog-adoring visitors.

MUTT LYNCH WINERY, WINDSOR

The tag line on Chris and Brenda Lynch’s Mutt Lynch Winery website and promotions is “Bark Less, Wag More!” which tells you everything you need to know about their appreciation of canine companions. The couple chose their tasting room location in downtown Windsor because the town of Windsor is, in the words of Chris, “the most dogfriendly place around.” The Lynches have integrated their mutual love of dogs and their desire to support rescue and service dog nonprofits into their business in meaningful ways.

“Do you love your dogs? Do you love wine? If so, you are the right customer for us. It is really that simple,” says Chris. The Mutt Lynch tasting room, which happens to be located exactly where the new SMART train station will be built in Windsor, is named after the Lynch family’s three rescue mutts. The tasting room offers comfortable resting areas— beds and pillows—for pups in need of a nap while their humans taste away. Oh, and biscuit pairings if perhaps they would like to partake.

Once a month, a Mutt Lynch “Yappy Hour” gathering raises money for an animal charity, including Canine Companions for Independence, the Sonoma County Humane Society, Greyhound Friends for Life, Paws for Love, and others. As part of their “Wines That Give Back” series, the Lynches have created custom wines from the sale of which 25% of profits are donated to specific canine causes. There is also an “artist’s series” of wine labels with stunning pet portraits created by well-known Bay Area artists. Their current release wine list includes several “mbf ” (man’s best friend) varietals including Unleashed Chardonnay, Hellhound Red Blend, Nectar of the Dogs Late Harvest Zinfandel and a Fou Fou Le Blanc Chenin Blanc. The Lynches, who also have two children, have always had at least one dog, and sometimes three at the same time. These days, the family is taking their commitment to dogs to the next level by fostering puppies. “Yes, it is a lot of work. But also very rewarding,” says Chris Lynch. “Any way we can support animals, we will.”

BACK AT DUTCHER CROSSING

Meanwhile, back at Dutcher Crossing, as I sample my way into the afternoon, enjoying the lovely array of varietals (as a Zin lover I am especially smitten with the 2015 Bernier Sibary Zinfandel), Leo the rowdy retriever is still thrilled with his new sophisticated lady friend, Dutchess. The day has warmed, so the two settle down, perching at their humans’ feet to enjoy the view of the vineyards together. When it is finally time for Leo and me to head home, it is difficult to persuade him to follow me to the car. This wine-tasting thing has really worked out for him.