By Rick Riozza
We are told that, “A certain crowd proclaims on their T-shirts, ‘I just want to sip some wine and rescue dogs!’ ” Fortunately, innovative wineries in the U.S. and overseas are making it easy to do both—simply by purchasing a bottle of wine.
While a cute pup on the label could easily just be a gimmick to help sell juice, for some wineries, it’s part of an inherent commitment to helping canines . . . and the way they give back, is right on the nose.” Jen Reeder, courtesy of See Ya Later Ranch.
Well alright then! As we say here in the desert: see ya later—you dog days of August, and, welcome to the similar doggier days of September. So, let’s get on to a popular wine product sold in our local markets that indeed gets to the real dog chase:
Bar Dog was created for those who love award winning wines, dogs, and want to give back to the four-legged friends that give us infinite joy. Bar Dog is a brand of California wine, known for its approachable, everyday-drinking style and its support of animal shelters—a good option for those looking to support a good cause. They offer a range of wines, including: Sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Blend, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio.
Bar Dog is particularly known for its commitment to giving back, donating a portion of proceeds to local, no-kill animal shelters. Every wine label from this Santa Rosa-based winery features an eye-catching drawing of a dog wearing a monocle. Bar Dog believes that every dog deserves a life of unconditional love.
Bar Dog makes regular donations to Wine Country Animal Lovers in Napa and Dogwood Animal Rescue in the famous wine country of Sonoma County. Bar Dog has worked with Petfinder Foundation to establish and donate thousands of dollars to the Bar Dog Operations Grant Fund, which donates to animal shelters and rescue organizations across North America and helps save animals awaiting their forever homes.
Honestly, I should have reached out to CV Weekly’s well-known Pet Place columnist and writer Janet McAfee to assist writing this column. She and her group have enlightened so many of our Coachella Valley readers to the rescue and saving of so many pets and animals. Cheers! To her and our caring readers!
“Wine for humans, Love for dogs.” The brand is known for being a “delectable California wine made to be enjoyed every day.” Approach-ability: Bar Dog wines are generally described as easy-drinking and food-friendly, making them suitable for various occasions. California Origin: They are made with grapes sourced from premium vineyards in California; and, as mentioned, Bar Dog offers a range of varietals, including red, white, and sparkling wines. And of course, Animal Shelter Support:
And now: some of our favorite Bar Dog varietal wines:
Truth be told, just today I spoke with a couple of familiar customers who had a couple of dogs in tow in my wine aisle. I mentioned that I was doing an article on the love of wine & dogs. As I spoke the words Bar Dog, she interrupted me immediately and professed her love for the Bar Dog Sparkling wine. She said at only $6.99 a bottle, “it has no tinny flavor what-so-ever, and, has a “French-type” quality to it!” We were told that Grocery Outlet does indeed sell the sparkler currently.
Moving on—Bar Dog Pinot Noir $11.50: Described as medium-bodied with notes of cherry, strawberry, and cranberry, with cola and vanilla spice. It’s recommended to pair it with grilled burgers, salmon, and roasted vegetables.
Bar Dog Red Blend $8.50: A full-bodied red blend that features rich, ripe fruit flavors like blueberry, cherry and plum, with notes of cocoa and baking spice. “This tasty red wine is Beautifully balanced with gentle tannins and a moderate finish make this an easy-drinking wine you’ll love for everyday occasions.” 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet.
Bar Dog Chardonnay $9.99: This Chardonnay is rich and creamy on the palate with flavors of baked apple with notes of baking spice and vanilla. A buttery crème brûlée finish.
Bar Dog Pinot Grigio $5.99: A Pinot Grigio that will have you howling with delight! Gorgeous aromas of pear and peach lead the way to flavors of ripe stone fruit and guava that are balanced perfectly with a crisp and refreshing mouthfeel.
Bar Dog Sauvignon Blanc $10.95: This Sauvignon Blanc carries aromas of ripe lemon and freshly picked grapefruit. Crisp and lively flavors of citrus, pear, and stone fruits that leads to a bright, lengthy finish. A smart dog blend of 93% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% French Colombard, and 2% Moscato.
Bar Dog Cabernet Sauvignon $12.99: Another smart dog blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petite Verdot, 2% Petite Sirah, and 1% Merlot. Polished and silky in texture. Beautiful blueberry aromas combine with ripe plum and cocoa flavors, mingling throughout the long, expressive finish.
Of course, there are a bunch of other dog loving wine companies out there that we would love to present and enlighten our wine & dog lover readers too. Some of our favorite top dog wineries to write about include: Barrel Oak Winery (BOW), Blind Dog Wines, Chateau La Paws, Frenchie Winery, Mutt Lynch Winery, Great Oregon Wine Company that features our favorite Rascal Pinot Noir, and, Woof! Woof! Wines—there are many more.
So join us again soon for our next: How Much is that Doggy Wine in the Window
Ciao! Or shall we say Chow!
