Sandy Robins • E-mail

What do winemakers have in common with dogs and cats? A good nose, of course.

Pets are an inherent part of life at wineries, and many vintners extend an invitation to visitors, welcoming well-behaved pets to play while their pet parents taste.

Scott Chafen of Dutch Henry Winery in Calistoga, Calif., says there's always dogs lolling around their tasting cellar. "My three Airedale Terriers thoroughly enjoy hanging around with new doggie playmates. Over the years, we’ve had leash-trained cats come to tastings and there was a pet lama that used to show up every now and then too.”

To further cork this pet connection, many estates are now bottling excellent wines with canine and feline names that are delightful parodies of some typical wine labels.

For example, Chafen pays homage to his beloved terriers with a wine called Terrier Station. The label is an adaptation of the Grateful Dead record cover "Terrapin Station", which was restyled by artist Stanley Mouse, the psychedelic rock artist from the 60s, specifically for the wine.

With labels such as Château La Paws Côte du Bone Roan from Rosenblum Cellars, Merlot Over and Play Dead from the Mutt Lynch Winery, Two Dog Vineyard Merlot from Graeser Winery and the Australian label Starvedog Lane, it's no doubt who heads the pack. South Africa's Mulderbosch Vineyards named its Bordeaux blend Faithful Hound, and New Zealand's Coopers Creek amuse wine and animal lovers with Boss Cat Chardonnay, Glamour Puss Pinot Noir and Cat’s Phee on a Gooseberry Bush Sauvignon Blanc.

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“It helps to take the stuffiness out of wine,” says vintner and practicing veterinarian Kent Rosenblum, DVM, the maker of Rosenblum's Château La Paws in Alameda, Calif. “I was vacationing in La Paz, Mexico, one year and we were joking around with ideas for wine labels. And La Paz became La Paws.”

Brenda Lynch of the Mutt Lynch Winery says the fun labels attract pet lovers, but adds that true oenophiles will tend to overlook them without giving the wine serious consideration.

But anyone who cares to do their homework will have no trouble discovering that not only are these wines good, but many of them have won awards of excellence.

Mutt Lynch Winery Brenda Lynch and Mollie of the Mutt Lynch Winery in Sonoma County, Calif.

“I think many wineries in the United States have always been dog friendly,” says Tracey Thompson of Petfriendlytravel.com, adding that they’ve become more popular as more people travel with their pets. "Whether you’re on vacation or on a day trip, it’s natural to want to include your pet in everything you do. And a trip to a wine estate is a natural — the outing is all about fresh air and sunshine.”

Further, many estates list their own dog’s credentials on their Web sites, labeling them “Official Greeter” at the tasting cellars or simply “Winery Host.” And because wine estates are benevolent towards local shelters in their area, many of these wine dogs host "pawties" and other charity events.

Tips for going wine-tasting with your dog — Always call the winery in advance to check their dog policy. There may be special function which could restrict pets on a particular day. — Always keep your dog on a leash. Ask when you get there if there is a special off-leash zone. — Take plenty of fresh water and dog treats.

For example, dogs Molly and Patch at Mutt Lynch Winery in Sonoma County, Calif., will host a doggy open house with free tastings and food, called the Dog Days of Summer, on August 9 and 10. The event aids the Healdsburg Animal Shelter, and donations are requested.

With a new scientific study claiming that Resveratrol, a substance found in red wine to be the key to longevity, it may be the perfect time to visit wineries around the country with your four-legged friend and stock up.

And with summer on the way, unleashing the season in wine country can only be labeled as dog gone fun.

For regularly updated lists of pet-friendly wineries countrywide, visit Web sites such as Petfriendly.com, Dogfriendly.com and Petswelcome.com

Sandy Robins is an award-winning pet lifestyle writer. She is the recent recipient of the Humane Society of the United States' Pets for Life Award. Her work appears in many national and international publications.

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