Animal Pals Along the Wine Road

If you thought a visit along the Wine Road was all about superb wines, breathtaking views and savory dining, you’d be right, but there is more. A visit is also about the relationships you build with those you meet and connect with—a favorite tasting room manager, the owner of a small winery who also pours their wines for every visitor, or a beloved furry friend. You can even find a few farm animals.

The connection with a winery dog or cat can be as important to you as your connection with the winery owner or staff. I’m so fond of dogs and cats, one of my siblings used to refer to me as “dog stupid” for I’d always greet a dog before I’ve even noticed any human that might be around. So, of course, I always notice the pets who serve as greeters, ambassadors, or table art (this would be the cats) as I visit wineries.

Here are just a few of the wineries you can visit and get your furry-friend fix.

Amphora Wines

Like so many dogs you’ll meet along the Wine Road, the newest member of the Amphora Wines family came from a Northern California dog rescue. When owners Rick Hutchinson and Bridget Slevin were stumped on what to name their new pup, they engaged their social media followers to make suggestions. It was fun to read all the enthusiastic responses and interesting names.

The new pup, now called Birdie, is somewhere between four and six-months-old and looks like a black Labrador Retriever cross. According to Bridget, “Birdie is adorable, very sweet and very calm. She’s our little blackbird, our new head of marketing and our sweet angel. We are madly in love.”

Amphora Wines is located off Dry Creek Road at Timber Crest Farms, along with several other wineries who also have winery dogs you can visit.

Peterson Winery

Next door to Amphora is Peterson Winery, noted for their painted cellar door. Indy, an eight-year-old Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd and Poodle cross), is a long-time fixture and greeter of visitors to Timber Crest Farms. Indy’s person is Peterson’s assistant winemaker Josh Bartels, who takes Indy with him everywhere.

Josh said, “We got Indy as a three-months-old puppy, and he has gone to work with me every day since. Other than the beach, Timber Crest Farms is his favorite place on earth.”

Indy’s claim to fame is a photo in Wine Dogs — California #5.

Mounts Family Winery

Family patriarch Rich Mounts calls Scrappy Do his walk-on dog. “Someone must have dumped her, and she walked on to our property,” said Rich. “We found her on a cold, rainy day, hiding under the grape bins. We tell people she adopted us.”

Scrappy Do loves to check out and sniff every visitor who stops by Mounts Family Winery. She also enjoys spending her days with David and Lana Mounts as they tend to their vineyards, work in the cellar, or pour wine for guests. Scrappy Do might be small, but she carries a mighty personality in that tiny frame, and seems ever grateful for her new home and family.

Orsi Family Vineyards

Located less than a minute outside of Healdsburg, Orsi Family Vineyards offers a welcoming country-home feel with a wrap-around deck and a friendly yellow dog to greet you.

The dog is Luigi, also known as Louie and Lou, a 12-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever. According to his person, Mark Orsi, “Louie loves hanging out at the winery and tasting room. He enjoys greeting guests that typically includes a wagging tail and lots of kisses. He is also eager to stand by in the event that a scrap or two might fall to the ground during the guest’s tasting experience!” Sounds like the perfect winery dog, and a typical Lab.

due Ruscelli Vineyards

Stella, the official greeter at due Ruscelli Vineyards, takes her role very seriously. This four-year-old mini-Australian Shepherd says hello to every visitor with a bark or two, and then leads them to the Tasting Room. She also forges ahead as winery owner Michael Sloan drives the four-wheeler to the tree-lined picnic grounds and event space, where Stella races around, securing the perimeter.

Vino, the 16-year-old Maltese, isn’t car smart, so he can only be outside under supervision, or when Michael is in the vineyards. Stella and Vino make an adorable pair and are happy to be petted or get at treat. As with all dogs along the Wine Road, be sure to ask their people, Michael or his wife Melissa, before sharing treats with their furry family.

Merry Edwards Winery & Vineyards

It’s not just dogs that enjoy hanging out at wineries. Chloe the cat is a fixture at Merry Edwards Winery, and often asked for by name when visitors return.

When I asked who Chloe belongs to, one of the staff members lovingly explained, “Chloe has been our winery cat for more than 10 years. She showed up at our front door with a gopher in her mouth and from that moment on, she’s been a valued member of the staff. She loves cuddling with guests on our vineyard-view patio and napping in the sunshine.”

J. Rickards Vineyards & Winery

Owners Jim and Eliza Rickards live next door to the winery, so it’s only natural that Tilly, their Australian Cattle Dog, and Boycott, their cat, hang out on the property. As animal lovers, the Rickards also encourage their employees to bring their dogs to work, so Tilly and Boycott have company even when the tasting room is quiet.

When not playing with cohorts Winnie and Buddie, Tilly loves to explore new gopher holes and take long vineyard walks with Jim and Eliza. Boycott is just a big happy boy, who loves to have his tummy rubbed, eating dinner and hanging out with Tilly. It’s so nice when siblings get along well.

The one thing Tilly, Boycott, Winnie and Buddie have in common is they were all adopted from various local pet rescue agencies.

More Than Just Dogs & Cats

Several wineries have diversified their efforts and have farms as well as world-class wineries and vineyards.

Porter Creek Vineyards

Alex and Ann Davis, the owners of Porter Creek, have three dogs and several beautiful chickens that you can enjoy on a visit to their tasting room. The adjacent property is owned by Alex’s dad, who has alpacas that roam down the hill and can be seen from the tasting room if your timing is right. This is definitely country living.

Cowgirl (11) and Poppy (9) are both Australian Shepherds and Paco, a Decker Rat Terrier, is five. Also known as Cow, Cowgirl is semi-retired now, but Poppy and Paco still race around greeting visitors and Poppy might try to herd you to the tasting room.

DaVero Farms & Winery

Its name says it all — a winery and a farm, so we were bound to find more than the usually winery pets, and we did. Jesse, a delightful five-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, lives on the property with the farm caretaker. Jesse is an excellent tasting room greeter, and he also can be found roaming the perimeter, making sure everything is a-ok. During his rounds, Jesse will stop by and say hello to the two Kunekune pigs. You can visit the pigs as they hang out in their area, doing their thing to assist in the regenerative practices of the farm.

Quivira Vineyards

Quivira’s winery and tasting room is surrounding by lovely gardens that include a pond, flowers, trees, over 100 raised beds, and some beautiful egg-laying chickens. Like DaVero, you can walk through the grounds and soak in the beauty of Mother Nature.

aesthete winery & farm

On my first visit to aesthete, I was struck by the tranquility of the setting. As I meandered through the grounds, I first came up the goats, who all wanted to say hello. Not far from the goats, I found the sheep pen, and then brightly-colored chicken roaming the grounds. There were lots of other magical features to this setting, so come explore while you try the wines.

So Many More

This is just a short list of furry, hairy and feathered friends you can meet along the Wine Road. Next time you visit a winery, be sure to check out what new friends you can make, even if they have four legs instead of two.

Happy Sipping!

Cover photo: Courtesy of Porter Creek Vineyards

Posted by Rebecca Germolus

Rebecca Germolus, co-owner of Maximum Value Marketing, loves Sonoma County and playing along the Wine Road. Rebecca daily immerses herself in wine country by providing cost-effective marketing and writing solutions to wineries and restaurants.

All Posts