Who let the dogs in?

By: DogTrekker Staff

A vibrant dog park bathed in sunlight features abundant greenery with mature trees, offering ample shade for leisurely outdoor activities. In the distance is a well-equipped playground that presents an additional activity area. An inviting picnic table spreads out nearby, ideal for enjoying meals al fresco or taking relaxing breaks from play. A neatly-placed trash bin aids in maintaining the park's cleanliness for everyone's enjoyment. Dominating the scene is a generously wide dirt path gracefully curving through the expanse of grass, promising exploratory walks and lively fetch games.

Photo by Jetsetting Fashionista.

Sonoma County vintners are increasingly courting the dogtrekker demographic with events like “yappy hours” at Lambert Bridge Winery in Healdsburg (not particularly “people-friendly”) and the summer Canine Festival at Sebastiani.

But Mutt Lynch Winery in Healdsburg (visits by appointment only) is perhaps the only winery in the region to put its money where its canine–loving heart is by raising more than $30,000 each year to support 50–plus nonprofit animal organizations. It’s doggone good wines—Canis Major Zin, Merlot Over and Play Dead, Chateau d’Og Cab and Unleashed Chardonnay—play to the theme, as does its Club Mutt wine club. The winery can even organize special events (think puppy showers and “bark mitzvahs”) for four–legged friends and the people on the other end of their leashes.

Among many other dog-friendly wineries in Sonoma County are Wilson Winery in Healdsburg.