Wine That’s Good For Dogs But Made For People: Chateau La Paws.

Chateau La Paws Wines

Not that you need an excuse to imbibe, but this is as good as one as any. Chateau La Paws supports No Kill dog shelters with a selection of California wines that sport labels shot by celebrity dog photographer Carli Davidson.

Chateau La Paws Wines

Chateau La Paws Wines

Chateau La Paws, in a tribute to founder Kent Rosenblum of Rosenblum Cellars and his love for dogs, was recently revitalized. Located in the heart of the wine-growing region of Central California, they wanted to create a brand that would not only taste great as an affordable everyday wine, but give back to a cause that is close to their hearts – no kill shelters. The labels for each of the wines feature a dog beautifully photographed by Carli Davidson.

Chateau La Paws Wines

Their mission:
Life is better with best friends. That’s why we back up our belief with action. We proudly support No Kill Organizations around the country and our labels feature adorable shelter dogs to draw attention to this great cause. It’s simple: keep dogs cared for and happy until they become members of their new families.

Chateau La Paws Wines

Chardonnay
chardonnay

Their Chardonnay solicits immense satisfaction with its straightforward character, perfectly balanced for accessibility and reward. With soft, supple nature, the wine opens with ripe melon, orange blossom and spice aromas. On the palate, flavors evolve into fresh, tropical fruit and crisp, green apples. Partial oak aging imparts depth and layers, leaving nutty, vanilla accents to join the lemon meringue finish.

Meet Grady!
grady chateau la paws

Grady is a playful 12 week old Hound/Terrier mix pup rescued from a municipal shelter in Tennessee in late October 2014. He was adopted into a happy new home soon after this photo shoot in November 2014 and is one featured on their Chardonnay wine labels.

dog photos on wine bottles
A few of the rescue dogs that have appeared on Chateau La Paws Chardonnay

Wine Profile
California Varietal Composition: 94% Chardonnay 4% Viognier 2% Malvasia Bianca
Barrel Aging: Non-Vintage Barrel Aging American & French oak Appellation

Sauvignon Blanc:
sauvignon blanc

Their Sauvignon Blanc has a distinct California personality – extremely friendly, overtly fruity and enjoyably well balanced. The wine opens with bright, expressive aromas redolent of stone fruit, pineapple, kumquat and peach blossom. The palate is as lively and fresh as it is broad and long, with delicate, grassy highlights over rich, tropical fruit. Lodi sourcing lends a distinct character on the finish, creating a mouthwatering balance of sweet and savory. Like playing fetch a persistent dog, each sip begs for another. Pair with fresh fish, grilled chicken or a crunchy Asian salad.

Dog shown on label: Hank
Dog shown in photo: Thelib

Wine Profile
Varietal Composition: 97% Sauvignon Blanc 3% Viognier
Barrel Aging: Stainless steel

Pinot Noir:
pinot noir

The brand’s Pinot Noir has a rich, velvety profile and the big, bold character of its distinguished pedigree. Expressive varietal character delivers Bing cherry, strawberry and blackberry briar aromas with long, heady accents of vanilla and caramel. Dark fruit leaps off the entry, followed by coconut and crème caramel. “Sit back and enjoy a glass,” recommends Winemaker Marty Spate. “It’s a tribute to the simple joys in life – good dogs and great wines.”

Meet Echo!
echo chateau la paws

Echo was rescued from a Midwest puppy mill in October of 2014. He was a bit nervous upon arrival, but warmed up quickly and loved to sit with his new friends and receive love and affection. He was adopted into his new home on November 9th and you will find him on some of the bottles of their Pinot Noir.

A few of the rescue dogs that have appeared on Chateau LA Paws Pinot Noir

Wine Profile
Varietal Composition: 87% Pinot Noir 13% Syrah
Barrel Aging: French and American oak

Merlot:

Like man’s best friend, Merlot has that straightforward, easy-going generosity that makes it so likeable. Chateau La Paws bottled that charming personality in a medium-bodied, velvety wine brimming with ripe plum and juicy black cherry. The palate is supple and smooth with succulent cherry-berry middle and lasting tannins. Oak aging lends a hint of warm spices and structure. This is a great wine for gathering with friends or pairing with food. Serve it alongside lamb ragout, mushroom risotto or even a chocolate dessert.

Dog shown on Merlot: Brie

Wine Profile
Varietal Composition: 100% Merlot
Barrel Aging: 7 months 40% French oak 60% American oak 100% New oak

Red Blend:
Red Blend

There are some things that just make life better – namely dogs, with wine being a close second. The Chateau La Paws Red Blend celebrates this with a medium-bodied red wine that is as satisfying and enjoyable as our four-legged friends. The Red Blend combines several varietals together to offer complex, multi-dimensional wine with affable character. Blueberry, raspberry and black forest cake aromas open the nose, followed by dark berries and sage on the palate. Soft and velvety in texture, the wine has a fruit-driven profile that pairs well with a variety of foods, including barbecued and smoked meats, pulled pork, venison or heaping plate of duck fat fries.

Meet Camus!
Camus

Camus is a love bug – a young dog rescued from an Out of State Municipal Shelter as a young pup. Unfortunately after a year of being in a home, his parents had gone through a divorce and could no longer care for him. At Christmas Camus was adopted by a new family and is settling into his new home. Camus is one of the dogs featured on their Red Wine Blend labels.

rescue dogs on Chateau La Paws Red Wine Blend
A few of the rescue dogs on Chateau La Paws Red Wine Blend

Wine Profile
Varietal Composition: 36% Zin 34% Merlot 12% Syrah 9% Petit Sirah 5% Cabernet Sauvignon 4% Other
Winemaker Notes: Combining several varietals, our Red Blend offers layers of dark fruits and spices.

Cabernet Sauvignon
cabernet sauvignon

A popular favorite, their Cabernet Sauvignon offers the inviting combination of juicy black fruit and roasted coffee. The wine’s fragrant aromas carry from the nose to the palate, delivering brambly berries and dark cherries, hemmed by notes of vanilla and toasted spices. A small percentage of Merlot fleshes out the middle, adding complexity and roundness to the tannin profile. With approachable flavors and medium weight, this wine is easy to enjoy. Pair it with grilled meats or pasta dinners.

Dog shown on Cabernet: Waterford.

Wine Profile
Varietal Composition: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Merlot
Barrel Aging: 7 months 50% French oak 50% American oak 100% new oak

Sweet Red Blend
sweet red blend

Their Sweet Red Blend is made by combining several super friendly varietals (Zinfandel, Merlot and Syrah) and leaving a touch of sweetness, the wine is fun, playful and undeniably likable. Immediately, it greets you with big, affable fruit, loaded with blueberry jam, ripe raspberries and hints of chocolate that weave through the aromas. The palate maintains a lovely balance of juicy flavors, holding its structure and length through a long, satisfying finish.

Dog shown on label: Hank
Dog shown in photo: Mia

Wine Profile
Varietal Composition: Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah
Oak Aging: 7 months (60% of the blend) 40% French oak 60% American oak 100% New oak

A video of the photo shoot with Carli Davidson, best known for her shaking dog series:

Dog lovers can learn more about each dog on the label here 

You can purchase the wines here.

They are carried by many national retailers, just use wine searcher or Google them.

Follow them on instagram to see tons of adorable dogs as well as their wines at https://www.instagram.com/_chateaulapaws_/