Justify Your Wine Consumption, Save a Dog

During the holiday season, wine consumption spikes (in some households it skyrockets). But those extra glasses or two don’t have to be mere empty calories, not when you’re drinking Rescue Dog Wines from California.

Winemakers Laura and Blair Lott – of Acampo, Napa Valley – donate 50% of their profits to organizations dedicated to rescuing and rehabbing animals. Like many inspirational stories, theirs begins with a dog …

The couple had their own rescue, a beloved boxer named Daisy, whom Laura had adopted in 2007. After the old girl died, the Lotts bought a vineyard and began producing wines – with Daisy’s memory guiding them.

“In fact, she was one of the main reasons we decided to buy the vineyard in Lodi in 2017, which led to Rescue Dog Wines,” Blair tells Forbes. “We wanted to have more space to foster more animals and maybe grow some grapes on the side.”

They did grow some grapes, and they enlisted Modesto artist Lawrence Peters to illustrate the labels, mostly of dogs but with an occasional cat. The sparkling wines feature Daisy (she had a bubbly nature, you see). All for a just cause.

“We have always said that we are a purpose-driven brand. Our primary goal is to raise money to help animal rescues,” says Lott. “To date, we have donated over $100,000. It's certainly not a recipe to get rich, but it is one that I wish more companies would follow.

You can order wine, and help out some dogs, via the Rescue Dog Wines website.  A list of all the rescue operations they’ve helped are here.

Photo credit: Rescue Dog Wines