Sonoma is going to the dogs, and wineries are leading the way.
It’s more than the ever-popular “Winery Dogs” books, or fur-friendly tasting rooms. Winemakers are pairing pups, philanthropy and good plain fun in Yappy Hours that benefit animal-related causes. And Friday’s the night to hit the town with Fido.
From 4 to 7 p.m. on the first Friday of the month through Sept. 4, four wineries at The Barlow in Sebastopol — La Follette Wines, MacPhail Family Wines, Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery and Wind Gap Wines — donate 50 percent of their tasting fees to the Sonoma Humane Society. Leashed dogs and their humans enjoy live music, a trip to the Barlow Biscuit Bar, wine specials, doggy photo booth and the chance to win prizes donated by businesses at The Barlow.
On the second Friday of each month, the shaggy scene shifts to Windsor, where Tasting Room on the Green, featuring Mutt Lynch and Deux Amis wineries, holds its Yappy Hour year-round from 4 to 7 p.m., benefitting a different animal-related charity each month. All tasting fees plus 10 percent of wine sales go to the beneficiaries.
Marimar Estate proprietor Marimar Torres organized The Barlow Yappy Hours, after producing a Paws for Pinot calendar to benefit the Sonoma Humane Society in 2014. Brenda Lynch’s Mutt Lynch Winery is dogged in its support of animal-related causes.