New Frenchie Winery in Napa Valley is For The Dogs!

Now, I don’t normally share the plethora of press releases I receive each day with you guys. If I haven’t seen it, done it, touched it or tried it, I generally don’t share…

But this press release had me cracking up all morning and I had to share it with someone!

Why was I cracking up? Because finally, a public relations firm actually sent me a press release that related to me, and my blog, personally.

Check this out!

Frenchie Winery in Napa Valley, named for and inspired by the beloved French Bulldog of Raymond Vineyards Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset, debuts today.  Located at Raymond Vineyards in the Napa Valley, Frenchie Winery is the only tasting room designed exclusively for dogs. 

That’s right, folks. A winery for dogs!!!! As you can see in my header, I love me some doggies. And it may not be obvious in the header…but I also happen to love me some wine!

Frenchie Winery is named for a leader and a revolutionary in his own right, Boisset’s French Bulldog.

“Frenchie was a gift to my beloved wife,” says Boisset, “to ensure that she would always be in the company of a French gentleman.  In fact, Frenchie is the PERFECT French gentleman: he’s loyal, charming, always up for an adventure, and he never talks back!  His playful, debonair and aristocratic style is reflected in the winery and the wines.”

The Winery

With more than 46 million dog owners in the U.S., Frenchie wanted to ensure that his fellow canines would be well taken care of when their people chose to visit Raymond Vineyards.  Inside, the winery includes five individual kennel spaces featuring specially designed wine barrel dog beds. Above the beds, in the “Gallery of Frenchie”, hang canvas portraits depicting Frenchie as historical icons such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Julius Caesar and Marie Antoinette. Overhead, a gorgeous “Barkarrat” chandelier lights up a very special dog friendly tasting bar dispensing water for its guests. An outdoor play area offers canines a special view of Frenchie’s bioDOGnamic vineyard, planted to Bordeaux varieties.

The exciting new property also includes a small tasting bar for humans where they can sample Frenchie Wines.  A doggie-cam will allow pet lovers to keep an eye on their furry friends while visiting the Raymond Winery main tasting room.  Plans are underway for several dog-centric events including mobile pet grooming, adopt-a-pet day and more.

The Wines

Although he may not go down in history as one of the greatest leaders of all time, Frenchie will definitely go down in history as the world’s greatest four-legged winemaker.  Each wine features a special label depicting Frenchie as an historical figure, inspired by the paintings of artist Carol Lew.  Just released are:

• 2009 Frenchie Napoleon Red Blend – Aromas and flavors of black and red fruit with hints of cassis and subtle oak are unleashed in each glass of this special blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (SRP $30)
• 2009 Frenchie Louis XIV Cabernet Sauvignon- A blend of 61 percent Sonoma County and 39 percent Napa County fruit, this wine has fetching aromas and flavors of blackberries and cocoa with hints of cassis and subtle notes of vanilla. (SRP $30)

Additional wines are planned for launch in the future including a white wine blend, Frenchie Marie Antoinette.  For a limited time, a special two-bottle wine duo including three Frenchie-branded tennis balls is available for purchase exclusively on wine.com for $49.99.  All Frenchie wines are available for purchase at FrenchieWinery.com or at the Frenchie Winery at Raymond Vineyards.

I wish I lived near Napa Valley…I would totally take Bailey and Toby out to the winery with me!