Wine Country Cats and Dogs: Who’s the Boss?
A CEO (Chief Extermination Officer) Exposed
While touring wineries around the world, I have always observed that winery cats and dogs rule their domain and their owners. They serve to help with pest control, but often, they steal the show and entertain the guests who tour the winery. I asked a few of my favorite wineries to talk about and photograph the ‘boss” of their vineyards and tasting rooms. Thanks to Gary Farrell Winery, Château Paloumey, and Pedernales Cellars for sharing their treasured bosses.
Benny, the CEO (Chief Extermination Officer) of Gary Farrell Winery
“We would be honored for our CEO* (Chief Extermination Officer) Benny to be included in this.” – Gabe Brezic, Estate Sommelier, Gary Farrell Winery, Sonoma, CA - Video also features Alex Martin, Assistant Tasting Room Manager
Gary Farrell Winery is one of my go-to choices for single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma. They have recently been noted by Wine Enthusiast as one of the most spectacular views in a wine country. For more on Gary Farrell, see “Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery: A Stunning Russian River Wine Experience,” December 12, 2023, Wine Wanderings. It is evident that Benny, the CEO* is part of the draw to this extraordinary winery. See Gary Farrell wine recommendations below.
Watson, Château Paloumey, Bordeaux, France, Hunter and Chief Cuddler
"Watson is a dog we adopted from the SPA [La Société Protectrice des Animaux], the latest addition to our family. He is a 6-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer. An excellent hunter, he spends his weekends chasing lizards and rabbits. His unique traits include recognizing the sound of Pierre Cazeneuve's [Director Général and owner] car like no one else and barking when he hears me from less than a kilometer away. He also endures daily cuddles from my two daughters." – Team Paloumey, Jeanne Foucaud, and Pierre Cazeneuve
Chateau Paloumey ranks with my top choices of high value Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois wines. It is located in the Haut Medoc region of the Left Bank of Bordeaux and features sustainably grown, excellent wines for quality and affordability. The 84 acres Ch. Paloumey parcels are next to Château La Lagune and Château Cantermerle (both Classified Growths). I have participated in a mini-harvest there and written several articles on their wines. See “Château Paloumey and Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois: Left Bank Value and Quality,” July 26, 2022, Wine Wanderings. It is great to see that Watson is both a hunter and cuddler. He seems to be a great addition to tourism and vineyard management. See a recommended Chateau Paloumey wine below.
Pedernales Cellars: the Diva Reigns
“Diva, the cat, was originally named Willow, but we quickly decided that it didn’t fit. She meowed continuously, especially as you got close to pet her. When we needed a name for our highly aromatic muscat-based wine, Diva was a natural choice.” – Julie Kuhlken, PhD, CEO and Co-owner, Pedernales Cellars.
Located in Stonewall, Texas in the Texas Hill Country, Pedernales Cellars was one of my first Texas wineries to tour. During that 2016 visit I met CEO, Julie Kuhlken, who is one of the most well-versed wine professionals I know. She is a graduate of Stanford University and serves on the marketing committee of the Texas Wine and Grapegrowers Association. Pedernales is known for their award-winning wines (2020 Reserve Tempranillo won Silver Medal 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition) and Texas hospitality. The Pedernales Cellars patio offers gorgeous sunsets accompanying live music events. For more on the Texas Hill Country Winery scene . See: “Fine Wine Defines the Texas Hill Country Experience,” December, 2016, PrimeWomen Magazine. Note that 4.0 Cellars is now Texas Wine Collective.
Send Boss Photos to Wine Wanderings
If you have a cat or dog that hangs with you at wineries. Or, if you have a photo from visiting your favorite pet-friendly winery “boss,” please send and I will post these in a future article. According to Wine Enthusiast Magazine, many wineries, distilleries and breweries support cat and dog adoption, too. Personal note: my Ragdoll cat, Lucy, loves Gary Farrell Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay.
Wine Recommendations
2017 Gary Farrell Martaella Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, $90
Wine Enthusiast, 94 Points
2019 Gary Farrell Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River, Sonoma $65
This is a prominent Chardonnay in my cellar coming from a historic vineyard. The grapes from this vineyard were used to make the Chateau Montelena winner of the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting, documented in the movie, BottleShock.
2021 Chateau Paloumey, Bordeaux Red Blend, Haut Medoc, $29
Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points
2022 Pedernales Cellars, Texas Diva, $24
A Lahey Vineyards off-dry, highly aromatic blend of Orange Muscat and Muscat Canelli.
2020 Pedernales Cellars, Texas Tempranillo Reserve, $50
Double Gold, 2024 Lone Star Wine Competition, Silver Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Wine Wanderings Editorial Calendar 2024
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The Martini – What’s New, What’s Old: Classic vs. Modern
Grower Champagnes – Why are They the Darlings of Champagne? (WH)
The Loire Valley: Touring Chateau Chenonceau
The Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 Revisited with a Tribute to both Chateau Montelena and Warren Winiarski
Book Review and Interview: “Strong Water: On Food, Wine, and Restaurants,” by Tim Gaiser, MS
Two Surprising Wineries of the Loire Valley: Montdomaine and Ambacia, Ancient Sites with Modern, Organic Approaches
Understanding Right Bank Bordeaux: Pomerol and St. Emilion
Restaurants of Napa Valley
Book Review: Big Macs and Burgundy
A 2025 TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WINE WANDERING SUBSCRIBERS
Hi Kate, yes and shipping is an issue there. Friends in Ohio or Illinois? My Northern Indiana friends sometimes ship to Chicago. Hope you can these wines sometime. Or visit the Hill Country! Tricia
I have still never been able to try a wine from Texas- I can’t find them in Indiana