Mutt Lynch Winery - Healdsburg

(Doggone Good Wine)

Mutt Lynch Winery is a dog-friendly winery with a working sense of fun and it was the perfect place for us to spend a beautiful October day tasting excellent wines. We were invited by winemaker and owner, Brenda Lynch, to come out to see the winery on a wine-club appreciation day and were specifically asked to bring Clare (our well-behaved border collie). Known as a Club Lynch Pick-up Paw-ty, Mutt Lynch was also accommodating to those who saw the balloons and just dropped in. (Can you feel the kindness?)

Brenda and staff set up a lovely spread in their spacious working winery and were clearly there to make sure everyone had a grand time.

We were right in the center of it all (office, winery and wide-open doors), breathing in the beautiful Healdsburg air.

The winery was appointed with baskets of every size of squash imaginable (a fall-out success from a worm-growing project Brenda inadvertently started last year).

Brenda also laid out a spread of tasty treats for those who arrived throughout the day with their dogs in tow to sip, share dog stories, and enjoy the raw energy where Mutt Lynch does its magic.

We did some tasting, of course, and Mutttitage, a combination of Cab and other varietals, was our favorite wine on the table (it was a difficult choice).

Those who wanted to get close to the earth could visit the rows of grapevines out back. Clare and I walked through the fields for a short time and found it instructive as well as renewing.

The atmosphere at Mutt Lynch was earnest and fun with a combination of all work and some play being melded into one stunning project, creating delicious wine.

Minus the fuss and piped-in music of some wineries, it was a true wine-drinking, dog-friendly paradise and a great way to spend a casual day in Wine Country.

Don't miss this friendly stop when visiting Sonoma County and watch for Mutt Lynch's monthly "Yappy Hours." I suspect there may be room for standing dogs only.

Mutt Lynch Winery
P.O. Box 511
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 479-3479

www.muttlynchwinery.com (Wuff!)