Over the years, many of Oregon’s winery dogs and cats have become unofficial tasting-room ambassadors and are known to greet guests with eager tail wags and purring ankle rubs. Here are some of the fluffy friends that make winery visits even more welcoming.
Puppy Kisses and Barn Cats in the Dundee Hills
At Domaine Drouhin in Dundee, Montrachet Magnum — better known as Monty — is a Burgandy-born pup but raised in Oregon, and part of the winery’s family since harvest 2016. He spends his days sunbathing and chasing squirrels. He’s also known for impromptu tasting room visits to say hello to visitors. Monty is on a salary contract for the winery that pays him in cookies, love and affection.
Harry and Sebastian are handsome orange and white cat brothers that were originally found in the Sokol Blosser Winery barn in Dayton as fluffy kittens. Among a menagerie of dogs, goats and chickens on the property, they are known for their mice-catching antics. In addition to their Instagram fame, the brothers have also dipped their paws into charity fundraising. T-shirts featuring Team Harry and Team Sebastian have raised money for the Homeward Bound Pets no-kill shelter in Yamhill County.
This heritage winery — run by second-generation winemakers — just celebrated 50 years. Before you visit to sample their award-winning pinot noir, be sure to make a reservation for a seated, 75-minute experience in a lovely tasting room overlooking the vineyards.
Ten miles south, a small 4-acre lot in the Eola-Amity Hills known as Wildcat Vineyard was inspired by owners Steven & Gina Proctor’s eight rescue cats and passion for operating in harmony in the environment.
Charming Host at the Grain Elevator in Carlton
When guests sit on the tufted red-leather couches in the center of the Flâneur Wines tasting room in Carlton, they’re soon visited by Nora, the winery’s golden and border collie mix, and Ramsie, the winery’s black Lab. It is said that no one can resist such devastating charm, especially when they rest their head on guests’ knees.
Located in the renovated and iconic Carlton Grain Elevator in the center of town, Flâneur Wines is open seven days a week by reservation only. Be sure not to miss their monthly supper club, an ever-evolving prix fixe menu paired with wine. Pro tip for the paparazzi: When Ramsie is not in Carlton, she runs wild and free at Flâneur’s La Belle Promenade vineyard in Newberg, greeting visitors to the big blue barn.
Terrier Inspects Winery, Yurt, Guests
When winemaker Thomas Savre shows up with little Archie — a fluffy black Scottish terrier — at Lingua Franca in Salem, everyone knows he’ll be checking out operations, too. Archie’s route includes the winery and checking in on any guests seated in the outdoor, glamping-style yurt that’s decked out with ambiance lighting and decorative throw rugs.
Lingua Franca produces Burgundian-influenced wines from a 66-acre vineyard in the Eola-Amity AVA outside of Salem. The winery is open Thursday through Monday by reservation only. For the ambitious wine enthusiast, Lingua Franca offers a private blind-tasting experience of limited-production wines from their cellar.
At nearby Left Coast Wine in Rickreall, 20 minutes southwest of Salem, make sure to greet Jaws, the official winery cat and brand ambassador. The former feral cat rescue’s favorite activity is hosting visitors to the tasting room and accepting scratches, pats and other forms of love.
