Wine Country visitors who don’t want to leave their pooches behind have discovered this utopian canine-friendly setting and the picturesque grassy knoll that Mathy says transforms into a “gourmet dog park” on weekends...The Dutcher Crossing Wine Club is full of fellow wine and dog lovers, all parties well-represented at the regular Wine Club picnics and barbecues.
Not a shy wine! [The Bacigalupi Chardonnay] Goes for it, throwing out every note in the Chardonnay playbook, lemons, cream, grasses, apples, limes, white flowers, brown butter, almond pastry… you name it. Lingering, vibrant, elegant.
On any given day, Dutcher Crossing Winery owner Debra Mathy and her winery dog, Dutchess, greet guests upon arrival - including the furry kind. Dogs are welcome in the tasting room, where they can try on winery-branded dog collars for purchase while their owners taste estate zinfandel and other small-production wines. The back patio and lawn offer a grassy, sunny spot to nibble on cheese and charcuterie, and play catch, while overlooking Dry Creek Valley.
Dutcher Crossing specializes in juicy, peppery Zinfandel, and black fruit-filled Cabernet. Both are delicious, but their Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc is a special find. With 90 percent of the fruit coming from Russian River, and partially barrel fermented using native yeasts, the textured wine highlights honey, stone fruit, and lime leaf.