Wine Sales to Benefit Utah Rescue Dogs

I love dogs and I love wine. So I was stoked to hear about one of my favorite Sonoma wineries – Russian River Vineyards – has partnered with Utah’s boutique wine brokerage, Vin 7000, to support local animal rescue and adoption efforts.

Ted Scheffler

August 4, 2023

Here’s the skinny from Nuzzles & Co Pet Rescue and Adoption and Vin 7000:

“Utah residents can now enjoy four California boutique wines while supporting the animal rescue, rehabilitation, medical care, and adoption efforts of non-profit Nuzzles & Co Pet Rescue and Adoption. Russian River Vineyards’ Chester wine brand is named to honor the winery’s rescue dog, known for making guests’ visits especially memorable by welcoming and accompanying them on their tours and tastings. A portion of sales for all Chester wine purchases in Utah will be donated to Nuzzles. Chester wines will be served during Nuzzles’ annual ‘Love from the Mountaintops’ gala on August 12, 2023 at the Pendry Park City in Canyons Village. Some tickets are still available for the event, which sells out each year.

“We are so pleased that Russian River Vineyards chose to partner with Nuzzles & Co. Given both organizations’ deep commitment to saving animals, it’s a match made in doggie heaven,” says Tamra Gray, Board Chair of Nuzzles and Co. “And we are thrilled that by drinking amazing, unique wines, Utahns can contribute to the critical services we provide to animals to enrich their lives, just like Chester.”

Boutique wine brokerage Vin 7000, who facilitated this partnership and is the primary source for Utah wine enthusiasts to become members of wine clubs, has also launched the Chester Utah Wine Club available to residents throughout the state. This is the seventh Utah Wine Club available to Utah residents through Vin 7000, and the first shipments will go out in September.

“Given that Chester is a lifestyle wine brand that embodies the essence of adventurous people and dogs who take advantage of all that life has to offer, it made perfect sense for us to establish this philanthropic partnership and help support the admirable work that Nuzzles & Co does for vulnerable animals in Utah,” says Mike Mekjian, Partner of Russian River Vineyards and part-time Park City resident. “Chester was exactly the type of dog that Nuzzles rescues. He came from the streets of Baltimore City and went on to become symbolic of our winery with his distinctive, different colored eyes and highly social, fun-loving spirit. He just needed a second chance at life, like what Nuzzles has provided for thousands of pets.”

Chester wines, which include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sparkling, and Red Blend are available to purchase in Utah. These are premium wines, offering the highest quality at approachable price points, from a highly regarded winery known for their “Farmers First” approach to crafting fine wines. Chester Pinot Noir is available in select Utah Liquor Stores, and Chardonnay should be available soon. Chester Sparkling and Red Blend are available as special order in Utah. All four wines will be included in the Chester Utah Wine Club.

Food & Drink, Sips, Utah Bites, Utah Stories, Wine, Spirits and Beer

Ted Scheffler

Originally trained as an anthropologist, Ted Scheffler is a seasoned food, wine, and travel writer based in Utah. He loves cooking, skiing, music, and reading, and spends an inordinate amount of time tending to his ever-growing herd of guitars and amplifiers. Ted is also the author of the Utah Bites newsletter, which is published in partnership with Utah Stories. Before moving to Utah, Ted lived in New York City, and numerous states in the US, as well as in various countries overseas, Spain, Japan, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. He earned a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from the Graduate Faculty of The New School for Social Research.

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