Category Archives: wine

May 3, 2013 · 9:22 pm

Mama’s day weekend in SLO

Mothers day is Sunday May 12… next weekend !!!

What’s cooking for Mothers Day?  Why not take your mom to dog friendly SLO for a week or the weekend?

San Luis Obispo County Has Tons of Dog Friendly Places to Explore

San Luis Obispo is located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and a few hours south of Monterey county. It is known as the Happiest City in America… According to Dan Buettner’s National Geographic book Thrive, “San Luis Obispo has snagged the top spot for happiest people in America.”

Below are some suggestions of dog friendly places to stay and visit while you are in SLO.

Take a dog friendly wine tour in Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo regions with a Breakaway Tours Dog Day Wine Tour.

www.breakaway-tours.com

Mom and dog can learn how to surf at Pismo beach with miles of lovely sand and waves. Amble along the boardwalk, fish from the historic pier, or explore Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, which hosts an average 25,000 butterflies per season.

Lunch at the Splash Cafe (try the yummy clam chowder) is a must.

Mom and pooch will feel right at home at a pet friendly oceanfront hotel such as the SeaCrest OceanFront. Ask for their Celebrity Pet Package which includes a pet bed, food bowls, a pet concierge brochure, and a 5 acre lawn area for pets to do their business (with pet waste stations along the way) and direct beach access to the pet friendly Pismo beach.   More info at www.petfriendlypismobeach.com

Take a walking tour of the downtown of the Happiest City, SLO, visit Bubble Gum Alley, the dogs will LOVE the creek that goes through downtown, and dogs are even welcome at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. Also, check out the pet boutique Tails for yummy treats for the canines. Other pet friendly attractions include the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens.

Enjoy a leisurely dinner at a pet friendly restaurant such as Luna Red. Their patio is filled with guests and their four legged friends. And the food and wine is to drool for. Organic, sustainable fresh seafood and salads.   Crab lasagne, wild boar spare ribs and a variety of vegetarian fare.

http://www.lunaredslo.com/storage/Dinner%20Menu%20March%202013.pdf

After dinner, head on down to Grover Beach, and relax at a beach party with bonfires, wine and s’mores and all.  Beach Butlerz will set up bonfire pits, each with a good supply of seasoned firewood, luxe beach chairs, a Luxe Cabana (ultra style), tiki torches, and a 12–‐foot tall teepee decked out with plush pillows and all the fixings to create s’mores. The marshmallows are huge and the service is magical. All you need is a full moon to get the party started (and some lit bocci balls).

Beach Butlerz
(805) 878-4283; www.beachbutlerz.com

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Pooches all aboard on a Tiki Boat tour of the Morro Bay Harbor on the Lost Isles Cruise.  View the wildlife in their natural habitat, and sea otters, seals, sea lions, and a wide variety of birds in Morro Bay’s beautiful estuary. The dogs will love the sounds of the sea life.  www.baycruisers.com

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Lots of shopping and meandering after the cruise along the Embarcadero… Then enjoy a great meal of freshly caught fish, smoked oysters, calamari, fish and chips and more. at Tognazzini’s Dockside Restaurant. Tognazzini’s is also home to three beautiful and friendly white Labs.
www.bonniemarietta.com/Dockside-Restaurant.htm

Before you leave the coast, be sure to take a coastal hike at one of the many pet friendly parks such as Montana De Oro (Mountain of Gold).

After lunch, you may want to relax or head up the coast to San Simeon. Tour the infamous Hearst Castle (or save that for the next day). www.hearstcastle.org

Dogs are NOT allowed at the castle.  If you want to visit and do not want to leave the dogs alone, hire a pet sitter from Faithful Friend Pet Sitting Service.

You can also enjoy wildlife viewing including bird-watching, whale-watching, sea otter preserves, and elephant seal viewing and the dogs can roam along the beach.

Stay at the pet friendly Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, Cambria and San Simeon’s only oceanfront accommodation that offers direct beach access to dog friendly beaches and 14 acres for walking the dogs. A King room with oceanview has a fireplace and your very own patio. There is a hot tub/jacuzzi and pool on property and bonfires at sunset.

img-oceanfront-king2

Check out the artistic town of Cambria. Be sure to enjoy lunch or dinner at Robin’s Restaurant. The gorgeous garden patio will be a treat for the dogs and your mom alike. The food will please everybody. Unique starters such as Singapore chicken sate, fresh inviting straight from the garden salads and curried chicken and other sandwiches are what’s for lunch. For dinner, lamb curry, Tail Lobster Enchiladas, Malaysian chicken and Moroccan duck breast entrees, plus delectable desserts (hot fudge sundaes with coffee ice cream and pistachio nuts) , Robin’s seasonal menus are prepared from scratch.

www.robinsrestaurant.com

Top off the weekend with a visit to one of Paso Robles pet friendly wineries. Ecluse features Bordeaux and Rhone style wines, as well as their fabulous Zinfandel. Meet and greet Ecluse Winery’s blind dog Toby. www.eclusewines.com

Ecluse has a special love for dogs and produces “Blind Dog Wines” In honor of their assist dogs that both lost their vision, they have created an eclectic blend of some of the best Paso Robles reds. A percentage of proceeds from “Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvee” will be donated to Dogs for the Deaf in Central Point, Oregon.

Photo on 2013-04-29 at 09.42

Stroll through downtown Paso Robles after the wine tour and shop in stores like Sealed with a Kiss. Pet friendly retailers offer special treats and you can enter the Thomas Hill Organics dog friendly patio restaurant from this store. www.thomashillorganics.com

Brunch or lunch will be a feast of the eyes as mouth watering plates piled high will fill your tummy. The menu features organic produce from their farm and highlights unique wines from sustainable growers on the Central Coast. Thomas Hill Organics also provides local organic grass fed beef, lamb and free range organic poultry.  Smoked Salmon Omelette, PC Cattle Burger, Pumpkin Bread French Toast, and more. Gluten free bread upon request.

http://www.thomashillorganics.com/menu_files/Brunch%20Menu.pdf

Whatever you do, your dog and mom will feel lucky, refreshed and grateful for the great getaway.

Dog Parks

– Dinosaur Caves Park, Price St., Pismo Beach

– Elm Street Dog Park, Ash St., Arroyo Grande

– El Chorro Regional Dog Park, Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo

Dog Friendly Beaches

– Pismo Beach, To the left of the pier

– Port San Luis / Avila Beach, Between 2nd and 3rd pier

– Oceano Dunes, Off of Hwy 1 exit

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http://baywoof.com/featured-article/first-ever-dog-friendly-media-tour-sniffs-out-the-best-in-san-luis-obispo/

 

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http://jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend

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http://www.jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend-day-2

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link

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Filed under Adventure, Bay area, beach, beach parties for dogs, California, dog friendly, dog travel, dogs, moms, pet blog hop, pet friendly dining, pet friendly lodging, pet friendly winery, pet travel, Uncategorized, wine

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June 5, 2012 · 3:14 pm

Pet friendly Mendocino for Father’s Day

Want to surprise dad with a gift of travel this Father’s Day?  You might consider Mendocino. Dad and pooch can travel together or the whole family can getaway to some of our favorite inns (below). Check out the great Summer Specials and pooch friendly accommodations. Mendocino has great weather (place to cool off from the heat), beaches, pet friendly wineries and so much more… (before you know it, it will be July 4, and this is a great place to visit any time of the year, but it is Cici and my favorite summer getaway place)…

http://www.mendocino.com/pet-friendly.html

the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek in Mendocino has new owners, Innkeepers Scott and Micki Matthews, who have made renovations… and are offering a special Pooch package…

Each of the 17 onsite Cottages and Rooms and 3 offsite Albion Vacation Rentals is uniquely appointed to take advantage of the ocean side scenic location. All Rooms and Cottages have private decks, romantic propane fireplaces, free high speed wireless internet, with most having Pacific Ocean or relaxing garden views with private entrances to escape the everyday.

All guest units have either private baths or showers. Many of the units have private hot tubs, romantic Jacuzzi or whirlpool soaking tubs to take your worries away. Guests can also take advantage of the onsite Creekside Restaurant serving breakfast each morning, the Creekside Day Spa with a variety of pampering services available, and the onsite 24 hour hot tub and dry sauna.

IMPROVEMENTS

  • Complete Room and Cottage renovations
  • Luxurious pillow top beds
  • New plush linens
  • Improved landscaping gardens surrounding the Inn
  • New sunset observation deck with fire pit
  • Upgraded breakfast buffet
  • New for purchase heathy breakfast entrees

Pampered Pooch

$75.00

Show that special four legged friend in your life how much you care with a special gift basket on arrival. Basket includes a dog bathrobe (yes you read it right they do make dog bathrobes), bag of gourmet dog treats, an adorable Zanies stuffed friend, a toss toy – perfect for playing with on our meadow, a ceramic dog dish and a pet waste pickup bag holder loaded with bags.

Pet policy

Your pets are our guests too and we’ll strive to make them feel like they are on vacation as well! We do ask that pets be under the owner’s control at all times. There is a one time $50 fee for the 1st pet $25 for a 2nd pet.  This is a per stay (not per night fee) and is not refundable.  It covers the costs of deep cleaning a room after a pet stay including carpet shampooing and ionization to remove any allergens.  It also covers the cost of in room amenities including pet food and water dishes; blankets; beach towels and litter pick up bags.  There is a maximum of two pets per unit unless special permission by management is granted . Guests keeping pets in units without approval will be charged $100 per night plus the cost to repair any damages that occur.

Call 1-800-731-5525

http://www.schoolhousecreek.com/services-and-amenities/pet-friendly/

Meanwhile our friends at the Stanford Inn have been featured here…dad and dog can go kayaking…

http://www.travelinggreener.com/resorts/cool-california-holidays/

and here (and so is the Little River Inn)

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/beautiful-bountiful-mendocino-county-wine-lovers-escape-artists-article-1.1082457

more about the Little River Inn here

http://dogtrekker.com/Story/DogCation_Little_River_Inn

and our friends at the MacCallum House Inn have Summer specials, too

Summer to Mendocino for $169 per night!
Call 1-800-609-0492 to reserve your stay

 http://www.maccallumhouse.com/pages/special.html

Andiron Seaside Inns was featured on Today in February for Valentines day (last inn mentioned)…

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http://www.pacificmistinn.com/rooms_rates.html

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Filed under Bay area, beach, California, dog friendly, dog travel, dogs, K9 travel, Mendocino, pet friendly lodging, pet friendly winery, pet travel, Uncategorized, wine

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May 21, 2012 · 2:27 pm

Frenchie Winery goes to the dogs

Napa Valley’s First Dog Tasting Room & a New Breed of Wines

The Frenchie Winery is the only tasting room designed exclusively for dogs.  In addition, the first two wines in a series bearing the Frenchie label are available for purchase at  the winery http://www.frenchiewinery.com/  and www.wine.com.  Each wine label depicts Frenchie as a unique historical figure, including Louis XIV and Napoleon and, soon, Marie Antoinette.

Frenchie, a Dog like No Other

The Frenchie Winery is named for a leader and a revolutionary in his own right, Boisset’s French Bulldog.

“Frenchie was a gift to my beloved wife,” says Vineyards Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset, “to ensure that she would always be in the company of a French gentleman.  In fact, Frenchie is the PERFECT French gentleman: he’s loyal, charming, always up for an adventure, and he never talks back!  His playful, debonair and aristocratic style is reflected in the winery and the wines.”

Frenchie wanted to ensure that his fellow canines would be well taken care of when their people chose to visit Raymond Vineyards.  Inside, the winery includes five individual kennel spaces featuring specially designed wine barrel dog beds. Above the beds, in the “Gallery of Frenchie”, hang canvas portraits depicting Frenchie as historical icons such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Julius Caesar and Marie Antoinette. Overhead, a gorgeous “Barkarrat” chandelier lights up a very special dog friendly tasting bar dispensing water for its guests. An outdoor play area offers canines a special view of Frenchie’s bioDOGnamic vineyard, planted to Bordeaux varieties.

The Frenchie Winery is located at Raymond Vineyards in the Rutherford District of California’s famed Napa Valley wine region.

The “Frenchie” Revolution MMXII

Our interview with Frenchie:

how did  you get your name?

Since I am obviously a French Bulldog and my dad’s memory isn’t so good sometimes, he thought Frenchie would be suitable and easy to remember.

what kind of wine do discerning dogs like to drink?  what kind of cheese do you like to eat? 

I have learned to love nearly every varietal out there, but I am definitely more prone to reds. I feel the color of red brings out the passion in me. Also, although I am a purebred which may lead you to believe that I would like a wine that is 100% of this or 100% of that, I actually enjoy a really good blend.  Some of my best friends are blends themselves that unfortunately get referred to as mutts, but I look at them as the finest selections from many different breeds, similar to that of my delicious Napoleon Red Wine.

As far as cheese is concerned… I won’t lie, I love them all!

do you get to stomp on the grapes like Lucy (I Love Lucy)?

We tried that route and yes it is quite a treat to feel those juicy grapes squish between my little toes.  But for the sake of time, we decided it made more sense to crush the grapes via our state of the art crusher. We use the best equipment you could imagine so I know that each grape is being cared for exactly as I would want them to be, to ensure the freshest wine possible. My dad is real nice though and always makes sure that at every harvest I get my own little bin that I can squish with my feet for the fun of it.

what do you enjoy about living in the Napa Valley?

Everything!  I get to run in the vineyards, go to fancy restaurants and meet famous chefs (who sometimes give me scraps, woof), plus my winery is located in such a beautiful area.  I’d say that I have it pretty dog gone good.

cici has a number of doggie pals, mostly boy dogs, milo, pablo, gizmo, teddy and harley.  how about you, do you have any doggie gal pals?  if so, what do you like to do together?

I have a lot of friends actually and since I opened my winery a couple weeks ago, I seem to be getting more and more every day.  Let’s see, there’s Hopper, Rosie, Lillie, Pita, Jordan, Brutus and so many more I can’t keep track of them all. Hopper, Rosie, Lillie and Pita are all ladies, but I look at each of them as my little sister.  They’re so much fun to hang out with and now that I have this new venture on my hands, I really don’t have time for a relationship, so I think it’s probably best if we keep our relationship strictly platonic.  Brutus, Jordan and I like to hang out and do guy things.  Sometimes we’ll watch some football or baseball, but mostly we just lay around and nap.

favorite treat?

Where do I begin?

favorite toy?

My dad’s Maserati.  I love driving that thing with my sunglasses on and people always think I’m a movie star. I think they get me mixed up with George Clooney sometimes, but I don’t mind.

favorite color?

Red

do you travel much?  if so, where have you been and what did you enjoy there?

I realize that my life is a bit different from your average dog’s, so yes, I have traveled quite a bit.  However I must say that although I’ve been to a lot of places, my favorite place to be is right here in the Napa Valley.  I have my mom, my dad, my sisters  and of course my friends and my winery.  What more do I need?

ever gone camping?

Not that I can recall.  I hear it’s fun though.  I just want to go so I can try a S’mores.  I hear those are awesome.

do you like to swim? go to the beach?

Not as much as I used to.  The past couple years I have been enjoying my cheese a little too much so I’m not exactly ready for my swim trunks just yet.  I’m working on my physique, so I think by summer I’ll be ready to hit the beach again.

are there other animals you like to meet or play with?  cats, fish, cows, horses, sheep, goats?

I’ve always wanted to meet a Platypus.  I mean, what is it really, a duck, a beaver?  I’m confused.

anything you’d like to share?

Just want everyone to know that I would love to have you come visit me at my winery.  I think I have something really special here and I would love to show it to you!

Woof!

if you are traveling and need a super dog friendly place to stay right in Rutherford, tell our friend Matt Smith at Rancho Caymus that Cici and I sent you…

http://www.ranchocaymus.com/

 

Woof!   Woof!  Woof!

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February 28, 2012 · 7:22 pm

washington wineries going to the dogs

If you are traveling to Washington state with your pooches, you might want to check out http://www.visityakima.com/wine-doggies/

for info on pet friendly activities and wineries in Yakima valley, Washington’s wine country… do Washington wine country with your four legged friends!

there is a winery walking doggie tour, events, doggie stories, a blog and more…

http://visityakima.com/wine-doggies/pet-friendly-attractions.asp

The wine doggies site does list a few places that offer pet friendly lodging, and if you click on some of the wineries and go to their sites, you may find listings of lodging like this, not all specify whether they are pet friendly or not…

http://www.maryhillwinery.com/lodging.asp

Teepee lodging…

enjoy an evening around the campfire before snuggling into your own private 20-foot tall teepee. Experience the romance of the West in cloud-like beds with fluffy down comforters and turn “roughing it” into a luxurious experience.

Barbeque grills, compact refrigerators, separate super-clean and private water closets, along with an open-air shower round out the amenities.

http://www.cherrywoodbbandb.com/lodging.html

pets welcome… guest house provides comfortable, spacious accommodations for up to six adults.

http://www.tefftcellars.com/GuestHouse.htm

pets allowed

http://www.canyonriver.net/accommodations.html

dog on duty

http://www.cavebinn.com/cuvee.php

Walla Walla Valley, WA
Vineyards in the Walla Walla wine region grow in both Washington and Oregon. More than 100 wineries are in the region, get a listing of close to 40 that are dog-friendly. Be sure to take the pooches to Durham Cellars  … their red and white wines are named for their beloved winery dogs and ‘hospitality committee’, Konnie and Maysy, two border collie mixes.

http://www.winesnw.com/walla.html#Dog-Friendly

http://www.seattleite.com/wine-o%E2%80%99clock-wednesday-barking-wine-tastic/

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May 11, 2009 · 1:13 am

healdsburg is dog, wine and chocolate friendly

If you wanna do a fun weekend travel getaway, go to Healdsburg, it’s on the way to Mendocino, and a hop, skip and a jump from Santa Rosa, Bodega Bay and Sebastopol…

and when you go, visit the Camellia Inn near to the downtown area, which is also known as healdsburg avenue. The Inn has a lovely garden filled with roses and other flowers… the firelight room we stayed in is a queen deluxe, with a canopy bed, two couches, a shower, desk, no tv, wireless internet, and fireplace…

there is a nice grassy area in front for dog walks and a pool in the back. there are nine rooms, four are pet friendly… no pet amenities…

at 5:30 pm, a nice selection of wines, four kinds of cheese, crackers and olives were served…

breakfast is from 8:30 to 10 am… with coffee and tea ready at 7:30 … breakfast consisted of a small juice, scrambled eggs buffet style, no meat, there were several cereals, croissants and other bread from the town’s French bakery, Costeaux and some fruit and yogurt.

the inn has a tv room and a fridge stocked with soft drinks and water.

Lucy lewand, the owner/innkeeper has been in town an innkeeper for 28 years and is co-owner with her dad. The inn is a family owned business and they have a pet friendly winery about five blocks from the inn.

I loved the lovely bee kind bath products by Gilchrist and Soames with organic honey and red clover extracts, smells really good and has a good message, not totally eco friendly because they do contain Sodium Laureth and Lauryl Sulfate.

Also, every Wednesday, the Camellia Inn offers Chocolate Indulgence with Chocolate Cherry Bath Salts, soaps, candle, lotion, plus chocolate candies and cookies…

camellia-inn16

there are two pet stores in town… the one we like best is the Doghouse… they had a sign outside that said Dirty Dogs Wanted, because they have an on site pet groomer, a very friendly staff and the owner Natalee is very knowledgeable and helpful… they have a full range of dog items including healthy dog food, leashes, harnesses, collars, beds, treats and toys… they also have adorable dog clocks and great harnesses for dogs that pull on leash… gotta get one now !!!

near to them around the corner is an eco friendly store and Cafe Gratitude, cool name.

the other pet store Fideaux was not very friendly and had no food, just treats.

this small town apparently needs two dog parks, one for small dogs and the other for large dogs…

another pet friendly inn is the Best Western Dry Creek Inn, very friendly folks. we did not stay there but they did let me use their wireless internet and let Cici sit with me in their lobby and they have meeting rooms for workshops and seminars.

The town’s pet friendly wineries include Selby Wine Tasting Room, where I tasted Selby Zinfandel Port wine with chocolate from Sweet Memories (a chocolate shop in town that makes handmade chocolates, yum)… I tried the dark chocolate filled with ginger and the owner also gave me this chocolate covered peanut brittle type sample which was absolutely divine and even better with the port… and that is about all for my wine tasting exploits.

The french bakery called Costeaux on Healdsburg Avenue offers dogs and their owners outside seating and doggie biscuits, that are Cici tested and approved… Made with care by Bram and Matt for the dog in your life. Official taste testing completed by Maggie and Copper.

Ingredients: Enriched flour, water, salt, yeast, egg, bacon. (Net Wt. 16 oz)

photo_dogbones

they also have yummy delicious three chocolate truffle cake… and other chocolate cakes, cookies and chocolate candies.

Be sure to also visit the chocolate store called Sweet Memories with divine chocolate.

Powell’s Candy Shoppe has all kinds of candies and chocolates and plays the Willie Wonka Chocolate Factory Song all day.

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April 28, 2009 · 3:48 pm

napa dog friendly…

Both of these Napa inns have real dogitude … the Napa Inn has its own yard and the Beazley House has live-in dogs… the wineries we visited were ok but not as friendly as Navarro’s in Anderson Valley…but there are others that we did not visit…

napa inn

nice weather, sunny, warm, birds singing, a block or so from a safeway and also went to the napa visitor center and got info, they were very nice there

we stayed in Angelina’s Garden Room, a luxury suite, with a king bed, tv, fireplace (gas), jacuzzi tub and shower plus very brightly decorated, with its own little courtyard for cici to play in, two chocolates for me, no pet amenities … wireless internet, very nice…

gr_angel_five

The afternoon snacks included three kinds of cheeses, goat, champagne cheddar and brie, plus cookies, crackers, port and sherry and breakfast was amazing, fruit and yogurt, cereals, plus a french toast dish with blueberries and a cheesy hash brown egg dish, both delish, and coffee, tea and juices (orange and grapefruit) and muffins.

To reserve a room with a pet, you must call and let them know ahead of time that you are bringing a pet since there are only two pet rooms/cottages…

Beazley House

We stayed in the Blossom View, this is the nicest inn, very friendly people and a wonderful suite… There are two on site dogs, tummy and sissy. The gorgeous room looks like a log cabin very comfy and cozy, in room jacuzzi, tv, fireplace, coffeemaker, large king bed, looks out into grassy courtyard to the main house, one of the first b and b’s in the area, Jim and Carol Beazley, are the owners. The pet amenities were traveling dog and a dog bowl.


http://www.beazleyhouse.com/rooms/blossom_view

my nosy news hound investigative reporter ran up the back stairs and checked out the tid bits left on the floor of the kitchen, she would have gone upstairs to the guest rooms except colin the innkeeper caught her and stopped her. what are they hiding up there? only the nose knows…

breakfast was a very yummy muffin, fruits with yogurt, a hot egg quiche, sausages, and there was also cereal-granolas and juices, hot tea, coffee, and cheeses

Best of all, there are chocolate chip cookies available 24/7 as is sherry in the lobby/living room…

Napa pet friendly wineries

cici was allowed in all of the wine tasting rooms in napa, dogs are not allowed on tours

Darioush, a persian owned winery, gave us complimentary wine and bottled water

Clos duVal, The original owner was french, the only winery people that gave cici a cookie

Pine ridge winery, corporate, kind of stuffy, but the people were friendly…

Other wineries in the Napa area are:

Hess Collection Winery

Cuvaison winery

Signorello Vineyards

William Hill Estate

St. Helena:

Beringer Vineyards

Casa Nuestra Winery

Catacula Lake Winery

Rustridge

V. Sattui Winery

Hall WInes

Merryvale Vineyards

St. Clement Vineyards and Winery

Sullivan Vineyards

Rutherford:

Mumm Napa Winery

Rubicon Estate

St. Supery Winery

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September 30, 2008 · 8:40 pm

Whine Country Unleashed …

Welcome to K9ifornia, a state of mind as well as a dream whine country destination.

Meet the Whinemakers

Whinery dogs have been bred for centuries with a natural tendency toward making just the right heartbreaking sounds that evoke human sympathy  and generosity. Nature has  blessed these  distinctive dogs who innately know how to look and sound in order to attain whatever they want.

The premier whine-making regions of Northern California include the birthplace, Sonoma County, where it all begin, with one renowned pup named Napaw. Napaw’s whinemaking skill is famous worldwide. Napaw whined until all of the cows and sheep literally came home.

Growing up a Whinery Dog

Young puppies master the fine art of whining by the age of three months  (in dog years), in human years that is equivalent to the terrible two’s. Puppies whine to ensure their mom properly takes care of them. Whining is similar to the cry of human infants. Whining is an automatic response whenever the pup is cold or hungry. But pups soon learn to whine whenever they want attention.

Through mastering the whine, puppies are fed the most expensive food on the planet, have chefs cook for them, go for frequent walks, receive delicious treats from bankers, gas station attendants, and other strangers, obtain all of the toys,  belly rubs and head scratches and other attention they want. The whine combined with an adorable looking smile can lead to sleeping in the same bed as humans despite frequent woofing, paws kicking in the ribs, sleeping on the dog parents head and/or exuding doggie breath in the human’s face.

Whinery dogs have sensitive noses that pick up the aroma, scent and whiff of a cat, squirrel or chipmunk from miles away. If their hunger for chasing said prey is not satiated immediately, they will employ whining techniques until they get what they want.  Some whinery dogs (persistent bull dogs, pit bulls and terriers) are particularly known for this..

Essential forms of communication

Barking is an enthusiastic shout to canine friends near and far.

Growling is a warning or a way to express dissatisfaction. Some whinery dogs growl whenever their human caretakers aka as dog parents misbehave.

The howling of a hound dog at the moon, sun or whoever is in their vicinity has been known to drive humans mad but is an extremely effective long-distance communication alerting other hound dogs to express their inner wolf.

Whining can be a cry for help or a plea for care.  Answering your whinery dog’s every whine and whimper will ensure their lifelong devotion.

Whine Clubs and Whine Tours

Popular whinery dogs enjoy sharing the nuances of whining with like-minded packs of canines. Some of the most famous names in American whinemaking live in Sonoma County where you can enjoy the full range of whines from Napaw’s line including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

Tours are guided by well educated whine enthusiasts. Wannabe whinery dogs swirl the information around their palate,  testing out the latest  successful techniques such as the sad eyes and whimper combo, a deliciously fragrant red whine. White whines are much more subtle with just a hint of dramatic flair.  Imbibing complimentary sparkling whines while learning about the whinemaking process has become a favorite pasttime of savvy canines everywhere.

Types of Whines

Instinctual

Recovering from surgery or following a trauma is an innate and spontaneous reaction to pain. Milking sympathy for all it’s worth is learned later.

Nervous Whines

Whining to express separation anxiety is a way to alleviate stress and break down  barriers. Whinery dogs are very social creatures. This type of whining expresses the dog’s desire to be with you 24/7. Dogs just wanna be #1 in your life. You should feel flattered and act appropriately.

Animated Whines

Sometimes dogs whine as part of the adventure of life.  If they see another canine, they may whine until they can play together on the beach or at the park.

Whines For All Occasions

Praising and  petting your whinery dog constantly is the key to happiness. Responding to the demands of your whinery dog promptly instills a sense of security, purpose and power important for the dog’s  self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth.

Dessert and Special Occasion Whines

Every whinery dog develops their own unique repertoire of whines.  Whines can be used to signal many different desires. Your whinery dog’s special whines are a passport to instant gratification.

Whine pairings

Food and whine pairings are natural. Staring at the humans and/or the food until said culinary delight is administered is a basic ploy. Whines can be joined with eye and body movements, paw touching, shaking and shivering until the perfect whine has produced the sought after outcome. Bones, treats, walks, toys and squirrels are all excellent reasons to whine.

To sample the best whines of expert whinemakers, visit an acclaimed whine show where all of the variations are represented. Becoming a fine whine connoisseur takes time but one can learn the delicate differences between a fiery red whine and a softer more gentle white whine.  Each whine bouquet offers its own  perfume.

Whine and you whine alone

Some humans do not appreciate whinery dogs. Whining should be viewed as a  communication device to achieve a canine goal.    Cater to your dog’s every whim and you will attain nirvana and peace of mind.   Pampering a whinery dog with treats, doggie ice cream and a steady diet of belly rubs, massage and spa treatments, dog yoga classes and attention will ensure a gratifying life.   If you employ the strategy of feed the dog not the whine then you are sending the wrong message. Your whinery dog has put a lot of effort into fine tuning just the right whines for your listening pleasure, the very least that you can do is respond favorably to their performance. Bravo, Fido, bravo !

here are some pet friendly wineries in napa/sonoma

http://www.winetravel.com/article/20080701/WINETRAVEL/71101013/winetravel02

and anderson valley has a few wineries that are also dog friendly, navarro was the best according to cici, not only did they let her in the wine tasting room but they also gave her treats…

oregon dog wine labels

http://www.cherryhillwinery.com/papillonpinotnoir.shtml

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Filed under belly rubs, California, dog friendly, dog travel, dogs, four paws up, K9 approved, K9 travel, pet care, pet travel, wine

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August 5, 2008 · 7:49 pm

into the Sunset…

Driving into Grants Pass, Oregon off of Highway 5, there are two exits, one, where the big chain stores and hotels are located and the city center area, where the quaint shops and smaller mom and pop motels line the streets.  Take your pick, from older to sweet inns, with price ranges from $50-100 and up. Pet friendly motels and hotels abound here. This is a dog friendly place. You can take fido to the various parks, swimming, kayaking, and into the banks and auto dealerships.

Cici now thinks that banks are places to go for attention and treats since whenever we go into the bank she gets both… there is another bank on our walking path and she keeps stopping there waiting to go inside and get her treats… we finally walked in there and they did give her a treat… and last night, after the bank closed, she wanted to go inside again to get more treats…

http://www.visitgrantspass.org/index.aspx?page=8

where to stay :

Sunset Inn
Address: 1400 NW 6th Street
City: Grants Pass
State: Oregon
ZIP: 97526
Phone: 541.479.3305

http://www.sunset-inn.net/

If you are looking for a quality pet friendly motel in Grants Pass, consider the Sunset Inn, owned and operated by Jan Zimmerman and her dog Sammy, a five year old Shiz Tsu. He loves people and is very friendly. Jan has always had dogs and likes the Benjie kind of dogs, shaggy and smiley.

She bought the motel from her brother, after retiring from the telecommunications industry a few years ago. Most of the 30 rooms are individually decorated and there are four pet rooms and four rooms for smokers. There are three rooms for families, that accommodate 6-8 people, the only motel in Grants Pass that offers this size room.

Jan loves to garden and fresh flowers decorate the lobby daily. The pool is heated by the sun and the inn offers eco friendly soaps and shampoos and a solar panel heats their hot water heater. The location is in close proximity and walking distance to many area restaurants, from Chinese to Greek and fast food places. Also nearby are quaint gift shops and boutiques.

The location is half hour from Medford, 1-1/2 hours from the beach and two hours from Crater Lake. Cave Junction is 40 minutes away as are the wineries in nearby Jacksonville, a small artsy village, similar to Cambria in California, where Jan lived for many years.

Jan enjoys meeting new people and values the retirees and business travelers who visit the inn. She offers special rates for groups, as well as a delicious continental breakfast, with yummy real bagels and cream cheese, muffins, hot chocolate as well as juice, tea and coffee. Plus, during the summer, she is offering a $5 gas card promotion. The other cool thing is that many motels charge an extra pet fee, for $5-50 a night that is non-returnable. Here at the Sunset Inn, there is a $10 pet fee that is returnable upon checkout. Another nice feature that makes your stay enjoyable and value-filled.

The rooms do not smell like a motel and there is free wireless Internet and Serta mattresses. Nice homey and comfortable touches.

Chocolate friendly

Cary’s of Oregon,
Grants Pass OR 97527
Phone:541-474-0030
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat 10-2

Rogue Valley Fudge offers handmade fudge made with real cream and butter. Rogue Valley Fudge is located in the heart of downtown Grants Pass on 6th St. The address is 229 SE 6th St.
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. times vary on Sundays.
Telephone: (541) 955-5225

Valley of the Rogue River camping

Valley of the Rogue State Park is a pleasant green oasis. In southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley. Valley of the Rogue Park has both a day-use picnic area and an overnight campground along three miles of shoreline on the Rogue River. Exit 45 B and follow the signs. This park also offers free internet wireless access.
Telephone: (800) 551-6949

if there is free wireless internet, I could not find it… a lot of bugs found me though… it was hot hot hot during the day and cool at night and morning time… humid… and not a lot of river doings, we found one small boat launch area by the rest area but that was tiny and not a whole lotta beach…  one night there was supposed to be a presentation and the presenter did not show up, it was a great area the next morning for cici to run and sniff around without bothering anyone though…

Grants Pass City Parks
(541) 471-6435- Call for reservations or for more information

Josephine County Parks
(541) 474-5285- Call for reservations or for more information

Oregon State Parks
(800) 452-5687- Call for reservations or for more information

Day trips include the Oregon Caves, Crater Lake, Wildlife Safari, House of Mystery or the nearby beautiful Redwood Forests. If you feel lucky, the Seven Feathers Casino is less than an hour away.  There are more than 10 golf courses, a diverse range of sporting activities and winter skiing is less than an hour away. It is a town surrounded by trees.  The local economy is good with job opportunities in support of the retirement community, lots of churches and is home office to Fire Mountain Gems, which sells beads worldwide.


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Filed under chocolate, dog friendly, dogs, family friendly, four paws up, K9 approved, K9 travel, mutts, Oregon, pet care, pet friendly lodging, pet travel, travel with dog, travelwriting, wine

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April 22, 2008 · 12:54 pm

happy tails and trails… and dog friendly wineries?

A great big right back at you thank you to Olga… check out her awesome photos of the goodie bag that she won last week for the Name the Traveling Dog Panties giveaway PLUS her fun dog playing with the DoggyTug video…

http://olgathetravelingbraotherstuff.blogspot.com/2008/04/happy-tails-to-you.html

a new clue for those of you who want to enter this week’s giveaway and win… name my two cats who were brothers… and poetry is one word to search for, there are other forms, poetry is plural… the cats meow… 

Cici and I will be traveling soon… next week to Mendocino, California and then south… staying in dog friendly places…  if you know of fun places, please let us know… we are especially looking to stay in yurts, tree houses, tipis and weird, unique and unusual places that feature dark chocolate, too, and speaking of chocolate, we will be featuring some yummy chocolates again soon and if you are an innkeeper or chocolatier and want to be featured here and in other publications, please call or email me asap. 

if we get to southern Oregon any time soon, I found this… pet friendly b and b’s in southern oregon

 

http://www.lodging-world.com/petfriendlysearch.us.oregon._._.html

and can you believe it, Napa/Sonoma wineries have gone to the dawgs… more on this soon… am doing research and we hope to check these out personally…

also, did you know that there are people making dog wine, dog chocolate and dog beer?  how dry I am… hiccup…  we are NOT NOT NOT recommending that anyone give regular people beer or wine to their dogs, please don’t… it’s not good for them…

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/beer-for-dogs-next-stop-doggie-aa-230729.php

http://www.beerfordogs.com/

and dog lovers wine clubs?

http://www.hsus.org/shop/dog_lovers_wine_club.html

and wine dogs…

http://www.winedogs.com/t-about.aspx

 

and dog wine labels?

http://www.critterwines.com/Dog.asp

Cici and I are looking forward to being on the road again… well, I am… not so sure about her… once we hit the beach though, she will be a very happy camper… 

     

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Filed under AAA, Adventure, belly rubs, dark chocolate, dog friendly, dogs, four paws up, K9 approved, K9 travel, keep pets safe, mutts, Oregon, pet care, pet friendly lodging, pet travel, sustainable travel, toys and treats, travel, travel with dog, travelwriting, wine, women travel, women with dogs, women writers with dogs, yurts

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March 10, 2008 · 7:12 pm

Chocolate makers of California …

Chocolate venues to drool for…   northern California, the Bay area has more than 11 chocolateers… plus shops… factory tours… and other venues… that rate five on the chocometer… (1-5)…

check out some of these…

and there are chocolate festivals, fairs, and wine and chocolate tastings, beer and chocolate tastings, salt and chocolate tastings, and a whole assortment of hidden and not so hidden fun chocolate sites along the chocolate trail… (more info is covered in my chocolate travel guide, contact me for more info)… I also have mentioned venues in other travel posts… such as Donnelly’s in Santa Cruz…

http://chocolocate.com/state.php/California/

http://www.debritochocolate.com/ 

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/jelly_belly.html  

http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stories/articles/chocolate03.asp 

Anette’s Chocolate Factory

http://www.anettes.com

Faerie Queene Chocolates

http://www.faeriequeene.com/

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company

http://www.ghirardelli.com/

Guittard Chocolate Company

http://www.guittard.com/

Hershey’s

http://www.hersheys.com/

Joseph Schmidt Confections

http://www.jschmidtconfections.com/

Monterey Bay Chocolates

http://www.montereybaychocolates.com/

Oak Knoll Inn

http://www.oakknollinn.com/

Peter Rabbit’s Chocolate Factory in Santa Rosa

Recchiuti Confections

http://www.recchiuticonfections.com/

Scharffen Berger

http://www.scharffenberger.com/

See’s Candies

http://www.sees.com/home.cfm

XOX Truffles Inc.

http://www.xoxtruffles.com/

loveandkisses300dpi.jpg

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Filed under CA, California, chocolate, chocolate factory tours, chocolate tours, chocolate travel, dark chocolate, travel, travelwriting, wine, women travel

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