Critter Labels Bite into Wine Market

Graeser Wine photo

If you are noticing more pictures of cute animals on wine labels lately you are not alone;critter labels are eating up the marketplace ravenously.

“More women are drawn to these cutesy labels because they relate to animals,” said Chad Richard, owner of Furthermore Wines. “And, statistics point out that women buy most of the wine.”

(According to the Adams Wine Handbook, women – especially ages 35-44 – drink more wine than men too.)

Winemakers and producers are having fun with these labels; the market is huge and everyone wants to connect with customers.

Delectus Winery in Napa produces a “Dog in Style” a 2003 red wine of 51 percent Merlot, 29 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 percent Petite Syrah and 6 percent Syrah. The whimsical label features winery dog Flash wearing hip shades and soaking up some rays.

“Flash was an Australian shepherd (he passed away to Dog Heaven three years ago) who liked wine but only Merlot,” said tasting room host Kent Higginbotham. “He turned up his nose at Cabernet and Syrah but chomped on Merlot grapes and licked Merlot off the floor. So, the winery made a Merlot for Flash a few 100 of his friends.”

The label catches the eye of winery visitors and many dog interest groups. At first visitors don’t take the wine seriously. But, after one sip of the $40 Merlot they are convinced of its quality.

“I like to say it’s a very serious wine and with a really fun story,” he said. “We also sell the 2002 Merlot called ‘Doggone Good’ and the 2004 ‘Dirty Old Dog’.”

“People really like the label or they hate it,” said Rebecca, a spokesman Three Blind Moose brand. “The label, depicting a moose in sunglasses and holding a wine glass, is a light hearted approach to wine drinking and not meant to be taken seriously.”

The three California wines in the brand – Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon – are serious wines.
 

“Graeser Wines in Calistoga loves dogs so they are the poster dogs for his wine labels.

“We found Jack, a black Labrador and Great Dane mix, at the pound then we added Jill, another Dane,” said Richard Graeser. “We named two wines in their honor – ‘Jack’s Cab’ and ‘Jill’s Juice’ Merlot. We try to market through rescue centers and next month we will go to Squaw Valley for their Art and Bark Festival that raises money for charities.”