skip to main content

Lodi Winegrape Commission

  • Home
  • Wineries
  • About
  • Visit
    • Visitor Center
  • Club
  • Events
  • Store
    • LODI RULES Sustainable Certification
    • White Wines
    • Rosé Wines
    • Red Wines
    • Sparkling/Dessert Wines
    • Old Vine Wines
    • Merchandise
  • Blog
TOP

Letters from Lodi

An insightful and objective look at viticulture and winemaking from the Lodi
Appellation and the growers and vintners behind these crafts. Told from the
perspective of multi-award winning wine journalist, Randy Caparoso.

Randy Caparoso
 
August 25, 2020 | Randy Caparoso

Lodi's Rescue Dog Wines get to the heart of what matters in wine (a quality of life)

Rescue Dog Wines proprietors Laura and Blair Lott in their Acampo Rd. vineyard home

Blair and Laura Lott got the hankering to escape the "insanity" of living and working in the Bay Area. "The traffic just got crazier," Mr. Lott tells us, "and we didn't think we could go on like this."

And so the couple sold their very successful business (Massage Envy) and embarked on arguably an even crazier new career: as wine producers.

"We looked everywhere from Paso Robles to Napa Valley for vineyard and winery properties to buy," says Mr. Lott, "and someone suggested, have you considered Lodi?... check it out, it's fantastic."

The Lotts followed suit, liked what they saw, and settled on a 19.5-acre property with a home and old vines (since pulled out and replaced with new, trellised vines) on Acampo Rd. That was in 2016. They didn't waste time establishing their wine brand, because they also decided to do this in a way that follows their heart — their love of dogs.

Back label of Rescue Dog's Mixed Red Blend declaring the brand's goals

Rescue Dog Wines' stated goals are twofold:

1. Produce "world class wines" from certified sustainable Lodi AVA grapes, with

2. 50% of all the profits going to the support of rescue dog charitable organizations such as local SPCAs or Red Rover, a national response effort to shelter animals that are victims of natural disasters, neglect or domestic abuse.

Says Mr. Lott, "We won't compromise on either one of our goals. I don't think it's too much to ask that wines, even to benefit Rescue Dogs charities, to also be very good wines. At the same time, we're not the type to get caught up in all the snobbery about wine. If you enjoy drinking a wine, it's a good wine. I always think of my uncle — if you gave him a glass of water instead of wine, he'd always ask if you wanted him to take a bath.

Rescue Dog's Blair Lott

"Sure, we put dogs on our label, but the last thing we want is for people to think that Rescue Dog Wines is a novelty brand. We want to deliver a quality of life by making sure we're bottling very good wines, the same way we want to give dogs a quality of life."

To make good on this promise, the Lotts did the smartest things anyone can do: They hired top notch Lodi growers and vintners to produce their wines — Peltier Winery & Vineyards (one of Lodi's leading LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing farming companies) for their table wines, and LVVR Sparkling Cellars for their Champagne style sparkling wines.

"We started with about a barrel of red wine (adding up to just 25 cases)," says Mr. Lott, "and then we had 10,000 people asking for it. So we asked Susy (Peltier Winery winemaker Susana Vasquez) to help us duplicate the quality with 2 pallets worth (over 100 cases), which also flew out the window."

Peltier Winery winemaker Susana Vasquez

Capitalizing on Vasquez's talent for bone dry Sauvignon blanc, they bottled an equally popular Rescue Dog white from that varietal, and then also added a dry rosé made from Pinot noir. Then they discovered LVVR's custom sparkling wine offerings. "Laura likes a sparkling rosé," says Mr. Lott, "and we also got Eric (LVVR owner/winemaker Eric Donaldson) to produce a demi-sec style sparkler for people who don't like dry."

"Both Susy and Eric are great to work with. Susy especially will spend any amount of time with you, making sure you get exactly what you want. When she says, 'I'm your winemaker,' she really means that."

Consequently, Rescue Dog Wines has grown exponentially. "We sold over 200 cases last year (2019)," says Mr. Lott, "and we'll double that this year. If our roll-out in markets in other states goes according to plan, I'm projecting 8,000 cases in a few more years.

"Truth be told, we're not yet profitable, but we're still keeping our commitment by donating half our revenue to several animal organizations. We're doing it by not paying ourselves. Someday, though, I hope we'll be able to donate 100%."

And for wine and canine lovers alike, the best part of all of this is that the wines are also wonderful! Our notes on the current releases of Rescue Dog Wines, all highly recommended for their impeccable yet highly appealing qualities:

NV Rescue Dog Predominantly Poodle Lodi Sauvignon Blanc ($19) — Citrusy fresh fragrance suggesting grapefruit, fresh pear, and a touch of grassiness; very light, bone dry and snappy on the palate, with a smidgen of lime and green apple in the taste. Adds winemaker Susana Vasquez: "Stainless steel fermented, skin contact before fermentation, blended with Vermentino."

2018 Rescue Dog Lodi Rosé ($19) — Pale, transparent salmon pink color; delicate, floral/rose petal nose with sliver of strawberry/cranberry and faintly earthy, potpourri-like (i.e., dried herbs and flower petals) nuances; airy light (just 11% alcohol) and dry, with a palate freshening lemony tartness. According to Vasquez: "Made entirely from Pinot noir, and pressed for rosé — no saignée (i.e., no "bleed" of pigmented juice from red wine ferments).

NV Rescue Dog Beloved Mixed Red Wine Blend ($25) — Deep purplish ruby color; bright, rich aroma suggesting sun dried cherry/strawberry with a smidgen of smoky oak, a touch of tobacco and some red meatiness; medium to full body with rounded yet somewhat meaty textured tannin, tinged with a touch of "Zinfandel" pepperiness, finishing with an almost blueberry-like quality. Susana Vasquez's notes: "Jammy fruit qualities with not too much oak (10% of the blend saw no oak), blending Zinfandel, Teroldego, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon."

NV Rescue Dog Bubbly Boxer Sparkling Rosé ($38) — Pale pink and ultra fine effervescence followed by a strawberry fresh scent (hinting at Jolly Rancher) laced with rising bread yeastiness; crinkly-crisp and dry entry, evolving into lively, fresh qualities with a touch of sweetness (according to winemaker Eric Donaldson, a Chardonnay base wine finished with .5% residual sugar, produced in traditional méthode Champenoise style). 

Rescue Dog Bubbly Boxer Demi-Sec Sparkling Wine ($34) — Rush of finely beaded bubbles, hissing in the glass like foamy ocean waves; fresh, summery fruit/pear-like quality in the nose with a touch of yeastiness; tart edged, medium-sweet fruitiness on the palate, suggesting candied apple (according to Donaldson, approximately 2% residual sugar added to a Chardonnay base wine, méthode Champenoise).

LVVR Sparkling Cellars owner/winemaker Eric Donaldson

Tweet
Pin It

Comments

Commenting has been turned off.
Blog Search
Recent Posts
  • January 19, 2021
    French students break down Lodi winegrowing, marketing, and its Alta Mesa appellation
  • January 13, 2021
    Alternative style Lodi wines reflecting the wave of the future — part 2, new interpretations of heritage grapes
  • January 11, 2021
    Alternative style Lodi wines reflecting the wave of the future — part 1, an unfamiliar white and red
  • January 5, 2021
    Discerning wines of the immediate future through what we know about the past and what's going in Lodi
  • December 29, 2020
    Lodi 2020: The year in pictures
  • December 27, 2020
    The small steps of Lodi growers led to giant leaps for Lodi wine country
  • December 22, 2020
    Looking on the bright side of fading old vine plantings in Lodi
  • December 17, 2020
    Our list of nice Lodi reds, rosés and fortified dessert wines for Christmas gifting and sipping
  • December 15, 2020
    A Lodi white makes the world's Top 100 list, and other Lodi whites for Christmas shopping and sipping
  • December 9, 2020
    The 1980s and 1990s — start of Lodi wine country's modern era
Our Writers
  • Randy Caparoso (804)
Blog Archives
2021
  • January 2021 (4)
2020
  • December 2020 (7)
  • November 2020 (7)
  • October 2020 (6)
  • September 2020 (7)
  • August 2020 (7)
  • July 2020 (7)
  • June 2020 (8)
  • May 2020 (8)
  • April 2020 (8)
  • March 2020 (8)
  • February 2020 (6)
  • January 2020 (6)
2019
  • December 2019 (7)
  • November 2019 (6)
  • October 2019 (6)
  • September 2019 (5)
  • August 2019 (5)
  • July 2019 (7)
  • June 2019 (6)
  • May 2019 (6)
  • April 2019 (6)
  • March 2019 (6)
  • February 2019 (5)
  • January 2019 (7)
2018
  • December 2018 (7)
  • November 2018 (7)
  • October 2018 (9)
  • September 2018 (6)
  • August 2018 (7)
  • July 2018 (8)
  • June 2018 (7)
  • May 2018 (9)
  • April 2018 (8)
  • March 2018 (9)
  • February 2018 (8)
  • January 2018 (8)
2017
  • December 2017 (6)
  • November 2017 (8)
  • October 2017 (10)
  • September 2017 (5)
  • August 2017 (6)
  • July 2017 (7)
  • June 2017 (6)
  • May 2017 (5)
  • April 2017 (7)
  • March 2017 (6)
  • February 2017 (5)
  • January 2017 (7)
2016
  • December 2016 (7)
  • November 2016 (8)
  • October 2016 (7)
  • September 2016 (7)
  • August 2016 (5)
  • July 2016 (7)
  • June 2016 (7)
  • May 2016 (6)
  • April 2016 (6)
  • March 2016 (7)
  • February 2016 (6)
  • January 2016 (5)
2015
  • December 2015 (8)
  • November 2015 (6)
  • October 2015 (7)
  • September 2015 (5)
  • August 2015 (6)
  • July 2015 (7)
  • June 2015 (6)
  • May 2015 (5)
  • April 2015 (6)
  • March 2015 (6)
  • February 2015 (7)
  • January 2015 (5)
2014
  • December 2014 (8)
  • November 2014 (5)
  • October 2014 (7)
  • September 2014 (5)
  • August 2014 (3)
  • July 2014 (5)
  • June 2014 (6)
  • May 2014 (7)
  • April 2014 (7)
  • March 2014 (5)
  • February 2014 (4)
  • January 2014 (7)
2013
  • December 2013 (8)
  • November 2013 (6)
  • October 2013 (7)
  • September 2013 (5)
  • August 2013 (6)
  • July 2013 (4)
  • June 2013 (4)
  • May 2013 (4)
  • April 2013 (5)
  • March 2013 (2)
  • February 2013 (2)
  • January 2013 (4)
2012
  • December 2012 (7)
  • November 2012 (9)
  • October 2012 (9)
  • September 2012 (7)
  • August 2012 (9)
  • July 2012 (8)
  • June 2012 (8)
  • May 2012 (9)
  • April 2012 (8)
  • March 2012 (9)
  • February 2012 (7)
  • January 2012 (9)
2011
  • December 2011 (7)
  • November 2011 (8)
  • October 2011 (7)
  • September 2011 (7)
  • August 2011 (8)
  • July 2011 (8)
  • June 2011 (9)
  • May 2011 (7)
  • April 2011 (9)
  • March 2011 (8)
  • February 2011 (8)
  • January 2011 (7)
2010
  • December 2010 (8)
  • November 2010 (6)
  • October 2010 (2)
  • September 2010 (6)
  • August 2010 (5)
Additional Resources
  • Media & Trade
  • Lodi Winegrape Commission
  • Donation Requests
  • Returns & Cancellations
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Contact

Lodi Wine Visitor Center
2545 West Turner Road Lodi, CA 95242
209.365.0621
Open: Thursday - Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm

Lodi Winegrape Commission
2545 West Turner Road, Lodi, CA 95242
209.367.4727
Open: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Have a question? Complete our contact form.

  • © Copyright 2021 Lodi Winegrape Commission
  • Winery Ecommerce by WineDirect