Just in Time for "Yappy Hour": New Chateau La Paws Wines to Get Top Barks from Wine and Dog Lovers

11 Feb 2015 --- Chateau La Paws Wines, a newly re-launched wine brand from Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines (DC&E), was released combining the company's love of dogs with delightful wines to create a delicious, easy drinking wines with a purpose. The mission is simple: wine lovers joining DC&E in supporting rescue dogs in need, helping them find a permanent chateau of their own.

With three varietals, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Red Wine Blend, Chateau La Paws Wines are perfect for pairing with everyday meals, enjoying while spending time with your best friends or sharing with fellow dog lovers. However, with a mission to help the thousands of rescue dogs across the country find fur-ever homes, Chateau La Paws is more than great wine.

Through an official national partnership, Chateau La Paws Wines proudly supports North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Since 1944, NSALA has placed more than 1MM animals in happy homes, an effort that will be further bolstered by a $100,000 donation from DC&E. As part of the NSALA partnership, Chateau La Paws Wines will also support the Tour for Life, mobile rescue & adoption units that travel to cities across America partnering with local shelters to encourage and facilitate adoptions. In 2015, NSALA will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Tour for Life, partnering with 40 organizations and visiting 26 cities across the country from March through May.

Chateau La Paws Wines has a unique approach to raising and maintaining awareness of this important cause, which starts with the bottle itself. The distinct and playful wine bottles can be easily identified by labels featuring a rotating cast of adorable NSALA rescue dogs. The label images were created with the help of acclaimed photographer and "Shake" author, Carli Davidson, and animal behaviorist, Amanda Giese, who worked tirelessly to capture each dog's personality. Choosing Chateau La Paws Wines is a simple way to support and celebrate the unconditional love between dogs and their owners – and give someone else a chance to make a new best friend.

"At Chateau La Paws Wines, we are crazy about two things: our dogs who inspire and delight us each day and our delicious wines that do the same, which is why we decided to bring together our two great loves, in a unique way that celebrates the personalities of each," said Ila Byrne, Senior Manager – Innovation & Ideation. "With 12 different rescue pup labels, consumers are bound to find a wine offering that's a match for their favorite furry friend. Chateau La Paws Wines make a great feel good gift for the dog-lover in your life."

The three California varietals are available nationwide and have a flavorful portfolio of distinct fruit notes. With a soft, supple nature, Chateau La Paws Chardonnay opens with ripe melon, orange blossom and spice aromas. On the palate, flavors evolve into fresh, tropical fruit and crisp, green apple notes. Partial oak aging imparts depth and layers, leaving nutty, vanilla accents to join the lemon meringue finish. The Pinot Noir's expressive varietal character delivers Bing cherry, strawberry and blackberry briar aromas with long, heady accents of vanilla and caramel notes. Lastly, the Red Wine Blend's blueberry, raspberry and black forest cake aromas open the nose, followed by dark berries and sage notes on the palate. Soft and velvety in texture, the wine has a fruit-driven profile that pairs well with a variety of foods.

Winemaker Marty Spate has dedicated 16 years of winemaking experience and a lifetime love of dogs into each of the three varietals of Chateau La Paws Wines.

The launch of Chateau La Paws Wines will be supported through social activations on Instagram and Facebook, in-store promotions, point of sale materials, public relations efforts and a cause marketing campaign in early 2015. Chateau La Paws Wines will be available in stores nationwide and sold at the suggested retail price of $12.99 for a 750 mL bottle. Just as owners of rescue dogs show great responsibility towards their four-legged friends, please always enjoy Chateau La Paws Wines responsibly.

Give your dogs hugs and treats, but please don't feed them wine.