No dogs named pinot
Huon Hooke in Free for all Become a member to view this article
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Craig McGill at work on Wine Dogs. Pete Herring
Guide to Pinot Noir Feature Week
It’s pinot noir week, but if there is one area where the name pinot is missing it’s in the names of dogs.
In spite of Wine Dogs Australia photographer and co-publisher Craig McGill’s assertion that Pinot and Chardonnay were popular names for winery dogs, the evidence shows otherwise. After a scan of the latest volume of Wine Dogs Australia 6 (actually the 8th volume of Australian winery dogs) which contains pictures of the dogs of 150 wineries, I could only find one Chardy, no Chardonnays and no Pinots. Perhaps they are more popular in American wineries. (I seem to recall, however, that the late Dr John Middleton of Mount Mary had black and white Labs, named pinot and chardonnay.)
My prize for originality goes to Chewbacca, a Labradoodle who hangs out at Hardy’s Tintara winery.There is quite a list of wine-inspired dog names, though.
Fino, Fronti, Merlot, Muscat, Sherry, Shiraz, Chambourcin (I’d score that zero), Rizza and Fizz. There were two Bonneaus – evidently owned by people who either love or wish they could afford Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne.
Figeac and Sarmassa are bordering on the obscure.
The most common names in the latest edition are Poppy, Molly and Milo; also Sunny, Bella, Missy and Lily.
My prize for originality goes to Chewbacca, a Labradoodle who hangs out at Hardy’s Tintara winery.
I also liked Grampians Estate’s one-eyed support for the Geelong Cats football team. They have a Selwood and a Dangerfield—a Kelpie and a Border Collie. Good sheepdogs, no doubt. (Pet hates: Collingwood supporters, of course.)
Frankly, I reckon a dog must have a name that carries, so you can call him or her. “Come behind, Chambourcin!” or “Down, Jazzamatazz!” just don’t work.
Dangerfield would of course be shortened to Danger, when he’s rounding up sheep.
Wine Dogs’ Craig McGill and Susan Elliott have been publishing winery dog books for more than 20 years. They claim 23 international best sellers in a row. They have published 8 Australian collections, 5 California, 3 USA, one Oregon, one Italy, two New Zealand, as well as Footy Dogs, Brew Dogs and Wine Cats.
Wine Dogs Australia 6 is available in many wineries for AUD $50. Or email orders@winedogs.com.