Midwest Winery Dog of the Year Contestants 11-20

Bella 

Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery,  Lake Leelanau, MI

Owner- Lori Grossnickle

Don’t let her regal appearance fool you. Bella, a six year old Wiemaraner, is truly a winery dog. Her excitement never diminishes as she leaps out of the truck to explore the vineyard. While looking for vermin in her vineyard territory, she often proudly returns, nose and paws covered with dirt to show of her latest ‘catch of the morning.”

 

 

 

 

Smity

Northern Sun Winery, Bark River, MI

Owner- Dave and Susan Anthony

Smity, the cellar dog, is a Spimoni Italian. She is named after the main character in the movie ‘Roman Holiday.” In the movie, Audrey Hepburn plays a Princess in hiding named Smity. Our Smity is our vineyard and winery companion.

 

 

 

 

 

Lola

Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass, IL

Owner- Julie Harvey and Paul Renzaglia

Lola, the neurotic Pug, has served comic relief at Alto Vineyards for more than two years. Lola has successfully filled the shoes of former greeter, Lucy, who was worthy of her own wine, Weiner Dog White.  (A ‘Neurotic Pug” wine may be released in the future.) Lola is reportedly a nervous wreck in anticipation of the Winery Dog contest results.

 

 

 

 

Lizzie

Wabash Wine Company, Shenandoah, IA

Owner- Shelly Skahill

Lizzie- the Wabash Wine Company dog- is the pride of Shenandoah, Iowa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hogan

Harbor Springs Vineyards and Winery,  Harbor Springs, MI

Owners : Sharon Spencer and Jimmy Spencer

Hogan, a ‘Heinz 57 breed,” has lived at Harbor Springs Winery for five years. He loves to go on hayrides with children. He also knows all the good spots in the tasting room to find treats.

 

 

 

 

 

Duke 

Robller Vineyard, New Haven, MO

Owner- Jerry Mueller

Duke is a 12-year-old boxer and the resident greeter at Robller Vineyard. He will meet our customers at their cars, give them a lick, and then walk them to the tasting room door.

 

 

Toby 

Harpersfield Vineyard, Geneva, OH

Owner: Patty Ribic

Toby is a Jack Russell Terrier. He prefers to be at the winery instead of at home. When it’s time to go to work, Toby gets excited. But once he’s ‘on duty,” Toby concentrates on making customers feel at home.

 

 

Rocky

Cellar 426 Winery, Ashland, NE

Owner:  Richard Hilske

Rocky is a three-year-old Black Lab who patrols the vineyard. He is also the official greeter. Rocky is usually found by the front door and will go to customer’s cars to welcome them. Customers ask if  he was trained to do this, but he learned on his own. Cellar 426’s St. Croix- Rocky’s Red- is named in his honor.

 

 

 

Bert aka Alfie

Middle Creek Winery, Louisburg, KS

Owner- Kristin Graue

This is ‘Bert” but her real name is Alfie. She’s our elderly farm winery dog. She is in her favorite spot next to the petunias, in front of the winery.

 

 

Dude  

Sleepy Creek Vineyards, Fairmount, IL

Owner:  Joe Taylor

Dude (foreground) is a 12-year-old black and tan shepherd who’s been with the Winery since the first vines were planted 10 years ago. Every year he performs guard duty during harvest and there has never been an attack during his watch. Dude is pictured with his sidekick, Daisy Mae. She’s a good dog too, but is younger and still has a few things to learn from Dude.