While visiting my parents in Ashland, OR, my sister came across an interesting wine label in their supermarket and was tempted to buy it. However, my mother admonished her that choosing a wine by its label was not the right thing to do (although market research indicates that many people do). Whether or not this is an appropriate way to choose wine, when she told me the tale, I tracked down the wine and proceeded to do just that.

The wine in question is Three Legged Red from Dunham Cellars, which prominently pictures their three-legged border collie, named Port, on the label. This discovery was both timely and of particular interest to my husband and me because our border collie/black lab, Sabrina, had her front, left leg amputated in late October due to bone cancer.  Although we were initially devastated by the diagnosis and proposed treatment, we have been amazed at her miraculous recovery as she bounds up the stairs and romps through our mini-vineyard (99 vines).

Consequently, we purchased a full case of Three Legged Red sight unseen (or rather, palate untasted) to give as gifts this holiday season, especially for our beloved dog walkers as well as other friends and family. We feel that it is a fitting tribute and happy coincidence.

Upon taking delivery of the case of wine, we took one bottle for ourselves to taste and enjoy. We were pleased with the wine and look forward to sharing it with friends and family. Of course, we took a bit of a chance in buying a full case, but as the wine is reasonably priced (~$15-20/bottle retail), it wasn’t such a big gamble.

The wine has been well received by friends and family alike and was a bit hit at our co-op’s holiday party, to which we brought the wine as our contribution. Our neighborhood were quite delighted and actually thought it was Sabrina on the label, until we advised them otherwise.

Wishing you and your family (of all leg counts) all the best for the holiday season and beyond!