Label shoppers, be on the lookout for Cru Vin Dogs wine with bottles sporting gorgeous portraits of labs, golden retrievers, and German shorthaired pointers. These beautiful, anatomically-correct illustrations of our favorite furry friends were created by local artist Jay P. Snellgrove, and they catch your attention. Which is a good thing, because not only are these boutique wines excellent, they’re a worthy purchase, with 10 percent of sales going to three canine causes: the Alie Foundation, Canine Companions for Independence, and Morris Animal Foundation.

We first discovered the Denver-based wine group a couple months back, and they’ve since become one of our favorite ways to spread some good. My summer pick is the citrusy Sauvignon Blanc (perfect for tempering the heat), but I also love the rich, slightly spicy Cabernet-Syrah. Find these wines at shops like Mondo Vino and DiVino Wine & Spirits, and restaurants such as Japon and Solera.

Bonus: Check out Cru Vin Dogs’ gallery, with limited-edition giclee prints.

1500 S. Pearl St., Suite 100

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.