Esser Vineyards holds the second National “Esser Take Your Dog To Dinner Night”                          
With Additional Sponsorship From Weruva Pet Foods

Napa Valley, CA – June 22, 2010 – Esser Vineyards, the award-winning California winery owned and run by two generations of the dog-loving Esser family, announced today the second national “Esser Take Your Dog to Dinner Night,” to be held in restaurants across the country on Friday, June 25, 2010, in conjunction with Pet Sitters International’s Take Your Dog to Work Day. 

In its second year, together with independent pet food manufacturer Weruva, Esser Vineyards proprietor Manfred Esser will again hold Esser Wine Dinners for patrons and their pets at an impressive list of dog-friendly restaurants Esser Vineyards will be donating their award-winning wines to participating restaurants, made by renowned winemaker Paul Moser, to be paired with the cuisine, while the friendly, four-legged diners enjoy a meal complements of Weruva Pet Foods. Dubbed multiple times as a “Best Buy” by Wine Enthusiast, Esser’s pairing-wines will include their chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot. 

Manfred Esser is an active supporter of animal welfare, as his beloved dachshund, Ludwig, can attest. “Ludwig is not only a part of our family, but the mascot, and ‘ honorary Chairman of the Board’ of our winery. In our second year with this event,  I yet again have the opportunity to combine my love of fine California wine, gourmet food and, support and promote superior pet-sitting and pet care,” said Manfred. In addition to the wine donation, Manfred and Ludwig will be auctioning off a two-night wine tasting stay at the beautiful Esser Vineyards’ Guest House to raise additional funds for the cause.

First celebrated in 1999, Take Your Dog To Work Day was created to celebrate the great companions dogs make, and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs. This annual event encourages employers to experience the value of pets in their workplace for this one special day to promote pet adoptions.

Esser approached Weruva Pet Foods to become a sponsor because, like Esser Vineyards, they are a small, family-owned company that focuses on quality and they are also dedicated to animal rescue causes. David Forman, founder of Weruva said, “We are thrilled to be part of this unique and exciting opportunity. Grass roots efforts like these tie into our company philosophy. We hope that this will bring more attention to the plights of the animals that are in need of shelter or rescuing.”

For more information on the “Esser Take Your Dog to Dinner” events, including an updated list of participating restaurants, please visit the Take Your Dog To Work Day Web site, www.takeyourdog.com.