Paws in the Vineyard at Penns Woods is a new fundraiser pairing two things that don’t usually share a venue: adoptable shelter dogs and 11 acres of vines that are normally closed to the public. The inaugural walk happens Friday, October 2nd, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford, with a rain date set for October 9th.

The winery sits at 124 Beaver Valley Road, a short enough drive from Philadelphia to make it a real evening out rather than a full-day trip.

The Paws in the Vineyard pairing comes from the PRLA Brandywine Valley Chapter and the Brandywine Valley SPCA, splitting proceeds between the SPCA and the chapter’s scholarship fund for students headed into hospitality and tourism careers.

It’s the kind of pairing that only works because both organizations already lean on the same base of local supporters, people who show up for a wine event just as readily as they’d show up for an adoption drive.

Paws in the Vineyard: How the Walk Works

Guests can check out a shelter dog for the evening and walk it through the winery’s fenced 15-acre vineyard, including sections normally off-limits to visitors. Sommelier and Hospitality Director Raechel Kuehn will be on hand throughout the vineyard to talk through viticulture and East Coast terroir while guests and dogs make their way through the vines.

It’s an unusual pairing of expertise, wine education delivered while walking a rescue dog, but one that fits a region where agricultural tourism and animal welfare causes already draw from the same audience.

“There’s nothing quite like walking among the vines at sunset,” said Raechel Kuehn, Sommelier and Hospitality Director at Penns Woods Winery. After the walk, guests move to the lawn for live music from Jason Ager, a glass of Penns Woods wine, and dinner from food trucks on-site.

Paws in the Vineyard: Tickets and Donations

Attendees are also encouraged to bring donations for the shelter alongside their ticket, with high-need items including unopened dog and cat food, treats, toys, cat litter, Kongs, food puzzles, scratchers, fleece blankets, and paper grocery bags.

Tickets are $35, include one glass of wine, and are available through the PRLA event page. It’s a similar model to Brandywine Valley SPCA’s other local partnerships, like Puppy Yoga at Harvest Seasonal Grill, and it lands on the same Penns Woods property that’s already hosted dM’s coverage of the winery’s Fond wine dinner series.

Every ticket does double duty here — half the proceeds help a shelter dog get closer to adoption, and half help a hospitality student get through school. That’s a harder combination to pull off than it sounds, and it’s worth showing up for even if a dog or a class credit isn’t the draw.

About Post Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

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