Thirteen Napa Valley winemakers put down their wine glasses and picked up their cats for a new charity calendar that pairs the valley's vintners with their feline companions. The 2027 edition of The Real Cat Men of Napa Valley will get its official release celebration on Nov. 15, with proceeds going toward Jameson Humane, a nonprofit animal welfare organization.
The calendar features men from the local wine industry posing with their cats, according to The Napa Valley Register. The lineup includes Matt Sands with his cat Whitey of Lithology, Hi Sang Lee with Milo of Dana Estates, Graeme MacDonald with Whiskers of MacDonald Vineyards, and Chris Morisoli with Chip of Morisoli Vineyard. Also featured are Tom Garrett with Leon of Dakota Shy Winery, Aaron Pott with Soxy Lady of Pott Wine, Bob Foley with Tommy Howler of Robert Foley Vineyards, and Adam McClary with Theadosia Purr of Gamling & McDuck.
Rounding out the calendar are Marc Mondavi with Mozie of C. Mondavi & Family, Drew Neiman with Fluffy Paws of Neiman Cellars, Will Phelps with Maverick of Hensel West, Dustin Mowe with Pepe of Mowe Napa Valley, and Marc Gagnon with Ozzy of Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards, per the same report.
What to Expect at the Release Party
The celebration runs from noon to 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the Borreo Building, 900 Third St. in Napa. Guests can meet the featured men, sample their wines and get their calendars signed, the outlet notes. The event will also include pizza, wine and a DJ.
Admission costs $100 and includes one calendar, while an individual calendar runs $55, including a $5 shipping fee, the article states. Tickets and calendars are available through jamesonanimalrescueranch.org.
Funding Jameson Humane's Mission
Calendar proceeds will benefit Jameson Humane, which was established in 2014 by Monica and David Stevens, according to The Press Democrat. The organization provides subsidized medical care, food assistance, behavioral training and other support for pet owners across the region.
The nonprofit's largest fundraiser, WineaPAWlooza, accounts for the majority of Jameson Humane's annual operating expenses, the Press Democrat reports. The two-day celebration of animals, wine and music has generated as much as $2.2 million for the organization, with its 2024 edition including a tasting at Burgess Cellars and a grand tasting featuring 55 Napa and Sonoma vintners at Raymond Vineyards.
The 10th anniversary WineaPAWlooza in 2023 generated $1.5 million, about $250,000 of which was allocated to the Fund-A-Need initiative supporting the organization's Mobile Veterinary Unit, according to the same outlet. That program offers spay and neuter services, vaccines, microchipping and specialty surgeries to underserved communities throughout Napa County.
