A quick look at the floors in Ed and Gina Trebets' home and the couple knew they had the perfect name for their new wine label.
"With having two dogs, we constantly have eight muddy paws in our house," says Gina, of their 1-year-old yellow Lab and 8-year-old Lab/border collie mix, the inspiration not only behind the Muddy Paws label, but also the profits. About $1 from the sale of each bottle goes to the Geauga County Humane Society's Rescue Village. The Trebets hope to increase the figure once sales gain momentum.
It's the perfect pairing for a couple that has always wanted to create their own label and give to a worthy cause.
Crafted by Ed, who has been the head winemaker at Chalet Debonné Vineyards for seven years, the couple's two selections debuted in October: a cabernet sauvignon, made from California grapes fermented on French oak chips, and a tropical-flavored semillon. This white wine is created from grapes grown at South River Vineyard in Geneva. Ed throws white grapes straight into the hopper and then the presses. From there the juice is cold-fermented at 50 to 60 degrees to capture the flavors and aromas of the fruit. "It's different," he says. "I think I'm the only one who makes it in the state of Ohio."
"We wanted to start here," adds Gina, "and eventually ... add at least another red and white to the mix."
More Info: muddypawwines.com
Tasting Notes
- Semillon
- ($19.99):
- "It's so viscous. It's got great body," says Ed.
- Aromas: apricot and peach
- Flavors: ripe tastes of peaches and cream
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- (24.99):
- "It has a really smooth finish," Ed says.
- Aromas: blackberry, currant and tobacco
- Flavors: jam, vanilla and spice
