Free Tasting Party for Château Gato’s Debut Release to be Held Saturday, August 15, 2026, 5 PM, at We Care Animal Rescue in St. Helena, CA
St. Helena, CA — July 27, 2026 – Château Gato, a newly launched California wine brand, introduces a different approach to wine, one that gives overlooked premium California wines a second chance while also helping fund the care of rescue cats.
The company is based on the philosophy that hidden gems – both fermented and feline – deserve to be discovered. Every wine collection, or rescue, that Château Gato releases is sourced from exceptional wines that other wineries relinquish due to bottling limits or because they no longer fit their brand strategy. Château Gato’s unique rescues are released only once and retired forever when they sell out. No two wine rescues are alike, just like our feline friends.
With every bottle sold, the company also supports local animal shelters housing cats waiting for forever homes. That commitment begins with a pledge from Château Gato to donate its first $10,000 in profit to We Care Animal Rescue in St. Helena, CA. This marks the first time any Napa-area wine brand has partnered in any capacity with the deserving non-profit, which was established in 1982 in the heart of California wine country.
First Rescue
Reflecting Château Gato’s tagline – “Drink wine. Save cats.” – the company’s debut rescue features two offerings that were either overlooked by the wineries that created them or didn’t fit their blend. Château Gato snapped them up, bottling them in limited quantities under its label as Meowsling, a 2021 Monterey County Riesling ($25/bottle), and Pinot Meow, a 2022 Los Carneros Pinot Noir($32/bottle). Both wines reflect commitment to thoughtful craftsmanship, outstanding value, and approachable enjoyment.
Meowsling was a small lot left without a plan as the Monterey County winery moved on to future vintages. Château Gato saw something special, gave it a new home, and is proud to share it as Meowsling.
Pinot Meow was a beautiful standalone lot that no longer fit the Los Carneros winery’s current program. Rather than let the distinctive wine go unnoticed, Château Gato gave it a second chance as Pinot Meow.
Château Gato’s first rescue consists of approximately 200 cases, an amount that allows the company to build relationships with consumers, restaurants, retailers, and nonprofit partners.
Celebration Paw-ty
To celebrate its debut, Château Gato is hosting a free release party in partnership with We Care Animal Rescue at the rescue organization’s St. Helena facility on Saturday, August 15, 2026, 5 pm. (The event is free to the public; reservations are requested but walk-ins are welcome.)
The fête, where the brand’s first wine rescue is being introduced, brings together wine lovers and animal advocates, adopters, and volunteers while raising awareness about cat adoption and the important role local shelters play in the community. The festivities include cat swag, food, music, and more, along with Château Gato wine tasting for guests 21 years of age and older.
“We are right in the heart of wine country. Partnering with Château Gato is an incredible opportunity that has never happened before. We can’t believe this is the first time that a winery has come to us to partner because cats and wine go hand in hand,” says Ashley Armstrong, executive director of We Care Animal Rescue. “When people buy a bottle of Château Gato, they are supporting everything we do here, from spay and neuter, to feeding the cats, to helping our community stay connected with the resources they need to help their pets. All of it is supported.”
To extend Château Gato’s reach and impact, people can join the brand’s “Nine Lives Club,” whether they attend the launch event or not. Membership is free and includes a monthly newsletter, cat rescue updates, early access to wine rescues, and invitations to special member-only events.
Founding Cats
Château Gato’s co-founders are Eric Wright, a Napa Valley winemaker with more than 15 harvests of experience across California, Oregon, New Zealand, and Australia, who leads the company’s winemaking and production, and entrepreneur Wyatt Johnson, who oversees branding and business development.
The concept for the company was inspired by April, a rescue cat Eric adopted from We Care Animal Rescue, which cared for her for more than four years before she found her forever home with the winemaker. That experience led the founders to start a wine company built on a simple belief: remarkable things are often overlooked, whether it’s wine or a shelter cat. They created Château Gato to unite standout California wine with a meaningful mission.
Second Chances
On a foundational level, the company is based on overlooked opportunities.
Wright notes that California is currently experiencing one of the largest wine surpluses in its history, leaving many exceptional wines without a clear path to market. When wineries finish a bottling run, small lots of outstanding wine may be left over, but too little to justify another run. Then, as the next harvest approaches, those lots get left behind. Château Gato sources those overlooked premium wines based on their excellent quality and gives them a second chance.
“Wine is one of the few products where the decisions are made years before it’s ever sold,” Wright says. “Growers harvest fruit, winemakers craft the wine, and the market can shift two or three years later. Wines may get left without a home because demand changes, or there is simply a surplus of wine after a bottling, not because the quality isn’t there. Our focus at Château Gato is to find wine with hidden potential, give it a chance to shine, and connect it with people who will appreciate it.”
Johnson adds, “Similarly, we are supporting cat rescue organizations because we know those animals have the incredible potential to shine, provide amazing companionship, and make a huge difference in a person’s life when they are given a chance.”
Mission Paw-sible
Even after it meets its initial goal of donating to We Care Animal Rescue its first $10,000 profit, Château Gato will continue to contribute a portion of its proceeds to cat rescue organizations.
Wright explains, “We chose to begin by supporting the local shelter We Care Animal Rescue because we believe real impact starts close to home. We are committed to building a long-term partnership with the facility by hosting local community events there, introducing customers to the shelter, and staying transparent about where our donations go.
Johnson and Wright state that their goal is for Château Gato to develop future collaborations with other feline rescue organizations throughout California and beyond. Rather than make donations to them and move on, they plan to create meaningful partnership directly with the organizations they support, including site visits, hosting wine-related events to help raise the shelters’ profiles, and personally delivering every donation they make.
“Animal shelters are critical to the journey of rescue cats, yet their incredible service often goes unseen,” says Wright. “They provide food, medical care, shelter, and compassion for cats while they wait for someone to adopt them. Every bottle of Château Gato purchased helps us support the facilities dedicated to giving these cats a second chance.”
Johnson elaborates, “Brands have the power to build communities around causes people genuinely care about. Château Gato is more than a wine label. We are all about second chances.”
The Catnip
To RSVP for the free launch event on August 15, for more information about Château Gato, or to join the “Nine Lives Club,” visit www.chateaugatowines.com or follow Château Gato on social media. We Care Animal Rescue is located at 1345 Charter Oak Ave, St Helena, CA 94574.
About Château Gato
Château Gato is a California wine brand founded by Eric Wright and Wyatt Johnson. Inspired by a rescue cat named April, the company believes remarkable wines and remarkable cats are often overlooked despite their quality and potential. By rescuing overlooked California wines and partnering directly with local animal shelters, Château Gato helps consumers enjoy exceptional wine while making a meaningful impact with every bottle they purchase. Château Gato’s mission is simple: “Drink wine. Save cats.”
