New California wine brand brings its “Drink Wine. Save Cats.” mission to life with a successful debut release in St. Helena
St. Helena, CA (August 20, 2026) — Château Gato, a new California wine brand built around the mission “Drink Wine. Save Cats.”, celebrated the release of its first wines Saturday at We Care Animal Rescue in St. Helena — and reached its $10,000 fundraising commitment on its very first release day.
The August 15 launch brought together wine lovers, animal advocates and members of the local community to support We Care Animal Rescue while celebrating the debut of Château Gato’s first two wines: Meowsling, a Monterey County Riesling, and Pinot Meow, a Carneros Pinot Noir.
Through the overwhelming support of attendees purchasing wine and Château Gato merchandise, the brand reached its inaugural $10,000 commitment to We Care Animal Rescue.
The impact of the day went beyond fundraising.
During the event, four cats at We Care Animal Rescue found forever homes, turning a wine release into a celebration of the mission that inspired Château Gato in the first place.
“For us, that is what this entire project is about,” said Eric Wright, Château Gato Co-Founder and Winemaker. “Seeing people show up, buy the wines, support We Care and believe in this idea was incredible. Then hearing that four cats were adopted made the day even more meaningful. Those are the stories we want Château Gato to help create.”
A Wine Brand Inspired by a Rescue Cat
The idea behind Château Gato began with April, a rescue cat adopted from We Care Animal Rescue after spending approximately six years at the shelter waiting for a home.
April became the inspiration behind a wine brand founded on a simple belief: remarkable things are often overlooked.
Gucci, one of four cats adopted during Château Gato’s launch event, gets some attention during the celebration at We Care Animal Rescue in St. Helena.
Château Gato applies that philosophy to both wine and cats, seeking out exceptional California wines and vineyard opportunities that deserve a second look while using the resulting bottles to raise awareness and funding for animal rescue organizations.
The August 15 celebration brought that mission back to where April’s story began: We Care Animal Rescue.
“This first release was always about more than launching another wine label,” said Wyatt Johnson, Château Gato Co-Founder and Brand Director. “We wanted to prove that wine could be a vehicle for doing something positive. Reaching our $10,000 commitment on our first release day showed us that people want to be part of that mission.”
$10,000 Is Only the Beginning
While reaching the $10,000 milestone represents a major first chapter for Château Gato, the company says its work is just beginning.
Château Gato plans to continue supporting We Care Animal Rescue while expanding its mission to collaborate with additional rescue organizations throughout California as the brand grows.
We Care Animal Rescue team members Abigail and Molly join Château Gato co-founders Wyatt Johnson and Eric Wright to celebrate the brand’s $10,000 fundraising commitment during its August 15 launch event in St. Helena.
Through future wine releases, events and partnerships, the company hopes to introduce new audiences to local animal rescues — and to the cats still waiting for homes.
“We don’t want this to be a one-time donation,” Wright said. “We want to build a community around great wine, rescue stories and having a little fun while doing something that matters. If our first release can generate a $10,000 commitment and help four cats find homes on the same day, imagine what this community can accomplish as it grows.”
Château Gato’s inaugural wines, Meowsling and Pinot Meow, are available through the Château Gato website.
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 with local animal shelters, Château Gato gives consumers an opportunity to discover exceptional wines while helping make a meaningful impact with every bottle.
Château Gato’s mission is simple: Drink Wine. Save Cats.
About We Care Animal Rescue
We Care Animal Rescue is a nonprofit animal rescue organization based in St. Helena, California, dedicated to providing compassionate care and finding loving homes for animals in need.
