Brenda Lynch and her husband Chris were brought together by the California wine business. A chance meeting and love at first sight produced a “wonderful ride ever since,” says Brenda. Mutt Lynch Winery was born in 1995, combining their mutual passion for wine and “all things dog.”

Chris had dreamed of owning his own winery and started as winemaker by consulting books and taking courses. Brenda started by helping her husband and then assumed charge of the cellar and winemaking when she realized that her skills and background where a better fit. Brenda received her education at San Diego State University and California State University. Her cellar and winemaking experiences include positions in Argentina and at Hartford Family Winery and ZMoore Winery in the Russian River Valley of California.

Brenda refers to the 2007 vintage as their “fog” vintage, but not because of any unusual weather pattern in the vineyards. Her memories of the winemaking at that time are quite foggy due to the birth of Katie and Porter 12 days before the winery’s Zinfandel grapes came in. Varietals produced by the winery include Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

To this day, people ask Brenda why she named her winery after her dogs. Her answer has been “Why not.”