Just to the north of the Yakima River in Benton City is Sleeping Dog Wines. Larry Oates began working around wine at a local wine shop to help pay the bills while an undergraduate in college. He was encouraged to experience some of the classic French vintages offered at the shop, to better advise customers and sell more wine. The job, the wines and the adventure ultimately led Larry to his neighbor’s vineyard where he gleaned grapes and tried his hand at winemaking. Finally, he took the plunge and established Sleeping Dog Wines. Throughout the journey, Larry has had a canine associate every step of the way, so there isn’t a better symbol than a sleeping dog to capture his dedication to creating wines that express the true characteristics of Buoy Vineyard grapes.
