For years, we’ve followed our dream of running a successful wine business, importing and distributing exceptional wines from France and California. Les Compagnons is our latest line of fine wines, carefully selected with an unusual purpose in mind. Each bottle is a labor of love, created for the sole purpose of supporting New York City animal charities.

The leap from wine to dogs wasn’t too hard for us; we are a company of dog lovers. Six years ago, Heike picked up an injured ball of black fur on the streets of Brooklyn, only to uncover a spirited Chihuahua mutt she named Poquito. Two years ago, Les Compagnons acquired its permanent mascot in the form of Jacques’ rescued dog, OY. This soft-eyed mutt in a Labrador’s body presides at the conference table (and sometimes on the conference table) during business meetings to steal kisses and table scraps.

But our newfound puppy loves only seemed to emphasize all the other dogs we couldn’t save—numbers that seemed too overwhelming to comprehend. In New York City alone, Animal Care and Control estimates that approximately one thousand dogs are regularly sent to their shelter alone every month….and anywhere from 35% to nearly half of all these dogs were put to sleep in the last year. After getting a taste of the unconditional love from a rescued pet like Poquito or OY, we decided that this was unacceptable, hence the birth of LES COMPAGNONS.

When buying a bottle of Les Compagnons, you are getting more than a bottle of premium wine. A percentage of every bottle purchased goes directly to one of four local nonprofits dedicated to improving the lives of animals and pet-lovers in need. They include:

• New York Save, which helps low-income pet-owners with their veterinary bills
• Gotham City Kitties, which provides foster homes for cats as well as our canine friends
• Stray from the Heart works to rehabilitate every stray dog, and find its perfect owner
• The Toby Project sends veterinarians in mobile units to low-income areas to offer free neutering and spay services

These New Yorkers inspire and motivate reminding us that we are not alone in our desire and need to help. With Les Compagnons Fine Wines, every time you savor a sip, you help save a life. It’s proof that, with wine and kindness, even a little goes a long way.