SALT LAKE CITY -- Georgia, Handsome Dan, Curly and other pit bulls rescued from Michael Vick's dogfighting operation are getting a shot at fame as stars of a line of boutique red wines. The Vicktory Dogs Wine Collection features colourful portraits of 22 dogs confiscated from Vick's Bad Newz Kennels that now live at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in southern Utah. "As a signature collection, it's through the roof," said Matt Hahn, co-owner of Carivintas Winery, a Southern California company that combines wine selling and philanthropy. Each bottle includes a portrait of one of the dogs on the label. On the back, instead of a description of the wine, there's a brief story about each four-legged friend... Ten per cent of each sale goes to Best Friends. The money will be used to oppose dog fighting around the country and to fight laws that target specific dog breeds.

At first I wasn't sure if I liked the idea of this. You could make a case I suppose that the winery is just exploiting the dogs for profit. And it is sort of piling on Michael Vick who's wallowing in enough misery, though he's not exactly the most sympathetic figure around. And as much as I like dogs, you've to chuckle at how the labels make the dogs look like cuddly little stuffed animals, even though this particular bunch are born, raised and trained killers who leave pieces of guys like me in little brown piles in the backyard. Still, I've warmed up to the idea. It's a nice little reminder that these critters were victims of the worst sort of abuse. And I think this idea could catch on. We could make a wine varietal for everyone who's been wronged in the world of sports. "Kobe Bryant Rape Victim Red." "Marvin Harrison Shooting Victim Merlot." "Duke Lacrosse Team Witchhunt White." You've got to admit, it's a much better idea than that crap they were selling with Manny on the label.