A weekend promotion at Orfila Vineyards & Winery ignited a storm of criticism across San Diego after the historic Escondido winery hosted a live giraffe on its property Saturday afternoon, drawing crowds -and immediate condemnation – from residents, animal-welfare advocates, and longtime wine club members.
The two-hour appearance, advertised on social media with the line “Yes, a real giraffe. Yes, this Saturday. Yes, you can come for free,” was positioned as a family-friendly attraction. But by the time the event ended, the winery’s Instagram posts had filled with dozens of angry comments, accusations of animal exploitation, and a growing wave of membership cancellation threats from customers calling the stunt “disturbing,” “inhumane,” and “a terrible choice.”
Across Instagram and Reddit, attendees and nearby residents described what they said were troubling observations surrounding the giraffe’s transport and handling. Some commenters claimed the animal was brought in a trailer far too small for its size, alleging it was unwilling to exit and had to be coaxed – or forced – from the vehicle. Others asserted the giraffe appeared sedated and stressed, though no independent confirmation has been made. Multiple posters said they were “shocked” such an event was permitted at a winery and questioned whether state or federal animal-care standards were met…