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. A woman later sent SanDiegoVille video showing the giraffe resisting being loaded back into what appears to be a tight trailer space while handlers attempted to push or guide it inside, reinforcing many of the welfare concerns raised online. 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.
By Saturday evening, membership cancellations were being posted publicly, with users tagging regional news outlets and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. One commenter claimed zoo staff were “unaware and outraged,” while others encouraged followers to file reports with the USDA and wildlife authorities. Several messages criticized Orfila for not responding to the growing thread of concerns, asking why the winery had remained silent as backlash mounted.
The controversy quickly expanded beyond animal-welfare questions and into the ongoing public scrutiny surrounding Orfila’s new ownership. The vineyard, which operated for more than 30 years under the Orfila family, was transferred last year to 28-year-old Sara DeLuca - operator of Invita Café, a North County coffee chain that itself recently made headlines after memorializing late political commentator Charlie Kirk on drink cups and social media. That prior episode spurred boycott threats, a polarized online debate, and raised concerns among some customers about the company’s direction.
On Reddit’s r/escondido forum, several users argued the giraffe event reflected broader cultural and ethical shifts under new ownership, with one commenter writing that the winery had “really gone downhill,” and another calling the decision “a weird stunt” that displayed “blatant disregard for animal welfare.” Others defended the winery, noting that exotic-animal appearances - whether for promotions, film sets, or private events - are not inherently illegal, though they remain heavily regulated.
The identity of the animal-rental company has been widely discussed online, with it confirmed it came from Benay’s Bird & Animal Rentals, a Los Angeles-based entertainment provider that advertises film-trained wildlife. The company reportedly holds a USDA exhibitor license with only one administrative technical violation on record in the last decade.
What remains certain is that the optics of a giraffe pacing a winery lawn and being used for social media photo ops - paired with allegations about transport conditions and now a federal complaint - hit a nerve in a region home to one of the world’s most respected wildlife parks just minutes away. Commenters repeatedly questioned why Orfila would hire an exotic-animal rental service when Safari Park, globally recognized for giraffe conservation, sits less than a mile down the road.
As of publication, Orfila Vineyards has not issued any public statement addressing the concerns, the video evidence, the USDA complaint, or whether exotic-animal events will continue. Messages from SanDiegoVille requesting comment were not returned.
For now, the fallout continues to spread across social platforms, with some visitors vowing never to return and others calling for investigations. Whether the controversy results in regulatory scrutiny, policy changes, or long-term reputational damage remains to be seen — but in North County’s increasingly vocal wine community, the debate is far from over.
Originally published on November 24, 2025. Updated on November 25, 2025.
