The Hunter Valley wine region is the oldest wine region in Australia, with plots of vines first grown in the area in the 1820s. These days the valley is home to 142 wineries and countless cellar doors. And luckily many of them welcome dogs to join you, either inside or just outside.
I’ve visited the Hunter Valley many times, both with and without my dog, and I’ve uncovered some fabulous pet-friendly wineries, perfect for a fun day or weekend trip with your pup. These are some of my favourite dog-friendly wineries in the Hunter Valley…
#1 Briar Ridge Vineyard
Highlights: Dog treat platters, dog “hydration station”
On my most recent visit to the Hunter Valley with Schnitzel, we visited Briar Ridge Vineyard in the Mount View area. This winery claims to be the most dog-friendly winery in the Hunter Valley, and it’s easy to understand why!
Dogs are allowed both inside and outside at the cellar door. We enjoyed our tasting on the large verandah, soaking up the afternoon sunshine on a glorious winter’s day. But if the weather had been uncooperative we could have retreated inside next to the fireplace. Indicate when booking that you’ll be bringing along a dog (or cat!) for planning. There’s even a “hydration station” for dogs.
I highly recommend adding on a cheese or charcuterie platter to your booking. There are a number of options to choose from, each very generous when shared just between two. And dogs are not overlooked, with the option to also add a dog treat platter to your booking – the perfect way to keep your pet entertained during the tasting!
#2 McCaffrey’s Estate
Highlights: Winemaker for a Day experience
Another dog-friendly winery that I visited on my most recent visit to the Hunter Valley was McCaffrey’s Estate. This friendly, family-run cellar door on Hermitage Road is open daily, and welcomes pets throughout the premises.
Choose between a tasting inside or outside, where there are multiple tables along with water bowls for pups. However, the highlight of my visit was the “Winemaker for a Day Experience”. In a small group we were taken through a detailed tasting of three red wines, then we created our own red blend, tasting it along the way.
Afterwards, we even bottled and labelled our wine, ready to cellar for a special occasion. Although Schnitzel didn’t join me on the day, of course I had to name my wine after him! And best of all, dogs are even welcome to join you in the blending room, as long as they are happy to curl up on the floor beside you for the 90 minute duration.
#3 Pepper Tree Wines
Highlights: Beautiful grounds, doggy snack boxes
Pepper Tree Wines has long been one of the most popular pet-friendly wineries in the Hunter Valley, thanks to running special pet events in earlier years. The pet-friendly policy continues, with pets welcomed throughout the cellar door, both outside and inside, even in the exclusive Vault tasting room.
Pet treats are on hand, and you may meet one of the resident wine dogs, such as Bossy the pug. Choose between a standard wine tasting or the premium tasting options. Note that bookings are essential. There’s also the option to add on a cheese board, with three sizes available, plus very cute doggy snack boxes!
The Pepper Tree cellar door is surrounded by one of the prettiest gardens in the Hunter Valley, so another more relaxed option is to book a Grazing Picnic. With a charcuterie board, picnic blanket and wine glasses included, add on a bottle of wine from the cellar door after a quick tasting. Just make sure the weather forecast is for fine weather.
#4 Vamp Wine Rooms
Highlights: Unique interior, soon to open in the evenings
One of the most unique cellar doors in the Hunter Valley is Lisa McGuigan’s Vamp Wine Rooms. Stepping inside you’ll discover a moody space with chainmail curtains, fantastical helmets and some special pieces – ask about the armour just inside the entrance!
You’ll also likely meet Maggie, Lisa’s gorgeous border collie who is on hand to meet many of the customers, and loves a welcome pat. Your own dog is also welcome to join you, whether inside or in the outdoor space underneath the towering gumtrees.
A special treat currently on offer at Vamp is the Ballz and Booze tasting. The Ballz are cheesecake shots, made by Slab Cheesecakes, and paired with three matching wines. They make for an incredible combination and a fun experience.
Currently the cellar door is only open during the day, but there are plans for it to open on Friday and Saturday evenings over the upcoming summer – keep an eye out! It’ll make a great option for dog-friendly evening drinks if you’re staying in the Hunter with your pup.
#5 Glandore Estate Wines
Highlights: Paws Festival, doggy tastings
One pet-friendly winery that I haven’t yet had a chance to visit in the Hunter Valley but is now on my list is Glandore Estate Wines. During the recent D’Vine Food and Wine Festival that took place in early October 2024, Glandore hosted the Glandore Paws Festival.
Over two action packed days, activities on offer included a pet market, pet portraits, a best dressed competition, Q&A sessions and even greyhound adoptions. The D’Vine Festival next takes place on the 20th and 21st September 2025, and hopefully the Paws Festival will return.
If visiting during the rest of the year, dogs are still welcome to join you at the boutique cellar door, and you may meet the resident wine dogs. As well as a wide range of tastings for humans (including options for kids and non-drinkers), there’s also a special doggy tasting. Select between a dog ice-cream or wine, along with a handful of treats. The resident wine dogs have given it the paws of approval!
#6 Gartelmann Wines
Highlights: Beautiful setting next to The Deck, build-your-own charcuterie boxes
The Deck in Lovedale has long been a popular dog-friendly cafe in the Hunter Valley, thanks to its expansive outdoor space overlooking a picturesque dam. But did you know it’s also home to a cellar door on the same property?
Before or after enjoying brunch or tapas at the cafe, make a booking for a wine tasting at Gartelmann Wines. Established in 1996, the winery was taken over in recent years by Matt Dillow, the restauranteur behind the Deck. Many of the wines are charmingly named after members of either the Gartelmann or Matt’s own family.
I recommend letting the cellar door know you’ll be bringing a dog when you make a booking – perhaps enjoy your tasting on the adjacent deck. The cellar door will also soon introduce build-your-own charcuterie platters, perfect for a picnic on the grounds with your dog. Just keep your dog firmly leashed around the farmyard animals onsite!
#7 Tintilla Estate
Highlights: Tuscan-style cellar door, olive tastings
One of the my favourite wineries in the Hunter Valley, that I’ve visited multiple times both with and without my dog, is Tintilla Estate. Their gorgeous cellar is reminiscent of a Tuscan villa, especially if you visit on a sunny day.
During our last visit with Schnitzel in winter, we were lucky to enjoy beautiful sunshine, making the north-facing outdoor tables the perfect option for staying toasty. The cellar door also has a semi-enclosed space where dogs are welcome when the weather isn’t so cooperative.
It’s a must to book a tasting at Tintilla – tick the box to inform them you’ll be bringing a pet. You can choose between a Wine or Olive tasting (they also grow their own olives onsite), but I recommend choosing the VIP wine tasting. As well as wines, you’ll also enjoy a selection of local and estate-made cheese and olives.
#8 Thomas Wines
Highlights: Vertical tastings, antipasto boxes
While there are many varieties of grapes grown throughout the Hunter Valley, the region is best known for its Semillon and Shiraz wines. Thomas Wines, founded by Andrew Thomas in 1997, specialises in just these two varieties.
A visit to the Thomas Wines cellar door is a great chance to learn more about Semillon and Shiraz, and compare the diversity of styles produced by different vineyards and techniques. Choose from multiple vertical wine tasting experiences, covering both varieties or just one.
Dogs are welcome to join you in the cellar door, including inside the tasting room, where you might meet their resident wine dog. There’s a dog water bowl at the door. It’s an ideal cellar door to visit if you’re staying in one of the pet-friendly rooms at Tuscany Estate, located right next door.
To extend your visit at the spot, which offers some of the best views of the rows of vines and the Brokenback Ranges in the distance, add on an antipasto box, ideal for one or two. They also have picnic rugs available for loan.
#9 Gundog Estate
Highlights: Dog-friendly beer, Dessert Wine Masterclass
Not surprisingly given its name, Gundog Estate is a dog-friendly winery. Based in the Hunter Valley, Canberra and Hilltops regions, it has two cellar doors, one each in the Hunter Valley and Gundaroo, north of Canberra.
The Hunter Valley Cellar and Gourmet Pantry is located in the former Pokolbin Schoolhouse. Dogs are welcome to join you for a tasting on the deck or verandah, with advanced reservations recommended. As well as standard and limited release tastings, they also offer a special Dessert Wine Masterclass.
While you’re tasting their range of wines, your dog can do their own tasting. Gundog produces a dog-friendly “beer”, the Gundog Estate Tail Ale. Made entirely from Australian beef, it’s available both at the cellar door and online. This “beer” is guaranteed hangover-free, but will promote a shiny coat!
Note: The author was a guest of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association while visiting some of these wineries, but the selection is entirely her own
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About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.