By: Monique Ceccato
Enjoy bringing the whole family to these cellar doors in and around Margaret River.
Australia has one of the world's highest rates of pet ownership, with some 69 per cent of all households reported as owning at least one animal. Of this group, 48 per cent are dog owners, so it’s unsurprising that dog-friendly holidays are on the rise around the country.
The beach-fringed Margaret River region is known for being one of the most pet-friendly holiday destinations in WA, and it’s never been easier to enjoy the region’s highlights with a dog in tow. More and more wineries are making exceptions for four-legged visitors, from things as simple as providing water bowls at the entrance to the more thoughtful stash of tennis balls on the lawn.
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Don't leave the dog at home when you’re next in the Margaret River region. Assign a designated driver and bundle the whole family up for a visit to these pet-friendly wineries.
Swings & Roundabouts
2807 Caves Road, Yallingup
On the lawn, by the foot of your table, or on your lap as you sway gently on the winery’s iconic swing seats: there’s no place your dog isn’t welcome at Yallingup’s Swings & Roundabouts. The team here goes above and beyond to ensure pooches are well catered for; the dedicated dog drinking station, with separate bowls set at the perfect height for small, medium, and large dogs, stands out among their efforts.
There are plenty of shady spots out back to park up for the afternoon and a massive lawn for curious dogs to sniff around. As one of the busier wineries in the region, it’s asked that all visiting dogs remain on lead when on the property.
Passel Estate
655 Ellen Brook Road, Cowaramup
Despite the cellar door sitting alongside their active possum conservation sanctuary, Passel Estate very much welcomes four-legged visitors. Owners Wendy and Barry Stimpson even have a cheeky Dalmatian duo of their own — siblings Charlie and Margot — who you’ll likely see milling about the tasting room, on the dog-friendly deck, or on the grassed area. They’re happy to share their water bowls with visiting dogs, and occasionally, the cellar door team might toss a treat or two your dog’s way.
When visiting, they have just one request: to keep your dogs on a lead. It’s a precautionary measure to protect the wildlife that the Stimpson’s work so hard to nurture and keep safe. Any wine purchases also aid the sanctuary, with part of the proceeds going towards their conservation efforts.
House of Cards Wine
17/5 Quininup Road, Yallingup
Dog-friendly wineries with full-service kitchens are few and far between in the Margaret River Region. If you can’t bring yourself to make a choice between a multi-course long lunch or having your pet’s company, head to House of Cards Wine.
The family-owned organic vineyard is home to two wine dogs, golden retrievers Rafa and Tilly, so they’re more than happy for you to bring your dog along for a tasting, too. Just take your wines to the grassed area outside, as the tasting room is a no-go for dogs (leads are also a must). Then, when hunger calls, Chow’s Table is 20m from the cellar door. The Chinese-Malaysian-inspired eatery allows dogs on their leads to rest by your feet when seated at one of the outdoor tables.
Lenton Brae
3887 Caves Road, Wilyabrup
Pull up at Lenton Brae and expect a tail-wagging welcoming party from any combination of the estate’s four excitable wine dogs, Buddy and Jess the kelpie-collies, Murfy the Irish terrier, and Gnarly the border collie.
The team here loves their pets, and they’re very encouraging of bringing yours along to their workplace, too. It’s one of the few cellar doors where dogs are welcome both inside and out, which is especially handy on a chilly winter day.
Make yourself at home and snuggle up by the fireplace with a glass of cab-sav and pup by your feet on a dog rug (provided). If the weather warrants being outdoors, you can take them out to the lawn, where you’ll find plenty of shade and some balls for a game of catch. While you enjoy a glass of wine by the fire or beneath the umbrellas outside, the pup can chew on one of the treats the cellar door staff keep on hand for their favourite visitors.
South by South West Wines
412 Wickham Road, Witchcliffe
There’s definitely an open-door policy when it comes to dogs at South by South West Wines. The team behind this organic, small-batch winery loves having your pets visit.
Owners Mijan (the fruit farmer of the duo) and Livia (the winemaker) have their own dog, Meeka, who joins them at work daily and is often spotted lounging on the cellar door patio. You’re welcome to join her with your own pooch, tasting your way through a selection of their small-batch varieties as you look over the vines from where they came.
Water bowls, a mat, and the occasional dog treat are all a part of the friendly, personalised service Mijan and Livia pride themselves on; just ask, and they’ll make sure your dog is as happy and comfortable as you are.
Arlewood Estate
679 West, Calgardup Road, Forest Grove
Arlewood Estate is something of an animal lover’s paradise. As it’s both a working farm and a winery, there are all kinds of animals to spot (and potentially pat) on the property. A flock of sheep and some geese are free to roam among the vines, providing the vineyard with organic pest control, fertiliser, and mowing services.
The estate is also home to some horses, two working kelpies — Millie and Storm — and Jessie the ridgeback cross, who are all quite accepting of a good chin scratch if you happen to see them. Bring your dog along and make yourself at home on the deck, where cellar door manager Paris can conduct a personal wine tasting.
Take your tasting to the next level and pair each wine with a selection of local Temper Temper chocolates. Pup won’t be left out, as a jar of dog treats often makes an appearance, too.
Skigh Wine
633 Abbeys Farm Road, Yallingup Siding
In a converted barn on a sprawling garden inland of Yallingup, Skigh Wine’s rustic-style tasting room is as laid-back as they come. It’s the perfect stop-off for a casual afternoon of wine when visiting with the pup.
If Mel is working the cellar door, expect a welcome from her friendly kelpie, Gypsy, who’s an expert at eliciting a pat from guests. Your dog is welcome to join you inside on lead as you scan the minimal-intervention wine list and flick through crates of records. Then, head outside to throw a picnic blanket out under the peppermint trees, kick off your shoes, and relax in the shade with a glass of wine and your dog by your side.
In keeping with the laid-back vibe, BYO picnics are encouraged, or cheese platters are available for order. Water bowls are also available on request.
Juniper Estate
98 Tom Cullity Drive, Cowaramup
The team at Juniper Estate is not shy about showing their fondness for visiting pets. Share a photo of your dog accompanying you in the cellar door or while wandering in the blooming cottage gardens on social media, and there’s a good chance Juniper will share it with their audiences, too.
As a dog-loving winery, there’s nowhere that’s considered out of bounds for your pup. Just ensure they remain on their lead when they’re inside with you. Outside, they’re free to run about on the lawn while you kick back at one of the picnic tables or on a blanket under the trees.
Visit on the weekend, and the woodfired oven fires up, serving perfectly crispy pizzas from noon until 4:00pm.
Edwards Wines
687 Ellen Brook Road, Cowaramup
If the bright yellow Tiger Moth plane parked in the entrance isn’t proof enough that Edwards Wines isn’t quite like other wineries in the region, its Southern Ocean-matured wine series, on-site photo gallery by Russell Ord, and mini-museum should be. There’s far more to this cellar door than just juicy cab sav and shiraz.
Spend some time perusing the photos and information cards on the tasting room’s walls, which detail owner Brian Edwards’ solo Tiger Moth-flying journey from Britain to Australia, before settling into a tasting of the full namesake range.
If the owners are in, there may even be a guest appearance from Mini Edwards, the caramel-coloured French bulldog. Your dog is welcome to join you, too, so long as they remain on their lead.
Grace Farm
741 Cowaramup Bay Road, Gracetown
If you see a black Labrador loafing around Grace Farm’s cellar door, you know the team’s viticulturist, Tom, isn’t too far away. Like most Labradors, Roy is incredibly friendly and welcomes a pat from visitors. He’s also welcoming of other dogs, so feel free to bring yours along when you visit. Just remember to keep big dogs on their lead.
Sample the winery’s small but mighty range inside and away from the elements or on the deck with views of the vines and surrounding native bushland. It’s where most of the timber in the intimate tasting room came from, with the bar and cladding behind it milled from felled blackbutt and marri trees on the property.
Along with bottles of wine, the cellar door also sells farm-grown and fresh citrus, stonefruit, and vegetables, depending on the season and yield.
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