16 Best Dog Friendly Wineries, Breweries, Bars & Cafes in McLaren Vale
South Australia’s viticultural origins began in McLaren Vale and the region’s Mediterranean climate continues to drive wine style and diverse food culture. It is also a great dog friendly travel destination with an increasing number of dog friendly wineries, craft breweries and cafes. McLaren Vale is home to one of the most iconic dog friendly trails in South Australia, The Shiraz Trail (part of the 38km Coast to Vines Rail Trail).
So pack your dog’s favourite treats and toys and head 45 mins south of Adelaide and witness one of the oldest wine regions in South Australia.
Here is your Ultimate Dog Friendly Travel Guide to McLaren Vale!
Dog Friendly Wineries
1. Victor’s Place
62 Victor Harbour Road, Old Noarlunga
Set amongst the rolling hills of Onkaparinga Gorge at the gateway to McLaren Vale, Victor’s Place encompasses a family run Winery, Brewery and Restaurant. Their beautifully restored Limestone Barn (circa1870) lends itself perfectly to intimate dining experiences, in a relaxed and charming environment. Their lawns and verandah provide the perfect dog-friendly spot to enjoy a glass or wine, beer or an extended lunch. Their facilities include dog water bowls, plenty of space and lots of friendly pats.
2. Beach Road Wines
309 Seaview Road, McLaren Vale
Beach Road Winery and Restaurant love to make wines that can be enjoyed with food, family, friends and fun, and most importantly, offer exceptional quality and value. Their critically acclaimed wines are out-of-the-ordinary including some of their beloved Italian varieties that are the first to be made in Australia. So if you’re looking for something a bit different, they may just have your next favourite wine. They love when guests bring their furry pals along and they have seats with stunning views for you and your pup.
3. Wirra Wirra Vineyards
McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale
Dog friendly Wirra Wirra winery loves to welcome canine guests and there are plenty of grassed areas for dogs to enjoy while you sit outside for a wine tasting. Admire the vineyards from the viewing platform as you lunch on a tasting platter – the staff will make sure your pet pal is catered for too!
4. Alpha Box & Dice
8 Olivers Road, McLaren Vale
This boutique dog friendly McLaren Vale winery is embarking on an Alphabet of Wine, where a different wine style is created to reflect each letter of the alphabet! They love to welcome dogs into the cellar door and they even have handmade dog biscuits ready for your furry friend to enjoy while you sip your way through the alphabet.
5. S.C. Pannell
60 Olivers Road, McLaren Vale
Does sensational vineyard views, a glass of wine in your hand and your pooch by your side sound like a dream? Well, make it a reality at the beautiful dog friendly S.C. Pannell cellar door in McLaren Vale. Dogs are welcome to join you outside where you can gaze upon vineyards and water bowls are available for your fur pal.
6. Paxton Wines
68 Wheaton Road, McLaren Vale
Paxton cellar door is conveniently located at the gateway to McLaren Vale. Housed in the original 1850’s shearing shed, cellar door is surrounded by luscious sprawling lawns and oozes both charm and character with historic stone buildings dotted around the site.The Cellar door offers visitors a relaxed tasting experience with a strong focus on Paxton’s unique Organic and Biodynamic philosophy. Delight your taste buds and build your own regional platter, thensit back and chill with glass of wine and enjoy the stunning views with your pup by your side. There is dog friendly and shaded seating outside offering magnificent vineyard views.
Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!
7. Penny’s Hill
281 Main Road, McLaren Vale
Penny’s Hill Cellar Door is a stunning and expansive farmhouse estate perched between McLaren Vale and Willunga. You are welcome to take your wine tasting outside to enjoy the experience with your pups. There are occasionally dogs on property, as well as livestock, so they ask that your pooch is kept on a lead at all times.
8. Dog Ridge
129 Bagshaws Road, McLaren Flat
For a perfect wine tasting experience with your four legged friend, you can’t beat DogRidge in McLaren Vale. As the name suggests, this family-owned winery is very dog friendly. Your pup will be welcomed with open arms and is free to join you in the cellar door as you sip on a range of boutique wines from 90 acres of premium McLaren Vale vineyards.
9. Lazy Ballerina
1152 Brookman Road, Dingabledinga
One of Australia’s leading family friendly cellar doors, with great food and premium wines, dog friendly Lazy Ballerina is a great find in the outskirts of McLaren Vale. Shady spots in the garden make Lazy Ballerina a perfect place to grab a glass and sit with your four legged friend.
Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!
Dog Friendly Breweries
10. Shifty Lizard
33 High Street, Willunga
Shifty Lizard is a dog friendly brewery in McLaren Vale. “We’re pretty damn serious about making good beer and having some fun. The beer is what brought us here, it’s why we do what we do, but ultimately the fun is what actually matters”
11. South Coast Brewing
11 Jay Drive, Willunga
Dogs are more than welcome to accompany you at South Coast Brewing. Water bowls and leash attachment points are available throughout, and your pooch is allowed to join you inside, so your favourite furry friend need not stay home!
12. Goodiesons Brewing
194 Sand Road, McLaren Vale
This family run dog friendly brewery is happy to let your furry friend roam the garden and join you in the outdoor seating area as you taste some of their delicious and award-winning craft beers. You’ll find plenty of shade outside and water bowls can be brought to your pup.
13. Swell Brewing
168 Oliver’s Road, McLaren Vale
Cold beers, a delicious menu and plenty of space for man’s best friend to run around and enjoy, this dog friendly brewery is the ideal weekend spot. The McLaren Vale taphouse allows dogs to join owners for a drink or two in their spacious garden where there is plenty of shade and water available. Your pooch even has a friend to play with – Mikey, the brewhouse bulldog!
Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!
Dog Friendly Cafes
14. Red Poles
190 McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale
Red Poles is an award-winning regional dog friendly restaurant & art gallery located in McLaren Vale. They are very dog friendly and love when people bring their puppies with them. Dogs are welcome on the verandah area which has complete shelter and warmth, as well as a very large outside area with tree shelter.
15. The Golden Fleece Cafe
30 High Street, Willunga
The Golden Fleece cafe is a dog friendly cafe in Willunga. Dogs are welcome outside under the brand new pergola. Fresh water is available outside for the pups & they also have dog fritz or marrowbones to treat the visiting pooches.
Dog Friendly Walks
16. Shiraz Trail
McLaren Vale to Willunga
The 9km dog friendly Shiraz trail takes you from McLaren Vale to the quaint village of Willunga. It extends further north to the Onkaparinga river, to Hackham, Old Reynella and Hallett Cove before finally finishing at Marino Rocks. The trail passes through vineyards, sheep grazing areas, dog friendly cafes with outdoor decks, tall stands of Eucalypt and Pine, wineries and the back doors of houses before the vista opens up to fields of hay and grapes.
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