Great wine, delicious food and all enjoyed with your furry best friend. Life can't get better than that. And you don't even have to stay at home to enjoy all three!
We've made it our mission to research Canberra region wineries to find out which are the dog-friendliest. We focused on wineries that also offer meals so you can make the most of your visit by trying out local food as well as sampling Canberra's award-winning wines.
We can now recommend four wineries that offer excellent wine, food and dog friendly facilities.
These wineries are mainly family-run businesses with a focus on service. Each offers a unique experience and well worth a visit whether or not you're a wine connoisseur. Although we've focused on the 'dog-friendliness' aspect rather than the wine and food, these wineries attract large numbers of very positive reviews from their visitors.
But before we get to the dog friendly wineries themselves, here's some tips to make sure you get the most from your visit.
Call ahead»
All dog friendly wineries recommend you phone or email ahead to make sure you get the very best dog friendly table. You'll want an outdoor table that's sunny in winter, shady in summer or a mix of both, and with plenty of space around the table so that your dog can lie safely and comfortably by your side. If you prefer to be spontaneous, these wineries won't mind if you just turn up, but you may not get the best position for you and your dog.
Keep your dog comfy»
Bear in mind that your dog won't be able to join you in the wine tasting areas if they are located inside, because they fall under the national food regulations prohibiting dog access. Shaw Estate is the only winery we list that also offers outdoor wine tasting. However, all our recommended wineries offer shady, safe spots to tie up your dog immediately outside the tasting area. They also have shady parking spots so your dog could be left in the car for a short time while you're trying out wines, but you would need to check them frequently in warm months as shade moves. We also recommend bringing a rug or your dog's bed so they can rest comfortably while you're wine tasting or enjoying your meal.
Be a considerate guest»
Dogs are very welcome as long as they stay on leash - that includes not just the outdoor meals areas but everywhere on the properties. And of course, make sure you pick up after any messes.
So, in alphabetical order here's our four recommendations, plus information on a suggested half-day driving tour combining all four, AND a guided winery tour that welcomes dogs!
Lerida Estate and Café Lerida
Murrumbateman Winery
Shaw Estate
Surveyor's Hill Vineyards and Bistro
Dog friendly wineries locations and suggested driving tour
Guided dog-friendly winery tour - Merry Heart CBR
Lerida Estate and Café Lerida - Lake George
On the edge of Lake George, Lerida Estate is smart, professional, and able to cater for large groups and functions as well as individuals with their dogs. An enormous and striking 'shed' designed by renowned architect, Glenn Murcutt, houses the winery, wine tasting and cafe facilities. On many Sundays there's the bonus of free live music by local and visiting artists.
Café Lerida provides two very pleasant dog friendly outdoor areas to choose from, both bordered by a herb garden: a tiled courtyard with full shade/full sun options just outside the tasting room; and a grassy spot just around the corner with large shade umbrellas for hot days. A water bowl is also provided for visiting dogs which can be refreshed from a tap in the courtyard.
All the outdoor areas have beautiful views over (usually dry) Lake George and the blue-tinged hills behind Bungendore.
Favourite features
Amazing views, contemporary architecture, and a pretty 2 km (on leash) walk through the vines and gum trees along the Lake George Range (free map and walking notes at the winery shop).
Opening hours
Lerida Estate wine tasting - daily 10 am to 5 pm
Café Lerida - daily for lunch, coffee/tea, snacks 10 am to 5 pm
Contact
02 4848 0231; wine@leridaestate.com; online booking
Location
Lerida Estate is just off the Federal Highway adjacent to Lake George. Turn off the Federal Highway at Gurney VC rest area (turn left if travelling from Canberra or turn right if travelling from Goulbourn) then turn immediately right into 'The Vineyards' road. It's the first winery on the left about 800 metres from the turnoff. See map below.
Murrumbateman Winery - Murrumbateman
Mollie the winery dog is quick to greet you as you step onto the outdoor deck at super dog-friendly Murrumbateman Winery. Mollie was adopted from the RSPCA and thinks she's landed in doggy heaven - open space, muddy ponds and a never-ending stream of new humans to throw manky balls!
There are plenty of outdoor tables to choose from - either on a large terrace shaded by a marquee during warmer months, or on the lawn under mature, tall claret ashes.
Murrumbateman Winery helps support the RSPCA through proceeds from the sale of Mollie's own wine Mollie's Block Sauvignon Blanc - such a clever dog! - as well as Wine Dogs Pinot Grrr-is.
Mollie hosts several doggie events through the year, including Howlin' in the Vines on Mothers' Day, Pawsome Wines in the Vines in spring, and Mollie's Good Dog Christmas Party in December. Events are posted on Murrumbateman Winery's Facebook page.
Favourite features
Relaxed vibe, customer focus and friendly winery dog.
Opening hours
Wine tasting - daily 10 am to 5 pm
Food platters, scones, etc - only on weekends
Contact
0432 826 454; info@murrumbatemanwinery.com.au; online booking
Location
Murrumbateman Winery is at 131 McIntosh Circuit. Turn off the Barton Highway into McIntosh Circuit (turn left if coming from Canberra or turn right if coming from Yass) and it's the first property on the left. See map below.
Shaw Estate - Murrumbateman
Shaw Estate is the only winery that offers outdoor dog friendly wine tasting areas. The ultra modern wine tasting pavilion includes an enormous outdoor terrace extending the length of the building and overlooking pleasant paddocks. There is plenty of sheltered space to sit comfortably with your dog while trying out a selection of wines and enjoying a generous cheese platter.
The restaurant on the other side of the car park is currently closed but expected to reopen in 2025. When it does, the outdoor areas are super dog friendly with oodles of space between tables, and include options of a fully covered verandah, a large paved terrace, plus more seating out on grass.
Favourite features
Super friendly, dog-loving staff, and a dog friendly outdoor wining tasting area
Opening hours
Shaw Estate wine tasting - daily 11 am to 5 pm
Restaurant - currently closed.
Contact
Shaw Estate: (02) 6227 5827; info@shawestate.com.au
Location
Shaw Estate is at 34 Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman. Turn left off the Barton Highway into McIntosh Circuit if coming from Canberra, or right off the Barton Highway into South Street if coming from Yass. The property is the first on the right on Isabel Drive, on the corner of McIntosh Circuit. See map below.
Surveyor's Hill Vineyards and Bistro - near Hall
Surveyor's Hill Vineyards is a little hidden gem. Tucked away against the eponymous hill, the intimate tasting room/restaurant offers pretty views of grapevines, olive groves and rolling pastures every way you look.
The guest facilities are ultra-modern but the Surveyor's Hill farm was first settled in the 1880s. Your dog will enjoy having an on leash wander exploring the spacious home yard and sniffing around the kitchen garden and old farm sheds.
A small number of dog friendly tables are available on hardwood decks at the front and back of the bistro and wine tasting building, plus there's another table under a pergola on the grass - all with pretty outlooks.
Favourite features
Pretty rural views, intimate atmosphere, and the historic homestead
Opening hours
Surveyor's Hill Vineyards wine tasting - weekends and public holidays 10 am to 5 pm
Bistro restaurant - weekends and public holidays 11.30 pm to 3 pm
Contact
02 6230 2046; survhill@westnet.com.au
Location
Surveyor's Hill Vineyards and Bistro are at 215 Brooklands Road, west of Hall. Turn off the Barton Highway into Wallaroo Road (left if coming from Canberra or right if coming from Yass/Murrumbateman). Continue on Wallaroo Road approximately 6 km, then turn left onto Southwell Road. Then take the first right into Brooklands Road. The driveway to Surveyor's Hill is on your left, just before the corner of Woodgrove Close. See map below.
Dog friendly winery locations and suggested driving tour
A visit to all four wineries makes a very pleasant, easy half-day trip from Canberra. Each winery location is marked on the google map below with a suggested driving route. The loop would take you through some interesting countryside and total around 165 km. Approximate driving times are provided below.
Canberra - Surveyor's Hill 30 minutes
Canberra - Murrumbateman village 40 minutes
Canberra - Lerida Estate 35 minutes
Lerida Estate - Murrumbateman village 45 minutes
Surveyor's Hill - Murrumbateman village 30 minutes
Guided dog friendly winery tour by Merry Heart CBR
If you’d like to let someone else do the driving to fully enjoy your winery experience, Merry Heart CBR offers dog friendly guided winery tours to wineries in the Murrumbateman area.
There are no extra costs to bring your dog, or size restrictions, but you’ll need to book a ‘private’ tour (of course service animals are welcome on any of the tours). Half-day or full-day private tours tailored specifically to focus on wineries with dog friendly tasting areas are available at a very reasonable price. For more information or bookings go to its website; email reception@merryheartcbr.com; or call 0432 785 654.
How did we choose these wineries?
There are around 25 wineries in the Canberra region. We only contacted the wineries that also offer meals, given that dogs aren't allowed into most wine tasting areas. Of these wineries, some were not dog friendly (did not want dogs on the property or had no outdoor tables), or were 'tolerant of the occasional dog' but did not want it promoted, or did not respond to our queries. We asked the remaining wineries to send us information and then visited them personally to make our own assessment.