Hounds of the Vine

Hounds of the Vine is a small, family-run winery and cellar door on 82-110 Church Road at Bellarine, a few minutes inland from Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula. The name is a nod to the owners' own dogs, and dogs are genuinely part of the visit here - the venue keeps its outdoor lawns and patio open to leashed dogs while you work through a tasting, which is exactly the pace this place runs at.

The dog setup

Leashed dogs are welcome across the grassed grounds and the outdoor seating around the cellar door, with tables looking over the vines. Keep the leash on for the whole visit: the property runs resident farm animals, including goats and chooks, and you are expected to clean up after your dog. Bring your own water bowl because the grounds are rustic rather than cafe-fitted, and skip the indoor tasting room if your dog wants to join you.

The vibe

This is a small-batch, estate-grown operation: the tasting flight runs through six wines that typically include Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz, matched with local cheese and charcuterie boards, house-made pates and small plates. There is a turntable going in the tasting room and a relaxed, picnic-rug feel across the lawns - plan an afternoon, not a quick stop.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door sits on Church Road, about seven minutes from Portarlington and a short drive from Geelong via Portarlington Road. On-site parking is close to the door. It opens Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm and closes midweek, so check the website before planning a weekday visit, and book a tasting ahead since walk-in tables are limited.

Max: Keep the leash clipped on the whole visit. There are farm animals loose on this property, and a dog that bolts after a chook will end your tasting early.

Close by with the dogs

Basils Farm at Swan Bay is a few minutes back towards the water and also sets dogs up outdoors, so the two pair well as a peninsula day out. For a coffee stop, Piknik in Swan Bay sits on the way through, and Portarlington's foreshore is close for a leg-stretch walk before the drive home. If you are turning it into a weekend, Bellarine Bayside Holiday Parks has pet-friendly options at Portarlington.

Aim for an early weekend sitting, bring water for your dog, and let the afternoon run long - this is one of the peninsula's easiest dog-friendly wine stops.