Sunset Hills Estate

Sunset Hills Estate is a boutique vineyard and cellar door at 695 Bents Road in Ballandean, and one of the more genuinely dog-welcoming stops on the Granite Belt. This is a venue that actively caters to dogs rather than merely tolerating them, which makes it worth planning a day around rather than squeezing in.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome across the outdoor spaces and must stay on a lead at all times. The estate goes further than most: water bowls, treats, toys and even puppychinos are on offer, so the dog is part of the outing rather than parked under the table. Seating is outdoors with vineyard views over the rolling hills.

Pepsi: puppychinos and a bowl of treats waiting on arrival. This is the one to build the whole day around.

Worth knowing

The cellar door is an unhurried experience built around the wine, the view and taking your time, not a high-volume tasting bar. It also runs as an events and wedding venue, so weekends can occasionally be booked out for functions; a quick call ahead avoids a wasted drive. Dogs are welcome on overnight stays as well as day visits, so it can double as a base for a dog-friendly night in wine country; confirm the sleeping arrangements for your specific booking when you reserve.

Getting there and parking

The address is 695 Bents Road, Ballandean, off the New England Highway, with on-site parking. The local roads are rural, so take it steady in poor weather. The cellar door opens Friday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, making this a weekend stop rather than a weekday one.

Close by with the dogs

Golden Grove Estate Wines on Sundown Road keeps dogs on its lawns, and Hidden Creek Winery is close by, so a three-stop dog-friendly circuit is easy to string together. More options sit on the Ballandean destination page.

Come Friday to Sunday, ideally later in the day when the sunsets the estate is named for start doing their work. Phone ahead on weekends in case an event is on, and bring the dog: here, that was always the plan.