Macquariedale Organic Wines

Macquariedale Organic Wines is a certified organic and biodynamic vineyard on Pinnacle Road in Canobolas, high on the slopes of Mount Canobolas with a converted-shed cellar door looking over the ranges. It has a strong local reputation as one of the friendliest cellar doors in the Orange region for visitors bringing dogs.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome on the grounds and verandah while you taste, and can settle in the grassed areas around the cellar door. A lead is required, and because resident animals are sometimes about the property, keep your dog close and under control. There is plenty of open outdoor space for a dog to relax through a tasting or a grazing platter. Some travellers mention overnighting in campers or motorhomes, but treat that as something to confirm with the winery directly rather than a given.

Pepsi: the grassed area by the cellar door is the spot. Settle the dog with a water bowl and work through the flight without guilt.

Worth knowing

The wines are certified organic and biodynamic, with a varietal wine experience and grazing platter of local produce as the signature visit. Pinot noir is a focus alongside the cool-climate whites. The elevated position means views and weather both: it can be several degrees cooler up the mountain than in Orange, worth remembering when you are picking a rug for the dog.

Getting there and parking

Allow fifteen to twenty minutes from the Orange CBD along Pinnacle Road, climbing the mountain's western slopes. On-site parking suits both cars and campervans. The cellar door opens from late morning, around 11am to 5pm daily with slightly later starts Monday.

Close by with the dogs

WORD OF MOUTH - Cellar Door is the neighbouring Canobolas stop, and Cargo Road Wines over on the eastern slopes welcomes dogs on its deck with resident kelpies for company. For a free run in town before the drive up, Bloomfield Reserve Dog Park works, and the Canobolas destination page lists more of the mountain cellar doors.

Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area sits just up the road, but dogs are not permitted in that park, so do your mountain walking here on the vineyard side and keep the conservation area for a human-only visit. A relaxed, scenic stop for a well-mannered leashed dog, especially mid-circuit of the Canobolas wineries.