Riverbank Estate Winery

Riverbank Estate is a family-owned winery on Hamersley Road in Caversham, perched above vineyards planted in 1982 with decking that looks out toward the Swan River. It runs a proper a la carte restaurant alongside the cellar door, so this is a long lunch with a view rather than a quick tasting, and leashed dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome on the verandas, patio and lawn areas overlooking the vines, reached by the exterior paths. Inside the restaurant and the enclosed tasting areas is off limits, as is standard in WA. The wrap-around veranda is sheltered and takes the best of the outlook, so an outdoor table here is no compromise on the view. Staff are generally accommodating, but bring a portable water bowl rather than counting on one being out.

This is a more refined setting than the Swan Valley's casual beer gardens, so it suits a settled dog that will lie down through a longer meal. If yours needs a proper run first, Little Duck Creek Reserve Dog Park in Guildford is a short drive away.

The vibe

The kitchen cooks a la carte from locally sourced produce; regulars talk up the seafood platter, the pork belly and the beef cheeks, matched with estate wines that have picked up Halliday ratings over the years. Live music and wedding functions are part of the calendar, which can change which outdoor areas are open, so it is worth calling ahead on function days. Weekdays and early weekend sittings are the calmest.

Pepsi: function days can close off the lawn, so ring ahead if your heart is set on a particular table. My humans learned this the scenic way.

Getting there

The address is 126 Hamersley Road, Caversham, about 25 minutes from the Perth CBD and inside the Swan Valley wine loop, with a large on-site car park. The estate opens 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday and closes Monday and Tuesday.

Pair it with

Ambrook Wines is nearby on West Swan Road with old-vine Grenache worth the detour, and Ugly Duckling Wines pours at a relaxed boutique cellar door further up the valley. Pinelli Estate Winery Restaurant is another Caversham option with Italian-style varietals.

More options are on the Western Australia dog friendly winery guide and the Caversham destination page.