Shut the Gate Wines

Shut the Gate Wines is a boutique cellar door on the main road through Gillentown, just outside Clare, pouring small-batch Riesling and single-vineyard reds in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas, which makes it an easy stop on a Clare Valley wine run.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the shaded outdoor seating and the Bliss Garden overlooking the vines, with water bowls usually set out for visiting dogs. Indoor tasting areas are generally kept for service dogs only, so plan to taste and relax outside. Keep your dog on a lead and make sure they are comfortable around other people and pets, because weekends get busy. Policies can shift with the season or during events, so confirm on arrival.

Pepsi: the Bliss Garden has enough shade and space to flop down between tastings. Bring your own mat if you want somewhere soft.

The vibe

The cellar door runs 10am to 4:30pm daily. Tastings lean into small-batch, single-vineyard wines, with the Riesling and premium reds the standouts, and there is usually a cheese platter option to pair with a flight. The in-house grocer stocks picnic provisions, so a garden stop can easily stretch into lunch. Staff have a reputation for being genuinely welcoming rather than politely tolerant.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door is at 8453 Main North Road, Gillentown, right off the main road between Clare and Auburn, about five minutes from the Clare township. There is a large on-site car park with room to turn a car and trailer, and the Riesling Trail runs close by for an on-lead walk before or after a tasting.

Pair it with

Other dog-friendly cellar doors are close enough to chain together: Sussex Squire Cellar Door is in the same Gillentown pocket, and Tim Adams Wines sits just up the road in Clare. If you are pushing on to Auburn, Handley Street Fenced Dog Park gives the dog a run before the drive home.

More options are on the SA wineries guide and the Clare destination page.