Patrick of Coonawarra

Patrick of Coonawarra is a family-owned estate on the Riddoch Highway in the heart of the terra rossa strip, listed among the region's dog-friendly cellar doors. It is a relaxed, welcoming stop where individual tastings are complimentary, so you can bring the dog and taste the reds without opening your wallet first.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor and courtyard areas on a leash and under control, which suits the estate's setup since the seating spreads across the grounds. Water bowls are often provided, but carry your own supply on warmer Coonawarra afternoons rather than relying on the bowl being out. There is no on-site accommodation, so this is a daytime stop rather than a stay.

Worth knowing

The Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon launched the estate, and the list runs to bold Coonawarra reds plus a Riesling. Standard tastings for individuals and small groups need no booking and carry no fee; only groups of ten or more require a reservation, with a $5 per person tasting fee. That makes it a genuinely low-commitment stop on a wine-trail day.

Max: the courtyard is the dog's room here. Claim a table with shade, clip the lead to the chair leg and the tasting runs itself.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door sits at 15598 Riddoch Highway, about a five-minute drive north of Penola. Ample gravel and hard-stand parking sits directly in front, with easy access across to the outdoor seating.

Pair it with

The sealed Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail links Penola and Coonawarra past the vineyards and makes a good leashed walk before a tasting. Neighbouring dog-friendly cellar doors such as DiGiorgio Family Wines are close by, and in Penola the historic Church Street precinct has patios where dogs are welcome, including stops like Raidis Estate Coonawarra a little further south.

For more dog-friendly tastings, see wineries in South Australia, or browse what else is on offer in Coonawarra.