Dawning Day Winery and Distillery

Dawning Day is a small boutique winery and distillery on Rockleigh Road in Exeter, in the Southern Highlands wine country, and it runs on a booking basis that keeps the cellar door intimate. Guests are often greeted by Kevin, the resident winery dog, along with the border collies, so a visit here already comes with a canine welcome party before you have tasted a thing.

The dog setup

Well behaved dogs on a leash are welcome both inside the cellar door and out in the garden areas, which is more generous than most tasting rooms manage. In colder months the fireplace inside makes the tasting room a genuinely dog friendly stop rather than a summer only one, and the grounds give leashed dogs somewhere to stretch between pours. Book ahead, since the small space means walk ins can miss out, and mention you are bringing a dog when you reserve.

The tasting list leans towards pinot noir, which suits the cool climate of the region, and the distillery side adds spirits to a visit that most Highlands cellar doors cannot offer. Between tastings there are alpacas on the property to meet, which children and dogs alike seem to find fascinating, though it is worth keeping your dog settled while other guests are mid tasting. Allow time for the drive out along Rockleigh Road, which winds through quiet acreage on the edge of town.

Pair it with

Exeter is compact, so a dog day here builds out easily. Before or after your booking, the Exeter Fenced Dog Park gives your dog a proper off leash run to burn off energy, and The Cabin covers coffee with dogs welcome outside. For a weekend in the area, Reedy Creek Cottage offers dog friendly accommodation close by.

For other cellar doors in the region that take the same approach, browse our New South Wales wineries guide.