Jester Hill Wines

Jester Hill Wines is a boutique, family-run cellar door in the Granite Belt near Glen Aplin, and it comes with two resident dogs of its own, a Great Dane called Scooby-Doo and a Blue Heeler called Major, so the welcome for visiting dogs is genuine rather than a token policy.

The dog setup. Dogs are welcome on the verandah, which has a tie-up pole and water dishes set out for visiting pets. The cellar door itself is best treated as an outdoor-verandah experience with your dog rather than an indoors one. If your dog is nervous around other animals, ask staff to move Scooby-Doo and Major to the office while you visit, since the resident dogs are usually roaming the grounds.

Good to know. The winery is known for its gourmet platters of local meats, cheeses and olives, best enjoyed on the verandah with a Granite Belt chardonnay or one of the other seven or so wines on the tasting list. Staff are used to dogs underfoot and the atmosphere is relaxed and family friendly.

Getting there and parking. Jester Hill Wines is at 293 Hannigan Creek Road, Glen Aplin, just off the New England Highway. On-site parking is available and the drive in is easy, sealed country road.

Nearby with the dogs. Several other Granite Belt cellar doors nearby also welcome dogs, including Bungawarra Wines and Symphony Hill Wines in Ballandean and Hidden Creek Winery and Cafe, so a short wine trail with the dog in the car is realistic.

Go on a quiet weekday if you want the verandah to yourselves, or a weekend if you don't mind sharing the space with other dog-owning visitors. Good for social dogs that are relaxed around other animals.

Sources

• FAQs - Jester Hill Wines · jesterhillwines.com.au
• Gourmet Platters - Jester Hill Wines · jesterhillwines.com.au
• Jester Hill Wines - Queensland · queensland.com
• Dog Friendly Cellar Doors - Granite Belt Wine Country · granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
• Dog-friendly vineyards of Stanthorpe - A Sunnier Life · asunnierlife.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.