Stefani Estate Cellar Door

Stefani Estate Cellar Door is a boutique, family-run winery at 735 Old Healesville Road, pouring small-batch Yarra Valley and Heathcote wines with an Italian leaning. It is the quiet end of the Yarra Valley tasting trail: a hands-on pour from the people who made the wine, with the dog welcome beside you rather than tied up out front.

The dog setup

Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating and on the open lawn and garden around the cellar door. The property is not securely fenced, so keep your dog close and under control, and off the furniture. Staff are generally accommodating with water on request, but bringing your own bowl takes the guesswork out on a warm afternoon.

The vibe

The tasting list leans Italian, with Sangiovese and Pinot Noir to the fore, and flights can be paired with antipasto and charcuterie platters. Visitors consistently mention the helpful, welcoming service and the family-run feel. Opening is limited, commonly Saturdays from 11am, with Sundays and Fridays variable or by arrangement, so book ahead and confirm the day before you drive out.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door sits out of the Healesville town centre along Old Healesville Road, about 60 to 90 minutes from Melbourne, with on-site parking. Plan it as a destination stop rather than a walk-in from the main street.

Pair it with

Healesville Showgrounds Dog Off Leash Area gives the dog a proper run before the tasting, and the main-street cafes back in Healesville are a short drive for a coffee stop on the way home.

Other valley cellar doors including Jayden Ong Winery and Cellar Bar and Maddens Rise make an easy dog-day loop through the valley, with enough space between stops for a leg-stretch at each gate.

More options are on the Victoria wineries guide and the Healesville destination page.