Windy Creek Estate

Windy Creek Estate is a third-generation family vineyard at 27 Stock Road, Herne Hill, making wine in the Swan Valley since 1937. The outdoor cellar door seating looks over the vines toward the Darling Scarp, and leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome in that outdoor area while you taste.

The dog setup

Dogs stay in the outdoor seating facing the vineyard; the tasting room itself is indoors. Water bowls are commonly put out for visiting dogs, though bring your own on a hot day in case none is out. The estate has its own resident winery dogs, so a calm dog on a short lead matters. Policies can shift with how busy the cellar door is or if an event is on, so it is worth a quick call ahead on weekends before you arrive with your dog.

Max: shaded tables over the vines fill fast on hot weekends. Ring ahead, then order the fortifieds and settle in.

The vibe

This is an old-school, non-pretentious cellar door known for free tastings, free bikkies and cheese on the counter, and a spread of dry whites, complex reds and fortifieds. The fortifieds are the standout pour. It opens 11am to 5pm daily, and weekday afternoons are the quiet window if you want a relaxed tasting with a dog underfoot.

Getting there and parking

The estate sits at 27 Stock Road, Herne Hill, just off Great Northern Highway, about 25 minutes from Perth. Parking is free and on site.

While you're out there

The Swan Valley loop is easy to string together with dogs in tow. Ugly Duckling Wines on West Swan Road has shaded deck and garden seating with water bowls, and Garbin Estate Wines keeps the family-run feel going. For a coffee stop in the suburb, Black Moustache Coffee Co. is close by.

More cellar doors are on our Western Australia wineries page, or browse Herne Hill.