Gibson Wines

Gibson Wines is a relaxed cellar door at 190 Willows Road, Light Pass, a couple of minutes from the Angaston side of the Barossa, set behind a historic blacksmith's cottage called The Smithy. The drawcard for dog owners is the lawn-fringed courtyard with vineyard views, where well-behaved, social dogs on a lead are welcome to sit with you through a tasting.

The dog setup

Dogs stay on-lead in the outdoor courtyard and lawn areas; they are not permitted inside the tasting room, with guide and assistance dogs the exception. Bring your own water bowl, as none are specifically provided. One thing worth knowing before you settle in: Gibson has a resident winery dog that often wanders unrestrained, so if your dog is reactive or needs space, scope the courtyard first and pick a spot well away from the resident dog's patrol route.

Worth knowing

The cellar door runs 11am to 5pm every day. Gibson specialises in premium old-vine Shiraz with the Dirtman label leading the range, alongside Riesling and Fiano, and the courtyard tastings look directly over the vines. The Smithy is an intimate, cosy space, so bookings are strongly preferred, especially if you want a courtyard seat. The on-site Weber Grill Academy runs for something more substantial than a cheese plate.

Max: a resident dog roaming off-lead is the single biggest variable at any winery. If your dog needs space, give the courtyard a once-over before you pick your spot.

Getting there and parking

There is a free on-site car park at the cellar door and no local bus service. If you are not driving, the Barossa and Light cab services operate in the valley and can take pets, which makes a tasting run feasible without a designated driver.

Pair it with

More Barossa cellar doors that welcome leashed dogs are close by: First Drop Wines in Nuriootpa, Lambert Estate Wines in Angaston, Levrier Wines with its greyhound-loving tasting room, and Turkey Flat Vineyards on the edge of Tanunda.

More options are on the South Australia wineries guide and the Light Pass destinations page.