Stomp! Wines

Stomp! Wines is a small, family-run cellar door on Wilderness Road in Lovedale, and it is about as dog-welcoming as Hunter Valley cellar doors get. Dogs are allowed both inside the cosy tasting room and in the outdoor seating, and the place is set up with dogs in mind, right down to the gift shop stocking dog treats and toys.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome inside and out but must stay on a lead at all times on the property. Water bowls are usually available. The important caveat: a young, energetic winery dog named Lottie is often on-site and eager to play, so visits suit friendly, socialised, well-trained dogs. If yours is reactive or uncomfortable around bouncy younger dogs, this is a venue to approach carefully rather than assume.

Worth knowing

Stomp is known for its sparkling wines, including a sparkling Chambourcin, plus gelati and sparkling wine pairings alongside a broader range of Hunter varietals. It is a compact, personal cellar door with winemaker-hosted tastings rather than a big venue. Open Monday 10am to 5pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Max: lead on the whole time here, and remember there is a bouncy resident dog. If yours is reactive, an early quiet visit is the safer call.

Getting there and parking

Find it at 504 Wilderness Road, Lovedale, easily reached via the Lovedale exit off the Hunter Expressway, with on-site gravel and grass parking right outside the cellar door. You will need to drive, so plan a driver for tastings. Being small, it can feel full quickly on a busy weekend, which is a lot for an excitable dog; a weekday or an early slot is calmer.

Pair it with

The quiet country roads around Wilderness Road suit a pre-tasting walk, and the Lovedale strip has more dog-friendly cellar doors close by: Tatler Wines with its big welcome lawn, Allandale Winery, and Emma's Cottage are all a short drive apart.

More options are on the New South Wales wineries guide and the Lovedale destinations page.