Oxenberry Farm Wines

Oxenberry Farm is a family-run vineyard and farm on Kangarilla Road, and its standout feature for dog owners is location: it sits directly on the Shiraz Trail, so you can walk the dog in from town and tie up the visit with a stroll. The casual lawns and shaded outdoor seating make it an easy, unhurried stop rather than a formal tasting counter.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor courtyard, on the lawns and during seated tastings in the shaded outdoor areas; pets stay out of the indoor shop aside from service dogs. Complimentary water is available for dogs and your dog stays on-lead throughout. Expect a friendly reception, with a resident winery dog often on greeting duty, so a sociable dog settles in here more easily than a nervous one.

Worth knowing

The range is diverse and characterful, headlined by an unusual 20-varietal non-vintage red, with casual platters covering the food side and ciders for non-wine drinkers. The vibe is relaxed, with seating under the trees and on the lawn. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, closed Monday and Tuesday.

Pepsi: walk the Shiraz Trail in, do the tasting on the lawn, then walk it off on the way home. One trip, no driving.

Getting there and parking

The address is 24-26 Kangarilla Road, just outside the McLaren Vale township, with on-site parking. You can also walk or cycle in via the tree-lined Shiraz Trail, which runs between McLaren Vale and Willunga and makes the venue a natural half-way stop on an on-lead walk. Weekday mornings are quietest, and the shaded outdoor seating helps on hot days.

Pair it with

More dog-friendly McLaren Vale stops are close by: DogRidge Vineyards welcomes leashed dogs by Pedler Creek, Dandelion Vineyards pours in town, and Tin Shed Cafe covers a dog-friendly meal. The Willunga Basin Trail offers a longer walk further south.

More options are on the South Australia wineries guide and the McLaren Vale destinations page.