Paxton Wines

Paxton Wines is a family-owned certified organic and biodynamic producer at 68 Wheaton Road, McLaren Vale, pouring from a rustic cellar door built into an 1850s shearing shed. With shaded lawns and a courtyard facing the vines, it is one of the region's most straightforwardly dog-welcoming cellar doors.

The dog setup

Well-behaved dogs are welcome inside the cellar door during tastings as well as out on the lawns and courtyard, and water bowls are provided. The rules are simple: stay on-lead, be comfortable around strangers, and keep your dog settled while staff pour.

Inside access makes a real difference in cold or wet weather, when most cellar doors push dogs outdoors only. On hot days, claim a shaded spot on the lawns and let the dog lie flat under the trees.

Pepsi: bring a rug and treat the lawns as the base camp. The build-your-own regional platters are made for a slow afternoon with the dog stretched out beside you.

The vibe

The wines lean into the biodynamic program, with shiraz, grenache, tempranillo and pinot gris the usual talking points, and tastings served in a relaxed, historic setting. Walk-ins are welcome for standard tastings and picnic rugs come out on the lawns; groups of eight or more should book ahead.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door sits on Wheaton Road a few minutes from the McLaren Vale town centre, with plenty of on-site parking. It opens 10am to 5pm daily, closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Anzac Day and New Year's Day.

Pair it with

The Shiraz Trail runs close by for an on-lead walk between tastings, and Angove McLaren Vale Vineyards and Cellar Door plus Hugh Hamilton Wines are both in dog-friendly range for a second stop. Sam I Am Cafe covers coffee in town.

More options are in the South Australian dog friendly wineries guide and on the McLaren Vale destination page.