Sew & Sew Wines

Sew & Sew Wines is a boutique cellar door in a converted dairy shed on Pennys Hill Road, surrounded by vineyards in the hills above McLaren Vale. It runs on intimate, hosted tastings rather than a busy bar, and dogs are part of the picture, welcome on the patio and often inside too, with a resident wine dog or two usually on hand.

The dog setup

Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on the shaded patio and lawn overlooking the vines, and friendly dogs are generally allowed inside the rustic cellar door near the fireplace on cooler days, at the staff's discretion. Water bowls are usually out, though a folding bowl is worth packing, and mention your dog when you book so you are seated in the right spot.

The vibe

Tastings cover McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills wines across curated flights, from Shiraz and Chardonnay to Italian varieties like Fiano and Nero d'Avola, paired with local cheese boards on the patio. Reviews are glowing about the owners and the relaxed, personal feel. A brewery sits next door, so the hill works as a two-stop afternoon.

Max: this is a winter winery as much as a summer one. When the patio is too exposed, the fireplace inside is the best cold-day cellar door spot for a dog in the Vale.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door is at 97 Pennys Hill Road, a short drive from the McLaren Vale township. Follow the driveway up to the car park near the flagpoles rather than the minor dirt tracks, and park in the free on-site gravel lot right by the door, with flat access throughout. Doors open at midday daily, running to 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Pair it with

Loop the hill with a stop at the Vine Shed Venue & Cellar Door at McLaren Flat for a bigger lawn-and-pizza afternoon, and start the day with a coffee at Sam I Am Cafe in the township.

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