First Ridge Wines

First Ridge Wines is a boutique cellar door on Burrundulla Road just south of Mudgee, built from adjoining shipping containers on a ridge with wide views over the vineyards. It specialises in Italian varieties, and it is one of the Mudgee stops that region dog-friendly guides consistently list as welcoming dogs on a lead.

Dogs at First Ridge

Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome at the cellar door and on the surrounding lawns, so a tasting does not mean leaving the dog in the car. Water bowls are usually on hand, but carry your own to be sure, and keep your dog settled near the table rather than roaming between groups.

The vibe

The tasting list runs through Sangiovese, Barbera and Vermentino, with the sangiovese frizzante a regular talking point, and cheese and olives often alongside. The elevated deck and the valley outlook do a lot of the selling, and the container build gives it a relaxed, modern feel.

Pepsi: a winery where I get a spot on the deck, a water bowl and a view of the valley. My humans get the frizzante, I get the cheese dropped on the floor.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door sits at 577 Burrundulla Road, about five to ten minutes from central Mudgee, with parking directly out front. Hours run Monday and Thursday to Friday 11am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday, so check the diary before a midweek detour.

Pair it with

Di Lusso Estate on Eurunderee Lane pours Italian varietals too and keeps water bowls out for dogs, while Lowe Family Wine Co and Walter Wines on Tinja Lane both take a relaxed view of leashed dogs on the property.

Burnbrae Wines rounds out a tasting loop. The full region is on the NSW wineries guide and the Mudgee destination page.