Walter Wines Mugdee

Walter Wines is a small, family-run cellar door on Tinja Lane in the Mudgee wine country, about ten to fifteen minutes north of town. It is relaxed and intimate, known for small-batch reds and generous food, and it is one of the few cellar doors in the region that genuinely welcomes dogs inside as well as out, which matters when the weather turns.

The dog setup

Well-behaved dogs under control join you for tastings and lunch, including in the dining room if it is wet or cold, with tables under the trees and open space outside when it is fine. Keep your dog on a lead and settled, and bring your own water bowl to be safe. Regional listings suggest calling ahead as standard practice, and with hours running Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, a quick confirmation before you drive out is worthwhile.

The vibe

The service is personable and the wine knowledge is real, with the reds doing the heavy lifting on the tasting list. The food side earns its own following: house-baked wagyu beef and lamb pies, meat and cheese grazing plates, and portions that do not skimp. It is a sit-and-stay-awhile cellar door rather than a quick flight-and-go, and calm dogs who settle at your feet fit the room perfectly.

Getting there and parking

179 Tinja Lane, Mudgee, with casual on-site parking near the cellar door so you and the dog are never far from the car.

Pair it with

Other dog-friendly cellar doors are an easy drive away: Lowe Family Wine Co down the road in Eurunderee, YEATES Wines by the vineyard pond, and Burnbrae Wines closer to town. Mudgee's town parks give the dog open space for a walk between stops. More on the NSW dog friendly wineries page and in the Mudgee guide.

Max: order the lamb pie with the reds, and come early for the quietest tables.