Small Acres Cyder Cellar Door

Small Acres Cyder pours from a cellar door on Akhurst Road in Nashdale, a short drive from Orange, surrounded by the orchard that grows its fruit. It is a cider house rather than a winery, and the outdoor setup is unusually well thought out for people arriving with dogs.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome across the outdoor seating and terrace areas, leashed and supervised. For hygiene reasons they stay out of the tasting room itself, but the team supplies water bowls with fresh rainwater and even dog beds, and there are covered and shaded spots to tether a dog in wet weather while you keep an eye on them through the window. Cellar door space is limited, so book ahead and count everyone in your group, including non-drinkers and kids, who get their own juice and cider tastings.

The vibe

The range runs from dry to sweet and still to sparkling, with guided tastings that walk you through the cider making process, plus non-alcoholic varieties. Between rounds there are two practice disc golf baskets by the orchard, which suits a dog that is relaxed around flying plastic. Fine weather gets the most out of the day, since everything centres on the courtyard and the orchard outlook.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door is at 12 Akhurst Road, Nashdale, with on-site parking. It opens Friday afternoons and weekends from late morning to about 4pm, so plan around those days. If you would rather not drive, pet-friendly wine tour operators service the Orange region.

Pair it with

You are in the middle of Nashdale cellar-door country. Rowlee Wines and See Saw Wine are both nearby on the Lake Canobolas side, and Heifer Station Wines on the Orange side adds a farmyard stop that works with kids and dogs alike.

More options are on the New South Wales pet friendly wineries guide and the Nashdale destination page.