Kaesler Wines

Kaesler Wines is a historic cellar door about 2km south of central Nuriootpa on Barossa Valley Way, set among dry-grown old vines, established gardens and 1890s stone buildings. What makes it stand out for dog owners is uncommon in the Barossa: dogs are welcome inside the cellar door as well as out on the grounds, so a 40 degree day or a winter front does not have to decide whether the dog comes along.

The dog setup

Dogs are permitted inside the tasting room and in the outdoor areas and gardens, with water bowls typically provided on site. Because indoor access is on the table, the expectation is a dog that stays close, settles quietly and does not approach other tasters uninvited. Keep your dog with you at all times rather than tying up outside, and skip the visit if your dog is unsettled around strangers.

Worth knowing

The cellar door trades daily, generally 10am to 5pm. Kaesler is best known for Shiraz off vines planted in 1893, headlined by the Old Bastard, alongside Grenache, Mataro and a small run of whites, and tastings are the personal, unhurried kind. A portion of proceeds from the Art Collection series supports Greyhounds as Pets South Australia, a nice fit for anyone who arrived with a rescue hound in the back of the ute.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door sits at 3174 Barossa Valley Way, roughly an hour's drive from the Adelaide CBD and a few minutes south of the Nuriootpa town centre. There is ample on-site parking a short walk from the door, and the vineyard setting means entry is flat and easy.

Close by with the dogs

For an off-leash run before or after your booking, the Nuriootpa Fenced Dog Park on Penrice Road is a few minutes away. First Drop Wines is another Nuriootpa cellar door that works for a dog-accompanied tasting, and Gibson Wines in Light Pass welcomes well-behaved dogs in its courtyard about ten minutes east. If you are staying over, BIG4 Barossa Tourist Park takes pets. See more options on the dog-friendly South Australia wineries list and the Nuriootpa destination guide.

Max: Indoor cellar door access is the rare part here. Wash the dog before you come, not after.