Cargo Road Wines

Cargo Road Wines is an unpretentious cellar door on a working vineyard at Nashdale, a short drive west of central Orange, built around cool-climate wines made on site. For dog owners the appeal is simple: lawns, vineyard views and a relaxed tasting that runs at its own pace, with the dog settled beside you outdoors.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas overlooking the vines, on a lead, with room on the lawns and around the rustic cellar door to settle in. One heads-up before you arrive: a resident kelpie, Mina, often greets guests around the property, so a dog that is reactive around other dogs needs managing on arrival. The vibe is casual, but bring your own water bowl and waste bags to be safe.

Worth knowing

The range leans cool-climate chardonnay, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc alongside a few unusual varietals, poured in guided tastings with no time pressure, and grazing plates are available when you want to turn the tasting into lunch. Bookings are recommended for tastings. There is also vineyard camping on site if you want to make a weekend of it.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door sits on Cargo Road at Nashdale, out towards Mount Canobolas, roughly a 15 minute drive from central Orange. Ample on-site parking sits near the cellar door, with a short flat walk to the tasting areas.

Close by with the dogs

Lake Canobolas is a short drive for an on-lead walk around the water, and several neighbours on the same wine route take dogs too: De Salis Wines, Philip Shaw Wines and Heifer Station Wines with its farmyard lawn. For an off-leash session in town, the Machin Park Fenced Dog Park works. The NSW wineries list and Orange destination guide fill in the rest.

Pepsi: Pick a fine day, claim a patch of lawn, and let the tasting run long. Just give Mina a calm, managed introduction on arrival.