Parker Coonawarra Estate

Parker Coonawarra Estate is a family-owned cellar door at 15688 Riddoch Highway, just north of Penola, with a reputation built on premium Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the famous terra rossa strip. It is a listed dog-friendly stop with the Coonawarra Vignerons, and the appeal is the space: expansive lawns and courtyard seating where your dog settles in while you work through the tasting.

The dog setup

Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome across the outdoor lawns and courtyard, with the 40-year-old vines right there for atmosphere. The main tasting room is indoors and stays humans-only, but the lawn area is generous enough that it rarely feels like a compromise. Bring your own water bowl because there is no dedicated dog station, and check in with staff on arrival about where they would like you to settle.

Pepsi: Weekdays give your dog the run of that big lawn. On busy weekends the courtyard fills and a dog that settles quietly gets a much better seat, figuratively speaking.

The vibe

Visitors talk about the chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, a rosé, paired wine flights and a gin selection alongside the usual cellar door range, with staff rated as helpful without hovering. Hours run 10am to 4pm daily, with the kitchen generally serving between 11:30am and 2pm, so a wine lunch is possible. Confirm holiday hours before a public-long-weekend run.

Getting there and parking

The estate sits directly on the Riddoch Highway with ample on-site parking, and Penola township is only a few minutes back down the road for cafes and supplies.

Make a day of it

The terra rossa strip runs north through Coonawarra with dog-friendly doors the whole way. Raidis Estate Coonawarra and Whistle Post Estate & Cellar Door are both close by with relaxed outdoor spaces, and Bellwether Wines adds a rustic garden setting in an old woolshed. Redman Wines rounds out a cabernet-focused loop.

Plan the rest of the trip with wineries in SA or other stops around Penola.