Gundog Estate

Gundog Estate's Hunter cellar door at 101 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin is a boutique, small-batch operation whose name sets the tone: dogs are part of the furniture here. The range is built on Semillon, Riesling and Shiraz, and the welcome extends to a dog-friendly beer on the menu so your companion can raise a glass too.

The dog setup

Friendly, well-behaved dogs are welcome to join you at the cellar door, with polite leashed dogs settling in the designated spots near the tasting area and staff guidance on where dogs can rest. Keep yours on a lead, clean up after them, and bring your own water bowl, as outdoor dog amenities are kept simple. The standout touch is Tail Ale, a dog-safe beer your dog can share in the moment.

Worth knowing

The wines are small-batch with real regional character, and the Semillon, Riesling and Shiraz are the ones to work through. Tastings run in a relaxed, no-hard-sell style, which suits a dog that needs a few minutes to settle. The cellar door trades seven days, generally 10am to 5pm.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door sits on McDonalds Road in the main Pokolbin strip, easily reached from the Cessnock side of the valley, with on-site parking a short walk from the door.

Close by with the dogs

The surrounding strip makes a dog-friendly run easy: Ben Ean is pet friendly across its whole estate up the road, Pepper Tree Wines takes dogs inside and out, and Saddler's Creek Wines runs a pet-friendly picnic lawn. The NSW wineries list and Pokolbin guide cover the rest of the valley.

Pepsi: A winery that stocks beer for the dog tells you everything about the welcome. Work through the Semillon and let yours have the Tail Ale.