Mira Wines

Mira Wines is a boutique family vineyard at 276 O'Connors Road in Pokolbin, run by Greek-Australian couple Kiros and Ana. It is a small-batch operation with a genuinely homemade streak: estate wines alongside hand-made limoncello, which is close to unheard of at a Hunter cellar door.

The tasting

The range is small and personal rather than a long list of releases. The 'Pathos' Taverna Shiraz and the 'Glendi' Sparkling Moscato anchor it, and the limoncello is made the way a Greek grandmother would approve of. Tastings are intimate and hosted by the people who made the wine, so book ahead by contacting Ana rather than assuming the door is open, especially midweek.

Worth knowing

Unlike many Hunter cellar doors, Mira does not publish a pet policy, and it does not appear on the regional dog-friendly cellar door lists. That does not necessarily mean no dogs, but you should ring ahead on 0410 322 575 before planning a visit around your dog rather than turning up and hoping. If the answer is no, there are plenty of confirmed dog-friendly options within a few minutes' drive to take your tasting budget to instead.

Max: call before you go. A private tasting room the size of a living room is the owner's call, not an open invitation.

Getting there

O'Connors Road runs off Broke Road on the Pokolbin side of the valley, about ten minutes from Cessnock. Parking is on-site at the vineyard. It pairs naturally with other stops along O'Connors Road, where several small producers sit within a couple of kilometres of each other.

Pair it with

For confirmed dog-friendly tastings nearby, Wild Ren Wines welcomes well-behaved dogs inside with bowls and treats, Glandore Estate runs a famously dog-mad cellar door, and Tulloch Wines seats dogs with their owners on the balcony if you give them notice. De Iuliis Wines is another family-friendly option on Broke Road.

More options are on the New South Wales dog-friendly wineries guide and the Pokolbin destination page.