Hill River Wines

Hill River Wines is a relaxed, family-friendly cellar door in the Polish Hill River sub-region of the Clare Valley, about 10 to 15 minutes' drive from Clare itself. For dog owners, the single reason to make the trip is the large outdoor garden and courtyard area where you can settle in with a glass of Riesling, a picnic platter, and your leashed dog alongside you, all while looking out over open vines.

The dog setup: Dogs are welcome in the outdoor garden and courtyard area only. The indoor cellar door is off-limits to pets, so plan your visit around fair-weather outdoor seating. The courtyard has plenty of shady spots under trees, and water bowls are often provided, though it pays to bring your own just in case. Treats are not supplied, so pack your own. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times, given the open rural nature of the property and the neighbouring vineyards.

Known for: Polish Hill River Riesling is the headline act here, and the cellar door crew are informative and generous with free tastings across the wine range. There is also a beer selection for non-wine drinkers. The food angle is distinctly casual: you can build your own picnic platter from the Providore Fridge rather than ordering from a restaurant menu, which suits a long, slow afternoon in the garden.

Getting there & parking: The address is 232 Bickers Road, Polish Hill River, SA 5453. There is ample, free, on-site gravel parking immediately next to the cellar door entrance, so the walk from car to courtyard is short and easy with a dog in tow. The cellar door is open daily from 10am to 4pm.

Nearby with the dogs: If you are making a day of the Clare Valley, Mitchell Wines and Tim Adams Wines are other cellar doors in the area worth a look. Check their individual dog policies before you arrive, as outdoor-only access rules are common across the region.

When to go: Weekday mornings tend to be the quietest time for a relaxed tasting with a dog in tow, with the shaded courtyard comfortable most of the day. On hot afternoons, an earlier visit is kinder to a dog on gravel and open ground, and remember the cellar door itself is off-limits to pets, so outdoor seating is the plan either way.

Sources

• Hill River Wines · hillriverwines.com.au
• Visit our Cellar Door - Hill River Wines · hillriverwines.com.au
• Pet-Friendly Cellar Doors and Eateries Clare Valley · clarevalley.com.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.