Black Creek Farm

Black Creek Farm is a small, French provincial style vineyard on Old North Road in Rothbury, home to Theleme Wines, and dogs are a regular part of the scene here. The family run cellar door is personal by design, and visitors are often greeted by the resident dog, Elwood, before settling in for a tasting on the farmhouse deck.

The dog setup

Tastings happen on the open veranda overlooking the vines, and well behaved dogs are welcome to join you there on a leash. Because this is a boutique family farm rather than a large commercial complex, there is no dedicated dog menu or water station, so bring your own water bowl and treats. Bookings are essential for a tasting, so mention you are bringing a dog when you reserve.

The vibe

The cellar door pours single vineyard, French style reds and whites, including Semillon, Chardonnay, Rose, Cabernet Merlot and Shiraz, with tastings led personally by the owners in a rustic, unhurried setting. The deck is the sort of place you settle into for a while rather than a stop and go tasting bar.

Getting there and parking

The address is 803 Old North Road, Rothbury, a short drive from the Pokolbin heart of the Hunter Valley, with plentiful on site parking near the cellar door. Hours run 10am to 4pm Friday to Monday, closed Tuesday to Thursday, so plan a long weekend visit.

Pair it with

John Wallace Wines just up Palmers Lane is another family run cellar door that welcomes dogs, Saddler's Creek Wines sits in nearby Pokolbin, and Krinklewood Organic & Biodynamic Estate at Broke makes a longer drive worthwhile.

Pepsi: Meeting Elwood at the gate is half the visit. Bring a travel bowl though, because the farmhouse deck has no dog station.

Weekday visits tend to be calmer for a dog settling in on the deck, since the intimate setting fills quickly on weekends. Good for calm, sociable dogs, less so for reactive dogs given Elwood greets everyone at the door.