Holm Oak Vineyards

Holm Oak is a family-owned vineyard at 11 West Bay Road in Rowella, on the wine trail that follows the West Tamar. It is best known for a cool-climate pinot noir the team nicknamed The Wizard, backed by chardonnay, riesling and pinot gris, and it welcomes dogs across the property with one small courtesy: a word to staff before you head inside.

The dog setup

Dogs are allowed at the cellar door, but the team asks that you let staff know before bringing one in, because the resident Maltese Shih Tzu can be a touch territorial. The large outdoor lawn is the easier option and arguably the better one anyway: it looks over the vines, has room for a picnic or a cheese and charcuterie board, and keeps your dog comfortable while you taste. Bring your own water bowl, since the setup is geared to wine service rather than dog facilities.

Max: give staff a heads-up at the door and let them manage the introduction. If their dog is having a day, the lawn is where everyone wins.

Worth knowing

Bookings via the website are preferred for tastings, and you can note you are bringing a dog when you book. Local cheeses and charcuterie platters are available alongside the wine flights, and the vineyard holds sustainable tourism accreditation. Weekend visits can coincide with events, so a quiet midweek tasting suits a dog better.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door sits on West Bay Road (C724) off the West Tamar Highway, about 45 minutes from Launceston. There is on-site parking, including EV charging. Hours are 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Sunday, with Saturdays closed, though cellar door hours can shift seasonally, so confirm before driving out.

Close by with the dogs

Iron Pot Bay Vineyard is just up the road at 7 West Bay Road and also welcomes dogs, so the two make an easy pair on one trip, and Westella Vineyard is in the same tiny pocket of Rowella. For a leg stretch with the dog off lead, Legana Off-Lead Dog Park (Tanner Drive) is on the drive back toward Launceston.

Weekday mornings are calmest if you want the lawn to yourselves. More West Tamar tasting rooms are on the Rowella destination page, and the full Tasmanian list is under dog-friendly wineries in TAS.