Jones Winery & Vineyard & Restaurant Rutherglen

Jones Winery, Vineyard & Restaurant is a sixth-generation family estate on Jones Road in Rutherglen, where vines have been worked since 1860 and the restaurant runs a French-influenced kitchen. It is a relaxed, rural cellar door with a resident dog on the property, and leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor spaces.

The dog setup

Dogs on a lead are comfortable in the grounds and outdoor seating, so mention your dog when you book and ask for an alfresco table. Inside dining and the cellar door counter are best treated as people-only zones. There is no charge for bringing a dog, and the vines, gardens and sculpture walk give you somewhere to wander between courses.

Bring your own water bowl and introduce your dog to the resident dog calmly, since a working property has comings and goings around the driveway.

The vibe

The restaurant under chef Briony Bradford leans on classic French technique with produce from the region, including Murray Grey beef raised on the property, and the estate pours Rutherglen staples such as Durif, Shiraz and Muscat alongside plantings like Fiano and Marsanne. Tastings run at the heritage cellar door, and you can order a picnic to take into the grounds. Doors open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 4pm, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with restaurant bookings essential.

Getting there and parking

The estate is a short drive from the Rutherglen township, with on-site parking near the cellar door and restaurant. If you want to make a weekend of it, the pet-friendly Jones Tiny House sits on the property overlooking the vines.

While you're out there

Rutherglen is stacked with dog-friendly cellar doors, so build a loop around Chambers Rosewood Winery & Vineyards and Stanton & Killeen Wines, or head for the water at Lake Moodemere Estate.

The wider region is covered in the Victoria dog friendly wineries guide, and the town's other entries sit on the Rutherglen destination page.