Stanton & Killeen Wines

Stanton and Killeen is a seventh-generation family winery on Jacks Road on the Wahgunyah side of Rutherglen, one of the big names in a region built on fortified wine. It is also one of the easiest cellar doors in the district to bring a dog: a generous lawn with shade trees, a covered patio, water bowls provided and a team that is openly comfortable with dogs on leads.

The dog setup

Dogs on leads are welcome across the outdoor areas, including the lawns and the covered patio, and tastings can be done entirely outside with your dog beside you. Water bowls are provided and there is no charge for bringing a dog. Keep the lead on throughout: the lawn is open and there are resident winery dogs around the property.

Max: shade tree, big lawn, platter to share. This is a winery built for a slow afternoon with a dog, not a quick taste-and-go.

Worth knowing

The list runs from Rutherglen's famous barrel-aged muscats through to durif and Portuguese-style table wines, and regional grazing platters are available to eat on the lawn. The estate has form with dog-focused community events too, including a Doggy Athletics day, so it is worth checking their calendar around autumn. Cellar door hours run 10am to 4pm, seven days.

Getting there and parking

The cellar door is at 440 Jacks Road, reached from Rutherglen or Wahgunyah, with parking on site. It is an easy five-minute drive from Rutherglen's main street.

Close by with the dogs

Campbells Wines is on the Murray Valley Highway with a similarly relaxed take on dogs, and Chambers Rosewood Winery and Vineyards keeps the fortified theme going. For a town-based stop with a garden, James and Co. Wines sits on Main Street.

More of the region is on the Rutherglen destination page, with the full state list under dog-friendly Victorian wineries.