Seppeltsfield Wines

Seppeltsfield is the grand old estate of the Barossa, founded in 1851 with the present cellar door home built in 1878, and its palm-lined entrance avenue is one of the valley's signature sights. For dog owners it offers something unusual among the big-name estates: a clear, published policy that lets your dog join the whole outdoor experience, from the grounds to the café gardens.

Dogs at Seppeltsfield

Dogs on a lead are welcome to walk the estate's pathways, gardens and grounds, which are extensive enough for a proper stroll between tastings. Indoors is off-limits: the Cellar Door, tasting rooms and FINO's indoor dining take no dogs, with registered assistance animals the exception. The café gardens will seat a leashed dog while you eat or drink, and FINO's outdoor terrace can work with prior arrangement, so book ahead and mention the dog. Bring your own water and treats; this is a wine estate rather than a dog-equipped venue.

Worth knowing

The drawcard is the Centennial Cellar, which holds a barrel of Para Vintage Tawny from every vintage since 1878, with tastings drawn from your birth year. The estate also houses Seppeltsfield Road Distillers for gin, and the heritage stone buildings and palm avenue make the walk itself the highlight. Weekday mornings are quietest, before the tour buses arrive.

Max: book the terrace at FINO in advance and say you are bringing a dog. Turn up hoping, and you may be sitting in the gardens instead.

Getting there and parking

The estate is at 730 Seppeltsfield Road, about an hour's drive from Adelaide's centre. Parking is free, with large gravel and sealed areas giving easy access to the grounds and picnic spots.

Pair it with

Two Hands Wines at Marananga is famously pet-friendly with resident winery dogs, and Turkey Flat Vineyards in Tanunda welcomes dogs in its outdoor seating. Sieber Wines is the small cellar door next door on Seppeltsfield Road.

More options are on the South Australia dog-friendly wineries guide and the Seppeltsfield destination page.