Murrumbateman is home to some of Australia’s finest wineries, where you can taste a wide range of award-winning wines made from locally grown grapes. The cool climate of the region creates a unique terroir, resulting in wines that are elegant, complex, and full of flavor. Whether you prefer red or white, sweet or dry, there’s something for every palate in Canberra’s wineries. Many wineries also offer tours of their vineyards and cellars, providing an opportunity to learn about the winemaking process and the history of the region. So if you’re looking for a fun and educational day out, head to Murrumbateman for some of the best wine tasting experiences in Australia.
If you haven’t already, you can see the full list of Murrumbateman wineries with cellar doors here, all with the latest live reviews and photos in one convenient place.
In assessing which wineries’ cellar doors are most pet-friendly, they have been rated based on:
- where the pets will be located,
- your proximity to them whilst wine tasting,
- shade, and
- presence of heaters.
The latter because of how cold open areas can become during peak weather seasons in the cool-climate Canberra region. Almost none have fans during summer, but there is often shade and drinking water available.
Don’t forget that Merry Heart CBR is pet-friendly on all private tours.
All assistance dogs are obviously welcome on any of the tours.
Because of food regulatory requirements, most wineries’ cellar doors can not allow pets indoors and this is something outside of their control.
The below rating are based solely on pet-friendliness. Not the quality of wines or other factors. Cellar Doors have been contacted for comment.
Table of Contents
Murrumbateman Winery - 5/5
Murrumbateman winery is one of the most pet-friendly wineries in Murrumbateman. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area. So you can sit outdoors to have tastings and cheese platters with your pet. It is a tent-like area with heaters so you’re all cosy with a glass in one hand and the other petting your dog.
There are also friendly vineyard doggos who often come to welcome the visitors. On that note, make sure your dog is friendly.
Murrumbateman Winery also has a “Mollie Sav Blanc” label named after the winery dog Mollie –a part of the proceeds from those sales go to ACT RSPCA.
Visited Murrumbateman Winery as part of a wine tour with Drivision Australia and had a fantastic experience. Beautiful setting, great wines, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend adding Murrumbateman Winery to any Canberra wine tour itinerary — we’ll definitely be back!
— Drivision Australia Guest Experience
And only a one man band
Incredible wines, service and people
And only a one man band
Incredible wines, service and people
The Vintner’s Daughter - 5/5
Pets are most welcome here.
They can sit with you outside in the verandah overlooking the vineyard, with heaters (pictured).
Have I mentioned that they also run farm tours?
I hope you are both well and I look forward to coming and visiting your cellar door again soon. If you are curious to see what they offer, do yourself a favour ?
We visited with young children and the farm tour was so fab – the kids got to meet and feed goats, sheep, cows, chickens, alpacas, deer and even emus! Stephanie and Ben had thought of everything, with coloring in activities for them while we tasted the beautiful wines. We will absolutely be back and will be recommending a visit to all our friends and family!
Thank you for your warmth and welcome, Steph.
15 mins drive from Yass and 40 mins from canberra. … More
Clonakilla - 5/5
Wine tastings are held both indoors and outdoors. In the outdoors seating area (pictured, to the right), you can have your pet with you. There are overhead heaters and PVC blinds on the sides for when it’s raining.
We accidentally left a bag behind, and Stephanie went out of her way to deliver it to our hotel in Canberra when she was heading into town, saving us a return trip. Such a thoughtful gesture and a real reflection of the wonderful service.
Highly recommend Clonakilla — we’ll definitely be back!
Sitting outside on a sunny winter’s day tasting great wines while being entertained and educated by the wonderful Alistair.
Learning so much while enjoying great wine and company it doesn’t get much better!!
Thank you Alistair and Clonakilla winery.
Sitting outside on a sunny winter’s day tasting great wines while being entertained and educated by the wonderful Alistair.
Learning so much while enjoying great wine and company it doesn’t get much better!!
Thank you Alistair and Clonakilla winery.
It was especially great to see the Shiraz Viognier included in the tasting, an absolute standout and a real highlight of the visit.
Overall, a lovely stop for anyone visiting the region and looking to enjoy high-quality wines in a laid-back setting.
Rob was one of the most knowledgeable wine experts/hosts we have ever encountered.
Wines are seriously good (yes, the Shiraz Viognier deserves the hype), and it’s one of those places you plan to pop into and end up staying way longer than expected. Walked out with many bottles,.
Will 100% be back.
Dionysus Winery 5/5
Arriving here we thought a little wine and a couple of chocolates. We were so wrong. The wines were great and the chocolates were absolutely fantastic ?.
I must admit I am more of a chocolate fan than wine.
The wine and chocolate tasting was excellent. I had no idea what to expect as I had never done a wine and choccy experience. The wines were great but paired with chocolates, another level of yummy was found that I never knew existed.
And the HIGE selection of hand made speciality chocolates was an eye opener. It was art in my eyes. The chocolatier very talented.
Do the wine tasting, do the chocolate tasting too. You’ll love it.
We also had our dog with us who was warmly welcomed by the staff onsite. They loved the dog, even taking care of her while we shopped and asked plenty of questions. The pooch just trotted around and loved the space too.
Definitely worth a visit
The chocolates are a must-try.
For what was intended to be a brief visit, we spent nearly two hours exploring the extensive range of products.
The background story of the business is also noteworthy. We will certainly return.
Eden Road Wines - 4/5
Your pet can join you in the seating area outside whilst wine tasting. There is a shade sail to protect from the rain, but there are no heaters observed.
5 wines for tasting but we were offered 8 to taste.
Both the guys working were friendly and happy to chat as we did our tasting.
Walked away with 12 bottles of great wine.
We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Eden Road Winery! The highlight of our visit was Tim, whose knowledge, passion and genuine willingness to take the time to talk with us made the experience truly special. He was incredibly knowledgeable and happy to share his expertise, answer our questions and have a genuine conversation with us, rather than simply rushing us through the experience. His enthusiasm and the way he made us feel welcome really stood out and made our visit so memorable.
It’s people like Tim who make a winery experience go from being good to absolutely exceptional. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does and loves sharing his knowledge with others, and that made such a difference to our visit.
Thank you, Tim, for making our time at Eden Road Winery so enjoyable! We genuinely appreciated the time you spent chatting with us and sharing your knowledge. We would absolutely recommend Eden Road Winery to anyone visiting the area, and we hope to visit again in the future! ?
Eden Road is conveniently located close to the highway, but you wouldn’t know it once you’re there. The lovely outdoor seating creates a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, making it a great place to sit back and enjoy the experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would definitely recommend it!
As it was quiet he even gave us a private tour.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this winery as a must do if visiting this wine region. A very generous and likeable guy, a great asset to the winery. The wines were wonderful. We will definitely return.
We visited on Saturday for a wine tasting and were seriously impressed with everything we tried. Tim was so welcoming and energised, and took us through the tasting completely at our own pace.
He even took us out the back and showed us behind the scenes of the winemaking process, which was such a great experience and something you rarely get to see at Australian wineries these days.
Highly recommend a visit to Eden Road if you’re in the area. Very happy we discovered these guys and their wines – we’ll definitely be back!
Jeir Creek Wines - 4/5
Four Winds Vineyard - 4/5
Your pet can join you in the large covered seating area outdoors whilst wine tasting. There are also winery lunches, such as pizzas and build-your-own charcuterie board deli fridge – so expect their gorgeous eyes to shine. No heaters observed, but there are plenty of blankets and cushions to ensure that the guests are as cosy as possible.
A fantastic winery with a beautiful setting and a really relaxed atmosphere. The wood-fired pizzas were absolutely delicious, and it was great to see they offer gluten-free options that were just as enjoyable. The staff were friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience even better. If you’re looking for great food, excellent wine, and a lovely location to spend an afternoon, I highly recommend Four Winds Winery. We’ll definitely be back!
The pizzas are amazing too. Not big pizzas, so probably order an extra one than you might with regular large pizzas, but can 100% recommend them. The hot honey one is exceptional. The perfect chilli balance to give it character but not leave your mouth burning.
One of the best things about this winery is the space. There is plenty of room for kids to run around, kick a ball, and burn off some energy while the adults sit back, relax, and enjoy the food and wine.
The atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly, making it a great choice for anyone visiting the region. We had a very enjoyable afternoon and would happily return.
There’s a beautiful, large wood-fired pizza hut on the grounds, and the whole setting has a really relaxed, social vibe. We also tried the white and red tasting paddles, which were a great addition to the experience.
It was quite busy when we visited, so we were offered a picnic-style setup with blankets and cushions, which was a nice touch and appreciated. That said, it did make things a little awkward when trying to manage the tasting paddles, and proper seating would have made the experience more comfortable.
There’s plenty of space on the grounds, so additional picnic tables or seating options would really elevate the experience.
They also had a live musician playing, which added to the atmosphere — we easily could have stayed for hours if seating had allowed.
Overall, a lovely spot with great food, wine, and vibe — just plan ahead or arrive early for the best seating.
Thank you team! X
It works because the thin crust pizzas are really good and at 9 inches just right for an adult. The wine flights are the best value I have seen, generous serves of four for $18. They also have some beers including a non alcoholic brew.
Good ambience (covered outside) and space for the rug rats. Attentive and friendly staff topped off a great visit. However, coming from Perth it will be a while before I can revisit
Service here is brisk and a little more perfunctory than at some neighbouring cellar doors – understandably so, given its popularity – but staff were friendly and accommodating, even allowing me to keep my table on a busy public holiday despite arriving later than planned.
Four Winds strikes me as efficient, unfussy and reliably satisfying – well worth including on any Canberra Wine Region itinerary.
The tasting flights can look pricey (18-20$ for 4 wines only) but keep in mind that the quantity poured in each glass is significantly higher than in other wineries. More suitable if several people do the tasting.
Worth a try.
A range of pizzas on the menu with unusual but great topping combinations. Nice crispy base. Options to create your own charcuterie boards for sharing – great idea.
Staff friendly and happy to help.
Easy to find and lots of parking.
Only downside is no hot drinks offered for us non-drinkers.
McKellar Ridge Wines - 4/5
Dogs can stay outdoors, where tastings could also be held. There are outdoor pergolas providing shade, but no heaters.
Best experience.
The wines are refined and expressive, with fresh fruit, subtle spice and beautiful acidity. You can really sense the passion and craftsmanship in every glass. A must visit if you are in the region!
Tasting notes – Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
Deep, saturated violet in the glass, signalling both concentration and youth. The nose opens with a confident sweep of ripe blackcurrant and cassis, immediately layered with more complex tones of leather, tobacco leaf and a cool thread of menthol. With air, notes of cedar spice emerge from the French oak, alongside hints of cocoa, dried thyme and a faint caramel sweetness that adds breadth without obscuring varietal clarity.
On the palate, this is a composed and linear wine, driven by purity of fruit rather than excess. The blackcurrant core is precise and focused, supported by ripe blackberry and black cherry, while darker accents of dark chocolate and liquorice provide depth. There is a notable freshness running through the mid palate, a straight line of acidity that lifts the fruit and keeps the wine poised despite its richness.
The tannins are firm and authoritative yet finely grained, giving structure and shape without heaviness. Oak is well judged, contributing spice and texture rather than dominance. The finish is long and persistent, tapering slowly with lingering notes of violet, cedar and dark fruit.
A wine of clarity and balance from a favourable vintage, showing both immediate appeal and the architecture for extended cellaring. Great to drink now or expect further integration and tertiary complexity to develop over the next 10 to 15 years.
The hosts were so passionate about their business and seemed truly invested in ensuring people enjoyed their time at the winery. The time given to explaining their wines and the sharing of knowledge regarding the wine industry was fabulous. This was our last winery of the day and where we had an experience that felt personable. Needless to say we purchased a few wines on our way out.
Yarrh Wines - 4/5
Dogs are allowed in the covered outdoors area, where you can join them for tastings. There are no heaters outdoors.
The kids loved the bonfire but most of all loved the RFS showing them how a fire truck operates! So grateful for the time they spent explaining and engaging with the kids
Shaw Wines - 3/5
All wine tastings are held indoors.
Dogs must be on leash in the Outdoor Terrace, but you can still have a glass of wine and a vineyard platter in the terrace. No heaters observed.
So, you might want to first take your pet to the non-tasting Outdoor Terrace, go back inside for the tastings whilst keeping an eye out through the glass, and then go back and join them in the Outdoor Terrace with a glass in hand. They will be very excited to be physically close to you again.
We ordered the pasta, which was good, although a little too sour. The fish was slightly overcooked, with a strong fishy taste and an overly sour flavour. The pork was also overcooked and served with a sauce that had a similar sourness to the fish. Even the broccolini was too sour.
Overall, the dishes were too lemony, and the flavours lacked balance. Unfortunately, we didn’t really enjoy the food, despite the good service and ambience.
Sorry, but thank you for the experience. We hope to see some improvements in the food in the future.
We had a lovely dinner at Shaw Estate last night and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The venue is beautiful, with fresh, modern and bright décor that creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The dining room boasts gorgeous floor to ceiling windows overlooking the estate, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal while watching the sunset over the mountains.
The cocktails were spot on, and our mains and entrees were absolutely perfection! The service was friendly, although it could have flowed a little more smoothly throughout the evening.
Dessert was enjoyable, but we felt there was an opportunity to be a little more creative. It would be wonderful to see a truly unique signature dessert that reflects the winery and gives guests something memorable to return for.
Overall, we had a fantastic evening and loved the setting, atmosphere and food. Shaw Estate is a beautiful place to dine, and we’re looking forward to returning to explore more of the menu. A lovely spot for a special evening out. ?
It represents great value, and was very popular.
We dined outside to enjoy the quiet and sunset.
There was a miscommunication regarding our wine and timing, but it was handled professionally and overall the service was excellent.
I perhaps was a little tired and cantankerous after a large day, but on reflection mistakes happen and the staff made every effort to satisfy me.
I would be back to try their other offerings
We have on an other occasion enjoyed their cheese platter with some glasses of wine. But have never done their wine tastings.
Food served to guests was cold.
It was a smorgasbord. Portions were very small and the wait between courses was very long.
When the cake was being served guests had to ask that the children in attendance also be given a helping on a plate.
This was my first time visiting and will also be my last.
We’ll definitely be coming back — highly recommend! ?
Helm Wines - 3/5
Experience
We had a private wine tasting, and our host was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging, which made the experience even more enjoyable. It felt relaxed, personal, and not rushed at all.
Ambience
The cellar door is something special — it genuinely feels like stepping back in time, reminding me of old school classrooms from the 70s, complete with authentic memorabilia like times tables banners and old desks. Such a unique and nostalgic touch.
The takeaway
Needless to say, we didn’t leave empty-handed … a few bottles of white, red, and a cheeky rosé made their way home with us.
A beautiful, memorable winery experience — highly recommend.
Ken gave us some incredible Riesling and Cabs and our group could have stayed there for hours listening to his stories. This is the kind of wine maker I love to meet. Each bottle was standout! Looking forward to coming back soon.
It was a very intimate wining tasting, with a lot of good chatting, and amazing wines. … More
We had the pleasure of the owner explaining his wines, his been making wines for … More
Long Rail Gully (temporarily closed) - N/A
To be updated.
Canberra Dog Walks - everything you need to know about dog friendly Canberra
Travenuity - worldwide tips and guides on dog-friendly travel
Conclusion
Lost for choice but still looking to explore the vibrant capital city of Australia, why not consider taking a Canberra day tour to the Canberra wine region and support your local community? Let Merry Heart CBR suggest an itinerary and take you on a tour suited to your palate, pet arrangements, food intolerances and preferred ‘vibe’ (which may include your food intolerances). These wine tours offer a fantastic opportunity to discover the region’s rich history, stunning architecture, and beautiful natural landscapes. A Canberra wine tour takes you on a journey through the picturesque countryside surrounding the city, where you can sample some of the region’s best wines. Whether you’re a history buff, a wine enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun day out, a Canberra day tour or Canberra wine tour is the perfect way to experience all that this beautiful city has to offer.
So why wait? Book your wine tour today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Canberra!
Updated: Tuesday 9 May 2023.
Please comment below with your thoughts.
DISCLAIMER: Merry Heart CBR does not guarantee that the Website will be secure or free from bugs or viruses or function without interruption or errors. The Website is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. You are responsible for configuring your information technology, computer programmes and platform to access the Website. You should use your own virus protection software. By accessing the Website, you assume all risks associated with its use, including but not limited to the risk that your computer, software or data may be damaged by any virus transmitted by the Website or by any Third Party Content or Third Party Website.. To the extent permitted by law, Merry Heart CBR excludes all warranties, guarantees, conditions and representations (whether express or implied) that may apply to the Website or any Content on it. Merry Heart CBR will not be liable to you for any loss or damage of any kind, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), even if foreseeable, arising under or in connection with: (a) your use of, or inability to use the Website; or (b) your use of or reliance on any Content or material displayed on the Website, including any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, which includes, but is not limited to, loss of revenue or profits or business or anticipated savings, loss of use or goodwill or reputation, loss of data, even if such loss was foreseeable. Every effort is made to keep the Website up and running smoothly. However, Merry Heart CBR does not take responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the Website being unavailable due to technical issues beyond its control.