In the middle of winter (or any time of year really…), does anything beat a high-altitude winery tour to warm your insides?

The Granite Belt – or Stanthorpe specifically – is one of the few wine regions in Queensland but it sure packs a punch. Even better, there are a load of vineyards that will welcome both you and your pup!

We tasted a lot of wine on our recent visit when we stayed at Merlot Mountain Retreat, but the best ones were where we could experience it together with our furry friend.

Ridgemill Estate

This was our first stop on arrival – just around the corner from our accommodation and with a wine club called Top Dogs, you just know these guys are dog-friendly!

Some more interested in wine tasting than others…

The vineyard at Ridgemill itself is amongst the highest altitude wineries in Australia at some 840 metres above sea level so we were so happy to be allowed inside to do our wine tasting with Falcor as the outside was definitely getting cold as the sun was setting.

Onto what we came here for – the wine!

Along with some old Aussie faithful varieties, we tasted a Saperavi that we just had to bring home with us – one glass was not enough.

Don’t forget to say hi to the very friendly goats that will race up to the feeding station near the cellar door!

If you want to stay longer here, you can. Ridgemill has eight onsite cabins that are dog friendly and a pet-friendly 3-bedroom house for families as well.

Book a tour here

Summit Estate

This was by far my favourite vineyard on this trip.

There’s a sign at the door at Summit Estate letting you know that they’re ‘fur baby friendly’ and to bring them in, AND a sign with dairy-free cheese tastings – perfection.

Add to this, the staff here could not be friendlier and will want photos of your dog at the vineyard – even down to the chat we had with the guy trimming the vines out the back!

There’s a $7.50 charge of wine tasting, which is waived in return for purchasing a bottle and we certainly nabbed a couple – along with some of the cashew-based cheese.

On Friday and Saturday nights, the estate stays open to let visitors enjoy the incredible sunsets over the vines. After our tasting, we sat our here and let Falcor sniff around while I warmed up with a mulled wine.

Balancing Heart Vineyard

Think wine tasting with sunset views and woodfired oven pizzas and there you have Balancing Heart Vineyard.

The cellar door is also the starting point for a stroll through the vines – dog in tow - taking in breathtaking views of the local area and, of course, the famous rock that gives the winery its name.

Dogs are welcome inside the cellar door but it was a little too busy in the small space for us so we spent the most of our time out on the verandah. There are picnic tables under the trees outside for those who want space and fresh air.

It is important to note that there are two (very) friendly German Shepherds on site so your dog needs to be ok with that. They were a bit too into playing for our fur baby at times.

There are seven wines on offer, and we tasted them all.

As the sun sets, the air cools down but these guys have you covered with outdoor heaters and blankets to borrow. The perfect end to a long day of tastings.

You will need to make sure you book to get a spot with the sunset dinners only running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

That is a just a small taste of the vineyards in the area – and there are also more dog friendly options like Hidden Creek Winery and Café, Jester Hill Wines and Symphony Hill Wines.

Something you will see and hear a lot as you visit the wineries of the region is Strangebirds. This is marketing term that was developed around ten years ago, it’s now become synonymous with the alternative varieties grown in the Granite Belt. To be called a Strangebird there must be less than 1% produced in Australia. It does mean you get to taste varietals you will never see in your average bottle shop!

If beer is more your speed, you can hang out at the Granite Belt Brewery. Dogs on a lead are allowed on the veranda of the brewery and restaurant – perfect for lunch or dinner.

Book a Stanthorpe stay of your very own here or book in for a full day private wine tour including lunch if you don’t feel like driving!