On the chilliest of wintry days, nothing beats walking into a cellar door with your pup by your side and feeling the warmth from a wood-burning stove. It’s so welcoming and draws you in, inviting you to stretch your hands out (or paws) and warm them. Have you noticed how dogs always lie as close to the fire as possible? Henry our rescue koolie overheats merrily, lying right by the fire, panting profusely he’s so hot.
A private wine tour is a great way to experience the Yarra Valley with your pooch. During winter we have picture-perfect foggy mornings, blue sky days with the sun at your back, cool starry nights, and of course, the joy of a glass of wine by an open fire.
You and your pooch can soak up the atmosphere and warmth of some of the Yarra Valleys’ best venues by touring with us this winter!
So we thought we’d give you a sneak peek at our favourite cosy cellar doors…
IMAGE CREDIT ~ Pooches & Pinot @ Yering Farm Wines
Our favourite dog-friendly Yarra Valley cellar doors with wood fires…
IMAGE CREDIT ~ Pooches & Pinot @ Yering Farm Wines
Yering Farm
Yering Farm always have their fire lit in winter to warm their cellar door. Their wonderfully rustic converted 70-year-old hay barn is a fabulous spot to pull up a chair by the wood-burning stove, staring at the immense view through the windows as you sample their wines, and try some homemade apple cider made from their pink lady apples.
Maddens Rise
There is a reason Maddens Rise is at the top of our list. It is one of our favourite family-owned and run cellar doors in the entire Yarra Valley. Maddens was one of the first cellar doors (if not THE first) to welcome dogs inside. So we have them to thank for making the Yarra Valley so dog-friendly. And they have a cute wood-burning stove that heats their tiny space beautifully, making us want to stay just a little bit longer! That and their amazing wines of course. And Emma, their delightful cellar door manager, who just adores puppy dogs.
IMAGE CREDIT ~ Pooches & Pinot @ Maddens Rise
IMAGE CREDIT ~ Tokar Estate
Tokar Estate
Next door, Tokar Estate have a fabulous fire pit outside their cellar door on vast lawns with captivating views. They provide marshmallows for roasting over their fire too and serve a hearty mulled wine throughout winter, made to cellar door manager Joanne’s secret recipe! We love visiting Tokar and they do a terrific wine tasting paired with cuvee chocolates for our guests as part of our Degustation Wine Tour!!
Punt Road
And a little further towards Coldstream, Punt Road have a huge open fire in their cellar door immediately as you step inside, perfect for warming the back of your legs.
IMAGE CREDIT ~ Pooches & Pinot @ Punt Road Wines
IMAGE CREDIT ~ Pooches & Pinot @ Helen’s Hill Estate
Helen’s Hill
Not all fires have to be rustic and hark back to bygone days, Helen’s Hill have an elegant, suspended fireplace that creates warmth as well as a statement. Pugs Sophie & Lola loved lying as close to it as possible on their tour so we brought their bed in for them from the van! And now Helen’s Hill have a fire pit outside too – so you’re spoilt for choice.
Mention “FIRESIDE” in the comments when you BOOK YOUR TOUR and we’ll make sure we take you to the cosiest cellar doors in the Yarra Valley!
Where can I stay in the Yarra Valley with a real fire?
If you’re looking for dog-friendly accommodation in the Yarra Valley with a real fire, we’ve got you covered, as we’ve created a page on our website full of fabulous dog-friendly accommodation options for you, and at least 10 of them have real fires for you to curl up next to.
Having an open fire in your holiday accommodation is such a treat, especially if you don’t have a fire at home. It’s an invitation to come and sit down next to it and put your feet up. There’s something very comforting about sitting by a real fire, and I’m sure it’s therapeutic as you stare into the flickering flames, listening to the tick and hiss and watching the shapes and colours leap and dance.
I know many people look forward to holidaying in the Yarra Valley in winter specifically so they can rug up, head outside and enjoy brisk country walks and then find a lovely welcoming fire somewhere to settle down next to. So here are our top picks…
6 cosy dog-friendly short stays with fires in the Yarra Valley
Wiggley Bottom Farm
Check out the apartment and cottage at Wiggley Bottom Farm where you’re on 15 acres with farm animals to feed and meet; the cottage has a wood-burning stove, the apartment – a gas log fire.
Yamaki’s Stringybark Cottage
Located in Don Valley, this incredible eco nature retreat is set amongst the giant mountain ash and tree ferns – perfect for nature lovers and those wanting to truly get off the beaten track.
Chestnut Glade
A 20-acre chestnut orchard in the Black Spur on the way to Narbethong, where two of their cottages are pet-friendly and have open fires – Lucenti and Nanking.
Harvest Farm
You’ll have great fun choosing between the two delightful cottages at Harvest Farm just outside Healesville – both have fires and the property itself has a lovely country feel with views to the mountains. Go for a wander and you’ll find sheep grazing in the paddocks and an amazing veggie garden tended by owners Karina and Bob.
Leddicot Cottage
Leddicot Cottage is tiny and beautiful in equal measure. You’ll find the beautifully styled studio in the Dandenong Ranges, within walking distance of Olinda’s cafes and it’s perfect for a couple and a small dog. It has a romantic feel with its gorgeous woodfired pot belly stove and a clawfoot bath, and is on 1.5 acres of woodland gardens.
The Lavender Farm
The 3-bedroom farmhouse at the Lavender Farm feels like a proper home and is also great value for money. It’s comfortable and homely with its open fire, is on a gorgeous lemon grove, surrounded by wonderful gardens, has super owners, and is just a short drive to the cafes, shops etc in Healesville.
Need help choosing where to stay? Talk to us about accommodation options when we are planning your tour.
Ok! Well, that’s a wrap on our TOP 10 YARRA VALLEY VENUES WITH FIRES! We hope you’ve found this helpful and inspirational.
Don’t miss this special time of year in the Valley. Now is the time to book a pet-friendly adventure – wine tastings by a gorgeous fire, great food and toasty-warm accommodation.
Choose which tour suits you best and mention “FIRESIDE” in the comments when you book and we’ll create a pawesome itinerary featuring the best winter-ready cellar doors for you.