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? We have a wood-burning stove at home, and Henry our rescue koolie, used to overheat merrily, lying right by the fire, panting profusely, he was so hot.
A private wine tour with your pooch by your side is such a pawfect way to experience the Yarra Valley. During autumn and 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 as the days grow cooler!
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 cellar door beautifully, making us want to stay just a little bit longer! That and their amazing wines of course. And Emma, who greets us with a smile at their cellar door, who just adores puppy dogs.
IMAGE CREDIT ~ Pooches & Pinot @ Maddens Rise
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?
Are you looking for dog-friendly accommodation in the Yarra Valley with a real fire you can curl up next to? We know quite a few, as we pick guests up from fabulous dog-friendly accommodation here in the Yarra Valley to take them on their wine tour, 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
One Wee Cottage
Check out this beautifully restored 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom cottage in Healesville with a wood-burning stove, and so much character. It’s so stylish with its French provincial / Scandi decor and it’s pretty as a picture in December and July (when it’s decorated for Xmas in July)!!!
Summerhill Cottage
A 5 minute drive from Healesville, this 1-bedroom self-contained cottage has a gorgeous, cosy wood-burning stove for you to snuggle up in front of. If you and your dog want a farmstay – this is it – with goats in the paddock and geese on the driveway.
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.
Paperbark Cottage
Paperbark Cottage is an easy walk from Healesville’s shops, parks and cafes. You’ll find the beautifully styled 3-bedroom cottage perfect for two couples, and it’s properly dog-friendly. It has a light, airy feel and a gorgeous Euro stove that will warm you on cooler nights, plus – if it’s your thing – there’s a beautiful freestanding bath.
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? We have a great document we can send you full of dog-friendly places to stay in the Yarra Valley where we pick you up free of charge to take you on your wine tour.
Ok! Well, that’s a wrap on our TOP 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.