SA’s winery dogs – the pups you’ll meet at some of our wineries
Winery dogs do grape service – smelling corks, herding guests and keeping the kids occupied at the cellar door. Meet some of the lucky pups who are part of SA’s vintage workforce.
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Spring weather, wine and dogs – what could be better? Working dogs don’t just herd livestock, they can also help with the harvest and winery tasks and at the very least, greet guests at the cellar door.
The Sunday Mail visited eight wineries in the Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills to find some of the cutest resident “wine dogs” – and in the process, explore some of our lesser-known venues.
CAMWELL WINES
One of the best locations in South Australia to meet winery dogs is a small family winery in Willunga South: Camwell Wines. Owners and winemakers Brad and Kendra White Cameron love their small-batch vineyard, and it is all hands on deck for this family operation. Their two dogs, Lacey, an eight-year-old siberian husky and Poncho, the four-month-old corgi, have their own duties.
“Poncho is our chief cork inspector and loves the carbon negative properties, whereas Lacey will check the grapes to see if they are ripe and drink any wine that spills over” said Mrs White Cameron.
“Brad and I only got together because of Lacey. She came running up to me on the beach and I had always wanted a husky and that was the beginning of the Camwell adventure”.
Lacey, also known as the “diva of Willunga” will pick and choose who she is going to give her time and attention to, but Poncho is the opposite and is the life of the party, running up to everyone with her little legs and with a big smile.
Kendra White Cameron said their Menagerie Blanc Petillant sums up little Poncho as it fizzy and effervescent. Lacey is more like the Cab Sav – their “old and faithful”.
WATKINS
Always adding liveliness at the Adelaide Hills winery, scottish terriers Archie and Pippa love being out in the vineyard but have trouble reaching the grapes due to their short legs.
Zara, a kelpie cross cavalier, is the perfect cellar door host, combining the smarts of a kelpie and the energy of a cavalier. Her owners say Zara and the 2021 Sparkling Blanc de Blanc pair perfectly – both energetic, bubbly and likely to be the star of the show.
HITHER & YON
Roger is the new kid at this Willunga cellar door – after only a week on the job he’s eager to pass his probation.
So far, he’s shown experience in general cuteness, natural ambition related to nap time and talents in lifting spirits for colleagues and customers alike.
The winery’s wine club manager Kyran Tyron says their Carigan, a light and juicy Spanish variety, matches Roger well – they both have a playful nature.
SIMON TOLLEY
If you are looking for a babysitter while you enjoy your wine and the amazing views of the Adelaide Hills, then Tilly Tolley is your girl.
She is happy to spend hours on her back getting belly rubs from all the kids.
Tilly is a versatile kelpie, and apart from greeting everyone on entry, she also helps herd sheep, birds and kangaroos.
This is why she pairs perfectly with Simon Tolley’s pinot noir as it can be consumed any time of the day and with all foods.
WOTTON
Don’t expect Bindi to come and relax next to you inside the Adelaide Hills cellar door.
This border collie would rather be outside fetching sticks or running around the vines during the pruning season.
Bindi, 7, is a bit of a weasel, who is known for subtly finding ways to get pats from everyone who comes in.
Wotton’s Sparkling Rose suits Bindi to a T as it is a very gentle wine – but demands a lot of attention.
LOST PENNY
On this small family winery in Ebenezer, just north of Nuriootpa, you will be met by the welcome party of two labradors and they couldn’t be more different.
Clive, the three-year-old black labrador is so chilled he will just follow you around soaking in the attention and pats while Lenny, the 18-month-old golden lab is like the Energiser Bunny.
She has no “off” switch and is very independent. She still loves the attention but will more likely be out exploring the vineyard and checking to see if the grapes are ready to be picked. This is why Carol Riebke thinks she pairs well with their Rose named Little Mischief. Clive is more like their top Shiraz, due to the bottle shape – short and dumpy, like him.
EPEROSA
The celebrity at this winery is without doubt Frankie, who is a stunning maremma cross golden retriever. She’s happy to meet and greet everyone who arrives.
The combination of breeds gives her the empathy of a retriever with the guarding characteristics of the maremma.
Brett Groeke, owner, likes to think she suits their Magnolia Blanc Semillon due to her golden white colouring and that the grapes come from different parts of the winery. This blend is a lot like the beautiful Frankie.
ATZE’S CORNER
When you have your wine tasting at Atze’s Corner in the Barossa, make sure you watch your glasses on the coffee table as Henri, the 70kg bernese mountain dog, has a pretty strong tail. Henri is5½ now and has been at the winery since he was a puppy, so knows his way around the place – he will to open the main door and will climb the stairs to meet everyone in the winery but mainly this gentle giant just loves hugs.
Due to the fact that he is classed as a working dog, the Montepulciano matches his personality well – it is named after a mob of sheep that tore up the vineyards.
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