Wine Tree Cidery — Attraction in Dwellingup

We had an absolutely appalling experience at Wine Tree Cidery today. I had booked well in advance for a group of 14 (10 adults + 4 children). When I made the booking, I clearly explained the children’s needs and the high chair situation - 2 needing high chair and 2 normal chair. Despite this, when we arrived (early because the rain cut our trip short), we were immediately treated with hostility. The lady who greeted us was rude from the moment we walked in. She denied our booking existed, despite the fact that the details (12+2) were obviously ours—she had even phoned me the day before to confirm. Instead of resolving the confusion politely, she was condescending and dismissive, telling me “you must have booked somewhere else” and that if we had “too many” people (which we didn’t) she would “kick us out.” She then insisted I hadn’t told her about the number of children (which I absolutely had—how else would I know about their “maximum of 2 high chairs” which she told me herself over the phone! ). Her attitude toward our children was shocking—she told us they would “have to sit still and cannot move” and looked at them with open disgust. She repeatedly threatened that if they misbehaved, we would be asked to leave. Her treatment of us was noticeably different to how she treated the couple before us—warm and welcoming with them, but hostile and belittling with us. Even my Caucasian friends who were with me picked up on the contrast. For a family simply looking forward to a meal and a drink together, the way we were treated was humiliating, degrading, and incredibly upsetting. We decided to leave before even sitting down, because no one deserves to be spoken to or treated this way. To top it off, she followed us to the exit, shouting horrible things at us. This was supposed to be a celebratory outing, and instead we left shaken and distressed. I don’t usually write reviews, but I feel compelled to share this because no family—regardless of background—should ever have to experience the kind of treatment we did today. Picture of the lady in question still having goes at us...

Without a doubt the absolute worst place I can even think of dining in. The 4 stars must be fake because this please was/is/will be appalling and lacklustre.

I was dining with a group who booked in advance with clear instructions about who and how many children were with us beforehand. As soon as we stepped in we were met with hostility and annoyance from the manager who looked like she didn’t want us there in the first place.

Next thing she had gotten out reservation wrong be it because she cannot work a simple reservation timetable or because she simply did not want us there, and repeatedly argued with my group member who booked in advance until we finally got shown to our seats, stating that today’s booking never existed/it was not today which is utter garbage she my group member called the day before to confirm

It didn’t stop there as she made it clear to us with a disgusting attitude that the children “had to be seated at all times and couldn’t move”, to which we had to reluctantly agree.

While my group members were getting the themselves ready to be seated the manager came up to me personally and again raised the issue with the children, my group member who booked again conversed in a heated argument with a her the manager to my group member a CUSTOMER in the middle of If you can even call it a restaurant. and maintained her horrible attitude and voice towards my group. We decided it was the best course of action to leave that establishment and find a better place elsewhere which we did. While leaving we stated we will leave an interview to which with a horrible snarky comments from the manager saying “I can’t wait for the review, bye”. You can even go as far as saying we were met with racist hostility.

I simply cannot fathom how this place has been open for so long if this is the type of people working there. I warn anyone please do not go here it is not...

Attempted to visit this venue today for a lunch reservation.

Looking forward to a nice meal, beautiful location in the Dwellingup forest on a rainy day. Booked in advance, notified restaurant that we had kids with us and reserved their two high chairs (the three other kids were aged 5-17 and didn't need special seating)

Treated on arrival with initial coldness escalating to complete contempt by the woman in charge of bookings for no understandable reason. Threatened MULTIPLE TIMES to be kicked out:

"just so you know, the kids will need to remain seated or we'll kick you out"

"if you have anyone else arrive we'll have to kick you out"

Absolutely baffling. I do not understand what personal crises might have been occurrring for this person on this day but her behavior was completely inappropriate. I know people will read this and find it hard to believe. I can still scarcely believe that this even happened.

Being treated in such a manner we decided to leave. Upon departing, this lady followed us out waving and smirking passive aggressive comments- "go on, leave, bye bye, find somewhere else, bye bye"

When stating that I would be leaving a Google review of this completely absurd behaviour, the lady said she "can't wait"

Well, here it is.

Shameful. Avoid this place...