Nichol Vineyard — Attraction in Area E (Naramata/Greyback)

Decent wines for sure, but note that the wine tasting fee ($10/person) is non-refundable. Other wineries deduct the fee if you buy a bottle of wine, but not this place. Also, note that you should pay for your wine tasting fee separately from a bottle purchase. Why, you may ask? Well, when they ring up the purchase, the total amount appears on the credit card terminal, which in turn prompts you for a tip. The tip is then based upon both the testing fee AND the bottle purchase, so be prepared to add 15% minimum to your bottle cost. The 'other' option on the terminal was disabled, so you're forced to tip. I have no problem adding a tip to the wine tasting fee, but tipping on bottle purchase is VERY sneaky. Also, it's the only winery I've ever seen where they don't refund the tasting fee if you purchase, so for those reasons I'm giving it a 1-star rating.

Post business response: How about instead of asking your customers to help pay your staff a decent wage, YOU pay the decent wage? This is the SECOND review, because your business couldn't be bothered to respond to the FIRST review and address my concerns two years ago, so your rating dropped further due to your lack of acknowledgment or response. You have done NOTHING to address the fact that you are lumping the wine tasting and the bottle cost together on the same credit card charge, so you're charging a tip on the bottle cost? Seriously? If you want to charge for tastings, while your local competitors do not, that's your business as it won't be a benefit for customers to come to your vineyard. Ring the tasting in separately from a bottle purchase and there's no issue. By the way, the lady who served us acted as though she was doing us a big favour by allowing us a tasting before several of us made purchases. Perhaps be more respectful and grateful to your customers next time...you're not the only vineyard in town.

Happy...

We came to Nichol as part of a wine tour group. As such, the company had called and booked this time in advance for a tasting. When we walked in, the man doing tastings ignored our large party for several minutes. He then poured a glass of some wine, with no description or even the name of the varietal. He left the bottle on the counter and left to chat with a previous group who were already served. He then hastily poured the rest of the tasting, never giving any information other than the name. He seemed put out by our presence, despite having known about this tour in advance. Our guide told us that the man was a co-owner. Obviously he does not care about his own business enough.

He nearly single-handedly ruined our wine tour with his piss poor attitude. The entire group was unimpressed. We would never return to this winery, and would never recommend them to any friends. Thank god their winery is at the end of the bench, so that no one will have to endure their terrible wine, and equally terrible service if they...

If you want to learn something about the history of great Naramata wines go to Nichol... I have visited Naramata for over 15 years now and this visit was exceptional. Devon gave us the time and patience to share with us many wonderful stories of Nichol. We were tasting right next to the Old Vines Cab Franc. Due to the unique terroir of this location, they can grow very good cab franc grapes which is normally reserved for Oliver / Osoyoos area. We had side by side tastings of a few varietals so we could appreciate so much more the complexity of the wines and able to see the future of the latest releases. Devon absolutely made this visit super special and we are...