Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery — Attraction in District Municipality of Muskoka

TLDR: wine is good, but Martha needs to check her attitude.

Had the absolute displeasure of encountering Martha this past weekend.

We had planned a whole weekend away around spending some time here and left feeling like we should have booked something elsewhere.

I had booked a porch side fire pit for 11:30am. When we got there (at 11:30) there were two fires going, however, neither one had my name on them. When I approached a staff member (who I learned was Martha) just after 11:30am to see if my fire pit was ready I was met with anger and hostility (as if how dare I interrupt her). I asked about the fires and she proceeded to first question whether or not I had actually booked, then proceeds to inform me they had two reservations so one was mine, as if I just should have known that (even though neither had my name on it). She went on to further complain that she had simply been too busy to put my name on it but could put it on "if I wanted". I was simply worried about taking someone else's fire pit. The attitude didn't stop there. A friend ordered us wine flights and she was way over charged. When the cafe staff member asked for Martha's help to process a refund, Martha snapped at her coworker and my friend was left standing there for almost 10 minutes waiting for Martha to finish whatever it was she was doing before issuing the refund. Which leads me to the wine flights... I would barely consider this a flight. The glasses look smaller than a shot glass, you barely have a chance to actually taste the wine. For $12 I would expect a slightly bigger glass. After skating for a while, we decided to get a couple bottles of wine to go, and once again had to interact with Martha. She looked so annoyed by the fact we were buying wine and was so abrupt when we were paying. I paid essentially $75 for a fire pit and two trail passes, purchased $55 in wine and goodies to go while my friend purchased $75 and this is how customers are treated who are spending a decent chunk of their hard earned money at your winery?

All in all, we left at the end of the day feeling defeated and unsure as to why we were treated so poorly for seemingly no reason. It's a shame because the wine was actually good, however, I will not be returning.

It's funny how they have a "hate has no place here" sign out front, when Martha clearly hates everyone.

The lady working the skating trail however was...

I don't normally write reviews, but after having the worst farm experience ever and neither the staff nor management did anything to help, I have to share.

I went to Muskoka Lakes farm this past weekend with a few friends for their Weekend All Access Pass. Most disappointing day ever, and not worth the money at all.

We arrived 30 minutes late due to traffic, after a long 3 hour drive. The staff was very rude to us and dismissive: parking staff, info booth staff, wine staff, and management.

Our pass included a wagon ride, wine tasting, and cranberry plunge. They said how we missed the wagon ride and wouldn't be able to go. They said we missed the wine tasting but to try for the next time slot, and that we might be on time for the cranberry plunge if we rush.

We got to the wine tasting and she was the rudest yet. Immediately tried to turn us away when the info staff had told us to try and fit into the wine tasting. Once we got in, it was the worst wine tasting ever. The wine was served in plastic cups, there was no water or anything to clean your palate between wines. The wines were barely palatable from my wine connoisseur friends. And the whole wine tasting was rushed, even though the lady said she wasn't rushing, it was 10 minutes for 6 wines.

We called management to let them know what was going on and how poorly staff was treating us and they didn't care. They offered no assistance or compensation for not delivering services that we paid for, which is illegal in Canada.

After the wine, we went to the cranberry plunge. Other than the wadder suits not meant for people with calves, the plunge itself was okay. You are quickly rushed in, and yelled at to come out after 10 minutes.

This farm experience is not recommended. The worst organized and rushed farm experience ever. Normally, entry time is a wider window & more relaxed with no exit times, and this farm starts everything immediately and rushes and blames you. Their website isn't clear enough that they rush you through everything with a tight timeline. We saw other groups didn't even show up, and there were others who were late and trying to make the most of it after rude staff interactions.

This farm is so out of touch with customer service and just focused on getting money out of people without providing what you pay for.

If you choose to go, go for the cranberry plunge only and save yourself a...

I am giving this place 1 star. I went yesterday and it was the first time I experienced racism in my life and it was by 1 of their employees. Their website is also awful for not explaining the times for the activities when you buy an all access pass. What happened? Boyfriend and I are visibly minorities. There's no doubt about our backgrounds when you see us. I am latina and boyfriend is black. I bought 2 all access passes. The girl at Information was able to get us both for 3pm for the wagon ride (she was awesome). When we got there that's when we found out that since our wagon ride was at 3p the wine tasting was at 3:30p and the plunge was for 4:30p and we couldnt change those times. Our tour bus was leaving at 4:30p.

We walked to the plunge. At 2:30p the lady came and asked the 1st couple for their time slot. They said theirs was for 3:30p. Lady said that's fine they can join the 2:30p plunge. We were next. I explained ours was for 4:30 and we cant do the plunge for 4:30 because our bus leaves at 4:30p. Lady said, no. They were all booked up and had no spots. NO SPOTS AT ALL. Just no. (I mean 2 just opened up for 3:30p). I was very shocked. It was clear what was happening. I've never experienced this before and we walked away and I tried to forget it. This was the lady who was thin/average size, black and white hair, wavy/curly, about my height maybe a bit shorter (5"5). I didn't get her name. I should have.

I honestly tried to think of other reasons why it was an instant no for us but a yes for the white couple before us. Racism is really the only answer. We should have been able to atleast take that couples time slot if the time slots were full.

I can honestly say I will never visit again.

I will be reaching out to the bus tour company about the situation as well as I think they should know what their customers are experiencing and should consider another location if possible.

Everyone else was really nice and friendly, except that 1 lady. Unfortunately it takes 1 person to ruin an experience. I will also reach out to the company and send them an email and request their employees...