Hidden Bench Estate Winery — Attraction in Lincoln

We usually visit the Niagara region several times a year and when we do, set up our own tour. Todays was our first visit to this winery. For this tour our group was 7 but included only 4 ‘active’ tasters. This was the fourth of four winery visits that were completed this trip (Kacaba was the only repeat). The facilities were adequate for the purpose but not particularly impressive one way or the other. This is supposed to be the Canadian winery of the year for 2023 and that is why we planned to visit. Unfortunately, we still do not know if it is worthy of such an award. Their award winning wines were not available through their wine tasting ‘experiences’ or by the glass on their patio. Wine tasting experiences were only available with their sommelier and at $45 per person, whether you participated in the sampling or not, was not reasonable. One tasting fee was waived with the purchase of 6 bottles and when you also consider that the wines that were of interest to us were not even available for tasting, it seemed like a rip-off. Not withstanding our disappointment to this point we still ordered a selection of glasses from the patio menu. Our server for this visit had a passing knowledge of the wines. She did not participate in the discussion of the varietals that were available but provided more background (minimal) upon delivery of the ordered wines to the table. The wine tasting and winery experience program at this winery IS BROKEN. Visit Kacaba. Visit Colaneri. Visit virtually any of the other wineries we have reviewed for TA and Google in the past. There are MUCH better options in the Bench and Niagara On The...

If you are not known as socially elite people do not expect this winery to make you feel overly welcomed or comfortable.

We were Wine Club members and attend an event with two guests as permitted in the invitation and RSVP. One of our guests was a former employee of the winery. We arrived and checked in and our guest received a hug from the manager and our guest told the manager she was attending the event as our guest. The event started and the owner arrived saying hello to the small group individually but ignored our guest. A few minute after the owner's arrival the manager asked our guest to step outside and told her that this was a private event. Our guest told her again that she was our guest. This was the same manager that hugged this guest a few minutes early! I responded by talking to the manager then the owner outside the event area. The owner said people had been coming into the event the day before who were not club members or guests and that it was not to center our guest out. A problem easily solved by stick on name tags.

The owner blamed the manager for the "mistake" and apologized to my group (at my request) without shaking hands with our guest. The pompous owner "threw his manager under the bus" for what obviously was his deed.

Needless to say the Hidden Bench caused us a feeling of being unwelcome and embarrassed.

Luckily there are 5 other wineries (Fielding,Weir, Hidden Bench,Angel's Gate,Organized Crime) within a mile with great wine and good customer service that are worth...

A Hidden Gem in Every Sense.

Hidden Bench Winery is exactly what its name suggests, an exceptional, tucked-away gem nestled in one of the most beautiful corners of Niagara wine country. From the moment we arrived, the setting took our breath away. Rolling vineyards, charming buildings, and peaceful surroundings set the stage for a truly memorable experience.

We were warmly welcomed by Harald, the owner, whose graciousness immediately made us feel like guests rather than customers. Our tasting was led by Kenzie, whose knowledge, passion, and storytelling elevated the entire experience. She offered insights into the vineyard’s organic practices, winemaking philosophy, and each pour with clarity and charm (her presentation was simply outstanding).

The wine? Top tier. Even varietals I typically pass on were enjoyable, each bottle demonstrated complexity, balance, and the kind of craftsmanship that comes from a deep respect for the land and process. The flight was diverse and thoughtful, and there wasn’t a single miss in the lineup.

One unexpected and appreciated touch was how family-friendly the experience was. We had our 16 month daughter with us, and the staff made every effort to ensure we could enjoy the tasting without worry. It's rare to find that kind of accommodation in a high-end winery setting.

Hidden Bench offers more than just excellent wine, it delivers warmth, beauty, and hospitality in equal measure. It’s a place I’ll be returning to often and recommending...