Thirty Bench Wine Makers — Attraction in Lincoln

I have been visiting this winery for decades even before it became part of the Andrew Peller umbrella. This was my worst experience ever! My friend and I arrived and were prepared for our usual pleasant experience and after our tasting to buy a bottle or two as we always have! We were greeted very abruptly and it was all about the sale! We told the woman we would like our tasting outside by the vines. She hastily rung each of our tastings, when asked if they would take five dollars off if we buy a bottles she said we are not doing that at this time! No eye contact, no thank you’s, nothing! Like she was doing us a favour! After we pause I waited at one of the tables while my friend went to the bathroom and two of the staff members one of which I always see there and who has always been pleasant! Was not impressed with what took place next! Her and another staff member were feet away from me in front of one of the windows and they were muttering something the. Looked at me and went into gales of laughter and they parted ways! Long story short I did not have a pleasant experience and once upon a time my favourite winery and would always be one of my first wineries to visit is no longer on my favourite list! It will be a very long time before I ever visit Thirty Bench again! Furthermore where do they get off charging $20 plus tax for a rating if three and other wineries are charging $10 and some $15 at the most for four! I do not recommend this winery and if you do visit hope your experience is a good one! Never were we treated the way we were treated...

This was our first of many stops and although it started nicely - I had made 2 reservations as our group was larger but they couldn’t find the 2nd reservation. They still accommodated us which was nice. And only a few wines were available for tasting, we did still enjoy them.

Where the experience left me with a sour note was the aftermath. I wanted to become a wineclub member and one of the perks are complimentary tastings. I had already paid but was told that I could get refunded if I join. The store manager also implied that I needed to remain an active member for a year if I wanted to get reimbursed which was not a problem. I have a big 2 wine cellar fridge at home.

After signing up for the membership, I was then told that I could no longer get refunded and that it would be for the next tasting. Apparently it’s in their “rules” which the store manager went to review afterwards 🙄 After visiting a few other wineries in the area, I found that it was not common practice. Because if you think about it, what is the difference between signing up just 5mins before payment? The tasting would suddenly become free as it’s the “next” tasting? Wasn’t necessarily the best way to make their their guest feel valued after signing up for an expensive membership. I honestly just think that the manager made up something on the fly because she had trust issues or something.

Overall, good wine but limited tasting options and not the best experience when it comes to making their guests...

We visited Thirty Bench this past Friday and I can say that I will never return or recommend to anyone. After visiting another winery down the road and having an excellent experience, this was a total let down! We had made reservations about a week prior so knowing that we were coming at a specific time, you would think that seating would be reserved for us all together, but no, we were sat outside the tasting room at 2 different tables(party of 6). We asked if we could be seated in the glass tasting room and were given a snotty answer of well then I will have to clean everything. Really? Do you want business or not? I understand the precautions due to Covid but come on, we made reservations. The menu was thrown at us and none of the wines they were featuring that day were explained to us. We were given a time limit of 25 minutes to sample 3 wines. It was not enough time to really relax, taste and enjoy the scenery. We were rushed and when asked if we could purchase some different samples, the girl said she would have to check. Check what? Do you want our bus or not? The server also would go in the back where we could see her talking about us to other employees. Very unprofessional!! We left when our quick 25 minutes was up, never purchased any additional bottles of wine or accessories available and will never return or recommend to anyone. Rude staff! I would give this rating a zero if it...