Hinterland Wine Company — Attraction in Ontario

I understand the COVID -19 has drastically changed how businesses are able operate, however this is the worst expression of customer service and tasting experience I have seen thus far. I would encourage staff to look to the examples of other wineries operating in the area.

We arrived with a group of 6 of us with a reservation. Then asked to pay (~$12, one of the most expensive in the area) and tip up front. Afterwards, we were told to come up to the bar for our tasting, where each of us had 4 plastic cups pre-poured and a placemat. Not one single staff member acknowledged us, no explanation nor hello. Instead, we stared at a blank wall for the entire tasting. Meanwhile, on the second bar a gentleman (who I assume was the winemaker) was hosting two gentleman followed by another group giving them the entire works, real glasses, samples across the portfolio. I understand that these are likely VIP guests, however as someone who works in the industry there are much better work arounds. Still unclear what/who my tip was going to.

As for the wines, of the 4 you sample, one is not even wine its cider and they are the cheapest options. 1 cider, 2 Charmat method (like a Prosecco) and Ancestral method (this is the only one slightly interesting and who love to have had some details). All other options (traditional and reds) those which I was actually interested in perhaps purchasing were by the bottle only, no samples or glasses. Would love to have purchased several bottles (we bought a traditional to sample amongst ourselves, this was pretty good) but unfortunately the experience was quite frankly the worst I've seen both within Canada and internationally.

Frankly, I would not recommend, visiting. Save yourself the time, there are much better sparkling producers in Canada and much better experiences...

I took some friends here on Saturday and was very disappointed in the service. There were 4 people serving and we first went to one woman for our tastings. She was unfriendly, verging on hostile. No smile cracked her face at any point of the transaction. We got 1 full tasting (5 wines) and 2 extra of the Borealis and the Ancestral. The Borealis was warm and flat. Keep in mind, we paid for these, they weren't free! So when we went up to get a glass of wine after our tasting we tried a different server - same miserable reception. I asked for the Borealis and if it was possible to have one that was chilled and not flat, explaining that the taste we had was warm and flat. No apology. No "sorry about that, I'll see if we have a bottle that's cold - we've been sooo busy" Just a very terse "we're doing our best" - honey, if that's your best, you should try a different profession. Then after I ordered she walked away while my friend stood there having not been served. WE flagged her back and he asked to order and she said flatly "I thought you didn't want anything" - why she would think that when she hadn't asked if he wanted anything is a mystery but we said "no problem, sorry for the confusion" - why were we apologizing and she wasn't? Based on this very disappointing experience, none of us...

I discovered Hinterland at the suggestion of a host at Norman Hardie, in 2010. The directions were accurate, but I actually drove by as the sign was small and the former converted cow barn certainly didn't look like a winery!

I was served by Jonah himself and sampled two of the still wines as well as the Rosé and Les Étoiles. (Hinterland no longer produces still wines; they are solely focused on sparkling wines.) To say I was gobsmacked is putting it mildly. I'm not a connoisseur of sparkling wines, not nearly as knowledgeable as many. However, I do have a decent palate for wines.

The first thing that struck me about both wines was the amount of mousse. The pours were pretty generous, and in both cases the bubbles filled half the glass. And those bubbles were small and compact, an indication of a good sparkling wine.

I ended up buying a bottle of Les Étoiles and two Rosé. I wish I could have afforded more, but one has to leave budget for other County wines and delectables, eh?

I didn't get to Hinterland in 2011, but vow to return this summer, just in time for the new release of Les Étoiles. Combined with County Cider and Half Moon Bay, not to mention several other County wineries, I am spending more of my budget there and less in NIagara. Such choices are just so...