Alto Vista Winery & Distillery — Attraction in Noord overig

Winery tour started great, very friendly guide interesting history. The $45 price per is best suited for history buffs rather than wine enthusiasts as when it is all said and done you get the equivalent of 1 small cocktail and perhaps the equivalent one glass of wine. You also get pairings with tiny servings of meat fruit and chocolate with their Sommelier. Thats the tour I would give that portion 3 to 4 stars depending on one’s preferences. For most the visit doesn’t end there. If you drove out there for some wine you are invited to kick back enjoy the view with your favorite bottle which seems to be a far better value than by the glass. Here’s where the deceptive business practices and targeting of tourists especially Americans comes in. There is no written menu the posted prices of wine bottles appear reasonable. When it comes time to settle your bill the price is converted to USD manually at an unfavorable rate our credit card could do that automatically. This also hides the cost breakdown. I am fairly good at math and noticed for the several bottles we got and food orders (we had a party of 12) the price was way off. Turns out they serve all bottles on ice even red and charge $5 each. They also only pressure Americans into tips, locals and europeans are presented simply with the total. We would have been happy to tip, but on principle cannot endorse deceptive sales marketing and intentional hidden fees. They refused to refund the ice fees and said there were tiny qr codes hidden throughout the seating area that listed the full menu and fees. Also of note one in our party asked for a menu and was told they have none - no mention of the qr code. We actually had data in aruba our family from canada did not so it would be a moot point for them as u need a data plan for the qr menu to work. I hope they will learn from this and abandon their current deceptive sales tactics in favor of...

Alto Vista Winery & Distillery in Oranjestad, Aruba is a hidden gem that defies expectations and delivers a truly remarkable experience. As one of the few wineries located in a desert environment, this establishment offers a unique and captivating journey for visitors.

The tour experience begins with a delightful nature walk through the dense cactus landscape, providing a glimpse to what the landscape was like prior to development. Along the way, guests are taken to the on-site vineyard, sugarcane fields, and distillery, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the wine and spirit-making processes.

The highlight of the tour is the sommelier-led tasting, where visitors are treated to a carefully curated selection of the winery's excellent wines, expertly paired with a delectable charcuterie spread. The attention to detail and quality of the products is truly impressive, showcasing the winery's commitment to excellence.

One of the notable aspects of Alto Vista Winery & Distillery is the intimate and personalized nature of the experience. The tour groups are limited in size to ensure a more tailored and enjoyable tasting, so advance booking is recommended to secure a spot.

Beyond the guided tour, visitors can also relax on the winery's rooftop, sipping on additional drinks and soaking in the stunning desert landscape. The presence of a food truck on the property further enhances the overall experience, providing the opportunity to indulge in local cuisine while immersed in the serene and unique setting.

Overall, Alto Vista Winery & Distillery is a true hidden gem in Aruba, offering a captivating and memorable experience that seamlessly blends the unexpected with exceptional hospitality and quality. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply seeking a unique and enriching adventure, this establishment is highly recommended for anyone...

This will be a blunt review.

New winery and in the middle of nothing they battling a lot to get wine out this dry desert island.

10/10 for efforts.

The tour is fun. Fun guides. Nice view.

10/10 for the scenery.

The distillery is interesting artisan. Fresh white not barrelled rum - good taste and a simple cocktail to finish. 10/10

The wine tasting - the reason most come.

Very nice venue. I would love to have a living room like that.

The sommelier and cheese and food pairing are ok- good try.

The wines. Well. Let’s forget them. Good initiative. Great efforts and the marketing and the show around them is nice and well made. The wines are actually not good.

The white wines are possibly the best. Or least bad. The gold wine- is way below any expectations. Nicely done and performed wine - but I guess the grapes are way too young to deliver quality.

The rose - you have anything better for 4$ at the first gas station.

The red wine - the Tempranillo - doesn’t even smell right. Lots of wasted efforts there.

The port. Is not a good port. You mixing a brandy that’s made from your not great wine and you mix it again with the same. Maybe the least bad of all- I agree but any port wine beats it.

So- the show the efforts the initiative the deliver - 10/10

The wines 2/10 - if you thirsty.

Would I recommend this attraction- yes. Would I buy wine. No. Would I recommend the rum- yes - and I am a wine person.

Great initiative. Great efforts. I hope with time it will get better if the vines grow stronger. Won’t put a lot of money on it.

The efforts remind me of the wine makers of the Canary Islands - but actually those are achieving fantastic results.

Zero regrets going here. Good tour. Great hospitality. Rum ok....