Unionville Vineyards — Attraction in East Amwell Township

First off, I would only like this review to be productive for the business to continue running successfully and making many people happy. Today, I unfortunately did not have a great experience.

On Thursday 9/23 I reserved myself and three others to visit the winery-- very excited as I've heard about Unionville Vineyards. Its reputation precedes it. The gentleman I spoke with on the phone, who mentioned at some point that he only recently joined their team, was very hospitable, articulate, and informative. We scheduled the visit for noon 10/3. In particular, he mentioned we would be able to reserve a tour of the vineyard/winery and he would look into the possibility of finding Spanish speaking staff to help us. All this information was supposed to be followed up later that week. Never happened. Furthermore, he said our $16/person fee was applicable towards a bottle purchase. Day of our visit (Sunday morning) I tried to call the winery three times to confirm these details but no one answered.

Upon arrival (from Jersey City, 1hr15m drive) we were told that no tour was scheduled and it would not be possible by any means. We would not have chosen to visit Unionville if it were not for the tour. Okay-- we went about our tasting. I expressed to the staff member helping us that we were expecting a different experience today, as per the gentleman who I spoke with on the phone. She deferred to another woman working the wine bar who approached us, very matter of factly, without greeting, to say there will not be a tour and she was only repeating herself. I understand 100% it would be very difficult (or not possible) to serve a walk-in tour-- however, the service was by no means accommodating, nor kind, when I explained that we were given false information. I worry that maybe they thought we were trying to get something for free? At the register we lastly found out that the tasting fee did not count towards a purchase.

I would like to be productive with this review because I also work in wine, as a sommelier and wine buyer. Customer service is at the core of our industry. I won't be coming back to this vineyard, which many people love and enjoy, because we felt as though no one cared to ensure our experience was positive (however possible, not necessarily with a paid tour out of the blue). All we got was, "I don't know who told you that but that is incorrect." Okay.... now what? We just left after the tasting, which was hardly interactive and only about 45min. I'm happy to see the winery was busy-- people love it. Effective customer service shouldn't suffer due to volume.

2/5 stars for pleasant wines but...

My friend and I went to Unionville Vineyards this past weekend for a wine tasting. It was absolutely wonderful! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted in such a friendly manner by Lisa and Shannon. We were scheduled for a 4pm tasting, but they were able to accommodate us earlier than that. For a reasonable price, you have the opportunity to select seven wines to taste and keep the wine glass as a souvenir. I have been to several wineries (6 this summer) but this by far is probably by far one of the top in New Jersey for several reasons: 1) a variety of wine for all different palates. Each wine has a unique taste-I like full bodied wines and my friend’s preference is lighter. We were both very happy with all the wines we tried….it was hard to choose which one we wanted to drink more of! 2) I have never been to a winery where it’s a private tasting. Usually, it’s a group of people (even during covid). What I liked about the private tasting is that it provides a personable feeling. 3) Shannon was our wine expert and she is absolutely fabulous! She took us on a journey of each of the wines that we were interested in tasting. Based on our preferences, she was able to pair the appropriate wine selection for each of us. Besides being knowledgeable of the wine, she made the experience extra special but just being so personable and easy to connect with. 4) The customer service is OUTSTANDING. Other wineries I have been to the people are nice, but here, you can tell they truly love what they do. The best part about it is that it’s open all year round! I highly recommend it and will definitely be going back again!! And anyone who does go, ask for a tasting with Shannon or Lisa-both of these ladies are FANTASTIC and Unionville Vineyards is lucky...

As the wedding planner and Day-of Coordinator with Elite Events Design, I had the pleasure of working a beautiful wedding at Unionville Vineyards—and I can’t say enough good things about this venue and their incredible staff! The property itself is absolutely stunning. The landscaping feels like a natural, whimsical garden—nothing overly manicured, just effortlessly beautiful. The butterfly garden is a magical touch, with butterflies fluttering throughout the day—it truly felt like something out of a fairytale. John, the general manager, was wonderful to work with and made sure all of the bride’s requests were thoughtfully handled with care. Andrew, the event manager, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every detail was in place and every guest was taken care of. Donna and Julie were behind the bar all evening, crafting signature cocktails and pouring Unionville’s fabulous wines—my personal favorite was the Dry Riesling I got to try at the end of the night. So crisp and delicious! The outdoor tented reception space was gorgeous—elegant chandeliers, natural wood tent poles, with views of the brick farmhouse that was built in the 1800's, making it feel both refined and perfectly rustic. It complemented the overall vibe of the vineyard beautifully.

If you're in the service industry, you know how much coordination and effort goes into pulling off a flawless event—and the team at Unionville Vineyards nailed it. I’m already looking forward to the next event I get to...