Adam Puchta Winery — Attraction in Hermann

We visited 3 of the wineries on the Hermann Wine Trail this Saturday, and Adam Puchta, for the wine, value, and atmosphere, was definitely my favorite. It wasn't my first visit here, but as I've consistently had a good time at this winery, I wanted to leave a 5-star review. They offer 6 tastings for $5 (part of that great value!). My only complaint was that it was a set list of 6 wines--we had no choice about what we tasted. However, since I'm not a big red wine drinker, if it had been up to me, I wouldn't have tried 3 reds, but their reds were pretty good too (and one served chilled, which I appreciate). Also thought the woman doing our tastings was knowledgeable, friendly, and let us take our time through the tastings. They also offered the oyster crackers to cleanse between tastes and chocolate chips to pair with the reds (a nice touch!). Although I didn't find a "favorite" during the tastings, from reading the descriptions of their other wines available to buy, I selected a semi-dry white called Desire. The person who sold it to me said it was one of her favorites and would be refreshing on a hot day like it was that day. She was right! Crisp, a little sweet but not as sweet as their Traminette, I easily drank more than half the bottle that I shared with a couple other people in my group. Also nice value because at $17 for the bottle, it's much cheaper than a lot of wineries charge for their chilled wine on site (often $25-$30 or more).

For such a hot day, we were grateful that almost all their outdoor seating was in shade--either under a big tent or under beautiful, huge trees. We also enjoyed the singer who was playing when we arrived. Unfortunately, we only got to hear him for about 1/2 hour before his time was up, and since there was a break for the next band to set up, we had moved on before they started. But for people staying in one place for the day, it would be a chill place to listen to music (and I also noticed that they allowed people to bring their own food, which can be nice to snack throughout an afternoon). We hadn't brought food but all enjoyed selections from their bistro: I split a maurgarita pizza with someone, and it was delicious. Others in my party had the pretzel sticks (soft, good texture and tasty) and the pulled pork nachos. Everyone enjoyed their food, and everything on the menu is between $4 and $16 (most of it was under $10, but the large pizza we had was $16, but it easily fed two of us with a couple other people sampling a piece). And only a $1 for bottled water--a must on such a hot day. Also don't forget to try their delicious wine slushies. That day they had their blackberry wine mixed with...

We have been there 2 times. The first time was fine , that time the staff was fine, both times the wine was fine and the atmosphere was good. I kind of like the well cared for cats that roam around. I wish I could say the same for our second time. You have to pay the $5/person fee even if you do not want to taste for a “grounds fee”. That’s fine but we have never been charged that at other winery’s and frankly will be a deciding factor if we go back, it cost our group an extra $30 to go there and we almost left when we were told that. Most other winery’s we have been to only charge if you taste , which we had already done and knew what we wanted. To be frank and bluntly honest we would have bought wine to take home for a different day if there wasn’t that charge. Our other issue was when we bought a bottle of wine that was priced at $12 on their wine list they charged $15 when I asked about it because I though she may have misheard me and was charging for something else she rudely said it was taxes and fee’s on the bottle. That’s 25%, which who knows maybe the going rate in Hermann, but no need to be rude when I just asked about it. In that case it wasn’t the price of the bottle, $15 is still not bad for a winery it was the attitude. The rest of the staff was not what I would call friendly on our second trip either and we are still up in the air if we will go back even though we will drive by it to get to our weekend place several...

stopped twice- both times were extremely rude.

First time, I was intending to fill a case with variety of reds, but they were not interested in helping me. There was a much younger newlywed couple they thought were more in-line with their time. When I tried to taste a couple to decide which would be best, they got very upset and demanded a $5.00 taste. I explained I didn't want a full pour, just a minor taste to taste flavor. I got a lecture. So, I let them keep all of the wine, including the case I was working to fill.

Second time, thought I would give them one more chance, brought a friend with me. We were picking out some bottles, and the sales girl asked if we were ready to check out. We weren't. so she left us, and went back into the tasting room. We thought she was coming right back. She wasn't. After ~ a 5 minute browsing time, we decided we weren't important to them. So we left and went to another winery that was very helpful and appreciative of our business.

I will not return to Adam Puchta, which is a shame because I have tasted their wine, and it is good. Their property is beautiful. Too bad they have no clue what customer loyalty means, or how customer service plays a part in what people decide to purchase.

I also mimic other reviewers - charging $5.00 to taste is counter-productive to wanting to sell wine. allowing people to taste is step one to getting them...