Bohemia Manor Farm — Attraction in Middletown

It has taken me several weeks to be able to fully articulate the disgraceful service we received here. We booked a private event for my birthday and were guaranteed our own space at the winery-indoor or outdoor, $300 in food and beverage credit, and our personal server for the day. The week of my gathering, I received a call from Edward, the events manager to let me know that a wedding had just decided to rent the entire property that day but they could still host my group at the beach bar. I did not want the beach, I wanted the winery. He offered me two private cabanas which he emphasized were very expensive but I reiterated that I did not want to be in the sand. I was planning for and paid for a completely different experience. I was never offered a refund and could not change my date because we had too many things in place for that day already but we agreed that he would set up picnic tables and umbrellas for us in the grass, we would still have our own server, he would drive us down to the area himself so we wouldn’t have to walk, and he even threw in a complimentary bottle of sparkling for the trouble. Fabulous! When we arrived, no one was around, no one answered the phones, nothing was set up, and his attitude was atrocious. A nice girl that worked there drove us down and my husband and our friends had to set up the tables and umbrellas themselves. Edward was at the bar staring at us until I called him over to question what was going on and all he said was that he left a note. This is incredible because he was standing where everything was supposed to be ready…and wasn’t doing anything to get it ready! I told him how displeased I was and his attitude was so rude and abhorrent. He ended up giving us a discount on our purchases for the day which was slightly nice. He then sent this poor young worker to do everything for him while he stood watching. Our group felt so bad for this kid that we helped even more with the set up. What a terrible manager Edward is to let his young employee bust his butt working while he just stands there doing nothing. This young boy was amazing and catered to all of our needs that day but he was also the only server at the beach bar so we didn’t get the private server as promised and he was running around everywhere which made us feel so terribly for him. He was spectacular though! We asked for our complimentary bottle of sparkling that was promised and Edward tried to back peddle and not give it to us. You would think with how terrible everything was at this point he would have given it to us no problem, but alas he continued to be awful. He never once apologized for anything nor did he ever check on us to make sure things were going smoothly. We conferred with several other tables and they were also very displeased with Edward’s treatment of them and the several staff members also noted that he is consistently difficult. He alone is the reason I will never come back to my once favorite winery and I will be discouraging everyone I know from...

WORST customer service experience I have ever had, especially considering my fiancé and I were going to spend THOUSANDS of dollars at this business for our wedding. I’m so glad we had this experience early on to save us the trouble and frustration of working with these people and relying on them to help our special day go smoothly.

This lack of professionalism was there from the beginning. I received an email response from Chris the Tasting Room Manager to schedule a tour. He was going on a two week vacation in a few days, but let us know when he would be back and able to meet with us. That was longer than we wanted to wait, but we were completely understanding given the circumstances. I responded with the dates we were available and followed up the next morning with a call. The woman who answered the phone was one of the rudest people I have ever encountered, and acted like I was inconveniencing her by calling the business. She said Chris would call me back.

Two days later and no response…we go to the winery for a tasting and to scope it out a little ourselves. Same rude woman serves us, again, acting as if we were inconveniencing her by being there. Then there’s Chris, walking around the tasting room and chatting with coworkers, meanwhile he had never gotten back to us about our tour and was about to leave for a long vacation.

Chris recently emailed me back THREE weeks after our original conversation to book the tour. We’ve seen many other venues at this point but hadn’t made our decision yet, so we decided to go since we were very interested in Chateau Bu De. I rearranged my work schedule and we drove almost an hour to get to our appointment…to be told by the hostess (with no concern or apology) that Chris didn’t show up to work today. No call, no email, and nothing since then to explain or apologize. He probably still doesn’t realize he stood us up today, even though the tour was confirmed just two days ago.

The moral of this long story is, if you are considering spending $10,000+ on a wedding venue, look elsewhere. We never even got to the point of having a tour and we were treated with this much disrespect and lack of concern for our time. It’s a shame because this is also our favorite winery in the area and we will not be returning. Why you would treat paying customers this poorly for absolutely no reason is something I am still trying to wrap my mind around. This experience definitely helped make our decision, and I am so glad we are going with (and saving money on) a more reliable, responsive, and...

Title: A Once-Favored Winery Now Falls Short of Expectations

We recently revisited a winery that we used to adore, hoping for the same exquisite experience that once made it a standout destination. Unfortunately, our latest visit left much to be desired, with notable declines in both service and overall quality.

Ambiance: The winery's setting remains picturesque, with sprawling vineyards and a charming tasting room that exudes rustic elegance. However, the atmosphere feels different, lacking the refined and welcoming vibe that used to make it so special.

Wine Selection: The wine itself remains exceptional in quality but they say their supplies are limited and a new vintner is starting. The future of their selection is unknown and concerning.

Customer Service: The most significant disappointment was the customer service. Previously, the staff were knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about their craft. Now, the service feels impersonal and disorganized, with staff members appearing disengaged and less informed about the wines and business operations. The warm, inviting interactions we once enjoyed have been replaced by a more transactional approach.

Changes in Experience: Several changes have been made that detract from the winery's upscale charm. The tasting process feels more of a second thought, and the intimate, personalized touch that used to define the experience is noticeably absent. Additionally, the amenities and facilities, while still functional, seem to have lost some of their former polish and attention to detail.

Overall: It's disheartening to see a winery that we once loved fall short of its former glory. While the setting remains beautiful and the wines are still enjoyable, the decline in customer service and the shift away from its previous upscale standards are disappointing. We hope the winery can address these issues and restore the excellence that made it a beloved destination for wine enthusiasts. The new owners now refer to the property as a resort and have shifted their focus to a basic bar atmosphere and beverage selection. Change your expectations if you have been here in the past to avoid...