Black Stallion Estate Winery — Attraction in Napa

I should preface this review with the following: I’ve been in the wine industry (hospitality management) for over 23 years. I therefore realize people and businesses have bad days but this experience is a reflection of issues deeper than such our experience on this one occasion. Businesses or services I leave comments on are either exceptional or worthy of constructive criticism. I’m not going to mention names allowing Black Stallion management the opinion to contact me if they’re interested in any follow up.

I made a reservation for tasting for 4 through Black Stallions Tock reservation system, which I’ve used personally and professionally for years. I was surprised the system didn’t ask for a review which is standard so I’ll post my review on other platforms. My wife and I arrived about 10 minutes early as we waited for another couple to join us. The greeter explained we were early (yes we know) so he would need to find a host. He then departed as my wife and I browsed the retail room. At this point a kind gesture of offering water or a splash of wine as we waited would have been appreciated and a good first impression. When our guests arrived we went looking for the greeter, he took us to a table were we waited for our host. After about 5 min. she arrived and explained the tasting options. We waited for awhile for the glasses of wine to arrive at which point our server stated she got delayed by a phone call answering a guests questions. Isn’t that what the greeter/concierge is supposed to be doing? She gave a brief description of the wines and as she was doing so I noticed a bug (nat) in my glass and mentioned it to her. Her comment to me was, “and you can’t remove it?” I replied, sure I can and proceeded to flick the bug off to the side. She stated it would have been a lot of wine to taste if she got another glass. Seriously? I could have pressed for another glass but at this point I wanted to see where the rest of our experience would go. Toward the end of the experience our server approached our table and asked if we would like our bill (we never saw her until this point) I answered yes, she came back and placed the bill on the table stating she assumed we didn’t want to purchase wine. She never bothered to ask, so yes she made an assumption. On a positive note she didn’t charge for my bug glass (which I didn’t consume by the way). My wife and I have been fans of Black Stallion for years, We’ve seen wine makers come and go and the acquisition of the winery back in 2010. When I saw the winery was lauded by Wine Enthusiast magazine (I question their criteria) I was excited to visit after being away from the valley for the last 4 years. To say I was disappointed in this experience would be a huge understatement. There are many choices in the valley and I would not recommend visiting Black Stallion. The entire experience was substandard...

Don't like doing this review but I feel the need to voice out concerns regarding business practices for this winery.

My friends booked a tasting with this winery Thursday for my birthday celebration and were so happy they were able to accommodate 12 people. They put us in a private room and had a beautiful table setting for all of us. However, that was about it.

Our server Ms. Dizon did not seem too please about serving 12 people and took a while to check on us in between pours.

The clincher, she gave us a discount for wine purchases if we pay cash so everyone agreed but told most of the people in our group that if they want change "it's going to take a while". Doesn't make sense that change will not be given after a purchase. We were going to be late in our next appointment so unfortunately some have to forego their change as high as $10.00.

Another thing is at the last minute the cost of our tasting went from $45 to $65 after the tasting and not a warning before the tasting. No explanation as to why the tasting went up.

I think everyone is in shock but does not want to make a fuss because we were going to be late for our next appointment.

I have been a member in multiple wineries in Napa and other wineries in CA, even in Europe and I have never encountered this business practice ever.

Very unprofessional, very disappointed about the...

We stumbled on this magical place on our last day in Napa and had such fun. It’s an exquisite property. We were warmly and immediately greeted by Scott as soon as we walked in. He told us all about the property, the tasting choices, and the Founders, who were Italian immigrants who moved to America in the 1920’s and picked grapes to make a living. They are now the 7th largest wine distributor! I found my heart overflowing with gratitude for this day and the time we were spending with Scott. We settled on the tasting flight called The Prestige, Black Stallion’s signature line, and spent the next hour walking around the property, sipping the luxurious red wines and chatting and laughing with Scott. Not long after he started pouring our flight, and describing the wines, he said “you’re about to go on a journey, and it just gets better and better.” What a magnificent description of life itself, I managed to say before a joyful tear toppled out of my eye. Cab Sauv is the sweet spot for this Winery and WOW did it deliver. Transcendent is “their baby” Scott told us. It’s a spicy, oh so smooth Cabernet Sauvignon, and now it’s our baby, too! We finished with the treat of one of their Library wines, and a delish piece of chocolate Scott shared with us. Thanks so much for the journey...