Working Dog Winery — Attraction in Robbinsville Township

It turns out that if you go to a winery that literally has "dog" in their name but it's raining all day, you will see NO canine chums. A very sad state of affairs, but I certainly don't blame the winery for that. I do think going forward I would hesitate to go to a winery in rainy conditions unless I absolutely had to - you can tell this place is probably gorgeous outside on a sunny day, but we weren't able to take advantage of that.

I came here with my cousin chums yesterday afternoon for a few hours. It's conveniently located in that it's roughly equidistant between us, a few minutes off the Turnpike and pretty easy to find with some GPS assistance. We were one of the few customers/guests there when we showed up around noon, but it did actually fill up a bit as the afternoon progressed.

Many reviewers have mentioned the rules, and deservedly so. We'd all looked through them beforehand, and there are some VERY specific restrictions. I'm used to seeing a list of rules/instructions from wineries that clearly were written in response to some rowdier parties, but based on this compilation, it seemed like they had the Birthday Party From Hell at some point, featuring hoagies, kites and baseball bats. I've never seen anything like it. I will say though that, having actually been on the premises, I didn't feel like I was burdened by the rules, per se - yes, they are framed and displayed in a few areas (see attached), but I also expected one or two employees to sort of embody that mindset, and I didn't get that vibe, thankfully. Everyone was very pleasant and professional. There was an older gentleman outside I think overseeing the parking situation (it's pretty informal and mostly on the grass, so it does require a little direction at times), and he told me as part of his introductory script, "We only have one rule - to have fun." Sir, I saw the rule about the hoagies. Not true. Nice guy though.

We decided to do the $18 tasting, which I thought was reasonably priced, especially when you take into account that a) you got a solid list of options to choose from, b) a bottle of water and c) a free winery glass to take home. I think that's one of the better tasting packages I've encountered, so kudos to them. The young woman who handled our tasting was very nice and accommodating (at one point, my one cousin chum asked if we could take a break to eat some of our charcuterie we'd brought in, and we were told it wasn't an issue since the place was still pretty empty), and was well equipped with descriptions and preferences for the wines she was showcasing.

This is a personal palate preference for sure, but I just wasn't a fan of the wines. Even the Traminette to me (while definitely perfume-y with a distinct citrus note) seemed too light and bland, and that was a general impression I got from all of the wines I tried, including one of the Ugly Duckling sweet wines and the Chambourcin. It could be the soil in this area of the state, which is probably a bit sandier than what I'm used to from the northern area (I grew up in northern Hunterdon so I have a lot of experience with Alba Vineyard in Finesville, which is basically in the Appalachian foothills), but I didn't like any of them to the point where I thought it was worth bringing a bottle home. I also think it's a huge unforced error on Working Dog's part not to have some type of eating options on the premises, even just a fridge with some informal charcuterie options. This area is totally devoid of any legit eating destinations (I even asked a native of nearby Allentown if he had any recs for a post-winery meal and he simply replied, "No.") so you're basically putting the onus on your customers to ensure that they pack their own provisions for a trip here. That to me is the most obvious and easiest element to improve.

This wasn't a terrible experience by any means and I always enjoy sipping some vino with my cousin chums whilst discussing Frasier reruns, but I'd be reluctant to come back given my tepidness on the wine and the...

If all wineries treat their patrons this way I’ll never waste my time. Two friends and I trekked over an hour to Working Dog yesterday. My one friend was waiting inside since she got there first to save a spot for us. I arrived seeing a man shooing people away from the parking (me thinking there were just no more spots available). My second friend who had a chance to park only a few minutes before I arrived came out to help me figure out what to do next. We decided to park on a neighborhood street nearby just thinking that there was no parking, and took a Lyft to the winery.

As we got out of the car and my friend tried to casually go back to her car, she was stopped like she was an intruder and questioned as to where she was going by the two men (who we later found out were THE OWNERS) directing parking. They said the wintery was closed for the day. No where on their website was there saying that as a warning so others wouldn’t waste their time as well. Keep in mind, this was also outdoors. We tried to explain that our friend had been inside waiting for us, and they wanted to hear no part of our story with the arrogant way they were acting. One said she would get arrested if she was trying to get into the winery. I had to wait with all the belongings by the front of the parking as my friend waiting for us in the winery (with a sprained ankle and boot, no less who needed assistance) gathered her things alone inside to leave. My other friend was questioned by security and then was finally “allowed” to enter her car.

A line of cars were gathered in the front totally stunned that the winery closed for the day with no notice. Completely uncalled for.

We are in our late twenties, and were treated like children. No one should be treated the way the OWNERS THEMSELVES treated the potential patrons of Working Dog Winery. This was a completely disheartening situation that I hope to never experience at an...

Working Dog Winery perfectly blends rustic charm and sophistication, creating an atmosphere that's both inviting and unforgettable for wine enthusiasts.

The staff, including Russ and Mark, truly makes the winery special. Their warm and personable approach ensures every visitor feels part of the winery family. As Russ welcomes you with his charismatic personality, don't forget to ask how he's doing - his signature response, "Marvelous!", never fails to brighten the day. Meanwhile, Mark, with his in-depth knowledge of wine and infectious enthusiasm, turns each visit into an enlightening journey.

The selection of wines on offer is impressive, with the Traminette being a standout. This captivating wine introduces itself with a bright note, gradually reveals a tropical citrus lime mid-palate, and concludes with a clean, refreshing finish.

Adding to the rich experience, Working Dog Winery regularly hosts live music and food trucks, contributing to an ever-vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere. The combination of excellent wines, friendly staff, lively music, and scrumptious food from the food trucks ensures a truly unforgettable experience.

Working Dog Winery is not just a destination for tasting amazing wines - it's a place that offers an exceptional experience. With every visit, you feel like a part of the family, making it a destination you'll eagerly return to. Undeniably, it's a well-deserved...