Whitehall Lane Winery — Attraction in St. Helena

I was excited to try the wine pairings at Whitehall Lane, especially with my 2 friends along with their baby girl (family friendly) and my husband and my service animal (dog friendly). I made a reservation a week before for 4 pairings at 1 pm. Due to traffic (coming from Oakland), we called to see if we can push our original appointment a little later. Thankfully, they were able to accommodate us at 3 instead of 1pm (thanks again)!

Once we got there we were served our first glass of wine from one of the servers. I checked in and thanked them for allowing us to reschedule our appt. The tasting seems like it was progressing normally; i.e.: friend asked for membership info and if food was available. When we asked if there is food on the menu, he responded with a smart remark stating that the menu we were looking at has no food since that was the membership menu. We then continue asking if food is available and he says no because of some Napa rule/regulation. After the first pour from our original server, RJ (2nd server/person who helped rescheduled us) came out and poured our 2nd tasting. While he poured the 2nd tasting, he mentioned that this would be the last tasting. Since I booked the tasting, I thought that was strange because it’s normally 3-4 pours per tasting at other wineries. RJ then mentions that everyone in our group is too intoxicated and due to Napa laws, they are unable to serve us anymore wine. Much to our surprise, we did not understand why this winery would “pour our 2nd glass of wine” if we were “too drunk”; our party left with no further explanation.

Since I made the reservation, I called RJ to confirm exactly why our party got denied service. He said it was because of our “slurred language, red eyes and wobbly movements”. To be completely transparent, we are two Asian couples with their baby, family dog, and a designated driver. To be treated as anything less than that was uncalled for especially during these trivial times. I hope RJ and team take a moment to think about this incident so that it doesn’t get repeated. Some recommendations include providing a warning, providing detail examples of people who were validating the California/Napa rules, and ensuring potential racial discriminatory isn’t tolerated in any way, shape or form. Will not be returning or referring any...

Came here with friends and family for a tasting and experienced a very interesting interaction. We showed up after rescheduling the appt due to traffic. After being served our second drink we were told they're no longer serving us and this 2nd drink is the last due to the fact that we're intoxicated. This caught us by surprised and didn't know how to act.

We're the only Asian group at the venue and got this treatment. We didn't even bother with the second cup because if you deemed us as intoxicated and not worthy of service, WHY DID YOU SEVERED US THE LAST GLASS?!! Claiming that due to California laws, they will not serve Intoxicated guest.... Then why not just cut us off but served us a second cup and claim that we're too drunk to finish our tasting .....

We actually called back to verify why our group was denied service and was told to that we "looked intoxicated". We asked can you give us specifics to why you think we're intoxicated and was told we "all looked and acted drunk". We were told due to our eyes and speech they deemed us intoxicated. So being the only Asian at the establishment means we're intoxicated.... Cool!!

First off, we were not all sitting at the table when service happened. They felt and expressed that under their perception we were not serviceable, 2 Asian couples with a puppy and a baby. We also heard them expressing condolences to our white neighbors for us sitting there.

We have a designated driver since my new born child is in the car, but somehow the staffed deemed our whole party as intoxicated... although we weren't all there at the same time.

Discrimination comes in a lot of form and it's crazy to think we were told, "your eyes and speech indicated you're intoxicated" & "maybe you guys should come earlier in the day".

Never again will we come to this establishment. I do not need to be judge by how I look. Sorry we do not have big buggy eyes or speak the way you want to hear.

For you to call us intoxicated with no proof is shameful and...

We purchased The Little Book of Big Experiences ($85 pp) which provides for complimentary tastings at 12 wineries in and around St. Helena. We had a wonderful experience at all included wineries we visited until we got to Whitehall Lane winery. RJ in the tasting room refused to make a reservation without us prepaying about $112 in fees for 2 people. He told me on the phone that the fee would be refunded once we show up at the winery and present our booklets. Surprisingly, he refused to send an email confirming that the winery will do it. Prepayment requirement was not stated in the booklet which spells out all experiences and booking requirements. When someone doesn't follow up on their commitment and refuses to put their promise of a refund in writing, there is a pretty good chance they will deny ever making such promise. Our takeaway from this unfortunate experience - Whitehall Lane is a shady business with questionable business practices and less than helpful...