Océane Vineyards and Winery — Attraction in Town of Chester

I'm sorry to not have shared the same 5* experience that other reviewers had -- it was those reviews that drove us to explore Oceane. As other mention, the vista when you sit on Oceane's back deck (4 tables, I believe) is incredible. The deck faces westward so do visit a bit before sunset.

I would be inspired to visit again for the views, but my experience was - at best - awkward. A friend and I stopped by (first time) for a glass of wine. When we walked in - there is a bar area to walk through first - no one greeted us and it wasn't clear who/if anyone worked there. Some other people were seated on the deck and, as we moved that way, someone sitting on a sofa asked if we were there for a drink (um, yes).

The host did come out after we chose a table and made some of the usual small talk: sharing that he makes wine in the basement, they are opening a brewery, and the size of the vineyard. There were 4 whites and 2 reds to chose from, along with an option for 4 tastings for $20. We both chose that and, when I asked the host which his fave wine was, he answered "none of them".

I thought he was making a joke, but then he went on to say that he moved here several months ago with the expectation that he would be teaching two other winemakers but, when he arrived, they had disappeared and now he has to manage everything on his own. The wine isn't the wine he makes and he doesn't like any of them.

And... after the tasting, I have to agree with him. The whites were quaffable but the reds tasted like they'd been open for several days, with the Pinot Noir having a distinct vinegary note.

After the sample tastes were poured, no one approached the table again. Neither of us wanted to have a full glass of anything and, when it became apparent no one was going to check on us, we went inside to pay.

The tasting pours did not equal a full glass between them. Now that's fine when you don't care for the wine but a full bottle is $30 so paying $20 for less than one glass seemed to track with the lack of interest that was felt from the host.

I love, and live, in this area and supporting local business is very important to me. Maybe I visited Oceane on an off day, but the view doesn't make up for the overall awkwardness and feeling like the host was burdened by both the business and visitors.

From other reviews it's clear that others didn't share the same experience but when the host tells you he doesn't like the wine, it makes it hard to...

I wish I had the same amazing experience that brought me here in the first place, based on others reviews. On a beautiful fall day, I found the local winery with the best reviews, and it was this one. With high hopes, me and my partner arrived and the setting is indeed very beautiful. However, when we entered there was nobody there to greet us and we stood awkwardly around wondering if we were supposed to order at the bar or if we could go sit outside and if there was table service. When someone finally acknowledged us, they seemed irritated that we wanted to sit at the last available outdoor table. We sat down but it was not cleared off. Finally when someone came to take our order, they still didn't remove the glasses and crumbs from the previous customers but took our order. It was such a beautiful day that we just enjoyed the view and waited. When our flight of the wine arrived we had a few questions but were told to just read about it in the menu. Our cheese and fruit board never came. We waited and waited and finally had to go inside to ask of it's whereabouts since no one came back to check on us. Finally it came out with absolutely no acknowledgment that we had waited an abnormally long time for it. We were actually completely finished with our wine at that point. The worst part was, though, it was put together so thoughtlessly. There were three grapes and one of them was rotten. The cheese was very roughly cut and it was just overall messy and disappointing.

Perhaps it was just a very busy day and they were short-staffed, in which case they should have acknowledged it instead of giving us such attitude and surliness when we complained. The place is indeed beautiful, but the wine and food and customer experience that we had doesn't justify us coming back.

I actually waited some time to cool off before I posted this, but it really was one of the worst customer experiences I've had in quite a while. I wish the best to them and I hope that they can mature in their service and upgrade...

Nestled amidst picturesque rolling hills, this vineyard offers a captivating escape into the serene beauty of wine country. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by breathtaking scenery that instantly transported us to a state of tranquility. The vineyard's meticulously tended vines stretched out as far as the eye could see, creating a stunning backdrop for our wine-tasting experience.

As we sampled their selection of wines, we were delighted to discover a range of exquisite flavors that perfectly captured the essence of the region. Each sip offered a symphony of nuanced notes, showcasing the vineyard's dedication to crafting exceptional wines.

The staff, led by the affable John behind the bar, epitomized hospitality at its finest. Their warm welcome and genuine enthusiasm added an extra layer of enjoyment to our visit. John's attentive service ensured that our glasses were never empty, and he eagerly shared his knowledge of the wines, enhancing our appreciation of each pour.

Amidst the peaceful and calm ambience of the vineyard, we savored every moment of our time there. The gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant chirping of birds created a harmonious soundtrack to our tasting experience, further enriching the overall ambiance.

Our visit to this vineyard was nothing short of exceptional. From the stunning scenery to the delicious wines and the attentive staff, every aspect surpassed our expectations. We left feeling rejuvenated and grateful for the opportunity to indulge in such a memorable...