Fox Hollow Vineyards — Restaurant in Holmdel Township

My Fiancé and I have been long time patrons and after a recent visit felt compelled to share a few honest thoughts. Firstly, the grounds are lovely and the surrounding area is both bucolic and comfortable. The wine itself is typical quality for New Jersey, not overly good but passable. The live music is great and the fire pits are a must in the cooler weather. Now, the negatives: When we approached the entrance, we were abruptly stopped by a staff member who demanded my fiancé open her purse. What are they looking for? Weapons? Contraband pretzels? I was later to discover they are trying to prevent patrons from brining in outside food. Firstly, there is a large sign with the myriad of Fox Hollows rules clearly stating that no out side food is permitted. Shouldn't that suffice? Aren't we all adults here? We've visited dozens of other wineries and this is the very first time we were searched. Further, Fox Hollow seems to tailor it's rules to optimize profit without consideration for it's patrons comfort or enjoyment. Look, it's a business and, of course is looking to maximize revenue but there are two rules in particular which I feel greatly detract from the experience. Firstly, they insist you buy their wine by the glass only. You're able to buy a bottle ONLY if you take it home. You are NOT welcome to open it and enjoy it there. This seems to fly in the face of reason. You are spending your hard-earned money on their product and supporting their business but by NO means are allowed to enjoy it there. What? Please explain this to me! Secondly, an even more perplexing rule: While we were extremely pleased to hear that Fox Hollow now offers flights to sample their wines, we were taken aback by their seemingly nonsensical rule that prohibits you from enjoying the flight on the grounds. When we attempted to cart our wine to a seating area just outside from the bar area, we were hastily intercepted by an over zealous employee who insisted we go back to the bar area. Frankly, it was embarrassing and several of the people on line commented on just how foolish and seemingly arbitrary rule it was when they saw us returning with our unfinished flights in tow. I, myself, am a business owner for 35 years and would be aghast at making my patrons feel so uncomfortable. If these rules were changed, I'd be happy to award 5 stars to Fox Hollow. Till...

Have been there a few times always enjoyed. The wines are just ok but I am happy to contribute to the cause as I like having winery experiences in NJ, near where I live, and encouraging the businesses. The Cassola's have created a nice atmosphere, Now for the negative. Many of the people pouring have no idea how the wine is made and cannot answer basic questions. OK, I will let that slide, the worst part... my wife and I ordered the reserve tasting.... $29 bucks. We could not decide what we wanted to buy after 5 selections, so we asked for an extra tasting each at $2 per taste. We the went on to decide on a full glass each ($20) and to purchase 4 bottles ($90). I tipped the girl $5.00 for the tasting service and we went on our way to sit outside and drink our glasses of wine. I noticed she did not charge us for the 2 extra tastings ($4.00) but was not surprised. At the end of the day, they should want wine tasters who buy wine. When we were ready to leave I went back inside to ask if we could switch one of my warm whites for a cold one so we could drink it at home and she said sure, but I forgot to charge you for the 2 extra tastings . Really??? I spent $140 in 1 hour and tipped her $5.00 and she made me pull $4.00 out of my wallet? That was ridiculous and sorry to say, will not be back. Will drive the extra miles to Laurta winery who takes care of return customers and has a better sense of customer service. Also just to note, when at Smithsville a couple weeks ago Tomasollo had a wine tasting and they offered extra wine tastings without me even asking. Nice touch and I bought wine just for that. Fox Hollow wine was better but I am insulted by the way I was...

I will start with the positive your food is delicious so compliments to the cook and the scenery and whole setting was beautiful and very relaxing. Where you guys fail is your staffing lady behind counter was nice buy not knowledgeable of products aswell as winery itself as to not having knowledge about how wine was made etc.and although she was nice her enthusasm was just not there. Secondly this winery has to many rules that take away from whole experience unlike any other winery I have been to and for this reason I will not recommend or come back. Yesterday was a beautiful day but after purchasing your wine tasting package we were told that we can only sit inside which is a ridicouls rule secondly after we did wine tasting I wanted to spend more time outside buy purchasing a wine bottle but one of your rules Is you cannot open and drink wine bottles in facility so we had to purchase 2 glasses. Third rule you cannot smoke outside I run a cigar lounge which was one of the main reasons I wanted to taste your wine and possibly purchase in quality for my lounges but you do not allow cigar smoking outside but do allow dogs running around your whole vineyard so you can't tell me smoke will effect vineyards and dogs urine won't. Lastly to have to use a Porta potty and not have a real bathroom was the last straw. Porta potty were disgusting urine all over the floor. With a couple of changes your winery would be a great overall experience but your rules only to facilitate your staff and not your customers stink and this is main reason for my...