Bashakill Vineyards & Winery — Restaurant in Town of Mamakating

It’s a good winery in several ways. The wine is high quality. The food + ambiance + music is always great. We’ve visited many times. The problem is that the owner has recently adopted an unwelcoming attitude towards families with children. Upon walking in, he immediately came up to us to warn us that kids need to stay next to parents at all times. When our kids stepped away to play ping pong, he again approached us immediately with something to say.

When I later addressed how this made us feel, being initially told to "get a babysitter," he made it more or less clear that based on a couple negative experiences with children, they were actively discouraging parents with children from visiting the winery. While we understand the hardships, we nevertheless feel that this is the wrong mentality, and it is completely against the spirit of peace and love that the winery projects. As a family who has visited innumerable times since the winery was established (even including the prior weekend), were never told anything previously about the kids, and have never had a problem with managing our children, we are very disappointed to be treated this way. We will not be returning.

*Update and response to owner's comment:

Did the website always say that the vineyard was "Adults Only?" From our conversation, it sounded like this was a recent change in policy and thus a change to the website / social media. I'm not sure how many times I'm expected to review the sites of a business I visit regularly.

Yes, you do have a right to change your business model - just like I have a right to post my displeasure with how you are operating your business. But beyond that, we personally felt that your way of communicating that change to us was disrespectful and inappropriate. You should have made the situation clear to us when we walked in with directness, compassion and humility, instead of making us feel unwelcome, embarrassing us in front of our guests, and forcing us to pull the truth out of you as we left. Your smug way of discussing it and your further responses make it seem like the success of your business has gone to your head. It's a shame.

*Another very interesting update:

It just so happens that I received a Google review personally at my place of business by someone named "Amelia Curie" that popped up within an hour of my initial response to the Bashakill owner's comment. "Amelia" told an outrageous story where I disrespected her for bringing children into a location where I work. It was written and structured in a way that was highly similar to my review of this winery. “Amelia” shows no record of being a client of my employer as she claimed, and I had even been away on vacation prior to her statement. She mentioned being a resident of north Jersey, but there's nothing online attesting to that, or attesting that she even exists at all. Her other reviews only provide negative feedback about businesses located close to the winery. She is a law professor in one review, a chef in another. I thought you all might find this as...

Place used to welcome children. They had food trucks on site with ice cream that was always a hit. Was a nice spot to hit a light trail and then kick back with a few. We had been at least 5 times. Went there recently and suddenly no kids??? Their change ruined any chance of us ever returning. It’s a real shame because the place used to have a nice vibe. But even the phrasing on their site puts me off. We are NOT kid friendly! ADULTS ONLY”. Come on guys, how about something a little less aggressive like “21+ only, sorry no kids”.

Edit: Owner seems to be upset at the bad review, using SAT words, and claiming that it “wasn’t a food truck” (maybe it was a food shack… but it was two spots, one Mexicanish, the other with ice cream and basics). In any case, if you change your policy and don’t implement it with kindness or an explanation, this is what happens. They absolutely have every right to their policy, but It’s important that people know how anti-kid this place got, because as the owner admits.. they have a large outdoor space and ice cream. Not sure why you’d judge a parent for enjoying a small glass of wine after a trail hike, or why you’d lash out at an honest reviewer claiming they’re egocentric for pointing out they drove an hour for a nice hike only to find her...

Bashakill Vineyards is everything you want in a winery—amazing wine, incredible food, a beautiful setting, and a team that makes you feel right at home. Throw in live music, and you’ve got the perfect spot to spend an afternoon.

I was genuinely blown away by the wines here. Each one is packed with bold, distinctive flavors that show a real love for the land and a deep understanding of winemaking. Owner Paul Deninno has created something truly special in Wurtsboro.

And the food? Easily the best I’ve ever had at a vineyard. A lot of wineries stick to basic cheese boards—sometimes not even good ones—but Bashakill takes it to a whole new level. Co-owner and chef Samara Ferris has put together an incredible menu that’s both creative and refined. From fresh burrata with cacao nibs to Indian pani puri bursting with vibrant masalas. The latter of which I ordered twice!

If you’re anywhere near Wurtsboro, you need to check this place out. And if you weren’t planning to visit? Now you have a reason. Also, do yourself a favor and grab a bottle of Paul’s family’s organic cold-pressed olive oil from Puglia. I’ve been savoring every drop and already wish I’d bought more.

Huge thanks to Paul and Samara for an unforgettable visit—I’ll definitely...