What a charming winery! The glass of sparkling rose upon entering, the live music, and tasty nibbling options put Folktale on our "must return" list whenever visiting Carmel. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great staff service, gorgeous setting, reasonable pricing, and fabulous ambiance...such a pleasant surprise!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Folktale is hands down my favorite winery in the area. Not only is it gorgeous but the wine and food are delish and the service is always next level. As a local I am really excited about all the live events they have going on and love that you don't have to be a member to go to any of it. it's a perfect spot to bring in out of town visitors or just a lovely Friday night with friends. Folk yeahhh!!! read more

Nick was our server today. He was so kind and knowledgeable in the wine. I have never been wine tasting before and he made such good recommendations. He was nice, funny, and made this experience so nice. I appreciate the service and the ambiance of the winery. I would come back! read more

The bones are here for a wonderful wine/food experience but not as constructed. We went at lunch time anticipating a variety of wines and food options. So what didn't happen. There were terrific wines choices for those who lean red, white, pink or bubbly. But... Prepackaged meals with very little choice and no way to add on or delete? The food wasn't terrible but the presentation is. The staff were attentive and welcoming but , in truth, not as knowledgeable about the vineyard locations and AVAs as they should be. I asked about the current dining situation and was informed that a new menu was being developed that would be more robust and flexible including the addition of hot entrees. I look forward to "eating my words" in this review when that happens. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I loved the vineyard views, the staff attitude and the variety of wines available.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Folktale--let's up your food game and turn this into an epic experience. read more

Stopped by for a wine tasting with my family. Ended up ordering a few bottles instead, and hung out on their outdoor wine garden for probably 2-3 hours. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is phenomenal in their outdoor spaces.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]You have a great view of the mountains while sharing wine with family and friends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would recommend it. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Such a beautiful location![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]].. too bad it's so mismanaged.. Yesterday I went with 4 friends to enjoy some win food and conversations. Holly was a good attentive server but to our dismay she informed us they had NO food to offer even though we were given food menus.. You would think that Memorial Day Monday would be a clue in that people would want to order food.. A party of 7 left because of that issue.. I used to be a wine club member and in hospitality for over 30 years so I know good service.. Get your s..t together Folktale!! read more

Folktale was sadly a huge disappointment. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Folktale is a beautiful place and the charcuterie boards were excellent[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], however, the customer service was underwhelming. We were looking forward to great service, nice wine, and a relaxing ambiance. Instead we were given a server who was dry, rude and vague when explaining the wine. He was chit chatting the ENTIRE time with his coworkers and other tables but seemed to avoid us? The time between the pours was ridiculously long. read more

Folktale Winery - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

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This is the menu they are currently serving since they are under construction. I understand being under construction but not posting a VERY limited menu on the website is extremely disappointing especially since we drove two hours out! We had previously visited last year & we loved it & food was amazing & we were absolutely looking forward to it again but like I said if they had posted it on their website that they are only serving limited items it would've saved us the trip! read more

Folktale Winery - Current menu - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

I've been here before and loved the experience! Right now I think they're doing a remodel.. not sure but the new set up is awful. The portable bathrooms were all flooded. The service wasn't great. It took a while just to get water and get out taken. Our server seemed so annoyed and we overheard them complaining about the winery being so busy. I hope the original set up opens again because this place has so much potential! read more

Folktale Winery - Four horses Cabernet - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

Great service! Very pleasant experience! Simple but thorough explanation of the wines and food

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Initially hesitant on visiting since the famous castle is under renovation but they did a great job with set up outside for tastings.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You still get all the views, service, and wine! Just a different setting. Did the signature flight for $45 each. I will say the bees are VERY friendly here. Don't order charcuterie unless you want a ton of bees near you. read more

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We came to celebrate Mother's Day at this winery and left deeply disappointed. First, we waited 15 minutes to be seated, even though about half of the tables were empty. Then we sat at our table for another 20 minutes without a single staff member approaching us -- not even to say hello, ask whether we wanted a tasting, a bottle of wine, or some food. At one point, two employees spent several minutes opening an umbrella for a nearby table. Honestly, that umbrella received more attention than we did. The servers were actively working with neighboring groups, often with their backs to us, and there was no opportunity even to wave someone down. Eventually, one employee briefly told us, "I'll be right with you, we're short staffed," but it didn't sound apologetic at all. He immediately started a tasting for another group, poured them wine, and disappeared again without taking our order or even asking how we were doing. If you are understaffed on a busy holiday like Mother's Day, customers should be warned about the expected wait time in advance. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There are many wineries in the area, and no matter how beautiful the location is, the service completely ruined the experience for us.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] In the end, we simply got up and left -- and there wasn't even anyone available to speak to about it. read more

Folktale Winery - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

Beautiful setup and they have live music at Sunday brunch. Service was very good. Plenty of water supply and they take photos for you. We had a brunch reservation and it was dining outdoor in the backyard. We were lucky that it was a very sunny and warm day, but as we linger, it got hotter and hotter and no umbrella can do the shielding. I wish that we could be seated in the glass ceiling indoor area where you got the light but not the heat. We tried the Signature Flight where I did not try all the wine but the estate Chardonnay was decent, not the oaky creamy kind but with a crisp taste; it was perfect for a hot day. For food, we had the artichoke dip, the chef's mind flat bread, which was BBQ brisket with pickled onions, French toast and the Bigoli Pasta Bolognese. Overall it was too much carb for us. The artichoke dip was very very creamy and rich, which is good for the thick bread as it needs a thick texture to absorb the richness. The brisket and pickled onion flatbread is good, but I wish it had a bit more meat as the meat was too finely chopped. The pasta had an interesting shape like thick round spaghetti. I did not try the French toast but the fruit on top was fresh. The facility was clean and well decorated for the season. Next time I should try their red wine. Interestingly, by the time we left which was around 12:30 their gate was closing. Live band music stops at 1pm, so not sure if there's no more wine tasting afterwards or they just open by reservation only. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful outdoor rustic setting with stunning vineyard views.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great wine, delicious food, live music, and a welcoming staff.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]One of my favorite spots in Carmel Valley to relax and enjoy the scenery[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Folktale Winery - Folktake chateau - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

I was in the area for a birthday solo trip and this had popped up on social media. I decided to stop in after a hike in Point Lobos nearby and showed up around noon on a Monday. I was quoted a 30 minute wait only because they were catching up with the wait staff, but seated me within 15 minutes. Everyone was seated outside because it was a lovely, gorgeous sunny day. There are bees and other insects nearby due to the pretty garden nearby, and I did end up using my little clipboard of my wine tasting menu to nudge them away. My waitress was fantastic and she gave me amazing recommendations. I tried one of the wine tastings and she gave me an extra tasting of their most popular wine because I had said it was my first time here! What a nice surprise! She recommended both the Roasted Cauliflower salad and the Castroville Artichoke dip. Let me tell you. The food and the wine were very good, but the artichoke dip was OUT OF THIS WORLD. I'm still thinking about it a few weeks later. It's literally the best artichoke dip I've ever had and my waitress laughed and said that's something she hears very often. Artichoke flavor was perfect, the creaminess was perfect, the toasted pieces of bread were perfect!!!! I mentioned this place to a few friends but said that if we went together, we'll have to order at least two because one whole artichoke dip will be for me. Definitely recommend. Wish I lived closer so I could experience the live music they have! read more

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Great outdoor setting. Best in Carmel Valley, but service and food suffering. "Prepackaged Culinary Selections". Mediocre and not impressive appearing. Although very friendly, Servers are hard to find. Wine and events are good. read more

Folktale Winery - Chicken bowl. - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

I had high hopes of enjoying a wine tasting flight at Folktale, however I was very disappointed. Upon arrival at about 1:30 pm, we were told it would be about a 25 minute wait to be seated as we did not have reservations, which was not a big deal. I provided my phone number but even after waiting about 30 minutes I did not receive a text or call. There was a couple who arrive after us and also did not have a reservation who got seated before us. Again, not a big deal as the day was lovely and I had a chance to walk around the gorgeous property. After being seated, we waited another 20-25 minutes before staff greeting us and providing us with water, mind you it was about 80 degrees in Carmel Valley at the time. From time of arrival to being seated and greeted we had waited about an hour or so. We ordered the reserve tasting flight, and were not impressed. I have had the Folktale rosé before and loved it, but their other wines miss the mark. Dan took over the section we were seated and he was very friendly and knowledgeable. I'd say if you want a mid-wine tasting experience and subpar customer service but with beautiful views, then Folktale is the place for you. read more

A girlfriend is a club member and made a reservation for 2pm on a Saturday to celbebrate my Birthday. We were seated right away at a table outside with bench seat style, far enough from the live music, and under partial shade which was great since the sun was beaming. We were greeting right away by a familiar server of my friends, his name Amir, where he brought some Rose to start with. I am not normally partial to Rose, but was actually very good. Amir was very attentive and although he had other tables we never waited long for him to return and really enjoyed his humor and outgoing personality. He made several wine and menu selections, which ended up being great advice as we absolutely LOVED all the wine and food that came out. For wine we both settled on the Hound, which was a very smooth bourdeaux blend, very nice! For food we had the artichoke dip, Mind of a Chef flatbread and shared the Crush burger, substituted caesar salad instead of chips. When I tell you I say the food was hands down top notch, melt in your mouth good, doesn't get any better, zero complaints!! EVERYTHING was so delicious!! Then Amir even brought a Birthday dessert, with a candle and sang Happy Birthday with my friend. It was a chocolate dessert and very tasty! The ambiance is charming, the service Amir provided was perfect, and the food was phenominal! The manager even stopped by to check on how our service was and couldn't rave enoigh how great Amir was. THIS is the type of establishment that would earn a membership from me or at least repeat visits, eventhough I don't live very close. They are doing everything right and I highly recommend! read more

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Wow wow wow I am so happy my mom and I found this place! [[HIGHLIGHT]]We went during live music, which it sounds like they have almost daily.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The views were stunning and the wine was delicious, but the best part was our wine connoisseur Sarah![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] She brought us tasters of an AMAZING sparkling rose to start and we immediately got a bottle and joined the wine club (a great deal for some great wines). She listened to what we liked and brought us a great variety to sample, including a fermented wine (kind of like kombucha), an orange wine, and a delicious red blend. She even went digging for a popular Super Tuscan in case there were any bottles left of the limited batch but they were out :( [[HIGHLIGHT]]10/10 experience! Great service, gorgeous environment, friendly guests, live music, and the perfect place to play a board game or catch up with a friend.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Our tour guide Sha and overall experience was amazing! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Although the winery is under some renovation, they really make it feel special and show you the ins and outs, the plans, and more![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We walked through the barrel room, were able to chat with one of the chemists and tried wine right from the barrel! This was the first wine tour where I've been able to do that. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful table to sit at and enjoy the rest of the wines and great charcuterie.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Sha answered all of our questions and was a blast to be around! Thank you read more

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We stopped at Folktale Winery as we were touring the area for possible wedding venue locations. When we arrived, the restaurant was very busy, yet we were lucky to walk in and get a table outside where our dog could chill. I liked the menu, but we only had time for a cheese and charcuterie board. Seating is spaced throughout the area indoor and out. read more

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Food and service were incredible! [[HIGHLIGHT]]We didn't have a reservation, so we sat in the courtyard next to the fountain, which was a great vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Next time, we will make a reservation for the vineyard patio! Also, they are incredibly dog-friendly! read more

Folktale Winery - Dog Friendly! - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

While visiting Carmel today we decided to go to Folktale Winery, [[HIGHLIGHT]]we absolutely loved the location very green and blown away by the stunning view walking in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We didn't have a reservation but we were seated within 10 minutes and [[HIGHLIGHT]]we sat in their outdoor courtyard and it was absolutely perfect I believe we were out there atleast 2 hours and we did a wine tasting and mind you we had our toddler and she had place to roam and play while we relaxed and enjoyed food & wine.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] So definitely kid friendly place. Our server Arjun was great and provided excellent service we even joined the wine club! We loved it so much, definitely recommend! read more

This place is so cute!! The outdoor area is spacious and it seems to be dog friendly since we saw a couple dogs! We came on a Saturday afternoon and we also got to see some live music. I'm not big on wine so I can't speak to that, but the food here was so good! I'm not sure how often they change the menu but I was already planning my next trip here when we left because I couldn't stop thinking about the artichoke dip and the sweet heat flatbread!! read more

Folktale Winery - Sweet Heat Flatbread - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Folktale was a lovely winery. The ambiance is extremely nice and the entire outdoor dining space is very pretty with lighting from the valley and the beautiful flowers. Our server Andy was exceptional and gave us nothing but the best service. The Syrah we had was rich and dark, and a large glass of it. The wine went perfect with our food. The artichoke dip was the best I had ever had, with perfectly toasted bread that was crunchy yet soft. This was the star of the show for sure. The Margherita pizza was delicious, but nothing special. The crust was large and the sauce not very generously dosed. I wouldn't recommend it to avid pizza lovers. Overall our evening was fantastic! Would come back for sure. read more

Folktale Winery - Artichoke dip - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Man oh man, i don't know where to start. First off- if you look at my profile/reviews, i RARELY post poor reviews, I usually just think it is a waste of effort. But for this one I feel like I am doing everyone thinking of coming here for food a disservice. They are renovating so I can understand the limited menu, but to serve BOXED LUNCHES and charge $22 for them is an actual robbery. Everything they offer is refrigerated and prepped a day or so ahead of time. In my opinion, if you are going to change your food quality THAT MUCH, you MUST warn your customers that their meal will be coming in a box, wrapped from this morning or morning previous, not heated and come with kettle brand chips in the bag. The veggie mushroom sandwich was near inedible. The squash was hard, the bread was so stale and soggy as if it had been sitting in the fridge for days (go figure because it was), and the "side of fruit" is a literal 8oz cup of store bought pineapple chunks (STILL IN THE CONTAINER WITH BEST BEFORE DATE). MAN COME ON. $31 for a soggy cold san which, bag of store bough chips and a cup of pineapple is actual insanity and I highly encourage this restaurant to advertise this before they continue to rip people off. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Of course the charm of folktale is in the venue, which is still very nice though they are under construction.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Basically if you are planning on eating while you sip, DONT- go somewhere else until their full kitchen opens up in June. Highly recommend eating beforehand. read more

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One of the best experiences I've had at a winery, hands down! What a beautiful place to sit and have a glass of wine with your girlfriends! We opted for this activity on a Monday afternoon, after having brunch and exploring a bit in Carmel. At first, it was just my two girls who ordered one of the wine tastings, but by the end of it, I had a few glasses myself (and if that doesn't tell you how much we enjoyed ourselves... LOL). Responsibly, we ordered a charcuterie board and a flatbread to eat with our wine. We sat at a table with some shade, so the temperature was perfect that day. Sunny, but also a little breezy. We thoroughly enjoyed our wine! Also, the company that came along with it. I wish I could remember his name, but our server was the best! He was attentive, conversed with us throughout our entire visit, and honestly was a source of pure entertainment. We really appreciated him taking care of our loud, silly selves! On our way out, a friend on mine grabbed a bottle of the rose we had (same rose that I had a few glasses of). Absolutely delicious. I would definitely make a trip back down here just for this winery! read more

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From the food to their indoor lounge area, and the outdoor patio to their delicious wines, this place was hitting all the right notes. When we arrived in the late afternoon it was very sunny, but it had been raining all morning, which gave their outdoor space a gorgeous sparkle. We only had access to the Wine Garden menu, and a majority of these items are set up to be shared. We went with a crunchy cauliflower and the Mediterranean Dream flatbread pizza. We thought the crunchy cauliflower was just OK, definitely needed salt and a few other herbaceous elements. The Mediterranean Dream flatbread was delicious! A lightly sauced, soft piece of flatbread topped with beef kofta, cheese, and fresh arugula. We were told that this is a menu favorite and within our first bite, we found out why. I initially paired this with a Folktale Winery sparkling rosé, but moved to their riesling and it paired much better with the meal. We love the reason so much in fact that we purchased a bottle to sip at our hotel. The service here was amazing and there were all very informative about the wines. This venue also host weddings, and any other large scale event you may be looking to plan. Definitely a must stop for anyone who enjoys a relaxing sip of wine and gorgeous views from their outdoor patio. read more

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Nick was the most amazing and attentive sommelier! Love his knowledge and kindness went beyond. He spoiled us and the food was amazing too! We celebrated our friends 40th and it was so memorable! Most of us became members and can't wait to come back! read more

Folktale Winery - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Beautiful winery, friendly service, love that they have food & wine, lots of outdoor seating with umbrellas. We enjoyed the signature flight that came with 5 wine tastings . We also enjoyed the Margherita wood-fired flatbread, Artisan Cheese & Charcuterie Board & the Folktale "Crush" Burger. They have a big parking lot & it's dog-friendly. Will definitely return next time we're in the area. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time. It can get warm in the afternoon, I would go early in the day for lunch or early evening for dinner on a hot day. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]They are doing renovations in the old beautiful winery area and are currently operating out of what feels like a gravel parking area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There is no tasting room at this point.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Not at all what we were expecting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

First thing's first the food was wonderful. The flatbread pizza had beautiful flavor and their roasted cauliflower salad (not pictured) was delicious. With that said, the service was extremely slow. I'm usually someone who is pretty patient and understanding when things are busy, but this was one of the worst places I've been to in a while :/ We had a reservation on a weekend and while they were busy, there were most than enough staff to cover the place (people were waiting around to wait tables). Our waiter forgot some of our drink orders and I had to wait 15-20 min from asking to try a drop of wine to actually being able to order a glass of wine. It was my deciding factor in not ordering any drinks besides water. We ended up just ordering everything at one go because of the lack of service. The slow service also was a make or break to is ordering dessert (we didn't) because it took them about another 20 min so we decided to just get the check. It's a shame really because the food is wonderful, but the service is what will not entice me to come back. read more

Folktale Winery - Flatbread pizza - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

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My partner and I did the Wine Tour & Tasting over the weekend. Honestly, this is one of the best experiences for wine you can do. Katie is superb, Knowledgeable, funny, and super nice to us. She's one of the best parts of the tour!! We got a view of the grounds and then went through the vines - tasted some grapes and got to compare them! After that, she showed us the maceration and barrel aging process and got to taste some wine straight from the barrel. I'd never tried that before and it was super fun to do!!! After that, we had a sit down and she walked us through several of the wines from the estate (some side by side comparisons of flavor). It was really educational and fun to compare notes with the table. I loved the whole tour and we couldn't have wanted more. Katie made it special and we HIGHLY recommend this experience. Don't miss out!! read more

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Decided to come celebrate my birthday at this winery during the afternoon this past weekend and it was great service!!! We ordered pizza and some white wine to pair with it. For dessert we ordered tiramisu and they added a candle since they knew I was celebrating my birthday which was really sweet of the server. I really appreciated it , shout-out to Annette. The ambiance of the place is absolutely gorgeous I wish we booked the tour around aside from wine tasting. Also they have a ring light camera photo op inside near the hallway towards the bathroom perfect for pictures!!! read more

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Absolutely stunning ambiance! I loved my margherita flatbread; my friends loved their spicy meat flatbreads, salmon/risotto, and house rose wine. The souvenir shop inside was also whimsical and fun. I am not a wine drinker myself, and still had an amazing time. Our waiter was incredible, although it was clear the place was understaffed - hope they are able to hire more soon. read more

We had a lovely afternoon at Folktale Winery enjoying a tasting flight and some lighter foods while taking in the picturesque courtyard and garden beds. We had great service from Annette who answered our questions and made recommendations. Our group of 5 felt comfortable and relaxed, not hustled or rushed thanks to our reservation. We saw groups as large as 12 outside, and a party of 20 lunched in the glass room. We loved our time and particularly the sparkling wine that began our flight. It was a beautiful place to spend a few hours together. read more

Folktale Winery - Tasting room and courtyard behind us. Beautiful landscaping and environment throughout! - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

The restaurant was such a cool vibe. Live music, a nice breeze, it was a great time. Our host was very knowledgeable on his wines and recommended some great choices. The place is dog friendly so if you have an allergy be aware. The breeze picked up a lot of dander. Parking filled up so we had to park a block away from the actual entrance so that was unfortunate. read more

Folktale Winery - Wine flight - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Not very nice since you can't go in the front anymore and the area for guests is about half the size. So the wait times are up but they made it seem like they might let in you in if you were any sort of member. Hostess seemed annoyed when we got there. After this I checked their page to see the reviews with the past two months and noticed the way they respond to complaints basically the same way every time. But the wording was odd. So I ran it through an AI text detector and turns out it's 91% AI. So this makes then out to seem uncaring, lazy, and less intelligent. I mean who can't write five sentences by thinking with their brain right? Definitely not the same as it was a few years ago. read more

Folktale Winery - Wineries Near Me - Carmel, California

Gorgeous winery, good wine, good service! Such a beautiful place one of my new favorite wineries you can definitely spend all day here. Wish I tried the food! read more

We were looking forward to the winery as the highlight of our trip. We had made a reservation at the restaurant but did not realize we needed an additional reservation for a tour of the winery, so unfortunately we were not able to see the process but the restaurant was exceptional. We had a charcuterie board and a wine flight sampler and goodness was it fantastic. The winery is beautiful, the service was so friendly and kind and the wine delicious. Absolutely worth a visit! read more

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