I don't typically leave reviews at all, but occasionally I fall into an experience that warrants…read moreone. That was certainly the case with my experience at the Red Caboose Winery.
The RCW is a business that I have passed probably dozens of times in my travels across Texas. Every time I think to stop in, it's been closed but limited hours are the standard for family owned wineries, so no big deal. However, on the trip through today my fiancée and I made the time to ensure it would be open, and indeed it was! After visiting, we really wish it wasn't.
The RCW wasn't very busy when we arrived, indeed the only customers present during our visit was a pair of, presumably, locals, another woman with her children, who were very well behaved, and a man that I'm going to refer to as Umbo: The Clifton Giant, who sat at the edge of the bar and seemed to be keeping on eye on everyone present.
The woman on staff, who did not introduce herself, seemed to be the only one working this afternoon. We entered and meandered around the small shop section before she haphazardly waved us over, as if visitors and customers were a confusing novelty for her to encounter.
Upon taking a seat at the bar, the bartender took a while to get to us, the only customers (at that time) in the place; not mentioning Umbo: The Clifton Giant. We got a tasting of 6 wines and 5 of their distilled spirits. I'll save you the time now, but the spirits aren't worth it. However, given this is a winery, I think that's fair.
Our bartender never bothered to tell us anything about their wines. I mentioned how excited we were to try out the place and I might as well have started speaking Klingon because they clearly didn't care at all. At no point were we told a damned thing about the wines, the winery, or anything. Just "here, pick 6 wines." So, we did.
In order to try the wines, the wines must first be poured into a glass. Our bartender frequently took longer than 5 minutes (once 7 minutes and 45 seconds that I timed towards the end) to pour the next wine. During that time, she spent it chatting up the locals and engaging in hushed conversation with the aforementioned resident giant.
Not that the wines are anything to write home about. Of course, this could be our fault as I guess we pick the wines. However, at least two of the wines had already oxidized and turned to vinegar. They were borderline undrinkable. The wines that weren't vinegar were either just okay or, as our bartender told us, several times, were the "cheap wines" that we could buy for even cheaper "at the grocery store." So, lots of confidence there.
Now let's discuss the giant in the room, Umbo. I don't know his name. Maybe he's super friendly, I don't know, but I do know that his consistent presence and observation skills (mixed with his muffled laughter and hushed conversations) made it super uncomfortable to be there. He's just sitting there, sipping on a Dr. Pepper, occasionally staring at us. I have no idea what his presence was for. Husband? Brother? Boyfriend? Security? No idea. But we wanted out of there after a while.
Paying was fine. I saw some other reviews complaining about the cost. I thought the $15 for a tasting of 6 wines and $10 for the 5 spirits was more than fair. We also liked the place itself. It looked nice and seemed comfy.
My fiancée and I have been to many wineries over lots of places. The RCW may have taken the cake for "winery that we could not wait to leave." It was a genuinely terrible experience. Sour wine, terrible service, and Paul Bunyon's younger brother would probably sum up the experience as a whole.
I am connected to a few wine groups in Houston, who I have been with for many years now, who are always looking for new places and stops. I've already let them know to go ahead and pass the RCW on by. I would recommend anyone else to do the same. Unless you're looking for vinegar. In which case, you've found the right place.