We went for a drive on Saturday afternoon - wound up starting at Tuthilltown distillery (which my husband liked a lot) ....the folks at Tuthilltown recommended we try Whitecliff as bourbon isn't my thing...as it was only a few miles down the road, we decided to give it a try. It's a small winery but they have a good variety and we tasted a few that we really liked. The bartender/pourer (I believe his name was Mat) was fantastic - really knowledgeable about the wines he was pouring; very personable....All in all, a great experience - I highly recommend heading over to Whitecliff Vineyard. We will definitely be back! (Oh and Mat recommended a little place to eat that we stopped at on our way home - it was fantastic! Gardiner Liquid Mercantile. Really good food and great selection of mixed drinks. The chef attended CIA - the food is casual but extremely good) read more

We visited the new Hudon tasting room 2 days in a row and had a great experience each time. The wines were great and the staff was friendly. It was nice to learn that the tasting room and vineyards are part of / leased from a family farm that still grows fruit trees on site. And our dog was allowed on site which was a great bonus. read more

Nice vineyard! Many flight choices! Friendly comfy place! Tasting room smaller then others but Staff very insightful. Nice view!

I wrote a bad review last year that I took down because the manager apologized and sent us a free tasting as an "I'm sorry". I've been back twice and every time it gets worst and worst. The female manager has to be one of the most unprofessional and rudest people I have been around and they have policies that don't make sense (like you can't buy a bottle of wine to enjoy at the....winery?). The grounds aren't that nice and the service is terrible and I always feel like I am inconveniencing them when I'm there. We left here and went to Magnanini Winery and it was 100 times better. Definitely won't be frequenting this establishment anymore. read more

I love getting to support businesses that stand for something without sacrificing quality, and this place is firmly in that category. Sustainable practices and vegan wine were what got me there, but I'll certainly be returning because I had such a good experience! I did my tasting with Tristan, and I'd recommend specifically asking to do your tasting with him. He was super knowledgeable and friendly, and made some excellent suggestions. I feel like in addition to the quality of the staff and business, I should mention how I feel that their current Covid guidelines are among the most reasonable and responsible when it comes to eating out. Reading on their own website how thoughtful they were being about public health in a time like this was what made me decide not to just plan a visit for a time when restrictions are no longer in place. read more

My favorite winery in New York. I have been a customer for years, and am constantly impressed by the vast selection offered, and interesting blends that they create. I am somewhat picky when it comes to wine, especially whites, but have never been disappointed with a selection from Whitecliff. There is something for everyone here regardless of palate. Additional bonus-ALL of their wines are vegan! My personal favorites are the Red Trail, Dry Rose (VERY unique!), and steel aged Chardonnay, which I actually first tried the other night. Crisp fruit flavors throughout without being too sweet. I recommend attending a tasting, where their wine professionals will assist you in making your selections. The staff here, in my experience, are consistently knowledgeable and passionate about their product and wine in general. Highly recommended. read more

Whitecliff Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - Gardiner, New York

Fuck this place. A group of 10 of us came in on a retirement tour and they were so unbelievably rude, snippy, and condescending. 2 people were in the bar, 2 employees in hand. We were each have a glass of wine. Not a tour. Not a bottle. A glass. Apparently they are not in the customer service business. read more

Have a dog and enjoy wine? This is your place. Come here on a nice day if you want to grab a bottle of two of decent wine and relax in their beautiful yard overlooking the beautiful cliff while your dog runs in circles off the leash. Good selection of wine and this winery is a part of the wine tour in the area if you'd prefer to visit more than one winery in the area. read more

Came here with a group of 20+ people, which the manager/owner said he would be happy to accommodate. After an hour of being there an employee came up to us demanding we had to leave and that the owner had no knowledge of our reservation and refused to listen to the voicemail, the owner himself had left himself confirming our reservation. On top of that terrible experience the staff was ridiculously rude, we asked for a bucket of ice, in which after receiving it being told to "make it work for the rest of the time you are here." As paying, respectful customers, our group was treated terribly. Would not recommend waisting your time or money in this establishment. read more

Absolutely horrible service. Before we even entered the winery, our group of 7 was met with hostility and an impertinent attitude. After asking if we were going to be seated, the server, who described himself as a family member of the owners, only continued to be rude and, in fact, berated us for asking simple questions. Adding insult to injury, he asked us if we wanted to buy bottles to go despite refusing to seat us. There's no way that I'll give them my business. read more

Really disappointed in this vineyard. We came with a party of 20+ people after renting a bus to drive us well over an hour and a half away. We arrived on time. The women working inside were lovely. We got settled and the manager, Christine, came over and immediately asked when we were leaving. We thought this was extremely odd especially after the manager we spoke with to make a reservation never said a time limit, and we had only been there 10 minutes at this point. The manager then asked if we could please throw our outside drinks away (we had a few leftover from the bus ride). We apologized and immediately poured everything out and threw it out (not to mention they don't even sell cider for non wine drinkers which is a bit odd). Not 5 minutes later, another man came out telling us we need to leave, stating we lied about our reservation time (absolutely untrue and we offered him to listen to the voicemail which he refused to do so) and stating that we said "horrible things" to the previous manager - another absolute lie. We could not have been more apologetic and did everything she asked us to do. She was condescending from the minute we got there and we all found it very bizarre but kept our composure. We were there for one hour, less time than it took us to get there. There were also about 6 other people there in total. Wouldn't they want business during this time? They were so rude and condescending. Save your money and go elsewhere! And management should really know how to deal with people and be kinder to their guests! I asked directly to speak to the man who came over and he accused me of "attacking him" when I asked him if he could explain why exactly we were asked to leave. They could not give a straight answer and just lied about everything that had to do with our reservation. Never, ever again! read more

We have been visiting Whitecliff for several years now, and we always have an absolutely lovely time. They are far and away our favorite local winery. They have an amazing selection of wine (we truly struggle to pick our favorite - so many good and interesting options - but we especially like their reds and their champenoise), and the view from the backyard is second to none on a sunny day. The staff is super friendly and very patient with questions we've had (don't be steered away by some of the reviews below...I think we can all recognize that pandemic = high stress for everyone). Looking forward to when nicer weather returns and we can enjoy a tasting while looking out at the mountains. read more

Highly disappointed with the waiter/host who assisted us. He was very rude and condescending. When we asked to clarify a question he clearly said "like I said before". My friend and I looked at each other and we're both questioning whether we should stay but we did not discuss it. In retrospect I wish we did because the wine was not so great and we should have let that host know that he was unprofessional. Trying to support local businesses, in this case we will not go back. The grounds were nice, so based on that I'm giving it one star. read more

Whitecliff was recommended to me by a friend who was an absolute wine enthusiast and I am a beginner. For this review, unfortunately I can only speak about the customer service and not the wines, I'm sure they're amazing as other reviewers have stated but I wasn't fortunate enough to try them and here's why. Whitecliff's policy's differ based on which employee of the establishment you are talking to. The website clearly states a maximum party of six per reservation, we had more than six and tried our luck by calling and see if they'll accommodate. I was given a verbal agreement over the phone that more than six was fine and wasn't an issue. That's where the good news ends. After a 1.5 hour drive, we arrived and met a very unpleasant individual. We were denied service by Tristan because our party was greater than six. We explained our situation and he apologized for the misleading information that his employees gave. The apology felt scripted and lifeless. Almost as if he has said this too many times to other patrons. We tried to offer alternate solutions by splitting up but he wouldn't budge on the policy. His reasoning is because we are still in the same group, we would be walking back and forth and communicate with each other anyways. I took that as an insult, that's like comparing us to 5th graders in a cafeteria where children can't sit still and need to run around. Clearly I respect the rules of an establishment by making sure my larger party of 6+ was OK before arriving, but like I said earlier, policy is dependent on which employee you're talking to. I did not even want to escalate the situation but he needed to clearly state the fact that he was the owner's son of Whitecliff so what he says goes. No amount of reasoning can get through this "policy." Tristan, Please train your employees better to relay correct information so other large parties will not be disappointed upon arrival if you happen to be working. read more

They were extremely rude they were not accommodating we drove hours to get there I would not recommend them by no means to anyone! Do not go there !!!! Horrible, small, not a real vineyard!! They should be shut down ! read more

I'll start by saying that the tastings here are very pricey and not worth what you pay for them. Tasting range from $12-$16. After spending that much, this does not entice you to then buy a bottle. You get a tasting glass to take with you (which I learned after the tasting - the server did not tell us so we left without them). I don't need the glass I just wanted to taste the wine. The price for a tasting was a huge turn off and the wines did not live up to this valuation. I've been to many wineries around the country and except for a few higher quality wineries in California, have not spent that much for a tasting. I will say the wines were pretty good, but not exceptional (the only way they get a two star rating). Staff was not very friendly. Our server (man with tattoos - never told us his name). Seemed to talk down to us. When asked questions, he was not very informative and seemed to not want to engage with us, even though we were the only people in the tasting room. There was a group of mostly women downstairs doing a group tasting. They were fairly loud, but not distracting. Instead of apologizing for the noise, our server made a rude comment about the group. When asked about other wineries to visit, he made a disgusted face about the winery we had just been to and then suggested we go to a distillery instead. We bought two bottles, but for the amount that we were spending on wine and tastings, I would have expected a better experience. If you go, you are better off saving your money and just purchase a bottle to drink outside. read more

First time I went with my husband the hostess (a blond lady with long hair) was so rude but it was really busy and she seemed flustered so I gave her a pass. The second time I went I was with some girlfriends that have no knowledge of wine they were asking questions before placing an order and the hostess (same lady) was rude and impatient with them. Rolling her eyes and tapping her fingers on the counter. We tried to go in to check in for our reservation and because of the glare on the glass doors we couldn't see that there were people inside. When I opened the door she immediately yelled at me "wait outside!!!" Wow! Really? It's a shame because outside it's a very nice place to sit and enjoy a glass or 2 of wine but I won't be back again. read more

My plans for hiking and swimming were a wash, thanks to heavy rains so my buddy and I decided we'd go wine tasting instead. This was our second stop. Our assistant was very sweet and helpful. I normally dislike most white wines but she led me to a couple that I actually really enjoyed. I thought that six wine tastings for five dollars was more than reasonable. The shop also has a decent little selection of wine accessories, local mustards, vinegars, crackers and other little gift-type items. On a previous visit, I even got a tour of the rooms where they make their wine. read more

Very close to Yogi campsite, nice activity to get out of the campgrounds without going far! Friendly wait staff, lots of grounds to sit on and some chairs. The deck doesn't have a lot of tables but the wait staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Nothing above average, but they do try to give you the best experience, we had to wait for them to replace a keg for a wine on tap & they were more than happy to compensate the wait with some extra wine. read more

Whitecliff Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - Gardiner, New York

Whitecliff Vineyards has good wines but their customer service at their tasting room was unprofessional today. I brought 6 of my friends with me on Shawangunk Wine Trail today. I was excited for my friends to taste some great wines at Whitecliff. When we arrived, the young redhead behind the counter asked if I had a reservation for my group. Their website and the sign on the door note a reservation requirement for ten people. We were a total of eight. When I reminded her of the winery's policy, she lied to my face and said that it's actually eight. It's not. Then, they told us that as a group we had to stick to the same six wine samples because trying to meet our individual preferences was too difficult for them with a group of eight people. This was a big turn off because Whitecliff has a very large selection that we were hoping to get a better sample of. Both of these setbacks really knocked Whitecliff off the pedestal for me. I'm glad I got a couple of bottles but I won't be going out of my way to seek Whitecliff out or spend more money here, nor would I recommend to any of my other friends to visit. Whitecliff may have some great wines but their poor customer services leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. They should learn from Brotherhood Winery which was able to give my friends both generous portions and range of selection which led to MORE MONEY BEING SPENT, return customers and increased business from word of mouth. read more

Whitecliff is one of our favorite vineyards! The wine is excellent and the views are so beautiful. I also love the family vibe of the place - very warm and friendly staff who are very knowledgeable about wine! read more

Whitecliff has a great selection of wines, and absolutely has something for everyone. The staff are helpful, friendly, and very knowledgable. The view is great and the outdoor seating on the lawn is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. I love that all their wines are vegan and that they have a very tasty, local vegan cheese option in the tasting room as well. The dogs hanging out on the property is a definite bonus and the fact that I can bring my pup is a total dream! read more

I went to Whitecliff Vineyard with my husband today, for the first time and it was amazing! It will not be my last time there, especially since we joined their super reasonable wine club. Nell was so helpful, and answered all of our questions. She was able to walk us through all of the tasting options and even help us pick out which glass of wine we wanted to have after. All of the wine was so good, I had a hard time picking a favorite. So we bought a case! (Which is discounted if you're a wine club member) . The views were almost as good as the wine. read more

An amazing day in a beautiful setting. Fantastic wines, great selection of local cheese. Nell was such a sweetheart and made the experience super comfortable and welcoming. We are excited to be new members of the wine club, and can't wait to bring our friends and family! read more

Much like the rest of the world Whitecliff was figuring out the best Covid protocols as they went along. Was it perfect, probably not but really whose was? I am have coming here for years and while the view is as good as ever, the wine has only gotten better in the last 5 years. Disregard the negative nellies on here and stop by - you won't regret it. read more

This is a wonderful winery, and they are doing an amazing job during these tough times. You can tell they are going the extra mile to serve their customers and create a beautiful experience. They are following all the COVID guidelines and keeping everyone safe. Excellent place and staff! read more

Amazing wine and informative and knowledgeable staff. The location is absolutely stunning and a great place to relax. The tastings are well price and a huge variety of wines are offered read more

Visited Whitecliff with my girlfriend last weekend. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The gal who was apparently in charge explained the menu to us as I am not much of a wine connoisseur. She walked us through the tastings which were actually quite reasonably priced. All the seating was socially distanced, which isn't ideal, but that's out of their control and must be enforced now-a-days. Yet, still a wonderful environment. The view was spectacular. The wine was delicious even to a beer swiller like myself. I even found a wine I enjoy. We were welcomed and we will definitely make Whitecliff a regular stop for us and the Awosting White a staple in our home. Thank you Whitecliff! Great staff. View. Wine. It was a wonderful day! Looking forward to the next visit.. read more

Lovely little winery, with beautiful grounds and a great view of the Gunks. definitely worth the excursion if you are in the New Paltz area. The Traminette is delicious and was / is my favorite of their range. They also do a delicious Port using spirit distilled at the local Tuthilltown distillery. You can buy a glass or two , or a bottle and sit in the deck chairs watching the day go by. read more

The grounds are great! You're able to bring dogs, kids, and picnic out in the back. We did a sampling and the wine was good so we grabbed some bottles one to enjoy outside and a few to take home. As an added bonus they sell cheese and crackers that you can also enjoy with your wine. The service was not the greatest, asking questions was a burden to them and one women just kept lecturing the other staff members in front of all the customers which was very unprofessional. read more

Sweet little winery with delicious wines!! The owner was our wine tasting server. She was very sweet and knowledgeable. Cannot wait to go back next week with friends!! read more

Nice wine selection. Friendly staff. Great setting. We used a Groupon and made it well worth it! Nice tasting glass. We would return. read more

Easily one of the best wineries in the Hudson Valley. This is the real deal. They do everything from growing, to pressing, fermenting, and bottling. Their wine list is huge but it's hard to find a weak link. Reds and whites are both great and they even have their own line of sparkling wines made methode champenoise! The views are great and a glass of wine on their porch is more therapeutic than a day at the spa. If you're smart enough to join their wine club, they hold invite-only events that range from new vintage release parties to hands-on wine blending classes and more. Favorite wines: Reserve Riesling, White Rose, Gamay Noir, Tablerock Red read more

Visited again. Still one of my favorites. The wines are good and the information shared by the staff adds to the experience.

In a word: STINGY. We traversed throughout the Hudson Valley landscape to find this place, only to encounter short pours and underwhelming wines. C'mon, no one uses those bottle toppers that dispense exactly one ounce of wine anymore... That's just being cheap! The money pit goes deeper as the bottle prices are rather high for this region... And of course, there's the wine itself. There was nothing there that made me go "Wow, I just gotta pay $3 more per bottle than the usual for this!" I'm not saying the wine was bad, I'm just saying it wasn't worth the trip. Fortunately, our glee was restored as other local vineyards. Only stop here if you've got extra time to burn on your Hudson Valley wine tour. If you're running out of time... just go home :). read more

Beautiful Winery! Always super clean and staff is so friendly. We were super happy to see that they are following all guidelines with COVID, the wine is to die for and overall just a dreamy place to spend an afternoon! Not to mention how accesible it is to other local wineries as well. Def recommend making a stop here! read more

I love whitecliff winery white wines. Their Riesling is great and La Grange White is good also. But my favorite is Awosting white!! Very light and crisp. If you liked semi-dry white wines, it's worth to try. It has awesome view with Shawangunk Mountain infront. Tasting room is small but I saw huge group of wine tasting van is coming...It can be packed sometimes. read more

Whitecliff Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - Gardiner, New York

See all

This vineyard does not deserve a star. In order to post this review they required us to give at least 1 star. Rude service, lack of wine knowledge and poor flavor. The wine flights are so small, you can't even get a taste for the wine. To top it off, Tristan, who claims it is his families vineyard was rude and unprofessional at problem solving. We will not be back and definitely do not recommend going here unless you like to be treated unprofessionally and receive rude service. read more

What a relaxing afternoon sitting outside having cheese and wine. I talked to a winery with a view of beautiful mountains lots of nice places to sit outside and terrific wines. I specially like the 2015 Riesling. But all the lines were great highly recommend a lovely afternoon in upstate NY. read more

Whitecliff Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - Gardiner, New York

My favorite two wines I tried were the Red Syrah and the Awosting White. It's a little more pricey for a tasting than many I have been to but they do give you the glass when you are done. Initially coming in with a group of eight the servers wanted us to all try the same wines. We didn't want to do that cause those in our group had very different palates. So although the first server wasn't so polite another came over and we ended up having a nice tasting and even gave us an extra sample of the Sparkling version of the Awosting White. I would go again but would recommend to those working there not to tell the customers they have to all try the same thing, that kind of defeats the whole purpose of a wine tasting where you choose according to your palate. Beautiful area and view to sit outside. read more