"What would have once been a five star review from me is now a one star review. I’ve waited a little bit to write this so I wasn’t writing it out of a place of raw emotion. First thing’s first - I don’t consider myself a drinker. My husband and I purchased some wine from Hillside for our engagement trip and honeymoon to enjoy privately which was 8 years ago and have maybe purchased here once since then. It’s an extremely rare treat for us. We are local and were recently on a trip (our first overnight trip alone together since our honeymoon even if it was just down the road) and decided to stop by Hillside because it’s a tradition. This visit was a bit more busy than the previous ones but not terribly. I would say there were probably 3-5 people in front of us. Usually when we come we can walk right in without a wait. There was a small line so we decided to check out the merchandise and have a look around. After seeing the front room we tried to excuse ourselves around some folks waiting their turn for a tasting. As we were making our way around them, a woman at the tasting counter immediately scolded me for trying to cut the line. I explained that we were not trying to take anyone’s place in line and that we just wanted to have a look around until it was our turn to purchase what we came there for. I guess because it had been so long since I had been there I wanted to just check things out, see if there was anything new or different just for the fun of it. Taking a look around was never an issue on the previous visits and was encouraged so it didn’t occur to me that it would create an issue. She argued with me that we couldn’t get our own bottle of wine anyway and that it was better to wait our turn for a tasting. I told her we weren’t even interested in tasting anything because we already knew what we wanted but just wanted to look around while waiting our turn. She wasn’t happy. We looked around for a few minutes and during that time I expressed to my husband that I wanted to leave without making a purchase because it hurt my feelings. He insisted we get some because it’s a tradition and something rare and special. We got back into line. When it was our turn the same lady that scolded me scowled at us then pointed us into the direction of a young man with a much more positive and friendly disposition. He offered us tastings and we declined, asked for what we wanted and he went to get it. When he got back to the counter with our purchase he joked that “we were experts” and tried to soften the blow which I appreciated. Maybe the woman was having a bad day of her own. Maybe she was trying to practice crowd control…who knows? There couldn’t have been more than twenty people in there altogether. I’ve managed much worse crowds on jobs. I’m sure most people can relate to having certain experiences at places that stand out to you and become a core memory. I’ve had a few of those experiences here where something funny or endearing was said and it just stays with you. That’s what Hillside was to me. I had never had a bad experience before this trip so it was very shocking. I’m not the type to get embarrassed easily but it was humiliating I think because of how shocking it was. I know the woman doesn’t know me from Adam, but assuming I was trying to cut line (especially with all those eyes there to witness it) was hurtful. I’m the type of person that often feels guilt for holding up a checkout line with a buggy full of groceries. I’m sad because what was a special tradition has been tainted for me. Words stick to my mind like super glue. I don’t forget them. Even if something had to be said I think there was a much more professional way to go about it. Sad to say but my heart is “black and blue” after this encounter because Hillside was such a special place to us. I’m very disappointed, slightly angry and really just sad to have this sinking feeling inside when I think of this place as opposed to the once warm and fuzzy, butterfly, excited feeling it used to bring up in me."

Andrea Miller

"Great staff, knowledgeable, wi ones made locally, part of a local wine co-op. All wines are solely available at specific shops. Very worth the wine club $10 fee. A must visit!"

Michelle Robson Steward

"Nice patio, wonderful selection of wines, easy parking, our waitress/server Kaitlyn answer all my questions and knows that she is serving. Nice winery did I mentioned they have a beautiful patio."

nathan goodfellow