Horton Vineyard - GORDONSVILLE

I’ve visited several wineries in the area, but this one really stood out. The wine was excellent, and the grounds were beautifully maintained. I’m not sure if this is a regular offering, but they even provided complimentary chili, clam chowder, and crackers during our tasting, which was a nice touch!

The staff did not appear to be very professional, and the tasting prices were quite high. I purchased a bottle of sweet white wine, but when I opened it at home, it turned out they either bottled or labeled it incorrectly, as it was actually a sweet red. There are many better options in the area compared to this restaurant.

I really wanted to have a great experience at this vineyard. We regularly buy and enjoy their wines, so it was high on our list for this year's girls' trip. Unfortunately, the visit was quite disappointing. While the vineyard itself is lovely and the wine is enjoyable, the person leading the tastings was sarcastic and unkind. He appeared to be uninterested in his job and treated us as if we were an inconvenience. This is not what you expect when visiting a vineyard. If you're simply looking to enjoy the wine, it's better to purchase it from a store and save your time by skipping the vineyard. If you’re hoping for an authentic vineyard experience, I would suggest looking elsewhere—you won’t find it here.

When we approached to get our pour, I acknowledged to the young man that things seemed to have changed. His response was shockingly rude. It baffled me why someone would choose a job that involves interacting with people if they can't at least be cordial, respectful, and decent. I truly enjoy the wine at Horton, but I will never spend another dollar there because of the way we were treated. I can't help but wonder if the rude treatment we received was because we were a group of African American women. The other ladies commented on their poor behavior once we got back in the limo. Our driver mentioned that a woman instructed her where to park as if she were managing the parking spaces, despite the fact that the lot was empty. Now I understand why. If you want to preserve your fondness for Horton, I highly recommend avoiding an in-person visit. Their attitude and lack of customer service will surely turn you against them and their winery. It was the worst experience I've ever had!

The wine servings were 2 ounces each, and I wasn't particularly fond of the wine itself. However, the vineyard was stunning, and the staff were very friendly.