We are a group of couples / friends in our late 30's and 40's who planned a trip to stay on Lake Keuka, rent a limo bus and tour the Seneca Wineries on 10/22. Two weeks prior to our event, I planned our itinerary, scouting the net for which wineries we would like and to make reservations (we are a group of 11) at the ones who require it.
Torrey Ridge and Earle are sister wineries occupying the same building. I could not find any requirements for reservations on their website, but did see a note on the Finger Lakes Tourism website that indicated reservations were required at Torrey for groups of 12 or more. Being that we were under that limit, I did not need to call, however, being the planner that I am, I did pre-call the wineries selected for our itinerary to ensure we would have a smooth trip. When I called Torrey the day before our arrival, at 3:36 PM, no one answered the phone. I called back at 3:38 PM to ensure that I did call the right number and again, no one answered.
When we arrived at 11:15 AM on 10/22 we were rudely greeted at the door by an older woman asking if we had a reservation. The members of our group referred her to me and I told her that we did not need them, as there were only 11 and I did call. She immediately (and quite rudely) cut me off mid-sentence and said that we could not come in and that we aren't the first group she turned away today. I tried explaining I did call and she called me a liar, saying that she always answers the phone and there is no way I called. It wasn't worth arguing with this woman, even if she acquiesced, there was no way any of us were going to patronize this establishment after being greeted like that!
What type of business turns away responsible, adult, paying customers? The attitude immediately turned our whole group off instantly and we will never patronize this business. There were only two other vehicles at the winery, they were not busy and we DID call even though we were a smaller group of guests who would have needed to make reservations.
We are a group of professionals who deal with customers in our own businesses and were flabbergasted at the way we were treated. I cannot comment on how their wine tastes, since we weren't even allowed through the door. I wonder if it matches the sour attitude of their staff?
We went down the road only a few minutes to Ashley Lynn winery, with no reservation. We were greeted pleasantly, given more samples than anyone would ever expect. The family member staff even carried our purchases to our limo for us! And they threw in two bottles of wine for us to enjoy on the limo!!! Needless to say, their kind attitude and wonderful customer service won all of us over as life-long customers and we bought six cases of wine!
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