Reviews of Hidden Bench Estate Winery (Winery)

Biodynamická Kosmetika

Good wine, but the service :(

Gino Cavicchioli

Beautifully quaint, secluded and private wine retreat ????Highly recommend the wines ???? A true estate winery.

Brad Mabee

Very knowledgeable staff. Amazing experience as it seemed very personalized to us.

Greg Bender

Wine is pretty good but the tasting fees are definitely not worth the visit and in order to have them waived, you have to buy 3 bottles. Tasting fee alone was $25 which is ridiculous since there is no way I had $25 worth of wine (barely one ounce tastings) and when I purchased one bottle, which was $40, she wouldn't waive the fee. This isn't California and your wine isn't that good compared to many others. It is a nice facility. The prices are on the sheet, which I saw but since it wasn't busy I thought she was offering to pour a bunch without a fee, which they do at so many other places. The staff should have been more upfront and told me that rather than nickle and diming us.

coolmathias (M.R. 79)

Staff seemed annoyed that we wanted to taste some wine. And after mentioning I liked red she stopped talking to me all together. The wines that we tried I felt lacked much complexity and was quite a bit more expensive than other wines in the area. Won't be back.

Ramy Nassar

Found the service rude and pretentious. Many other wonderful wineries within walking distance that I’ll frequent again.

Chris Overholster

Impulse stop, but it looked lovely from the road. Tasting by appointment only, but wine available by the glass. Friendly and personable staff and the owner goes out of his way to make the experience grand.

Greg Cento

When touring the area three years ago, Hidden Bench was our top experience. Excellent service, fantastic horizontal tasting, super knowledgeable and professional staff. I raved about it at our wine group. I was really looking forward to this second visit. Maybe I caught you on a bad day this time around, but the experience felt quite negative. The tasting was limited, the vibe was not warm, and frankly I felt rushed by the staff. The $10 tasting fee waved after 4 bottles is the most dear we came across by a long shot. It's a shame as the location is beautiful and the wine quite good.

debbie kilibarda

We love there wine ❤

Vinayak Modi

Great experience. The Riesling was absolutely phenomenal and the tour was very informative

Victor Chen

Fabulous and great wine collections

Sergey Kornev

Cozy place with craft wines of mid-high quality; interiots alone worth a visit

Aaron Boyle

Staff are very knowledgeable about the wines they sell. The wines themselves are excellent and priced fairly for the quality. Although just passing through for a taste, I was very impressed with the facilities. Wife and I just finished a bottle of 2012 Terroir Cache, one of the best reds I've ever tasted. Will definitely visit in the future and highly recommend a visit if you're nearby or passing through.

Carrie Arnold

We were doing a walking wine tour, having a fabulous time. We came to enjoy the offerings and partake in a charcuterie board and a sample. Each member of our party spent about $40 each, our bill was over $230 and we got escorted out the building. Apparently "our type isn't welcome at this facility". We needed food, we wanted a real tour and we were treated like awful citizens. I would not recommend visiting this winery. They are judgemental, stuck up and their Chardonnay tastes like concrete. Great napkins in the washrooms though. Highlight of our visit.

Jordan Allan

If you are not known as socially elite people do not expect this winery to make you feel overly welcomed or comfortable. We were Wine Club members and attend an event with two guests as permitted in the invitation and RSVP. One of our guests was a former employee of the winery. We arrived and checked in and our guest received a hug from the manager and our guest told the manager she was attending the event as our guest. The event started and the owner arrived saying hello to the small group individually but ignored our guest. A few minute after the owner's arrival the manager asked our guest to step outside and told her that this was a private event. Our guest told her again that she was our guest. This was the same manager that hugged this guest a few minutes early! I responded by talking to the manager then the owner outside the event area. The owner said people had been coming into the event the day before who were not club members or guests and that it was not to center our guest out. A problem easily solved by stick on name tags. The owner blamed the manager for the "mistake" and apologized to my group (at my request) without shaking hands with our guest. The pompous owner "threw his manager under the bus" for what obviously was his deed. Needless to say the Hidden Bench caused us a feeling of being unwelcome and embarrassed. Luckily there are 5 other wineries (Fielding,Weir, Hidden Bench,Angel's Gate,Organized Crime) within a mile with great wine and good customer service that are worth visiting instead.

Esther Doss

I absolutely love Hidden Bench! It's such a unique venue that offers incredible wines, unlike anything else on the Bench. The staff is very knowledgeable about wines, and what is happening in the area. They offer tastings that tell a story, and completely captivate your pallet. The room is warn, especially when the fire is burning - and the view is breathtaking. Thank you Hidden Bench!

Michael G

Beautiful quaint little winery just outside of NOTL. Their Pinot is outstanding. I went last year and had amazing service, perhaps it went downhill based on recent reviews? I hope not.

Andrew Rodmell

Was really looking forward to tasting here, but as others have mentioned, the service is atrocious and pompous. I've physically been all over the world tasting wine and have never been made to feel as I did here. Furthermore, my partner who is new to wine was made to feel as if she didn't belong, had no pallet, and was ignorantly shoved to the infamous stainless Reislings. Only place I've ever been charged for a tasting flight when I spent over $100. As I just read from a previous retort that the winery only comps after 3 bottles is an abomination and absolutely ridiculous. Only saving grace was that the rest of the places we visited that day were incredible and all the staff made my partner feel rejuvenated after she left feeling ashamed at Hidden Bench. The owners/management of this winery need to take a serious look at their front line staff as they are making a horrible name from what I thought were great wines.

We Wander The Wild

Loved this spot, on the bench with beautiful vineyards to look over while enjoying a glass of their lovely Riesling. Service was great and staff was so friendly!

Ken Rempel

Great winery but still closed. Waiting for covid 19 to subside.

Ann Morrison

Great tasting wine. Friendly staff

Chris Greco

Great wine

Bruce McGee

A fantastic and grown up tasting. Will definitely return

Michael Moerman

Very nice setting. The staff was very helpful with the wine tasting. Found a really interesting Riesling and fumé white.

Rebecca Bowen

Treated horrible! We went in for a tasting for a group of 8. Wine was not good and we were told that our kind was not welcome. Exact words no lie. We spent enough money and customer service was horrible. I would never go back and hope and one else would either.

Renata R

Stopped there for a tasting during a bike tour and loved the incredible treatment. Everyone took their time explaining all the details of their wines, the charcuterie board we ordered, and we loved the wines so much we ordered a case. I will definitely go back!

Jerome Maharaj

What a lovely winery, were a party of 4 and enjoyed their Terroir Tasting which beautifully showcased their various wines and vintages. We walked away with a few bottles and smiles on all our faces. The staff were brilliant, friendly, inviting, and truly gracious. Can't say enough good things about this estate, we'll be coming back here again for sure, and buying more of their wines as well.

Houman Akbari

Don’t get the membership, they only send you cheap Rose. Don’t bother going for wine tasting, they don’t have time for you and the owner will potentially insult you. If you are a club member, there’s an increased chance of rudeness. Basically go at your own risk. We did and now we regret it.

Michael Basic

The owner should really pay more attention to the one star reviews. I agreed with most of them.

Tree Ryde

AMAZING! Great private patio for an afternoon glass of wine!

Pura Botanica

Standing tasting only, not very comfortable. Good to know l, no food or crackers unless ordered ahead of time. Felt rushed.

Ariane Foisy

Excellent! Some of the best wine I tasted in the region. I booked a complete tour of the winery and enjoyed it very much. Great and warm welcome from the owner and staff. Would definitely recommend it.

JeanDaniel Belanger

Very nice winery, with awesome wines and very good service

Scott Norris

The wine was just alright and the employee serving us was quite awkward.

Jennifer German

What a great experience

Misheal Rafique

Went there for a wine tasting and had a phenomenal experience. The wines were incredible! The service was great and the person leading the tasting was very passionate and knowledgeable. Loved learning about the history of the land and how they make their wines. The place is also very beautiful. Will definitely be back!

Gerry Froese

Delicious wines! Our host Mel was wonderful. She definitely knew her wines! Our new favourite winery :)

Jay Heida

The servive is terrible! We were treated poorly and rushed to finish our tasting. We were a party of 6 and had been wine tasting at various places in the area. Not impressed with this winery. Do not recommend. The server told us we should have reorganized ourselves with our small party of 6, and tried to get us out as soon as possible.

Aslam S

I personally find their wine to be better than those in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area. Less sugar means you can actually taste the subtle wine flavours. The staff were very warm and took the time to explain - in detail - what we were tasting. There is no sprawling building, the focus is on taste and quality of the wine itself.

Patrick Hardock

Wonderful location. The winery is state of the art organic, organized and well maintained. Tasting was great, staff was very friendly while being professional at the same time. Purchased six bottles of great wine.

Chris Mey

Good wines, but too expensive.

Shannon Overholster

The owner went out of his way to make us feel welcome and took time to answer our questions. The wine was delicious. We will definitely be back!

Glenda Clapham

Beautiful. Great service. Tasty wine.

Michael Ward

Thank you Lana!

Brianne Curry

Service was rude and unnecessarily condescending. We won't be back.

Deanna Ainslie

Cozy. On a chilly day - grab a complimentary blanket, glass of wine and enjoy a few minutes by their outdoor fire place. Wine was good too ;-)

David Walker

We popped in spontaneously yesterday morning and were lucky enough to do our tasting with the owner Harald. The wines are absolutely amazing and Harald and Moira took fantastic care of us. If you love wine do yourself a favor and stop in!

Gregory Luke

Some of the best wines in the province. I have been visiting regularly for many years and have never had a bad experience. A few times my visits have been above and beyond.

Rachel Kalmar

Had the most amazing experience at this incredibly gorgeous winery. Phenomenal wine and I love that it is all organic. We had a group of 9, and every single one of us had such a fantastic time! Would highly recommend doing a tasting and tour here!!!

Cory Legue

Amazing wines and services. The views are spectacular.

Francesco D'Alessandro

A must visit! Came here with low expectations then turned in an awesome experience. I’ve tasted the two sparkling (Blanc de blanc 2013, Nature): the latter is very good, the former is awesome (60months 2nd fermentation). Met the owner and talked briefly about their company vision. To me, it’s almost the best bubbles I ever had in Canada so far.

Camille Carriere

It was haphazardly that we fell upon this road and this winery. We were in awe of the building and decided to explore. The individual that greeted was so knowledgeable and helpful. The wine we bought was FANTASTIC. My partner and I have both lived in the Niagara region. We are both familiar with the terroir and its wineries. I have an education in the culinary arts. This was a new find and one we'll return to for sure. Outstanding!

David Patterson-Cole

Very knowledgeable staff and great wine. Excellent experience overall!

Debbie Walker

We visited Hidden Bench after we asked a local sommelier to recommend one winery that is a can not miss. Wow, was he on the mark! There was no one else there when we arrived and we ended up tasting with the owner. He gave us a lot more than the 4 samples in the flight, often pouring us 2 of the same varietal so we could compare. We spent a bit of time talking to him and really enjoyed our visit. Would absolutely recommend.

Jean-Francois Lebel

(Translated) What a great experience. The service is second to none and the quality of the wines is exceptional. By far the best experience among the 5 distilleries visited this weekend. The personalized and intimate service charmed us. The Riesling and Pinot Noir are superb. Go there without hesitation. (Original) Quelle belle expérience. Le service est hors pair et la qualité des vins est exceptionnelle. De loin la meilleure expérience parmi les 5 distilleries visitées ce weekend. Le service personnalisé et intime nous a charmés. Les riesling et pinot noir sont superbes. Allez y sans hésitation.

Marty Vorstenbosch

It was fantastic , service

Allison Nott

Fantastic service - great stop for beers. And the food was awesome.

Natasha Swiderski

Pretty view great service and friendly staff.

Jackie Leece

Great! Very covid conscientious. It'll be even better once they bring back their charcuterie boards.

Howard Moyer

My wife and I made a reservation at Hidden Bench to have their Charcuterie Board and a glass of wine for lunch today. What an outstanding experience!! It was a wonderful day, lunch was amazing, paired perfectly with the wine and the staff could not have been better!! If you are interested in taking the time to taste great wine in a fabulous atmosphere, Hidden Bench is the winery for you!! We will be back!!!!

Mark Schlosser

Good wine bad service. Beautiful estate but the staff ignored us and were..brusque? I'm trying to be polite here, which they were not. 10 $ for a tasting is taking yourself too seriously, especially when I don't have the opportunity to at least taste the one wine I wanted to purchase. I won't return. 90 other wineries in the region and countless others throughout Ontario offered an entirely more comfortable, friendly and attentive experience.

Chantale Plante

Amazing wines - Pinots wow. And service! These folks know their stuff

Nicole Centanni

Very disappointed with the service at hidden bench. Our server was not welcoming or polite. Our small group visited hidden bench for a quick tasting along our way. The server insisted that we pay for a private tasting at $15 per person to accommodate “our group” and was frustrated when we told her that we would prefer the regular sampling. The winery was not busy whatsoever and two servers in particular made us feel like an inconvenience to them. The sample sizes were ridiculously small in comparison to other wineries. Complete waste of time and money! There are many other wineries in the area to check out that provide excellent customer service and great portion sizes for tasting.

Brittany Morgan

A group of girlfriends and I attend Hidden Bench winery yesterday after visiting 2 other wineries in the area. To say that we were disappointed is an understatement. The owner was extremely rude to our group after one of my girlfriends asked for a sample of their Malbec... actually her words were a “splash” of the Malbec to taste. He quickly replied with “we don’t do splashes of anything here, this is rated #2 in the area”. Then continued to ask us who was driving. We all assured the owner that we had a driver and thanked him for his concern. I can assure you that we were not rowdy or fallen drunk or causing any sort of disturbance. We were very insulted however continued to all order a glass of wine. At this point the female server came out to check on us and we expressed our disappointment and how insulted we were. She did her best to defend the owner (not sure why) but assured us that she would relay the message to him. We come to the area regularly and have never been treated this way before. We were not being inappropriate whatsoever and I will never purchase anything from this winery especially if the owner treats his customers like this. Shame on him. I will never return and I will be sure to tell all about our poor experience. Shame on you, Sir.

Jasmine Jackman

Lovely patio. Wine tasting with a sommelier. Book ahead of time.

Mathieu Cardinal

(Translated) Nice experience! The beautiful surroundings and the staff welcoming even one of the waiters who spoke French. I let myself be tempted by the excellent Pinot Noir! Canadian wines deserve to be known thank you! (Original) Belle expérience ! Le cadre magnifique et le personnel accueillant même un des serveurs qui parlait français. Je me suis laissé tenter par le Pinot noir excellent ! Les vins canadiens gagnent à être connus merci!

BP Household

Some very nice wines.

Erica Holder

Wine was good however the French man serving us was extremely rude and we will not be back because of this

Sharon Gillis

Owner very rude we were there 2 weeks ago told too busy will have to return not told to make a reservation for tasting at that time owner so much as told us we were lying and that he knows how it goes not willing to listen to us only one table was sitting at this time nobody else in area at opening time remained to be very rude not willing to accommodate

Milos Uskokovic

Not surprised that this is one of the most poorly reviewed wineries in the area. Easily the most disappointing tasting I had in the niagara area. The woman behind the counter was dispassionate about the wine and gave a rote presentation about what was available. The tasting options were limited to the Estate Riesling, Estate Chardonnay, Estate pinot, Terroir Caché and a late harvest Gewürztraminer. Only the riesling stood out, the rest was very generic at the price point. The real disappointment came in not being able to try any of the smaller lot riesling’s and especially the 2 sparkling options. We were told none were available even though one was clearly open in the fridge. The tasting fee is waved after 3 bottles which is very steep. Overall unlike pretty much anywhere else on the bench i thought the service was dispassionate and mechanical, not to mention transactional.

Tommy Letarte

(Translated) Amazing winnery (Original) Amazing winnery

Vincent Beretta

One of the region's best producers hands down! Their Pinot Noirs are spectacular, absolutely off the chart Chardonnays (deliciously delicate) and a stunning Burgundy style Terrior Cache' don't miss the best part of the Niagara region THE BENCH!

Eric Bodourian

First time at the winery but have always love their wines that I've tried in the past. Did the tasting, all good stuff, and my server/sommelier was warm and thorough when speaking to them. Wish I had more money these days because I would have picked up one of almost everything. Recommend!

Luc Audette

(Translated) Very nice visit. The wines are of superior quality. (Original) Très belle visite. Les vins sont d’une qualité supérieure.

Antoine Gaudette

(Translated) Superb place ... remarkable organic wines really nearby ... a rigorous, passionate owner who also leads the tasting himself (Original) Superbe endroit ...vins bio remarquables vraiment tout près...un propriétaire rigoureux ,passionné qui mène lui même la dégustation en plus

Mike Z

Pinot and chards are consistently good. The experience is a little hit and miss. The samples are very small, the tasting fee is only waved after buying three bottles, I think they need to loosen up a bit.

Robert Bricker

Was really offended by how I heard the owner speak to paying guests next to us.

Debra Charnuski (CalgaryDeb)

Wish I could give more than 5 ???? stars. Great ethos, wonderful wines and knowledgeable staff. Our ???? wine tasting experience was superb. Loved the Gamay - notes of smoke and red berries and the Blanc De Blanc is the perfect sitting on the patio with friends sipping wine - with lively notes of pear and apple. Highly, highly recommend a visit to this winery. Call ahead due to covid protocol.

Michael McRae

Great service.....wonderful wines!

Krista Thompson

My daughter and I visited Hidden Bench today. We were in Niagara specifically to buy a few cases of wine. Hidden Bench wasn’t busy- not a single person in the store. We asked to do a tasting flight and they said they aren’t doing walk-ins , we’d have to book online and there was nothing today. They said they stopped doing walk-in tasting flights as they realized they make way more money- 500k more a year- if they become more exclusive like Oregon. I said I just wanted to taste as I was in the market to buy a case and they said no. Terrible customer experience. Manager was haughty.

David Jones

If you have a group don’t bother... not accommodating at all unless you have a reservation.

Beverly-Ann Woods

Excellent service and tastings. A must see. We don't like the commercialized wineries and prefer boutique style with top quality offerings. This one hit the mark. Went home with several bottles.

Jim LaFleur

Disappointed by the wines. Great service in the tasting room and the staff were friendly.

Susan Paiement

Found the customer service off the mark. Went for and event and they seemed to be surprised that people turned up. They were not able to create an ambiance for the customers. Wine was over priced. Not worth the money.

Phil Tal

(Translated) Very welcoming and professional. We were pleased to be welcomed by the owner and have special attentions brought to us for our questions and taste buds. We'll come back and find that bench! ********** Very welcoming and professional. We were delighted to have met the owner who gave us special attention, for our questions and our puck. We will be back to find the hidden bench! (Original) Very welcoming and professional. We were pleased to be welcomed by the owner and have special attentions brought to us for our questions and taste buds. We'll come back and find that bench! ********** Très acceuillant et professionnel. Nous étions ravis d'avoir rencontré le propriétaire qui nous a offert une attention particulière, pour nos questions et notre palet. Nous reviendrons pour trouver le banc caché!

Antoine Gendron

Wow great place to visit!!! Great wines, beautiful setting, and the owner is very friendly!!! Go there

Patrick Kennedy

Amazing Pinot Noir, beautiful location, really knowledgeable staff. Tasting is top notch - the sommeliers are very informed when it comes to not only their vines and wines but also the other local vinters - really highly recommend a visit if you are in the Niagara Bench area

Subhakar O

Nice place

Chuck Reaman

Outstanding wines !!!!

The Matou

Great wines!!!