Dubaiidk
We loved taking guests. Welcoming staff. Good wines. One of the best dry Rieslings I've tasted. The beer option was a good addition to their offerings.
211MartinV
We are trying to get to all of NC wineries - at least those near the Piedmont - So when we heard that this one was closing, we decided to go and check it out before its no longer available. We tried all the wines in the tasting list, and only liked 2 of them, the rest were ok. With that said, going to these wineries are really an experience for us and expect to learn something from the staff about the winery and the wines that we are trying. Anyway, the staff was not rude but if you are expecting service with a smile go someplace else. It's too bad for such a well established business.
haveatums
This is my second visit and everyone in the group enjoyed the wine and beer options. For red wine drinkers I recommend the Cab Franc.
LiveWellTravelWell
had to find someone to serve us a glass of wine. The food truck in the parking lot served good food, but based on the reputation of this vineyard, I was greatly disappointed. Now if you want some beer, they do tastings with much more gusto.
AprilR633
We certainly enjoyed our stop-over at West Bend! The staff was super-friendly and patient. One of us did the beer tasting (best Pale Ale ever) and the other did the wine-tasting (love some muscadine wine) for about $12 each. The counter person was very skillful and full of interesting information. She was a real pleasure to talk with. The property is lovely and peaceful. They had a food truck that was just getting started as a new service, so if you visit after this week, you should be able to eat lunch there too. We'd absolutely go back when we return to the area. We ended up buying two bottles to take back to Georgia.
KimC959
We were visiting over the weekend at the BMW Vintage Car event. The winery is beautiful, the setting was great, the wine was above average, but the old woman behind the cash register put a damper on the entire experience. I don't know if the NC chapter of BMW car club makes a decision each year where to hold this event, but looking at trip advisor, I am not the only one that has experienced this woman. You would think that the money that is brought in by holding an event such as this would make her very happy and eager to please, but all indications we experienced it was quite the opposite. We drove over six hours for this event and being treated rudely was uncalled for!!!!!
Jbkofan
First of all, this vineyard and property are lovely and so relaxing. The wines are good as well. My only complaint is the old lady that works there. I don't know if she owns it or not, but she was incredibly rude to not one, but 2 customers. I was shocked. A very sweet young girl was, obvioulsy new and trying to keep up on this Mother's Day weekend, we waited in line for our tasting. Once we approched the bar, the old lady was back there and the gentleman on our right asked her for a sample of the next wine...the old woman snapped "I AM NOT doing your tasting" then motioned for the young girl to help him, and fussed at her about keeping up. My husband and I were appalled, as was the gentleman, he walked away. We finished our tasting and picked out our choices then had to go to the old lady to check out. She snapped at another customer in front of us. My husband asked me to come with him and we went back to the bar and asked our hostess to check us out. The wines are nice and I did enjoy the tasting, but not the experience.
bradd504
Their more expensive white wines are really quite good and competitive with domestic wines. This is a business not a sae park so naturally the owner warms up when you purchase something.
SteveLParker
THis place was wonderful... Everyone should go. I will tell all of my friends to visit West Bend. After just returning from Sonoma, CA winery's I was very impressed with the wine here.
Ransom24
My wife and I went on a Friday and were lucky enough to get the owner. She was very gracious and told us about all the wines. Very informative and she told us as if it was the first time. My wife enjoyed the brewery and we met the brewer by chance. It was a great experience.
SideWash
Throughout the year one can participate in some special outdoor music events, car shows, etc., in addition to tastings and tours. Of course there is a great selection of their wines but glassware, shirts, jams and other goodies and gifts to take home to your pet sitter. Westbend nailed a couple double golds at the NC State Fair recently - well deserved. My favorites are the Les Soeurs Cabernet and a delightful number not available many places called Chambourcin (don't confuse with other vineyard offerings of this varietal, Westbend does this hybrid justice). My wife prefers their Riesling and I enjoy the Chardonnay when I'm having a white. I discovered this vineyard in 2008 during a tasting tour of the Yadkin Valley and although it was just a wee bit away from the seemingly "vineyard on every hill" north of this locale Westbend is easy to get to on Highway 421 west of Winston Salem.Tastings and special events have nominal fees and you can join several types of memberships (not required for on-site store purchases)
wineprincess14
I've been several times in the last few years, having been so excited to find a winery close to home after moving to NC. However, the general feeling I get every time is that the owners don't really want you to be there. They are rude to patrons, disinterested, snarky, and yesterday I witnessed them actually yelling at a group with children, who were only enjoying themselves and in no way misbehaving or disturbing other customers. The situation was extremely uncomfortable, and I am still shocked at the lack of professionalism and class exhibited by the female owner/staff. In addition, the quality of the wine is poorer with each visit. I realize we all have different palates, but the woodiness of their wines is distasteful to me. I did enjoy the brewery. If you go, definitely don't take kids along, and don't stay longer than a quick tasting. You will not feel welcomed. There are better vineyards in the area, though, such as Raylen, Flint Hill, or a little further down 421, Raffaldini. I've taken my own family to all those places and experienced very family-friendly customer service, where the kids are treated like special guests.
NCProfesora
The longer NC winery are in business, the better the wine gets. West Bend makes a tasty selection of reds & whites. Their tasting house is also a good retail location. If you are thinking about starting your holiday shopping early and have a wine lover on your list, this is definitely worth a trip.
Jophotogal
I went with my husband, and he is not a wine drinker normally, but we both really enjoyed ourselves and the wine! I will definitely go back!
sheenapoe1
One of the oldest wineries in NC. A must see. Great presentation.