Bill C.
Yelp
It was going pretty good for most of our visit. It was my wife's birthday and we wanted to try this winery out on our way to Galveston for the weekend.
They accommodated us as we reserved time in the lounge, but since we really wanted a wine tasting (and there were no appointments available) they allowed a wine tasting in the lounge (we were the only ones in the lounge). Although the server didn't know much about the wines (or at least was reluctant to talk much about the wines), it all seemed to be going well, and we ordered a couple of bottles of wine- to-go after our tasting concluded.
I thought it odd that when it was time to pay, they never gave me an invoice, but rather went straight to payment via a tablet. The display only showed the total cost which, based on 2 bottles of wine and a wine tasting with cheese board, seemed reasonable. The first item was to select a tip which I did based on the total . I gave a $17.50 tip - pretty generous for a $35 wine tasting and a $35 Charcuterie Board.
I had to ask for her to print out a receipt. She wasn't even going to email it to me if I hadn't asked. Then when she brought the receipt, instead of handing it to me she asked if she could put it in the bag with the wine. I assumed everything was fine with the receipt and order and said OK.
We had two bags to carry out ( which appeared to be the 2 bottles of wine - one white, one red - we ordered), and we left to continue our trip. Later that evening after we arrived in Galveston did we realize we had been fooled.
I went to get the bottle of white wine we had ordered, but instead of the wine there were 2 wine glasses instead. Then I looked at the receipt. The server had already put in a $13.50 "Service Fee "(tip) into the order prior to me tipping and not disclosed this. Plus she added a $5 "Custom Item", and I have no clue what that was for. So we were tricked into giving the server a $31 tip on a $70 order (before the wine bottles purchased).
I was really disappointed in what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to hide the charges from me. I would have probably gone back at some point in the future since it is near the Kemah Boardwalk, and brought friends. But not now. Buyer beware and look at your receipts before you pay if you go to this place. You might want to venture down to Haak Wineries in Santa Fe instead.