Devina S.
Yelp
I've been a member of this champagne club and was genuinely excited to bring my family for a tasting. Unfortunately, the experience left me feeling more embarrassed than anything else.
While my group was engaged in conversation, one of our party members asked the host to describe the tasting lineup. He said he'd return shortly, but we ended up waiting a long time before I finally had to flag him down. He eventually gave the overview, but by then it felt like an afterthought rather than part of a curated, welcoming experience.
We were each given a single glass of water at the beginning, but unlike every other table around us, we weren't offered refills or provided with a bottle of water for the table. It felt like we were being overlooked. Toward the end of the visit, one of my family members asked for another glass of water. The host told us no--because our reservation time was over. I've never experienced that before--being denied water. I felt like I had to beg just to get a simple glass of water for my guest. Only after pressing the issue did the host finally bring it, and frankly, by then the damage was done.
As a wine club member, I expected a much higher level of hospitality--not just for myself, but for the family I brought with me. I also asked about swapping one of the bottles in my club pickup, since we had really enjoyed one of the wines during the tasting. I was essentially told it would be too difficult and that I should reconsider, because it's a lot of work for him to do. At every other wine club I've belonged to, flexibility and personalization are part of the value. Isn't that the whole point--trying new things and selecting what you love?
I left feeling let down. What was supposed to be a special experience with my family turned into something I regret. I hope the club takes a hard look at how it treats its members and guests--especially those who have chosen to support it long-term.
