Barrydale Cellars

Stay away wines

Finding the Cellar closed on Monday 27 January 2020 just after 16h00 (not too sure what the operating times are, they all differ) I returned on Tuesday morning 28 January. As I approached, a woman was smoking on the lawn near the entrance. I was NOT approached or acknowledged in any way. I had to ask if they were open. I was told to 'go in' while she finished her cigarette on the lawn. When she decided to join me, she was accompanied by a waft of cigarette smoke... a most disgusting smell. What a way to start a tasting! I was told the price list was on the wall. Upon asking if I could have a price list while tasting, I was told: 'I suppose I can print you one". I was told the price of the tasting : R30 for wine and R30 for the brandy. The wine on taste was one red and one white, priced R50 and R40. The tasting fee was almost the price of the bottle of white. I could just as well bought it 'blind'. The white wine bottle was not full, and I seemed to have been the first taster of the day. I enquired about the Chardonnay but she had no knowledge at all. She told me it was 'lightly oaked" . I asked for how long , I was told : "a short time". On asking again and explaining that I wanted to know how long it was matured in barrels, I was told : "about 3 months".I asked if it was in new or old barrels, I was told :think its old". The red wine was lukewarm and I was poured the dregs of the bottle. Upon asking when the bottle was opened, I was told "some time on the weekend, I was not working". Surely you can open a new bottle in stead of pouring what I received. brandy tasting I was TOLD what I was going to taste, even though there were multiple bottles open and I could have been given a choice. The first luke warm brandy was poured. I tasted. Then I asked for another glass for the next. I was told that it could not be done, she would wash the glass!!! I asked how I could compare if I had only one glass! I even offered to wash the extra 2 glasses for her! Really!!! I bought one bottle of red and one of white as well as a bottle of "Premium Brandy" (not potstill as they were overpriced in my opinion). The tasting fee was not subtracted from the bill, which to me was fine for the brandy but totally silly for the wine. Really, I am not an inexperienced youngster wanting to taste just for kicks. I found this really unacceptable. The woman pouring the wine was inexperienced, had a total non caring attitude and stank of smoke. I really hope this review finds it's way to whoever is in charge of this facility.