(3 out of 5 stars)…read more
We had actually tried to visit Xella Winery once before, but the parking was so limited (including handicap parking) that we ended up leaving and going elsewhere. Months later, the winery popped up on social media again, so we decided to try our luck.
The owner was incredibly friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Just an overall really nice guy. The wines were good, which (as a regular winery visitor) is critical because I've been to plenty of wineries that have a fun atmosphere but underwhelming wine. That wasn't the case here. The wine slushies were the real champs, though. They were absolutely delicious and we had both of their offerings.
For me, one of the major pluses is that the winery is pet friendly, which we appreciated since we brought our puppy. Unfortunately, he kept finding small plastic caps on the grass that looked like light bulb covers, which meant we had to constantly keep an eye on what he was trying to pick up. That was not so appreciated.
The atmosphere simply wasn't quite for me. The space is relatively small (which is fine, I generally enjoy that type of environment) but it became fairly loud during our visit. It's also very family friendly, which I know many people will enjoy, but personally I prefer a quieter winery experience rather than sipping wine with children running around nearby.
There were also some practical frustrations. The outdoor tables have umbrellas, but the wind continuously yanked ours up out of the table and nearly knocking things over. I eventually found myself crawling under the table trying to adjust it, which wasn't exactly how I planned to spend part of a wine tasting.
There are certainly things to like here: friendly ownership, good wines, excellent slushies, and a welcoming environment. However, the parking limitations, noise level, loose umbrellas, and concerns about debris on the ground make it unlikely that I'll return. However, families looking for a casual and family friendly winery experience may enjoy it much more than I did. For those I would say it's well worth the visit!