South River Vineyard

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 27, 2013

Very nice winery Beautiful grounds We were treated very nice

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 30, 2012

I have to agree that the staff here leaves something to be desired - and it's a shame - beautiful place. When we walked in, I wanted to take some photographs of the stained glass windows and interior. I saw the girls behind the counter making faces like we were rubes - O.K. maybe I am to them - who cares. But when we were done and walked up to the counter, they pretty much ignored us until my wife spoke up. Then the girl pouring our flights rolled her eye's like it was a big bother to have to give us different wines (sorry you had to open new bottles). We then walked outside, and enjoyed the rest of the visit. there were maybe 6 other couples and a group of 12 or so, but it was very quiet and zen like as we sat and sampled our wines. After we finished, we spent about 20 minutes taking pictures on the rest of the grounds, and no one said a word. Other than the wait staff, an excellent time - but I've been there and won't go back. Oh yeah, and the wine, nothing stood out as special - just kind of average.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 07, 2012

My aunts and cousins and I planned a trip to some of the wineries in Geneva to celebrate my mom and two of my aunts birthdays. The experience I am about to write about may sound a bit astounding, but is indeed true. The entire group of women that went to this winery, South River Winery, were adults ranging in age from 26 to 57, all working professionals looking to have a relaxing girls day out. When our limo arrived at the winery, the owner was verbally assaultive to the limo driver. He asked her to move the limo and she was obliging, but apparently not fast enough for the owner. One minute had passed between the time the request was made and the time the limo driver was able to move. The manner in which the request was made was rude and unnecessary. Our limo driver asked the owner for a moment for two of the women who went in to look for seats in the winery to return to the limo. I'd like to add that we were all completely sober. The owner refused to allow her to wait. My mom asked me to go tell my sister and cousin that the limo was in the street, they were the two who went in to look for tables. When I got out of the limo to go get my sister and cousin, the owner told me I could not go to the winery. I explained that we were not leaving my sister and cousin. He began loosing his temper and tried to physically block my ability to go up the drive way. I tried to step from side to side. At that point he physically shoved me. I then ran out of fear that he was going to punch me. My mom and aunt jumped out of the limo and my mom screamed for him to keep his hands off her daughter. I kept running and got my cousin and sister. He chased me into the winery. The limo driver had already called 911. Fortunately no one was injured. It was very scary and unnecessary. Physically assaulting another person should never be tolerated.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 14, 2011

Favorite Wine: Trinity

Wow, whats going on with the posts?Ownership change? Son was married here in 2003, everything was fantastic. Wine, music, food, setting etc.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 14, 2011

Those were supposed to be fives on the ratings

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 07, 2011

Favorite Wine: Riesling was mediocre

Gone a couple times - cold shoulder from staff most of the time. I live just down the street from the winery and I was just going to run down and get a bottle for an anniversary gift. After reading all of these negative experiences about the owner/staff, I refuse to give my business to owners that do not treat paying customers as human beings. Laurello's, Ferrante, here I come!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 30, 2011

Favorite Wine: Can not say, The owner rudely removed the glasses and bottles from our tablw

Sunday 8/28/11. Please beware of the owner of this winery. He is very rude and has no clue on the way a paying customer should be treated.My group of ten started this lovely Sunday out 3 miles to the west at Chalet DeBonne for a summer jazz concert on the lawn which was very fun with the hundreds of other people enjoying the same. I decided to show the group another winery (South River)that I had visited on 2 other occasions. Unfortunately this was and will be the last time any of us will ever visit this winery do to the very unstable nature of the owner. Our visit was less than 10 minutes before we were berated by this raging lunatic of an owner.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 03, 2011

I've been to this winery three times and each time I kid myself into thinking it will be a better experience. The setting is just so pretty, BUT it's just not worth it. The people behind the counter are just not friendly and you feel like you are walking on pins and needles to sit back and relax. We will never return to this winery (unless new management takes over). I don't typically post things like this, but if you are like us....vacation time is precious and it's not worth spending it at a place like this. There are plenty of other wineries in the area.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 15, 2011

Sad ...listen to some of the reviews the only good ones are probably from the owner..he waits out in the front of his establishment checking on who comes in..he is scary and dont try to entertain there you may have to explain the embarrassment that he may cause...Sad establishment for the community...

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 15, 2011

Sad ...listen to some of the reviews the only good ones are probably from the owner..he waits out in the front of his establishment checking on who comes in..he is scary and dont try to entertain there you may have to explain the embarrassment that he may cause...Sad establishment for the community...

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 12, 2011

Favorite Wine: Temptation

Made an unexpected trip to South River on Saturday night. Beautiful night, good wine. Like the reisling and Temptation. Don't know where the negative comments are coming from!!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 05, 2011

Favorite Wine: too bad I couldn't try more

If I had read the negative comments here I might have been better prepared or avoided this place altogether. First of all, the setting is gorgeous. I'll give it that. Nevertheless, I will never set foot on the property again while it's under current management. We visited 6 wineries on this particular day, and this was the only one that didn't have pre-set tasting trays. The bartender we first saw, a woman, poured us a few to try, three or four. We tried them and wanted a couple more before ordering a glass or bottle--none of the wines at this point was worth spending any time with. A male bartender came up to us, and we asked for more samples--we were expecting and happy to pay for samples like we did at the 5 other places we visited. He told us that we needed to place an order for a bottle or glasses or leave. That was it. No more samples. Umm, don't you go to a winery in Ohio to try their wines? So, we had two choices. Buy something knowing that it probably wasn't very good, or leave. When visiting several wineries it is not wise to drink a glass at every place, so you don't want to waste one on a bad wine. We left and had a great time at the other wineries we visited. There are a dozen wineries within 10 minutes of this place. They deserve your business far more than this place does.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 19, 2011

Favorite Wine: Trinity and Riesling

This was our final stop of the progressive dinner. Had never been to the winery before and was very impressed with the wine. The dessert they offered wasn't that great (plain chocolate sheet cake), but I liked the fact that we had our choice of 3 wines, including an ice wine. Hubby got the ice wine and loved it; I got the Trinity which was very nice. We enjoyed the winery so much we stayed and shared a bottle of Riesling-very good! The two girls working behind the bar were funny and very informative. Loved the Willie Nelson and Celtic music. Will definitely be back! Atmosphere was a huge improvement over Chalet Debonne's, where a flatscreen TV was blaring with the OSU game.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 13, 2011

Favorite Wine: Concord Ice

Very quaint. A little odd drinking wine in church since I'm not Catholic. Ice wine was the best of all for the day. Concord Ice-favorite. Need to visit in the summer. Beautiful setting.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 03, 2011

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 02, 2011

the church setting is beautiful, the wine was ok, our server was very nice to us however she was verbally abused by the owner for doing so..he is a complete ass

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Nov 21, 2010

Favorite Wine: beer

worst nite in Geneva the owner needs to sell read all the reviews he's not stable he's a horse's ass

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Nov 21, 2010

There ARE some great winery stops in Geneva area. Personally, I would/have marked off South River Winery. The wine was just wine, nothing that we were "impressed" with. Other winery stops in the area have so much more to offer. Including customer service, the manager was not even there to help out the gal serving wine on a Sat. nite.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 31, 2010

Nice setting, beautifull scenery, average wine (Riesling). Try to avoid the owner, he has no respect for customers, no social skills and quick to ruin the atmosphere.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 25, 2010

Favorite Wine: Trinity

Beautiful settings, excellent wine.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 02, 2010

Favorite Wine: Trinity, Temptation

Cool place...sat out in the Pantheon style patio...nice place

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Sep 28, 2010

Favorite Wine: Karma

Very good wine, nice atmosphere. Especially loved their dry reds. Staff was friendly...every time we have been there, there has been very attractive women waiting on us...nice to look at while sipping wine!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Sep 08, 2010

Favorite Wine: The Rieslings

My wife and I have been to this winery many times. We find the wine extremely good and probably some of the best in the area. Very good Rieslings! To the douches who probably acted like douches and we're deservedly treated like douches, please find somewhere else to "Party Down". People come to these wineries to get away from the douches like you who go to bars, get shitfaced and act like idiots. It's called class! When you come to the fine wineries of Ohio, try having a little class instead of bringing your "Flats" mentality. Perhaps you might get treated with a little more respect if you show some. DOUCHE!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 10, 2010

Favorite Wine: Merlot

We visited this winery on June 6, 2010 and had a very pleasant experience. The setting is absolutely beautiful and the wine is excellent. We were treated very well - but then we were not drunk and disorderly and we do know how to spell "appalled."

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 02, 2010

Favorite Wine: Temptation or Concord Ice Wine

Absolutely gorgeous winery, tasty wine, and for the naysayers the owner is a very nice man. A group of four of us were sitting on the patio by the fire pit around closing time playing cards, and we chatted with him to let him know of the bad online reviews. He told us he appreciated us letting him know and that he knew about them but didn't really care, but was appreciative enough to even let us take home our glasses!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 29, 2010

Favorite Wine: Exodus

Wonderful winery. I was there when the large group that got kicked out (the long string of complaints on the reviews from June 14th and 15th. They were all definitely intoxicated, and were very belligerent towards the owner. I would have thrown them out as well. The setting is beautiful, and I love all of their red wines, especially their Merlot (Exodus). Very high quality wine and moderately priced. For the nay-sayers: If you want to get drunk and be obnoxious, go to a bar.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 27, 2010

Favorite Wine: KARMA

exquiste grounds, flawless wine, intelligetsia proprietors, extraordinary experience.....

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 18, 2010

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 15, 2010

Favorite Wine: none Non drinker

We are calm nonparty type of social people. Although no matter what kind of people you are you are not welcome at this winery. This owner must of lost his mind.I not even attempt to go to this winery again.Maybe he hates middle age people in shorts. Cant figure it out. The staff is VERY unpleasant must be part of thier training. I am so sorry he is affiliated with the ohio wine area.This winery is a disgrace to any outsider that may see this kind of behavior.And our other wineries do not cater to party atmosphere we have wonderful pleasant owners in the area.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 15, 2010

Sorry, I am correcting myself for the name of the owner is Gene Sigel in the previous post.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 15, 2010

This was my absolute favorite winery until 6/12/10. It is the most beautiful, serene and picturesque winery of them all in the Grand River Valley area. But as for the lack of respect for customers when a group comes in, a group that has been coming to this winery since it has opened, and nothing has ever been said that they DO NOT want goups! We were totally disrespected to the extreme of the owner getting in someone's face and argueing to the point of having to break up a fight! We were all embarrassed and humiliated by this owner! Sorry we did not look at his website and see that he DOES NOT want groups. May be he needs to put up a huge sign that says that! Or do a invitation only to enter to save more people the humiliation. I am so disgusted. The owner Gene Sigley, I have done some investigating on him and he does not have good reputation. If he does not want any business from good people, then maybe he should find another profession that does not include dealing with public!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 14, 2010

Will NEVER, NEVER step one foot on that property again! Never have I been treated so rude! We brought 35 people to this establishment, and were treated so bad, so rude, we set down our bottle of over priced, average tasting wine and left! Don't step off the sidewalk, don't move the chairs,or tables. The owner has no problem using foul language toward anyone, The owner has no problem kicking people out of his establishment AFTER you buy a bottle of wine! I was told I couldn't sit my a** on the stairs!! There were more words involved (I'm just being nice). Beautiful setting, horrible, horrible PR. I would never recommend this "winery" to anyone! I have grown up in this area, and that is definitely not the type of people I want anyone saying runs any kind of business around here! On a scale from 1-10 I give it a -5!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 14, 2010

Absolutely horrible experience. The service and management was absolutely rude.The owner went as far as to call patrons hillbillies. He decided not to serve us he said we were drunk, funny thing is my husband dont drink he was gonna order juice and we didnt get 2 words out of our mouth. He was addressing police,professional business people in this manner. Staff around him were just as bad. DO NOT ATTEND this winnery especially if you are entertaining you could end up embarrassed at the appaulling behavior. I will make it a point to steer every person from this winery.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 31, 2010

Favorite Wine: Pinot Noir

I have traveled all over the US/Canada/Europe and have been to hundreds of wineries. I have never seen anything like what we have here in Ohio. Most wineries that I have been to are all about the wine (just like they are at south river) here in ohio they are more about a huge party. I wont name the bigger wineries that play Jimmy Buffet and encourage spring break like behavior. I am sure that if you go to South River Vineyard and act like an adult -you will get treated like an adult. They have the best wine in ohio, and the best views of an actual vineyard. The Pinot is out of this world. I don't know what to tell the guy who got mad about moving the chairs but I have moved a chair there before and no one said anything to me-so maybe you were doing something else. South River is the only real european type winery around. If you like parties just don't go there -no need to trash it on the internet.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 28, 2010

Favorite Wine: none

Beautiful place but the owner is an absolute nut case. Avoid this place until it changes hands. I guarantee there will be a major conflict between him and a guest that does not obey his commandments. Thou shall not move the chairs. Thou shall not put wood on the fire. Thou shall not walk on the grass. Thou shall obey the unwritten laws of the "church" and the "reverend" makes the laws. The "reverend" is walking a thin line between reality and a wine god.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 02, 2010

Favorite Wine: Exodus

Exodus and Karma quite good, especially given their age ...the wine hadn't been in the bottle to long. I am planning on becoming a regular at this establishment. I am getting to old, for "wine bars" and the chaos that comes along with them. Sitting around the fire at this winery, along with similar like minded people works for me.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 12, 2009

Third trip to this winery and finally was greeted by a friendly person! The view is fantastic from the back. The person giving the tasting was very knowledgeable.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: May 31, 2009

Favorite Wine: Temptation

Absolutely loved the atmosphere. Very midevil feeling...kind of "forbidden". Only cared for one wine, Temptation & I loved the bottle. The girl that poured us had an attitude like we were bothering her. Would go back to again just because of the atmosphere.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: May 03, 2009

I had a pleasant visit to this winery, which is just lovely. The server was friendly, and they were playing great music inside (Indie). The wines are just OK, but have clever names and labels.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jan 07, 2009

The wine is good. Tasting wine in an old church is uncomfortable, I was waiting for the bolt of lightning.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Nov 03, 2008

SKIP THIS PLACE. A group of us, 40 years and over, all professionals went here. We were not drunk, loud, rude or obnoxious and yet were verbally assulted by the owner because we moved the tables around on his patio. A black spot in the Geneva wine region, don't bother, it's not worth it.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 22, 2008

Favorite Wine: Concord Ice Wine

I had the same experience as wineguy -- in fact, he may be my friend :) I absolutely loved their ice wine but the woman working was an ice queen.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Sep 25, 2008

Favorite Wine: TRINITY

South River is a must visit winery. unlike the other local winerys with a party atmosphere, it tends to be a quite, medatative place. The staff has always been polite, however you sometimes have to wait in line on a Saturday afternoon.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Sep 08, 2008

This was my second (and last) visit to South River. Last summer, I visited the picturesque winery with a small group of friends and had an enjoyable evening despite an ice-cold reception from the staff. At the time, I was so enamored with the spectacular scenery that I quickly overlooked the staff's rude behavior and concluded that they were just having an "off night." Last weekend, I decided to give South River another shot and returned with a different group of friends. Amazingly, the "reception" from the staff was colder and more unwelcoming than my prior visit. I was horrified to learn (from an equally perturbed patron) that the staff at issue (same staff as prior year) were actually the husband-wife owners! Feeling that our business and hard-earned money were not appreciated, we left after a couple of tastings. The consistently rude treatment may explain why, despite such a beautiful setting, there were no more than a handful of customers on both weekend visits. Bottom line: the gorgeous surroundings and average-at-best wines don't come close to making up for the staff/owners' total lack of customer respect.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Sep 02, 2008

If you are planning a large gathering do not go here. I am saddened and shocked by the experience we had last Friday. We were treated very rudely by management. I had just finished dinner when management came towards the pavillion and started yelling at our trip organizer. Management even went so far as to take away wine we had just purchased from him and pour it out. If there was a problem, management could have addressed our group politely. This was never done. We are a neighborhood group of 35 to 55 year old professional people on a chartered bus trip who spent a lot of money for a very uncomfortable episode.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 25, 2008

Favorite Wine: None

The only thing more disappointing than the wines we tatsted (only the Riesling is even worth tasting)is the obnoxious attitude of the owner and staff. It was unbelievable what we witnessed. Do yourself a favor and skip South River. These folks obviously need a lesson in business 101.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 02, 2008

I love the feel of South River, it is a peacefull place to sit and enjoy a glass of Wine! The pavillion out behind the Church Winery has a stone fire place which they don't mind firering it up for you on cool days!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 13, 2008

Favorite Wine: Trilogy

Loire style reds. A good value for Vin de Pays. Best labels ever!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 08, 2007

Favorite Wine: Karma

I was really impressed with South River. We visited all the wineries in the Grand River Valley and South River struck us as the "jewel." It is housed in an old church building and surrounded by new wine vineyards. The staff and ownership were friendly and welcoming. We will go back and tell others about our good time.