Chateau O'Brien at Northpoint Winery

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 09, 2012

Favorite Wine: Tannat and Late Harvest Tannat

First off, wineries are NOT meant for kids. There are plenty of adults who appreciate wine and want to enjoy a winery without having kids crying and running around. Take your kids to Chuck E Cheese. I've been to Chateau Obrien many times. Yes, it get a little packed. Why? Because he makes the top rated Tannat wine in the WORLD, not just in VA. Howard is unique and is passionate about his wine. I see nothing wrong with that. I highly suggest you go to the winery and enjoy the quality.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: May 09, 2010

DON'T GO!! Both times that I have been there I have met the owner and his passive aggressive rudeness is monumental. Do yourself a favor and go to the many fine wineries in the area. Rude..Rude...Rude!!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 08, 2010

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 10, 2009

Favorite Wine: Virginia Apple Wine

I've been to this winery about 4 times over the last 2 years, and every time the owner and workers have been both pleasant and friendly. The tasting room is attractive, and the view from the deck quite something. The mascot, Buddy, adds much to the ambiance, and is a neat little devil. Funny, but the owner always seems to tell me that Buddy is "a bit grumpy today" (or something along those lines), so I suspect it's always best to let him approach you. Finally, my traveling companion has exceptional taste, and likes their wines. Thus,I'll give the wine a "4". I never drink and drive.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 27, 2009

I can't rate the wine because they wouldn't let us in! As we tugged on the locked door 15 mins before closing time, we heard them say "uh oh". We could see people inside and a couple of cars in the parking lot. As we were pulling out of the driveway, one of their staff members came out to smoke a cigarette. I guess the staff wanted to close early, so they locked the doors early. Not very professional or classy, so we moved along, and found another more accommodating winery (Pearund) to visit!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 09, 2009

Favorite Wine: For Va---Chateau Morrissette Our Dog Blue

First of all, Markham really isn't horse country of Va....that's more Middleburg, Warranton, Fauquier county etc. I ride with the Middleburg hunt; horse country extends down to Albemarle/Orange, etc. Enough of the geography lesson. Anyone taking a small child/children to a Winery or Vineyard needs to have a head examination. That's NO PLACE for children. I leave mine at home with the nanny so my wife and I can tour and taste in peace. It's sad when a lovely experience is RUINED by small children who need "entertaining". I find people who can't visit a winery without children in tow have a real "Separation problem". Adults need time alone, just as the children do. We enjoyed this experience and have no real negative complaints. Our favourite winery in VA however is Chateau Morrissette.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 06, 2009

Favorite Wine: Tannat

Like most New Yorkers, the owner likes to shovel the BS deep & wide, but once you allow for that, the wines themselves are rather good. Given the large crowds, the tasting area could be much better designed & staffed. During our visit, the owner's wife was the only pourer, but she was working hard and was unfailingly polite to all the customers. I don't understand the complaints about lack of a play area; it's a winery, not a McBurgerLand. You wouldn't take your kids to a bar (or would you)? Besides, there are big signs well before you get to the tasting room (or even onto the grounds) saying that only people 21+ are allowed.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jan 27, 2009

Favorite Wine: tannat

We've been to this winery several occasions, and each time we've had fun. Great wines, beautiful views, and very cool people. The owner (if you couldn't tell) is a proud Irish New Yorker, who seemed to mix best with people in the room who share his passion for life, success, friends and love of a good story, rather than those poor uptight souls who need to be babied (there's an operation they can get for that). The class this place had for us was is in the sincerity of the people who run it and the way it was elegantly planned for comfort. It was also great that there weren't any tots running around the last time we were there -- we feel it's inconsiderate to bring our kids to a venue like this.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jan 19, 2009

We went there a few weeks ago with our 3 year old daughter. We love visitng wineries with her. She loves the fact that most wineries have playrooms and are kid friendly. When we went there yesterday, the winery owner greeted us at the door. He told us that we were not welcome because of our daughter. They were not allowing any kids there. At first, I was shocked and we just turned away. But after walking my crying daughter back to our car, I went in for a little heart-to-heart with him. He really didn't care too much. He claimed there were kids putting their hands in his firepit. Okay, fine. Ever heard of safety? How about a mesh cover for your firepit or a gate? Hello! So disappointing. I wrote him an e-mail telling him that neither us or any of our child-having friends would ever visit there again. How rude and smug! Someone should ask him about the teenagers working behind the counter. Are they allowed to be there. Don't waste your time on this one, guys. Rude, rude, rude.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Dec 14, 2008

Favorite Wine: Buddy's Bistro Red

Host and hostess both very welcoming. Made us feel at home and that they were very glad we were there. They took time to visit with us. Loved the spot and the building. Thanks for the fun!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Nov 29, 2008

Favorite Wine: Apple

I'm not sure what all these people are "on about" - perhaps their own pretensions got in the way...but we found the staff and owner to be accommodating, fun, engaged - and real. We loved the wine, brought some Chardonnay and apple wine home and fully enjoyed the experience! Keep up the good work!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 16, 2008

Favorite Wine: None

So sad. We wasted our time. Pretentious owner and dismal staff. Atmosphere could have been nice but the "eclectic" nature of decor was off the mark in the horsey country. Felt like a winery run by DC club for folks trying to be hip. Skip this one.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 12, 2008

This is the worst winery I've ever visited. I visited a total of 12 wineries in this region this weekend. Basically following the map of the VA Winery guide. The winery was crowded and the staff was horrible. There were 2 bars however the space was not adequate for the amount of visitors. I had visited several other wineries that day that were more crowded however I was never asked to wait or treated so disrespectfully. When I inquired about the long wait for a tasting the person who helped me told me told me rudely that I would have to wait. I later learned that he was the owner. He yelled at patrons who were entering the door regarding keeping the door closed. They were coming in from outside and it was very crowded. He had a very smug attitude. We did not even get to stay and taste anything because I felt that he wasn't really committed to his business and ensuring repeat customers. Wineries are meant to be run by a certain type of person. I will never visit this place again. It looked great but customer service said it all. I will give it a 5 for Ambience. Less the owners remarks the place is beautiful.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 12, 2008

Been visiting wineries in region since '96. Have never ran into a staff so rude and unwelcoming. Worst winery experience we have ever had. When informed owner of the situation, he was unimpresed. Perhaps he's too busy to care. In summary, skip this one and move on to the many great ones around it within a 10 minute drive

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jan 18, 2008

Wines were all very sharp tasting and immature. Service was slow. Would have been a nice place just to go to in the area since the winery was nice, but the host was not very welcoming.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 04, 2007

Favorite Wine: Chardonnay

New vineyard in November 2006.