This is my second visit and everyone in the group enjoyed the wine and beer options. For red wine drinkers I recommend the Cab Franc.
I've been several times in the last few years, having been so excited to find a winery close to home after moving to NC. However, the general feeling I get every time is that the owners don't really want you to be there. They are rude to patrons, disinterested, snarky, and yesterday I witnessed them actually yelling at a group with children, who were only enjoying themselves and in no way misbehaving or disturbing other customers. The situation was extremely uncomfortable, and I am still shocked at the lack of professionalism and class exhibited by the female owner/staff. In addition, the quality of the wine is poorer with each visit. I realize we all have different palates, but the woodiness of their wines is distasteful to me. I did enjoy the brewery. If you go, definitely don't take kids along, and don't stay longer than a quick tasting. You will not feel welcomed. There are better vineyards in the area, though, such as Raylen, Flint Hill, or a little further down 421, Raffaldini. I've taken my own family to all those places and experienced very family-friendly customer service, where the kids are treated like special guests.
One of the oldest wineries in NC. A must see. Great presentation.
I went with my husband, and he is not a wine drinker normally, but we both really enjoyed ourselves and the wine! I will definitely go back!
We certainly enjoyed our stop-over at West Bend! The staff was super-friendly and patient. One of us did the beer tasting (best Pale Ale ever) and the other did the wine-tasting (love some muscadine wine) for about $12 each. The counter person was very skillful and full of interesting information. She was a real pleasure to talk with. The property is lovely and peaceful. They had a food truck that was just getting started as a new service, so if you visit after this week, you should be able to eat lunch there too. We'd absolutely go back when we return to the area. We ended up buying two bottles to take back to Georgia.
We are trying to get to all of NC wineries - at least those near the Piedmont - So when we heard that this one was closing, we decided to go and check it out before its no longer available. We tried all the wines in the tasting list, and only liked 2 of them, the rest were ok. With that said, going to these wineries are really an experience for us and expect to learn something from the staff about the winery and the wines that we are trying. Anyway, the staff was not rude but if you are expecting service with a smile go someplace else. It's too bad for such a well established business.
Throughout the year one can participate in some special outdoor music events, car shows, etc., in addition to tastings and tours. Of course there is a great selection of their wines but glassware, shirts, jams and other goodies and gifts to take home to your pet sitter. Westbend nailed a couple double golds at the NC State Fair recently - well deserved. My favorites are the Les Soeurs Cabernet and a delightful number not available many places called Chambourcin (don't confuse with other vineyard offerings of this varietal, Westbend does this hybrid justice). My wife prefers their Riesling and I enjoy the Chardonnay when I'm having a white. I discovered this vineyard in 2008 during a tasting tour of the Yadkin Valley and although it was just a wee bit away from the seemingly "vineyard on every hill" north of this locale Westbend is easy to get to on Highway 421 west of Winston Salem.Tastings and special events have nominal fees and you can join several types of memberships (not required for on-site store purchases)
Their more expensive white wines are really quite good and competitive with domestic wines. This is a business not a sae park so naturally the owner warms up when you purchase something.
THis place was wonderful... Everyone should go. I will tell all of my friends to visit West Bend. After just returning from Sonoma, CA winery's I was very impressed with the wine here.
We loved taking guests. Welcoming staff. Good wines. One of the best dry Rieslings I've tasted. The beer option was a good addition to their offerings.