The setting is truly gorg, but unfortunately, that's about all this place has going for it. My husband and I arrived at 5pm to eat with friends. We were put on the list, so we moseyed over to the bar to get a bottle of wine and also have our own bottle uncorked.
We waited for almost 10 minutes (and that's after I started looking at my watch) before we were even noticed by any of the bartenders, who didn't seem to have any kind of system for serving patrons in a timely manner. When we were finally approached, we ordered a bottle of their white and had our bottle uncorked (only $7...this time). I asked the bartender what grapes made up their white, and he said he wasn't sure, but he knew in the first 5 years he worked there.
Wait, what? How many different varietals are *in* this thing?
He also had some problems uncorking, similar to the review below. If a winery can't take the time to properly educate employees on the importance of presentation, I've lost hope.
But anyways. We made our way to a picnic table and settled in, laughing, enjoying the night, and then moving toward the bonfires as night fell. Yup, that's right, we waited until 8pm and still nary a word on when we would be seated. Â We uncorked a second bottle from our collection, but now the uncorking fee was $12. Odd. Again, inconsistency.
Unfortunately, my husband and I weren't able to prolong our stay anymore due to the babysitter needing to go home, so we drove 90 minutes to Vino, waited around for 3 hours, then drove home with no food (appetizers are only served in the bar area, which seats about 15 people...so it was packed all night).
The hostess had a lot of excuses for why it took so long to be seated (lots of large parties that used up all the 2-4 tops, slow kitchen, people not moving from the tables, etc etc etc). All in all, a big fat nothing.
At least the company was good.
"Meh" is sadly the perfect description of our experience last night. Â We have been going to Vino since the very beginning, and were even married there, so it's sad to see the ambiance, attention to detail and quality going down the drain. Â It is no longer the cozy, romantic, destination we will look forward to enjoying each summer.
We arrived at 5, expecting a wait to allow time to walk down to the river and just enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Â We did not get seated until 8PM. Â The hostess, (who was empathetic and kind), advised it was due to the amount of large group reservations they had booked all night, having to use up all but two two-top tables. Â (Really???? Â Why not limit the amount of large groups a bit, allowing those of us who are trekking all the way out from the cities to actually get in within an hour and a half???)
When we got to our table, it was FRIGID. Â (Yes, I know it's an open-air pavilion - which is why I wore jeans, boots and a big sweater) Â We requested to be moved a little closer to some of the heaters (which were oddly only placed at each end of the pavilion, none in the center) but the only table that was an option was going to be combined for (surprise!) another large group party. Â Unfortunately, after eating our salads, we requested to get our pizza to go, because it had become absolutely unpleasant shivering over our meal. Â When we got home and decided to dig into the pizza, it was totally burnt on the bottom and seemed to lack the quality it has had in the past.
Over all, my opinion is that Vino in the Valley is becoming less concerned about keeping its charm and character, (while serving delicious food) and more geared toward catering to loud parties and making as much $$$ as possible. Â Bummer. Â Big time. Â We will definitely be back, but probably only for wine and a walk around the vineyard. Â The food and dinner experience is NOT worth the wait!
The location and setting are great.  I was hoping for good Italian food only to be disappointed.  This is mediocre at best.  We tried a couple of things:  chicken alfredo, spaghetti and meatballs, a pizza and chocolate cake dessert.  The chicken alfredo tasted like butter noodles with processed chicken on top. The spaghetti and meatballs were bland.  The pizza was the worst I think I have ever had!  The vegetables seemed fresh, but they did not  cook properly on the pizza, the italian sausage tasted like it was straight from a grocery store (circles, cut into quarters) and the crust and red sauce were  tasteless.  And finally, the chocolate cake reminded me of a double decker Hostess ding dong. That is exactly how my kids described the dessert.  Sorry Vino in the Valley!  I think you have great potential but for now I plan to stay away.  Also, way overpriced for what you get.
Review Source:If you are looking for a unique dining experience full of cozy and romantic ambiance yet kid-friendly too, great entertainment (live music, bean bag toss), gorgeous views of the bluffs and vineyards, friendly staff, tasty wine, and wonderful food, this is the place for you. They even had a gluten-free pizza crust option which given I have a sensitivity to gluten, I was extremely happy to see and rather impressed. The wood fire oven makes for such a smoky luscious pizza. It was a perfect date night for my husband and I.
Review Source:Went to Vino this last weekend. Â We were told there was an hour and a half wait, which turned out to be over 3 hours. Â That is just poor management. Â The bus boys were dumping left over water/ice right out on the lawn in front of quests, and taking way too long to clear tables when people are stacked up. Â Food was OK, but I have had much better italian food in the Twin Cities for about the same price. Â The atmosphere and location are great on a beautiful day. Â Would not be the palce to go if it is raining. Â Overall it is good, but not great like some people are saying.
Review Source:Pretensious Winery in a small valley, in a rural area. Â None of the wines they serve are their own but the setting and food are good. Â This is a popular haunt for people coming out of Minneapolis, so if the weather is good you will encounter long waits to get seated in the restaurant, even with reservations.
Review Source:We went to Vino in the Valley last year on a coupon, and I have recommended it to all of my friends ever since. Â I couldn't believe that after a scenic country meandering road along the river and in the bluffs all at once the vista opened onto a flat area in the middle of a bowl of bluffs (small mountains really) and within that flat space was a gorgeous outdoor restaurant and... hundreds of cars! We went on a horse and wagon ride in the vineyard and listened to music with a glass of wine while we waited for dinner. Dinner was lovely with homemade pasta and great hosting by the owner. Â This is an experience not to be missed! Next stop in the same area - Pizza Farm!
Review Source:We have eaten at Vino before and was not terribly overwhelmed. Â We decided to give it another chance. Â The white wine did not delight my palate and we thought that the Sunday night buffet was probably one of the worst meals we have eaten. Â The pasta was gummy and stuck together. I had only one piece of chicken in my dish. Neither pasta dish was at the acceptable level for me to serve in my own home.
The drive from our lodging in Maiden Rock was delightful, the servers were friendly, tbut  the food was substandard.  I think that Vino is trading on its lovely location.
I will not waste our money on a third visit.
Had a wonderful dining experience at Vino in the Valley.  Hubs had the Thursday night pork chop special; that was very flavorful and moist.  I had the portabella mushroom ravioli that was out of this world!  The setting was very relaxing  and beautiful - the back drop for a perfect evening! Â
Had a great time with the restaurant singing That's Amore! Â Can't wait to go back!
What a find. My husband and I were taking a "stay-cation", how much fun can you have staying at home. We decided to tour the crystal cave in Spring Valley, Wi, and searched for a restaurant near by. Near by was about a half hour but am I ever glad we went.
Vino in the Valley is an all outdoor restaurant worth the drive. The drive is beautiful but once you pull in you realize others have already found this gem in the Valley. Sunday they have a pasta buffet and it was definitely a four star, service was five star all the way, and you cannot get the ambiance from Mother Nature all around you anywhere else I have been. Â A must go. Â They also have a brick oven and the pizzas looked great, maybe next time, because there will deinitely be a next time.
My wife and I ventured here at the suggestion of the owner of the B&B we were staying at. Â The other restaurant he suggested was a 5 star restaurant, and we were in t-shirts, shorts and flip flops, so that was a no go.
The drive to Vino in the Valley was very scenic. Â It's located in the valley of the bluffs that populate this area, so it's a beautiful area. Â
When we arrived at 5:30 pm, it was starting to get busy, and we missed the dinner rush by about a half an hour. Â We heard people wait for up to two hours when it gets busy. Â Why anyone would wait that long for food that isn't served by Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Shue and Alyssa Milano in bikini's is beyond me. Â
The restaurant was located outside on a boardwalk and was surrounded by mosquito nets (I think). Â Even with the nets up, you could still see the bluffs and surrounding vineyard. Â This was the best part of the experience.
Our waitress was very friendly and helpful. Â The food was overpriced in my opinion. Â Spaghetti and meatballs was $19, granted it did come with a lot of meatballs, and I had leftovers. Â It also came with a sliver of Tiramisu which left a lot to be desired. Â My wife ordered the Chicken Marsala which tasted kind of bland, but also came with a sliver of chocolate tart which was better than the Tiramisu. Â
The wine was good not great according to my wife, as I don't drink and couldn't comment on that. Â
All in all, it was worth visiting for the scenery and ambience. Â Oh, and once the dinner rush starts going, they do have an emcee who entertains intermittently, and the whole place will bust out singing "That's A'more" (they have the lyrics on the tables).
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