Good wines, and fairly good value for those bottles you take home. But we found the staff were unfriendly (to a person) and the tasting experience to be a bit of a free for all, rather than a guided exercise to help you learn and enjoy the what the winery has to offer. Progress through the wines in any semblance of order? Nope. You tell me what you want next, I'll pour it, and only if you ask outright questions will I tell you about the wine you're tasting. Or the winery. Or the vineyard(s).

Maybe Pillitteri gets too many big bus tours and have lost sight of the people who are genuinely there to learn and be exposed to their wines. Or perhaps our encounter was on a night when the staff were in a bad mood. Who knows. No amount of niceties, politeness, or overt interest could spark the tasting staff into being more engaged, so we bought our bottles and fled.

Oftentimes in winery visits it's as much about that person you meet at the counter as it is the wines you're trying, and I can honestly say that this visit to Pillitteri left me and my tasting companions raising our eyebrows. We exited that evening with the distinct impression that we are better to buy Pillitteri wines at the LCBO -- and to go do tastings at any number of other Niagara vineyards.

This is an obligatory stop on any bus tour to Niagara Falls. The wine is excellent but be prepared for long lines. I loved the unique bottles and how knowledgeable the staff was. This would be a great place to visit "off tour" season to not be rushed.

Pilliteri is always a good place to stop. They usually have a good selection at reasonable prices. The icewines are a great value and they always have good whit wines as well.