Merkin Vineyards Old Town

Our kayak guide told us about this restaurant. We were intrigued so off we went to one of the best places I have eaten. The place has amazing food and waitstaff. Our server did a great job and made sure we were always taken care of! The food was top notch. I can't remember the name of anything we ate but it was all delicious! ALSO there is a parking lot around the back side...we didnt know that so we hiked it up the stairs!

Amazing views and setting. Pet friendly patio area. Loved the no smoking environment. We tried several wine flights and found some favorites that were terrific. The food was excellent, elegant and not overpriced. Our server Lisa was outstanding and prompt on service. Thank you and a shout out to the master multitasker… we will be back next time in Cottonwood

⭐️☆☆☆☆ | A Vineyard With Altitude, Attitude, and Very Little Else Merkin Vineyards Osteria starts strong—very strong. From the parking lot, it’s a postcard: perched high on the hill, vineyard views, modern winery aesthetic. You arrive thinking, “This is going to be good.” That optimism lasts precisely until you walk through the door. Inside, we were greeted by two hostesses deeply committed to reorganizing wine bottles behind the counter—so committed, in fact, that acknowledging human beings seemed like an inconvenient interruption. When eye contact finally occurred, it came with the unmistakable expression of “Why are you here and how soon can you leave?” Truly elite levels of unwelcoming. Despite the restaurant being roughly 90% empty, we were informed at 3:30 PM today on Monday that outdoor seating was unavailable—while fewer than three tables were actually occupied outside. The interior ambiance? Think hipster cafeteria. Less “Tuscan osteria,” more “art school lunchroom with wine.” Let’s talk logistics. Three restrooms for a 150-person outdoor capacity (plus interior seating) is not bold design—it’s poor planning. Nothing says “premium winery experience” like waiting in line for the bathroom. The wine? Mostly forgettable. The Chupacabra Blanca was the standout, which says less about its excellence and more about the competition. The rest landed squarely in the moderately mediocre category—serviceable, uninspired, and oddly forgettable for a winery that clearly wants to be memorable. Food didn’t help. Across four courses, the charcuterie board was the lone bright spot—solid, enjoyable, and thankfully hard to mess up. The lamb meatballs, however, felt like they were prepared by someone who had heard of lamb once but never met it personally. The logo deserves its own moment. It wants to be edgy and artistic—Michelangelo-inspired anatomy, grapes as pubes, an eye where anatomy absolutely does not need one. Instead of clever or modern, it lands squarely in trying too hard. Shock value without substance—much like the experience itself. Yes, this place is associated with the singer from Tool, and frankly, thank goodness. Because without the built-in fan pilgrimage, it’s hard to imagine repeat visits driven by the food or wine alone. The brand carries the experience far more than the experience carries itself. Credit where it’s due: the waitress was genuinely welcoming—friendly, polite, and the only real warmth in the building. Unfortunately, she offered no context, no specials, no storytelling—just basic service in a place that desperately needs something memorable. Overall performance: Meeeeehhhhhh. A beautiful setting weighed down by cafeteria vibes, indifferent hospitality, and wine with the personality of uninspiring grapes. Come for the view. Stay for the charcuterie. Lower your expectations for everything else.

This place is overrated. The wines aren’t good, and the service is more or less acceptable. It looks cool because of the property’s size, design, and infrastructure, and if you buy ice cream in the entrance, you don’t have to pay for the lift. A for an effort, but the food and wine need more work. Especially the wine-no flavors, and most of it tastes like vinegar.

Best steak wow that just melted with every bite. Gnocchi was delicious as well. Views were awesome at sunset. They do have heaters outside on the patio. Loved that the food was farm to table as well.