September 2011

Dear Friends of Harmony.

It is with much regret that we announce a change in our policy regarding children at Harmony Hill. After too many customer complaints to mention, and weeks of agonizing over other options, Patti and I have made the decision that children under 18 years of age are no longer welcome at Harmony Hill as of this date.

As you know, we have worked diligently over the last 5 years to make our winery a place where friends, pets and entire families could come and enjoy the wine, the music and the simple joy of relaxing in the country. As our number of visitors has doubled this summer, so have the many incidences of parentally unattended children causing irreparable damage, disruption and increased liability to our operation. I will name only a few of these incidences:

--Running through the crowd
--Climbing walls
--Climbing trees
--Pulling vineyard netting from vines
--Pulling fruit from the trees
--Pulling grapes from the vines
--Playing with sport's balls/frisbees in the midst of visitors
--Throwing rocks at the cellar doors
--Throwing rocks at other children
AND. .....the straw that broke this camel's back;
--THROWING ROCKS AT MY DONKEYS

Patti and I have never been blessed with children, and maybe that's a good thing. But I can only imagine what our parents would have done if we were caught engaging in some of the behavior that is suddenly running rampant on The Hill. When I or my staff have approached the parents of these unruly children, the normal response is "They are just being kids". If that is indeed a true testament of what is normal accepted behavior in children today, then that fact only strengthens our conviction. It is not fair to those guests who drive long distances and spend many dollars wanting to enjoy a quiet and relaxing evening listening to our wonderful entertainers and enjoying the ambiance that Patti and I work so hard to maintain.

We are sorry that the actions of a few have adversely affected the rest, but we must act for the overall good of our business, loyal guests and friends.