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August 2018 by Zachary Graber
Our group had an awesome experience at their 2-hr wine tasting! The couple running the winery was friendly and knowledgeable as they took us through the wine making process. The wine and food pairings were excellent and my favorite was the Seven is Heaven Cabernet Sauvignon. Highly recommend checking this place out.
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August 2017 by Carlos K.
I recently tried their Zinfandel, straight from the barrel. It was incredible! With a slightly green flavor (as it was pre-bottling) and exquisite profile, I'm hooked! Can I order these by the palette (because we could drink them all day)?
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June 2015 by Jacob S.
I am not usually a wine person, however I was invited by friends for a private wine tasting and tour. OMG I was so impressed! Lauren and Kathleen were amazing, they have the most beautiful home and I finally found a wine that I actually love! (Summer Gold) and bought a bottle:) and they did not skimp on the food either, awesome spread of cheeses, breads, strawberries, deli meats (not Costco stuff either, actual deli food) We had the best time, very impressed, I would highly recommend this place and their delicious wine!
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February 2015 by Debbie S.
My friends and I experienced a private tasting at this winery. I had coordinated this event with Kathleen. She was wonderful to work with and very responsive and accommodating. She said that our private tasting we would include special cheeses and meats - not the "typical" cheese and meat platter. The day came and there were 16 of us. We were invited into Kathleen and Loren's home and immediately felt like guests of honor. It was spectacular. Kathleen was not exaggerating when she said "not the typical meat and cheese platter"!! There were probably 10 different cheese varietal's and 10 of the meats, along with olives, nuts and different breads and crackers. Loren was so excited to introduce us to the world of wine making, all the while making sure our glasses were not empty. They introduced us to their wonderful wines, and no one was disappointed. My personal favorite is 7 is Heaven - it really was!! I'll be going back for more. My friends have been to many wineries and tastings - but everyone agreed that this was the best experience they had. I'll be arranging another trip back soon. If you haven't gone - you need to!! (not a want but a need!!) It is fantastic. As Loren said - they strives to make GREAT wines. I'd say they have succeeded. What a treat!
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February 2015 by Lydia H.
If you and your friends and/or family are looking for a wine tasting "experience" that you won't forget, look no further - Charles Usher Wines is the place! My friends and I had the pleasure of meeting Kathleen and Loren at the 2014 Saratoga Holiday Wine Stroll. We were not familiar with the wines, but were extremely impressed after tasting the wines. I even ended up ordering a case of the "Seven is Heaven" Cabernet Sauvignon for some of the folks in the office for Christmas. Kathleen and Loren had customized labels made for me - rave reviews from all who received a bottle. Yesterday a group of 16 of us had a wine tasting experience of a lifetime. For a group who considers ourselves to be "professional wine tasters", this says a lot. When we first arrived, we were greeted with such a warm reception by both Kathleen and Loren. They made all of us feel as if we were family. As soon as we walked into the tasting room, all the oohs and aahs could be immediately heard. The tasting room and views are absolutely breathtaking - beautiful views of the mountain and vineyards. Loren wow'd us with his extensive knowledge of wines and endless number of "fun facts". Such an educational experience! Kathleen made certain that none of our glasses were empty. Definitely a "bottomless wine tasting". Oh, and let me not forget to mention the food! Endless varietals of cheeses, meats, olives, olive bread, dried fruit, nuts . . . . . Seriously, thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Every wine on the tasting line up was excellent however, my personal favorites were the barbara, the syrah, and of course the "Seven is Heaven" Cab. I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed this tasting experience. This is a tasting experience that you won't want to miss!!
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June 2014 by Joy K.
I just held surprise birthday party/wine pairing at Charles Usher winery for a friend ... it was fabulous. Kathleen and Loren were superb hosts, and our noisy group of 10 women were treated to some fabulous wine tasting and delicious appetizers, as well as a tour of the vineyard, and a cellar tasting. There are some excellent wines to come!!!! Would definitely recommend this for a private party. Well done Kathleen and Loren!
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February 2014 by Michelle A.
I want to compliment Charles Usher Wines on the fabulous wine tasting/pairing! We had a wonderful wine pairing and tour of Charles Usher Winery with a group of 10 friends. The timing seemed right on. As soon as you walk into the tasting room you will be in awe with the beautiful mountain views, but the wine tasting experience offers so much more. Our group was impressed with the wealth of knowledge the winemaker and his wife have in winemaking and they provided great insight on the wine making process. My husband and I have been to many wine tasting tours in France, Italy and California (Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Amador, Livermore, and local wineries...We are certainly California wine lovers), but none have ever been as informative and personal as this one. You do have to make an appointment, but that's what makes the tour and tasting a remarkable experience as it is private wine tasting at its best. The food and wine pairing were over the top. My husband loved the duck pate and a few of the other foods we enjoyed were a smoked salmon cake, prosciutto-basil crostini, caviar, crème fraiche and salmon roe and chocolate. Each plate was beautifully presented and paired perfectly with the wines. Now for the wines. I'm not a white wine drinker, although they have a pretty good white wine that I would certainly enjoy on hot days. I love full, smooth reds and they have a good selection. They have a delish Merlot, but my favorite is the Petite Verdot. My husband's favorite is the Barbara and each from our group found a wine they really enjoy. We also had a tour of their cellar that included barrel tasting and they have some futures (Barbara and Cabernet) that are already pretty good. We will certainly return often for wine tasting and to purchase more delish wines! Thank you again Charles Usher Winery for producing delish wines and for an awesome wine tasting experience!
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February 2014 by Ashley W.
I simply cannot say enough wonderful things about Kathleen, Loren and Charles Usher Wines. I had the pleasure of meeting them for the first time after a Saratoga Wine Walk event several years ago. I knew my future mother in law had really enjoyed their wines and decided to purchase a gift card for her for Christmas. Little did I know, we've be able to use the gift card for an incredible wine tasting event at their house!! The group of us went up there for the afternoon, tasted a number of wines and enjoyed incredible appetizers that Kathleen prepared. We ended the day by ordering several wines (which they discount for bulk orders).. About a year later, my fiance proposed at a winery in Saratoga and planned an afternoon of wine tasting for all of our friends and family. Charles Usher was the highlight of the day!! They put up a huge sign for us to say Congratulations and even customized a bottle with our names and the date on it. It was an incredibly special day and they were a huge part of that. I loved my experiences so much that I offered to plan a corporate outing for a small group of co-workers from my office in San Jose. Kathleen went above and beyond, emailing with me on a weekly basis to take care of the planning until the event. She even customized a banner for our group that she hung up for when we arrived!! Kathleen and Loren put on a wonderful tasting (again catered by incredible meats and cheeses that Kathleen handpicked) and also took us for a tour the vineyards and to do several barrel tastings. Loren is so passionate about wine making process that he provides such a fun and educational tour. He's incredibly knowledgeable about the processes and takes the time to talk about what you're tasting and answer questions. My co-workers were thanking me for weeks and saying that it was the best outing we've ever done!! We've thoroughly enjoyed every visit we've had to Charles Usher and are even working with Kathleen to provide customized wine bottles at our upcoming Wedding. I can't say enough good things about these guys, we're so thankful to have found them and their wonderful wine!!
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March 2012 by Pola A.
Charles Usher wines and the personalized service are amazing!!! First, their wines are so deliciously yummy. I love, love the Barbera wine as well as their Gold medal winning, Petite Verdot; and the Nouveau Cabs and let me also add, I'm not a white wine drinker and there are two white wines that I may drink when it's steamy hot out and one is their white Muscat. Now for all you wine savvy lovers, if you have not yet tried Charles Usher's wines, you are seriously missing out as they will custom blend and tailor your wine to your own individual taste. Oak and tannin levels can be perfected to your liking...imagine that! Blending PARTY oh yeah, just be sure to take some notes!!! I also sincerely appreciate the husband/wife owners' incredible knowledge about wine and they care passionately about their superb customer service and commitment to superior winemaking! It is always such a pleasure to work with them for large personalized wine orders, whether it is for one personalized birthday gift bottle or fabulous drinking wine for my husband and I to enjoy. We have ordered personalized Charles Usher wines for several large and small events: my niece's wedding renewal (their wedding photo on the bottle); family reunion (w/a photo of my Grandparents on a Harley Davidson); family gathering (Aunts & Uncles photo on the bottles); and numerous individual personalized wines for friends and families birthday's, retirement and special occasions. The owners are sincerely interested in what you prefer and will go out of their way to make you and your purchase feel special! I have taken several friends and family wine tasting at Charles Usher and it is always a fabulous time with delightful conversation from beginning to end! I would encourage you to try their wines and meet the owners, schedule time for a private tasting and experience a blending workshop...these owners are fantastic to talk to and they clearly love what they do. And did I mention...their wine IS stellar!!!
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March 2012 by Grant G.
Charles Usher Wines makes some really great wines at great prices as mentioned by other reviewers. However, the real question is what distinguishes Charles Usher Wines from the rest. I would say it is the experience. Lots of winery's will put a custom label on a wine bottle for you and so will Charles Usher, but I know of no other winery that will take the time to custom blend a wine to your specific taste. The vintner will work with you to understand your wine preferences and find just the right combination of flavors and aromas to blend you a truly delicious custom wine. So, when you share your own custom wine with family and friends you will know that no one else has exactly your wine. Once your wine preference is understood, the vintner will keep your preferences on file. They will also keep each custom recipe on file and be able to produce your personal blends in the future. I use Charles Usher Wines frequently and I've never had wine that so perfectly matches my personal flavor and aroma choices. This is a fun way to learn a little more about what makes a wine taste the way it does and what can be done to modify the flavor and aroma. Give them try and I suspect that you will always want to have a wine that is perfect for you.
