Charlie & Echo is an urban winery in San Diego producing natural and craft wine, mostly sparkling, from local vineyards. We’re small, independent, innovative, and care about everything we make.
We make a lot of wines using only natural, native yeast, and as little processing as possible to preserve the wine’s natural character, without any chemical “corrections.” Farming methods range from low input to certified organic.
In addition to our natural wines, we make a lot of experimental creations – like vermouths, sangrias, sours, and “cocktails” – along with hybrid collaborations with local beer, cider, sake, and mead producers. We continue to release our weekly Project X series during these crazy times. Project X is our ongoing series of experimental wine beverages. There’s a new theme every couple of months, and a new release every single week.
Our current theme is Sparkling Sours, which are crafted by infusing fruits and other ingredients into wines soured using the same natural microorganisms common to sour beers, but since wine is used, these Sours offer a tasting experience different from sour beers or high-alcohol kombucha.
The remaining releases in our Sparkling Sours series are Kumquat (tomorrow, April 9), Strawberry Mint (next Thursday, April 16), Cherry Black Pepper (Thursday, April 23), and Mango Caramel (Thursday, April 30). These are released in 375 ml cans with a limit of two per person; they consistently sell out, so it’s best to order online on the day of release. The next series, for May and June, will be Sangrias.
The winery is open for to-go orders Thursday 4-7 p.m., Friday 4-7 p.m., and Saturday 1-6 p.m. Orders can be placed online at our website — just enter our zip code (92126) and the option for “Local Pickup” will appear. Customers can also order and pay on-site with our contactless payment system. We’re located at 8680 Miralani Dr #113 in the Miralani Makers’ District, so it’s easy to pick up from us and our neighbors in one trip.
We also offer low-cost shipping locally with GSO, and free shipping on orders of $150 or more.
While it may seem like a strange time to join a wine club, it actually is a great idea when it comes to ours. Members get 20% off wine and merchandise, for a spend of just $29/month — that can be on anything we sell, and if you don’t use it that month, it just rolls over to the next. So, if you’re spending at least $29/month on average on wine, it’s a great way to save 20%. More details can be found at our web site, and you can join online and start saving right away.
We’re happy to be a member of 1% for the Planet, and give 1% of our sales back to the environment — whether or not we are profitable, or dealing with the current crisis. Our winery is Climate Positive — every bottle and can of wine we produce, before it is ever sold, is climate neutral, and with every monthly purchase of one bottle or four-pack of cans, we donate carbon offsets equal to the same positive impact on our climate as a mature tree.
We’re thankful for everyone who has and continues to support us and other local craft producers, and we hope our natural wines and other creations bring our customers enjoyment during these odd times.
