Today the Wagner Family of Wine includes Caymus, Mer Soleil, Conundrum, Belle Glos and Emmolo. This portfolio of wineries began with the start of Caymus in 1972.

On Saturday, June 14, we participated in a tasting of the Caymus 40th anniversary wine with other wine writers around the country who joined in a twitter tasting and a webcast at Caymus in Napa Valley. The webcast of 1.5 hours took place in the barrel room.

The moderator was from Total Wine which arranged tasting and webcast events at some of their stores around the country. He noted that some of their favorite wines are from Wagner Family and then introduced Chuck Wagner owner and winemaker.

Chuck began his presentation with the history of Caymus, noting that after he graduated from high school at the age of 19, his parents (Lorna Belle Glos and Charlie Wagner) asked him to join with them to start a winery. Today with Chuck’s family involved in winemaking, the Wagners are 4^th generation winemakers.

In 1972 Caymus started with 73 acres. Chuck’s father pulled out all the other row crops. In their first year they made 250 cases of wine that sold for $4.50 a bottle. Other grapes were sold to area winemakers. They continued selling grapes for 12 years until they were capable of using all of their own grapes. Early on to prune 55 acres of grapes took Chuck, his father and one other worker four months. Today grapevines are densely planted with 2,400 vines per acre. The winery owns more acreage and also leases vineyards.

Chuck Wagner at Caymus in Napa Valley

During the webcast, Chuck introduced his adult children who are winemakers in their own right. Jenny puts her winemaking skills to work producing Merlot at the Emmolo winery.

Charlie produces Chardonnays under the labels Silver and Mer Soleil and Joseph produces Pinot Noirs as Belle Glos. Chardonnay plantings began in 1988. According to Charlie one of the Chardonnay vineyards is in what is known as California’s salad bowl. The Chardonnay grapes hang in the vineyards for a long time, until the acid level drops.  Joseph Wagner produces Belle Glos wines. The name is in honor of his grandmother Lorna Belle Glos Wagner who along with his grandfather began Caymus. Pinot Noirs produced by Joseph are very dark. Joseph noted that he learned how to make wine from his father.

Near the end of the webcast Chuck discussed Napa Valley. According to Chuck, Napa Valley is an agricultural preserve. This means that Caymus cannot have a restaurant or hotel. In the area visitors will not find a Starbucks or a McDonald’s.

40th Anniversary Napa Valley 2012 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon

40th Anniversary Wine at Caymus Vineyards

What struck me most about the webcast was the sense of family and down-to-earth feeling that was portrayed throughout the webcast. It was also very clear on how much Chuck Wagner loves, respects and enjoys his adult children.

The Wagner Family of Winemakers

We wish the Wagners continued success in their winemaking journey!

Cheers,
Kathy and Terry