You know what they say... Caymus is famous. Even if you're not an expert on grape varieties or harvest details, Caymus is a name you've likely heard before. The winemaker’s cabernet sauvignon is regarded by many as THE special occasion wine, the great white whale of Napa cabs. It’s on fancy restaurant menus and in glass cases at stores like ours all over the world. It is big, bold, round, fruit-forward, velvety and reliably tasty – everything a good cab should be.
You know what they say... Caymus is famous.
Even if you're not an expert on grape varieties or harvest details, Caymus is a name you've likely heard before. The winemaker’s cabernet sauvignon is regarded by many as THE special occasion wine, the great white whale of Napa cabs. It’s on fancy restaurant menus and in glass cases at stores like ours all over the world. It is big, bold, round, fruit-forward, velvety and reliably tasty – everything a good cab should be.
A bottle of Caymus is always a good buy, but what if you want to sip an anniversary dinner Caymus quality wine at a Tuesday night meatloaf price point?
The good news is, well, you can. Caymus is the crown jewel in the Wagner Family of Wines, but the California producer (which just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022) boasts many other phenomenal brands of wines at more accessible price points.
Read on for the history of Caymus and the Wagner family, how Caymus rose to greatness and other Wagner-made wines that you need to add to your must-try list.
1972 marked the birth of Caymus Vineyards in Napa Valley. Chuck Wagner, along with his family and father, Charlie Wagner, transformed their 73-acre grove into a thriving winery. The family’s very first vintage in 1972 was a far cry from the highly demanded product it is today; only 250 cases were made, and they weren’t flying off shelves. Now, Caymus ships out around 200,000 cases of wine annually is one of the few remaining “OG” family-owned wineries in Napa.1
So how did Caymus become the ubiquitous, definitive Napa cab it is today?
One might say it was a case of “right place, right wine.” The Napa Valley region began to grow in popularity in the ‘70s thanks to other big-name producers like Robert Mondavi, making Caymus primed to ride this wave of Napa mania. Pioneering wine critic Robert Finigan gave Caymus a glowing review, buoying the winery's rise to fame even more. And, frankly, Caymus is just a good, approachable, food friendly wine that has always been worth the hype.
“I don’t really know where our success came from,” Wagner told VinePair in 2023. “But as a winemaker, I want to believe that our style of wine represents our success. And I think to a large degree it does.”
Now, Caymus’ roster boasts sought-after reds like their classic Cabernet, their newest California Cab and their coveted Special Selection Cab.
Since that first vintage in 1972, the Wagner Family of Wines has expanded to include Caymus Vineyards, Mer Soleil, Conundrum, Emmolo, Red Schooner, Sea Sun and Bonanza. While you may have only heard of the first brand of wines, the rest are just as worthy of a spot on your wine rack. Plus, they ring in at a spectrum of price points, meaning you can sip Caymus quality wine for any occasion: a graduation party, a Friday night, your wedding or a backyard barbecue.
Check out these wines made by the Wagner Family of wines that you should try and why!
Bonanza is the sleeper hit that you don’t want to miss. Created by Chuck Wagner himself, owner and winemaker of Caymus, this cabernet is delicious, accessible and enjoyable over any meal. It’s made from a blend of grapes from vineyard sites that hold potential to produce good cabernet but are often overlooked. It features flavors of luscious fruit, dark chocolate and those signature silky tannins you expect from a Caymus cab.
The Wagner family knows cabs, but Chuck’s son Charlie Wagner is no one-trick-pony. If you prefer a robust white wine, try Charlie’s Mer Soleil Chardonnay. This wine is made in California’s Monterey County, which has an extended growing season. Grapes stay on the vine longer, leading to the development of intense flavors of custard, toasted almonds, rich fruit and citrus. Kissed by sunshine and citrus groves, this chardonnay boasts delicate flavors of honeysuckle and honeydew, with a whisper of lemon blossom thanks to the lemons planted in a nearby orchard. Perfect for pairing with any kind of seafood or light poultry.
This red blend truly lives up to its name: both serious and lighthearted, complex and approachable, fruity and rich - it is a delicious conundrum. With lavish flavors of chocolate-covered cherries and dark fruit like berries and plums, Conundrum Red has smooth tannins that provide a distinctively soft character. If you love a Napa Valley cab’s rich, fruit-forward profile and like a wine with a touch of sweetness, give this a drink. Sip slightly chilled to enhance the fruit profile. Check out more on chilling red wines here.
Sea Sun Pinot Noir is a plush, strikingly soft pinot sourced from coastal Californian lands, crafted by Charlie Wagner. Each source region features subtle differences, with even a few degrees in temperature or the strength of the wind leaving their mark on the grapes. As a result, this wine is layered with different aromas and flavors, holding broad appeal for a wide range of palates. It’s intense and creamy on the palate with lush raspberry and cherry flavors, grippy tannins and a finish that evokes the mouthfeel of smooth milk chocolate. Serve with BBQ straight from the grill and enjoy. If you are looking for something crisp with vibrant acidity, we recommend picking up the new Sea Sun Chardonnay.
If you’d take an acidic white wine over a lush red wine any day, Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc is the bottle for you, crafted by Jenny Wagner. Some of Emmolo’s grapes come from family vineyards in Napa Valley, with the rest coming from Suisun Valley, a “hidden gem” wine region only a short drive from Napa. This wine is elegant and refined with bright minerality, balanced acidity and a mellow ABV. It electrifies your palate as soon as it touches your lips with flavors of fleshy grapefruit and lime zest. Have this one on-hand to sip by the pool with a beach read fired up on your Kindle.
This new red wine blend was made in the Suisun Valley by Jenny Wagner, Chuck Wagner’s daughter and fellow family winemaker. It’s named after Jenny’s great-great grandfather, Johannes Glos, who came to Napa Valley in the 1880s and often traveled by foot, thus earning his affectionate nickname. This wine has a vibrant character to match its namesake, featuring juicy raspberry flavors with the subtle tartness of cranberry. “Great value for a wine from the foremost red wine producing family,” said user TreseMagda in their 5-star review of The Walking Fool on our website. “Caymus has gone back to its roots with this smooth yet deep flavor experience.”
