Since its founding in 1972, Caymus Vineyards has focused its attention on Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Charles F. (Charlie) Wagner, his wife Lorna B. Wagner and their son Charles J. (Chuck) Wagner built their winery among the vines planted on the family’s ranch in Rutherford, a district long recognized for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignons.

The Wagner Family, including the late Lorna Belle Glos Wagner

Charlie Wagner planted most of his Cabernet vines in 1965 before this varietal was universally considered the king of Napa Valley wines. The Wagners’ first production of just 240 cases came from the 1972 harvest, and Caymus has released a Napa Valley Cabernet in every vintage since. In 1975, the Wagners produced their first Special Selection Cabernet, made from the outstanding lots of that vintage. Special Selection Cabernet is produced only in vintages that Chuck Wagner, who directs all of Caymus’s vineyard and winemaking operations, feels are appropriate for this bottling.

Wine Spectator covers featuring Charlie and Chuck Wagner

Over the years, Caymus has won numerous awards and praise from wine critiques and fans alike. Among these awards is “Best Winery for Cabernet” by Wine Spectator magazine, so you know that Caymus is the real deal when it comes to Cabs. Ask anyone who has tried their Cab, they’ll tell you. Caymus helped make American Cabernet the staple in the wine world that it is today.

Today, Chuck and his children are proud to showcase quality Wagner made wines produced from the premier winegrowing regions of California. This year celebrates the release from the 2012 vintage and marks the 40^th Anniversary of Caymus Napa Valley Cabernets release. In honor of this monumental occasion and achievement, Total Wine & More is holding a special event in our classrooms to help toast to Caymus with the Wagner family.

Please join Chuck, Charlie, Joseph and Jenny Wagner for an exclusive live-via-webcast guided tasting featuring five delicious wines, including the 2012 40th Anniversary Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, on June 14th from 4-5:30 PM EST. You can search for remaining tickets here

The Wagner Family of Wines

Featured Wines:

• Conundrum California White Wine
• Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc
• Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay
• Belle Glos “Las Alturas” Pinot Noir 
• 2012 40^th Anniversary Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet

If you can’t join us in the classroom, please join us virtually and watch the event live, and follow along with the conversation with the hashtag #Caymus40th! Watch the event on Saturday here.

Have a question that you would like to ask Chuck Wagner? Submit your question to be asked live during the event! Click here to submit your question.

We’re eagerly awaiting Saturday’s arrival, and we hope you are too. Cheers to fantastic Cabernet and our friends who make it!