Caymus Vineyards

Chuck Wagner founded Caymus Vineyards in 1972 alongside his parents, Charlie and Lorna Wagner. The family lineage in Napa Valley viticulture dates back to the mid 19th century, with ancestors arriving in the region in the 1850s. Before establishing their own label, the Wagners farmed land in Rutherford starting in the 1940s and sold their fruit to other local wineries. Today, the business remains entirely family owned and operated. Chuck Wagner continues to lead the estate as owner and winemaker, working with two of his children, Charlie and Jenny Wagner, who oversee various aspects of the broader family wine portfolio.

The winery is based on a 73 acre estate in the Rutherford appellation, a site characterized by well drained gravelly soils often associated with the Rutherford Dust profile. While the home ranch provides the foundation for the wines, the family has expanded its sourcing to include fruit from eight of the sixteen sub appellations in Napa Valley. This geographic diversity allows the winemaking team to blend components from valley floor sites for lushness and hillside vineyards for structural backbone. The winemaking philosophy focuses on achieving high levels of ripeness, resulting in a style defined by deep colors and concentrated fruit. The winemaking also emphasizes supple tannins. Grapes are often left on the vine longer to develop these traits, and the wines are aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels.

Caymus is most recognized for its two primary labels, the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon. The Special Selection is produced only in years when the quality of the fruit is deemed exceptional, sourced from the best barrels of the vintage. This wine holds the distinction of being the only bottling to be named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year on two separate occasions, specifically for the 1984 and 1990 vintages. The producer has a reputation for creating full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that is intended for enjoyment upon release as well as long term cellaring. Beyond its flagship Napa offerings, the label has expanded to include a Zinfandel and a more recent California appellation Cabernet Sauvignon that sources fruit from various regions across the state.