Caymus Vineyards

Caymus Vineyards History

Members of the Wagner family, who currently own and operate the Caymus Vineyards in Napa Valley, have been in America since 1885. The family settled in northern California but ended up in Napa Valley after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The family was not originally in the wine-making business, but decided to give it a try in 1915. Their business was successful until the production and sale of alcohol became illegal in 1920. All wine-making facilities suffered until Prohibition ended in 1933.

Charles Wagner and his wife both came from families with ties to the winery business. It’s no wonder that the two of them, along with their son, Chuck, continued the tradition and opened their own winery in 1972. The family named its winery “Caymus,” which was the name of a group of American Indians that lived in the area. Rancho Caymus was also the name of the Mexican land grant in the area that eventually became Rutherford, California.

Caymus Vineyards has earned several awards in its relatively short history. It has a spot in Wine Spectator’s “Hall of Fame,” and has also won “Best Winery for Cabernet Sauvignon.” Currently, the winery focuses its attention on producing Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery will likely continue to produce Cabernet Sauvignon since it has had so much success with its past vintages.

Caymus Vineyards

The grapes that make up Caymus wine come from a few different vineyards. The primary location where they are grown is on the Caymus property, which is more than 60 acres. The winery also obtains grapes from other places including a few vineyards in Napa Valley.

Caymus Cabernet

The Caymus Vineyards has specialized in producing Cabernet Sauvignon since the winery first opened its doors in 1972. In order to make their famous wine, the winery uses grapes from vines that were planted more than 40 years ago. The special grapes are known to produce an exquisite flavor in wine. The grape vines that the Wagners planted so many years ago are the key to the success of the winery, and one of the reasons that the winery keeps earning so many awards and recognitions.

The wine that is produced from this winery has been loved and enjoyed by many over the decades and it continues to show improvement with each vintage. While the first vintage in 1975 was considered the best that winery ever produced, Chuck Wagner, the son of the late Charles Wagner, continues to search for new ways to improve Caymus' wines. Chuck Wagner has been in charge of the winery ever since his father passed away in 2002.

Special Selection

When there is a year when the harvested grapes are unusually great, and the wine produced from them turns out to be one of the best-tasting vintages ever produced by the winery, those wines are considered “Special Selections.” Caymus Vineyards does not label just any vintage a “Special Selection." In fact, the winery only does so only in rare cases. In 2003, the winery produced one of only a handful of “Special Selection” vintages created over the course of 40 years.

Visiting the Winery

Guests are invited to attend wine tastings at the Caymus Vineyards, but may do so by appointment only. The retail area of the winery is open every day, but orders can also be placed by phone. More information about Caymus Vineyards and details about retail hours are available on the Caymus Vineyards web site.