Caymus Vineyards, nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, is celebrated for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly the Special Selection, which has garnered numerous prestigious awards. Founded in 1972 by Charles and Lorna Wagner, the vineyard remains a family-run business, with their son Chuck and his children, Charlie and Jenny, continuing the legacy. Caymus recently marked its 50th anniversary, celebrating half a century of producing some of America's finest wines.
The vineyard is renowned for its fruit-forward, bold Cabernet Sauvignons, which have become iconic in the wine industr. Visitors to Caymus can enjoy a diverse tasting experience, featuring wines from the Wagner family, including Caymus, Mer Soleil, Emmolo, and Conundrum.
Charlie Wagner Sr. (1912-2002)
Charlie was a farmer through-and-through. Before co-founding Caymus, he grew captivated by wine and winemaking, becoming a serious home winemaker. For Charlie, working hard was never something to avoid. He showed us what it means to endure and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
Our wines
Caymus Vineyards is located in the center of the Napa Valley. Primary production is Cabernet Sauvignon grown on low-fertility soils on both the valley floor and the mountains that surround the valley. Attention to viticulture details, some dry farming, high-density plantings (with some blocks spaced as close as meter x meter), thinning of the yield, along with healthy vines and harvesting at an elevated degree of ripeness – all of these elements produce a unique and singular style of Cabernet.
While the wine has sufficient tannins and structure for long-term bottle aging, Caymus Cabernet is dark and concentrated, with ripe, luxurious, fruit-driven softness that shows from the day of release. Each year, we set aside the best barrels of our Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley to produce Special Selection.
In addition, Caymus produces a smaller amount of Special Selection Cabernet. A limited bottling of Napa Valley Zinfandel honors winery co-founder Charlie Wagner Sr., for whom it was a favorite.
Most recently, the Wagners expanded their portfolio even further, launching Caymus California Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that reflects the greatness of the state’s vineyard land and is supple, dark and rich – bearing the signature hallmarks of Caymus.