There are few American winemaking families who have made a name for themselves as the Wagner family of Caymus Vineyards has. A multi-generational winemaking family, the Wagners have successfully passed the art of winemaking from father to son and daughter.
Though Caymus was founded in 1972, the family has been in Napa Valley since the mid-1800s when they emigrated from Alsace, France. Though there were many obstacles that stood in the way of making quality wine for a hundred years, the Wagners emerged from prohibition and plague with a determination to make quality Cabernet Sauvignon.
Now, fifth-generation Wagner winemaker, Joseph (Joe) Wagner has forged his own way in the industry with his grape of choice, Pinot Noir. From his early successes with Belle Glos and Meiomi to his current umbrella portfolio of wines under Copper Cane, Joe has truly proven himself to be a trailblazer in the industry at such a young age.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Joe about his philosophies on winemaking, and how he converges the history and tradition of his family with the technology and evolution of the industry he sees as so important to stay afloat.
Jacqueline Coleman is a 4th-Generation Miamian, professional wine + travel writer, wine consultant, and wine judge for the American Fine Wine Competition, THE Rosé Competition, & Key Biscayne Wine & Food Festival. She is the monthly "Vino" columnist for Biscayne Times, writes a quarterly wine column for the Miami-based foodie magazine, Let’s Eat, and is the "Through the Grapevine" wine contributor and consultant for South Florida Luxury Guide magazine. She is also a regular contributor to Winetraveler.com, and has contributed in the past to the Coravin company blog.
Look for Jacqueline's new podcast, Wine Uncorked, on all major podcast sites as well as the Podmany app.
A lifetime student of history and wine, Jacqueline has a passion for exploring the local cultural and culinary heritage and flare of her unique city. She received her formal wine education at Florida Wine Academy, Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)-Level 3 Award in Wine, the U.S. Sommelier Association, FIU Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Wine Program, The French Wine Society, and the International Sommelier Guild. You can follow her wine tasting events around South Florida, personal stories, travel adventures, and musings about the "wine lifestyle" on her blog, History & Wine (www.historyandwine.com).
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