Caymus Vineyard was founded in 1972 by Charlie Wagner, Lorna Belle Glos of Wagner and their son Chuck Wagner. In 1971 they began planning to build a winery, while continuing to tend to their already cultivated vineyards. In November 1971, Charlie & Chuck along with other workers pruned their 22 hectares of grapes to begin producing their wine. This was the beginning of a close relationship that would last until Charlie's passing in 2002. Charlie passed away at the age of 90. He was a man of hard work and an illustrious career. “Charlie Wagner believed in moderation; although he consumed around 3,000 gallons of wine in his lifetime. His lifestyle was to have a glass of wine with lunch and dinner and this tradition continues to be a healthy custom for the Wagners (but always in moderation!)” Caymus has focused year after year on maintaining its excellent reputation in the production of its two Cabernet wines - "Special Selection" & "Napa Valley". From the beginning, Caymus focused on the production of the Cabernet Sauvignon varietal, which produces the finest wine in the Napa Valley region. Caymus has been considered "innovative" in the style of producing its Cabernets. The Wagners have continued to forge new techniques in the vineyards as well as in their cellars.
Through trial and error, Caymus has made careful changes over four decades in the industry. Caymus has 370 acres of vineyards planted in 14 separate locations throughout the prime soils of Napa Valley. Caymus Cabernet is produced from approximately 25% of the fruit from the foothills of its mountains and 75% of the fruit from the valley.
Chuck Wagner productor y viticultor de Caymus, toma las decisiones parcela por parcela en cuanto a tiempos de maceración, temperaturas de fermentación, el tipo y nivel de tostado de las barricas de roble francés y americano así como su tiempo de añejamiento en barrica. Los viñedos son seleccionados con detenimiento y esmero para que al mezclarlos sean vinos auténticos que expresen mejor su terruño y cosecha. Chuck Wagner dice: “cultivar uvas y producir vino requiere de voluntad, tenacidad y espíritu incansable para ser exitoso ¡Estoy orgulloso de que nuestra familia continúe con esta filosofía de vida!”.
Puesto de forma simple, Caymus se dedica a producir vinos de excelente calidad, la mejor descripción para estos vinos es: “Vino de color purpura oscuro, opulento, maduro, con textura sedosa, complejo y digno de su añejamiento”. El sello distintivo de Caymus Cabernet es el factor de su disfrute como un vino nuevo o añejo.