Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel lovers appreciate the consistent quality of the red wines from Caymus Vineyards. The premium brand comes from the Wagner family, who have spent several generations making wine. The select red wines from Caymus provide a memorable wine drinking experience for those who try them.
History of the Brand
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.They also produce Zinfandel.
Caymus Vineyards
The grapes that make up Caymus wine come from a few different vineyards. While they use grapes primarily grown on the more than 60 acres of Caymus property, the winery also obtains grapes from other vineyards in Napa Valley.
Caymus Cabernet
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 produce an exquisite flavor in wine. The vines the Wagners planted so many years ago are the key to the success of the winery, and one of the reasons it keeps earning so many awards.
Many have enjoyed the wines produced by Caymus over the decades, and each vintage continues to show improvement. While the 1975 vintage was originally considered the best the winery ever produced, Chuck Wagner, who has been in charge of the winery since his father died in 2002, continues to search for new ways to improve Caymus' wines.
Special Selection
In years where the harvest yields truly special grapes and the resultant wines are just as spectacular, Caymus releases Special Selection wines. Caymus Vineyards does not label just any vintage a Special Selection. In fact, the winery only does so only in rare cases. The most recent Special Selection comes from the 2008 vintage.
Caymus Zinfandel
Charlie Wagner's personal favorite wine grape is Zinfandel, and the winery produces small runs of this spicy, bold red wine. Caymus sources the grapes from high quality Napa Valley vineyards, including the Butala Vineyard in St. Helena. The wine also contains a small amount of Petite Sirah.
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, and you can place orders by telephone. More information about Caymus Vineyards and details about retail hours are available on the Caymus Vineyards web site.
