Chuck Wagner Honored by Wine Society

Nov 6, 2015

(Wine-Searcher) - A Napa stalwart is recognized by America's biggest wine consumer group.

Caymus Vineyards co-founder Chuck Wagner has been chosen to receive the American Wine Society's Award of Merit this year, in recognition of his contribution to the wine industry.

The AWS is the oldest and largest organization of wine consumers in North America, and will present the award to Wagner on Saturday night at a gala banquet.

"Being recognized by the American Wine Society is a great honor," said Wagner, who started Caymus in 1972 with his parents, Charlie and Lorna Belle Glos Wagner. "After more than 40 years in the wine business, I'm still learning, so the mission of AWS to help people discover and enjoy the world of wine means a lot to me personally."

Since 1971, the AWS Award of Merit has been given to a wine industry luminary. The basic criterion for the award is substantial achievement in at least one phase of wine activity, such as viticulture, enology, education, journalism or merchandising. For each nominee, consideration is given to his/her actual accomplishments in comparison to others in the same field, and the sum total of accomplishments over a period of time.

Past winners include  Harold Olmo, Andre Tchelistcheff, Robert Mondavi, Louis P. Martini, Vernon Singleton, Warren Winiarski, Mike Grgich, Kent Rosenblum, Zelma Long, and Gina Gallo.

"Chuck Wagner started Caymus Vineyards with his parents at a time when Napa Valley was barely on the map, and he played a huge role in changing that," AWS executive director John Hames said. "Today Caymus is a leading producer of Cabernet Sauvignon, but Chuck is still a farmer at heart, with a humility that belies his success. On many days, he can be found doing what he loves best – tending to the vines and working alongside his kids."

Wagner's Napa roots run deep, with a farming legacy that can be traced back nearly 160 years. Charlie Wagner Sr. began as a home winemaker in the 1960s, using grapes planted behind their farmhouse.


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