Joe Wagner is no stranger to the wine business. He grew up in it. Grandson of the founder of Caymus Vineyards, he’s watched every aspect of winemaking. From farming to the business of wine since he could walk.
Today I am meeting with Wagner at the Fagiani building. He recently purchased the storied Fagiani building for a $3.7m in Downtown Napa. I’m not sure what to expect when I meet Joe. I make it a practice not to learn too much about an individual when I do an interview. I find the more organic the discussion, the more refreshing and interesting the conversation. I did scan a piece featuring a photo with Wagner in a private jet. There, he appeared every bit the privileged wine scion the piece depicted him. What I encountered in my interview was the complete opposite.
He is the master behind the brand Meiomi. A brand I first encountered in Hawaii as a “buy the glass” brand. You couldn’t get a bottle, only a glass. There was a bit of intrigue in the positioning. So much so I began drinking it at my favorite Thai restaurant in Hawaii Kai, Maile’s Bistro. It pairs quite well with spicy food. I had no idea, I would be interviewing the man behind the brand in Napa a decade later.
Wagner sold Meiomi to Constellation in 2015 for a cool $315 million. The unique aspect of Meiomi was it didn’t have a winery. It didn’t have a vineyard and it didn’t have assets per se beyond the brand and its customers. It was created by bucking conventional wine marketing tactics. Built by Wagner, customer by customer, glass by glass.
Fast forward to today. We’re sitting in Fagiani’s the someday soon home of Wagner’s latest venture. He appears relaxed and confident and offers me a glass of his sparkling wine. The bubbles are his Russian River Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut, Steorra. Just one of the many in his stable of wine. His personality is warm and sincere. I immediately feel at ease. Could this actually be The Joe Wagner, $315 million man? As we begin talking about his journey, I find a humbleness about him that catches me off guard.
His family began growing grapes in 1840. They were farmers. Salt of the earth like many winemaking families. They left grape growing for greener pastures after prohibition slammed the door in the face of opportunity. Returning once again to grape growing in the early 70’s, his family built the brand today known as Caymus.
Today Joe Wagner’s not buying fast cars and private jets. His investing in his and his family’s future. Five generations of world-class winemaking led to Copper Cane Provisions, which Wagner founded in 2014. It’s a platform for his innovations in wine. The latest is his nod to Napa Valley’s most important grape, Cabernet Sauvignon. The Napa pedigree blend, Quilt brings together some of the best AVA’s in the region including Oakville, St. Helena, Atlas Peak, Coombsville, Calistoga and Howell Mountain. This blend marries the rich deliciousness of Cabernet Sauvignon with a twist. On the nose, cocoa, creme de cassis and anise. In the mouth, cocoa, complex fruits with a delightfully long and memorable finish.
Quilt joins many familiar names in the Copper Cane group including Belle Glos; Elouan Wines; Beran Zinfandels; Carne Humana Wines; Steorra Sparkling; and Böen Pinot Noir.
Alice Tetienne of Champagne Henriot Organic is important, but not necessarily the best. It is but one part of the equation. We have to be
Barodlino has a rich history in both wine and culture. There is no better Rosé that takes the beauty of the region and expresses it than Chiaretto Rosé.
Could it be that this region, today known as the Fastest Growing Wine Region in the United States is the world’s next Napa Valley? This is Idaho Wine Country.
All I want to do... is have some fun @tressabores #NapaValley check them out. Absolutely outstanding down to earth vibe and wine that`s better for you and planet earth. Sustainable, organic & truly killer wine! #certifiedsustainable #certifiedorganic
I know no joy as great as a moment of rushing into a new love, no ecstasy like that of a new love.
~ Anais Nin
The words say it all. Magnificent drink. If you can get it. @turleywine 2015 Napa Valley Library Block Petite Syrah
Dark, brooding with a side of magnificent freshness.
And now back to Paris for a formidably fabulous Friday! Michelin-star restaurant- check! Fabulous dark and exquisite library for enjoying cocktails, a breathtaking entrance of a French hideaway from years ago...
Stunning Michelin star restaurant and beautiful bibliothèque with Parisian friends.
Bookmark this spot! I don’t often share where I dine unless I am out of the country, but because so many people ask 💋🍷💋#TheWineSiren I am going to change that. Take my favorite brunch and Fried Chicken spot! @southsidenapa offers not only some of the freshest most inviting dishes in Napa, they also have a wide array of coffee, tea, wine and bubbles to pair your dishes with.
Its one of the few #petfriendly places with great food and an inviting team. Lots of talent here in the food arena and the outdoor seating area is equipped with swinging chairs, a fire pit and comfortable seating inside and out.
Fried Chicken you ask? Yes! Pairs perfectly with your Napa Valley Sparkling and #Champagne.The best in Napa Valley. Make sure and call ahead, they often sell out.
Hours are 8am-2pm
Breakfast served all day and an expanded lunch menu.
With over 30 years of sustainability under their belt, Domaine Carneros has a big headstart in the way of sustainability. They built the first significant solar installation, recognized as the largest in the world at the time. Far beyond complacent, Domaine Carneros continues to push the limits and try new techniques and strategies to improve their abilities.
Domaine Carneros
An incredible indulgence and the ultimate experience.
It’s in my neighborhood. Two miles away door to door. Why do I find myself returning again and again? Because this is one of the most stunning destinations in Carneros and Napa Valley. Stunning in both taste and views.
The skies, the ultimate blue, the vineyard hills throughout the landscape. It’s a breathtaking pinch yourself situation no matter how often you visit.
The team is so welcoming and the sparkling wine is world class and made sustainably. If you’re ready to step up your sparkling wine game this is where you need to be.
The wines tasted:
2016 Estate Brut Cuvée (late disgorge) ripe pear, white flowers, creamy, beautiful structure.
2019 Brut Rosé Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, incredible well poised, citrus, red berries, almonds and floral notes
2015 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs Tête de Cuvée The dream. A signature must taste from the most prized blocks of Chardonnay. Evocative of citrus curd, pie crust, a nuance of ginger and tart lemon. I could drink this all day every day!
2017 Ultra Brut Tropical fruit, lime, lemon zest, crisp, lovely palate and exquisite finish.
The ultimate indulgence, featuring three of Tsar Nicoulai’s finest caviars:
Classic, Select, and Golden Reserve
Served with potato chips, toast points, and Cowgirl Creamery crème fraîche.
Make your reservation today!
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Incredible experience and it keeps on getting better every time I visit. Have you been to @goosecrosscellars ?
Fantastic red white and Rosé wine. There is absolutely something for everyone. Including clothes for the shoppers amongst us.
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Learn about new products, wine travel tips and the latest on wine, food and fab.
Learn about new products, wine travel tips and the latest on wine, food and fab.
6 Responses
Quilt ********. Outstanding. Had it at boca West Country Boca Raton. Rated 88. No way More like 84
RICHARD SPRING
94. Not 84. Sorry
Quilt is a delicious, cost friendly, classy wine for every occasion. It definitely has the unique ‘Caymus’ taste. I enjoy Quilt very much and I’m thrilled when I find it on the menu at a restaurant.
Joe Wagner’s wines are produced for the mass market at the premium level. They are over manipulated, too fruit forward, not good examples of the true style of the wines. Meiomi is the worst example of Pinot Noir, it is a joke in the industry. I will admit the sales are through the roof but so are McDonalds and Burger King, those are not real hamburgers.
I guess it depends on your experience Peter. At the time I wrote this I spent 36 years in Hawaii. Hawaii has a very limited selection of wine.Meiomi was the only Pinot Noir readily available in restaurants. Joe Wagner did some brilliant marketing on this. A number of years later and 200,000 miles of wine travel later, my palate has changed dramatically. Meiomi is no longer made by Joe Wagner, it is made by Constellation Brands. My preferences run to smaller producers who are still able to maintain artisanal quality wine. Perhaps for you and me now with a far more experienced palate it is not all that, but based on sales there are many who still love it. To each his own. Imagine the world if our palates were all the same. Boring!
Quilt is excellent wine for the price. Nobody comparing Quilt with $150 bottle of wine.