Charlie Wagner

Named after his grandfather Charlie Wagner Sr. – co-founder of Caymus Vineyards – Charlie has a long family history in Napa Valley dating back to 1857. He began his winemaking career in middle school, spending time at the family’s Mer Soleil vineyards on the central coast of California as “punishment” for bringing firecrackers to school. He caught the farming and winemaking bug — in the years since, he has developed several wines as part of the Wagner family’s offerings.

In his role as owner and winemaker for Mer Soleil, Charlie continues a long history of producing Chardonnay. He especially loves this varietal because it can offer many different expressions, and “as a winemaker, you can really leave your imprint” on the wine. Originally sourcing from the Santa Lucia Highlands, Charlie has expanded to a broader stretch of Monterey County, valuing the diversity and micro-climates that enable an even more layered wine.