This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone. The younger Wagner came up with the idea for Meiomi, a Pinot Noir sourced from multiple appellations, in 2002, as an exposure wine to introduce wine drinkers to California Pinot. By showcasing the best individual Pinot Noir plantings from coastal California vineyards, Joe was able to narrow his focus on creating wines of distinction and pick the best vines and years to showcase in the bottles labeled with his burgeoning brand. No other vineyard that we have farmed throughout Californias coast could match the character and quality of the Chardonnay at Glasir Holt, says Joe Wagner. Since selling Meiomi, Wagner has focused on his other brands, including Belle Glos, Elouan and Ben. Business, Beer and Wine, The Press Democrat. Our wines are distributed throughout the nation and beyond, so DTC creates something thats more of a special offering that our club members can enjoy. I think Nashville has that same understanding. Sonoma is still reasonable.. A social share icon representing the Instagram app. Wagner has agreed to act as a consulting winemaker for Constellation for a two-year period. During the fermentation process, malolactic fermentation occurred, which elevated the body of the wine, while the remaining lees were stirred once a week. But in 1966, he began pulling out trees and vines and replanting the land with new grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. Joe Wagner is the owner of Meiomi wine. Wagner says he hopes to amass 2,000-3,000 acres of California vineyards over the next five years. Bons lead offering, Pinot Noir Santa Barbara-Sonoma-Monterey Counties 2019 ($25), was at 48,500 cases, while recent vintages of Quilt included 6,800 cases of Chardonnay Napa Valley 2020 ($35) and 34,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 ($55). The questions about Joe Wagner's Oregon wine label scandal that nobody All Rights Reserved. Joe Wagner is the founder and winemaker for Belle Glos, a pinot noir brand that does more than 100,000 cases annually. Wagner:Belle Glos has a great presence on-premise and by-the-glass, and that is really where those wines thrive. The transaction includes no vineyards. EXCLUSIVE: Joe Wagner Sells Meiomi Wines to Constellation for $315 204. Chuck gave each an opportunity: Launch your own brand, with his support, and learn from your successes and failures. Joe Wagner shakes up the Sonoma County wine world - The North Bay The Pinot Noir brand had been an offshoot of Belle Glosduring the 2008 recession, Joe envisioned a lower-priced Pinot produced from purchased grapes. Just a few hours earlier, he and Joe had met for breakfast. The buying public realizes that and appreciates the value of purchasing a great tasting wine produced in the country they live in, and they are proud to support those companies. Domaine Curry owns no winery or vineyard, but it has quickly built an impressive following , The group behind three Grand Award winners introduces a new seafood spot offering old , Co-founder of Sanford & Benedict helped pave the way for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in , Billionaire David Hoffmann has purchased the Naples, Fla., dining destination, known for , Artmis Domaines, which owns Chteau Latour, sells off another piece of the Henriot wine , As a longtime leader at Fetzer and other projects, he pushed wineries and growers to adopt . I was taught to grow grapes and make wine that I want to drink. The wine was named for his grandmother, and the young winemaker set the stage for a successful career tying family history and tradition to innovation and experimentation. After a stint growing table grapes in Mexico, he spent a summer planting the familys first Pinot Noir vineyard on the Sonoma Coast for Belle Glos. Wagner is exploring other projects, too, including a possible winery project on Vallejo's Mare Island as well as more experimental winemaking, such as yearlong fermentation through freezing grapes. The plan, though, has run into a buzz saw from opponents and triggered one of the biggest winery development battles in Sonoma County. The last bottling he oversaw was on pace to produce 840,000 cases for the year. Why This Napa Winemaker Jumped Into the Distilling Game Joe Wagner's Meiomi brand will be sold to Constellation Brands for $315 million, as he strives to become a larger player in the California wine business. For months now, the Oregon wine community and a state lawmaker have alleged that Wagner violated state and federal regulations in the labels of two of his wine brands, Elouan and the. You get to grow and create a product in one of the most beautiful regions of the country; you produce wines that reflect your personal taste; you continue to find new avenues to market to an eager consumer ready to swirl and sip. He declined to reveal Copper Cane's annual case production, but said it is well below Meiomi's level. Hand-dipped in the easily identifiable Belle Glos wax style, the coastal Glasir Holt Chardonnay will be exclusively available direct to consumer, through the Belle Glos Wine Club and at Quilt & Co. Tasting Room and Lounge, one of Wagners more recent ventures, located in the heart of downtown Napa, with hopes for national distribution in the future. This is the poster child for the most egregious, inappropriate project, said Padi Selwyn, co-chair of Preserve Rural Sonoma County, a group that was formed to protest the Dairyman project. The ambitious California producer takes a break from his many projects to chat about his climb to the top and plans for the future. Prohibition killed the business, and by the time Chuck was born, in 1952, Charlie and his wife, Lorna, were farming the 73 acres in Rutherford that are now the family estate. Being the winemaker and owner means I dont answer to accountants or shareholders! Copper Cane Spirits - Home When you hear the story of the Wagner Family, its worthyJoes grandmother was the salt of the earth and wore many hats: everything from taster of the wines to the cook for the workers in the field. I also keep my eye on our growing cannabis industry and other agricultural crops, which have provided the backbone for our food-and-wine culture for generations. With the sale of Meiomi, Joe was able to consolidate his on-going experiments and wine brands forming his umbrella portfolio, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions in 2014. Chuck signed on and by 1975 their Cabernets were winning notice. Owner/winemaker, Joe Wagner chose the name Belle Glos (pronounced BELL GLOSS) to honor his grandmother, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner. This is all the creative stuff, Wagner said of his new ventures, such as testing production of apple brandy that he would like to do full scale at Dairyman. While the dispute drags on, Wagner charges forward. Am I a brand builder or seller?. Belle Glos is known for making luxurious, terroir-driven Pinot Noirs from maritime-influenced vineyards in California. Joe Wagner Owner and winemaker Joseph is a fifth generation Napa Valley winemaker with a dedicated passion for the business. Joe believes that people are looking for authentic engagements with brands that truly allow them to be a part of the process that goes into creating a bottle of quality wine. I think here (in Napa) it is more about traffic and keeping it small. Avow is a dining experience tailored to be the cultural hub of Copper Cane, offering dinner and soon, brunch, where customers are pairing perfectly crafted dishes to the notable wines that have made the region famous, not vice versa. The one downside is that the Oregon yields are typically less than from local areas such as the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. The biggest hurdle, Wagner contends, will be finding a way for vehicles to enter the proposed winery from Highway 12 through an access road that would cross the popular Joe Rodota Trail, used by bicyclists and runners. At the top of his list is a desire to complete the controversial Dairyman winery project near Sebastopol, which has run into opposition from community activists. Fifth-generation vintner Joe Wagner founded Copper Cane Wines & Provisions after selling his highly successful Meiomi brand to Constellation for $315 million in 2015. He understood it. Then, in 2001, created Belle Glos, with a focus on vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs from California's best coastal regions. Learn more Currently featured in 300Miami,FL 33133USA. StyleBlueprint was invited to meet with Joe Wagner, one of Californias most impressive winemakers, on his recent visit to Nashville. As a fifth-generation Napa Valley winemaker, Joe Wagner learned his way around a vineyard long before he was able to drink wine. Joe has a keen interest in contributing to the evolution of the wine industry, by discovering new wine growing locations and through experimentation in the cellar. May 2, 2017. Every now and then, I meet a sommelier who says, Oh, your dad ate at my restaurant one night. When I first heard this, I thought, Is dad dropping my name to get good service?, But the sommeliers always say the same thing: Man, is he proud of you.. The fifth-generation winemaker's penchant for producing popular prize-winning Pinot Noir has allowed his moniker to stand out on its own merit, even after he stepped away from the family business and launched his Copper . In either case, we will continue within the confines currently set, and do our best to not let it interfere with our goals. News EXCLUSIVE: The Inside Story Of Joe Wagner's $315 Million Sale Of Meiomi Constellation buys the California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay label for a hefty price Joe Wagner, son of Caymus' Chuck Wagner, is parting with his fast-growing label so he can buy more vineyards and expand other wine brands. In Nielsen, we have three of the five top spots in what they call super luxury Pinot Noir, Belle Glos Clark & Telephone being number-one, and then Dairyman and Las Alturas being four and five, respectively (recent vintages of those wines have numbered approximately 7,000-10,600 cases each). Positioned near the ocean in Northern California, the Glasir Holt Vineyard sits on the western edge of Santa Rita Hills. Were having this (conducted) as a very thorough process that doesnt leave any stone unturned. All we talk about is business.). When the shoot is fully copper, it is ready for winter, and the green characteristics of unripe fruit are fully out of the berries, meaning that the juice will be luscious and more representative of the fuller-bodied Pinots made famous by Joes brands. The Wine Industry Advisor is an Online Industry Publication featuring news, articles, and editorial content relevant to the wine industry. Speaking from his cellar in Rutherford, Calif., Wagner said he caught the wine bug early on while working in the vineyards at his familys winery, Caymus Vineyards. Legendary French Laundry and Per Se chef Thomas Keller joins Wine Spectator executive , Domaine Curry owns no winery or vineyard, but it has quickly built an impressive following , The group behind three Grand Award winners introduces a new seafood spot offering old , Co-founder of Sanford & Benedict helped pave the way for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in , Billionaire David Hoffmann has purchased the Naples, Fla., dining destination, known for , Artmis Domaines, which owns Chteau Latour, sells off another piece of the Henriot wine . By showcasing the best individual Pinot Noir plantings from coastal California vineyards, Joe was able to narrow his focus on creating wines of distinction and pick the best vines and years to showcase in the bottles labeled with his burgeoning brand. Sons want their fathers to be proud of them, but they also want to be proud of themselves. Anybody who has any reason to stop it, they will come up with any argument We're ready and willing to make it right.. Given that pinot noir is a difficult grape to grow, Wagner said he doesn't anticipate a glut of the varietal in the marketplace. Within the next three to five years, he expects to purchase more vineyards and is eying property in Sonoma County, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Mendocino Countys Anderson Valley. ISLACALIFA P.O. As a winemaker, I am a firm believer in making what you like to drink. Wine to Dine With Joe Wagner The renowned winemaker spreads his wings with wine and new Napa restaurant Avow. Chuck was kind and generous with his time, but I suspect he was also a little ticked off I was writing about Copper Cane and not about Wagner Family. He currently resides in United States. By the time he was 19 he knew that he would continue his familys winemaking legacy, working alongside his father at Caymus Vineyards. What he did with Meiomi, that was Mount Everest type of stuff, said Brian Clements, a partner at Turrentine Brokerage, a Novato-based grape broker. He was concerned about a number of things. It complements the food and the gathering of people, and so it becomes a staple of enjoying life. Carlo Mondavis Heaven in Italys Piedmont, Winemaker Talk: Oregon Bubbly, Cooking and Community with Rocos Jarod Sleet, Running Blackberry Mountain, a Fine Wine Paradise in the Smokies. Its a pinot noir and I do believe its going to be a big one, Wagner said. At the end of the day, Im a consumer like everyone else, so if I like it, hopefully others will, too. That same year, Chuck experimented with a white wine to broaden the portfolio. The story of Chuck and Joe Wagner is the struggle of balancing family loyalty and independence, Joe Wagner's father, Chuck, has been preparing him to take the wheel his entire life. There has been an amazing across-the-board increase in quality of wines throughout Californias Coast. Their success with Caymus Vineyards founded in 1972 in Rutherford by Joe's grandparents is legendary. I think things will continue as wine drinkers are more open minded to new varieties, new food pairings even new packages. About Us - Copper Cane SAVE -27% Belle Glos Balade Pinot Noir 2021 - 750ml $ 55.00 $ 39.99 Sold Out SAVE -21% Belle Glos Blanc 2022 - 750ml $ 24.00 $ 18.99 Add to Cart SAVE -27% While he doesnt have a formal education in winemaking, Wagner said he learned on the job and from his father, vintner Chuck Wagner. My father is a wine lover, the first one I ever met. He made the decision to sell to Constellation Brands even though his father was opposed. At its core, that is probably why people are quick to adopt it you simply live a better (and possibly longer) life with wine. With a deep respect for the history, land, and philosophies that have paved the way for his success, Joe Wagner has also taken the lead in innovating an industry rooted in tradition to create wine brands with broad appeal and direct consumer access. But its also the story of a father and son. If a wine is not up to par to make a blend, I will not hesitate to sell it off in bulk. At first, his reaction stung, but I realized he wasnt trying to dissuade me. Joe has the same leadership streak that made Chuck so successful, and the two of them started butting heads over where their business was heading. Following in the family tradition started by his grandparents, are his father, brother and sister. He called it Conundrum, and it boomed. I wanted my dad to understand why I loved writing. That business, however, is separate from Joe Wagners own Copper Cane Wine and Provisions business, which housed Meiomi and other labels. In 2014, Joe Wagner started his own company, Copper Cane, centered on a wine called Meiomi, which he had developed with his father. I had gone to college looking toward medicine, but discovered that my real passion was telling peoples stories. Wagner's winemaking style attracted considerable attention with Meiomi and was a hit in the marketplace with younger consumers. In the North Coast, we are surrounded by hundreds of wineries along with some of the best breweries, cidermakers and distillers. His grandfather was known to sit at the kitchen table and blend wines, not focusing on the varietals, but rather the magical alchemy of the end result. Were pretty confident we will come up with something, said Wagner, who hopes the winery could be functioning within two years. Each Vineyard Designate is crafted to distill the purest essence of the locale into elegant expressions of California Pinot Noir. Joes success is a story of California Pinot Noirs success, and a snapshot of where the American wine industry is today and where Wagner thinks it will be tomorrow. According to the company . As a fifth generation Napa Valley winemaker, Joseph learned his way around a vineyard long before he was able to drink wine. We will remove any comments or commenters that do not follow this commenting policy. These industries produce an abundance of drinks as well as good stories and those are what Im interested in writing. We all know that the movie Sideways created a huge surge in Pinot Noir sales when it came out. Joe Wagner's name carries weight in the wine world. If you were going to serve Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman a four course meal, tell us what food you would serve with what wine pairing? The integrity of the brand is on the line and thats not something that can be easily earned back. Instead, he contends, it will be slow, steady growth. You have entered an incorrect email address! Make a wine that tastes great and goes with food and it could be the next big thing. Chuck expanded, buying grapes from other spots in Napa. Over there (in Sonoma), it's partly traffic, but it's more about environmental issues, Wagner, who lives in St. Helena, said. Visit us at Quilt & Co., our wine tasting room & lounge, located in the heart of downtown Napa Valley. Sign Up for Wine Spectators Free Email Newsletters and stay up-to-date with all things wine. If more people are drinking wine because of that, then I'm more than in favor. Joe Wagner's wines Vennstone and Tuli are part of our Legends of Wine collection. Joe Wagner's Copper Cane Wines: History & Technology Converge A tunnel might be one option, he said. Constellation buys the California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay label for a hefty price, Joe Wagner, son of Caymus' Chuck Wagner, is parting with his fast-growing label so he can buy more vineyards and expand other wine brands. Charlie didn't like it; too sweet, he said. Well be expanding from there. We expect double-digit growth every year, averaging 20%-25% over the last six years. June 17, 2013 Share with your friends! YUM. Chuck was only 19 in 1971 when his parents, Charles F. (Charlie) Wagner and Lorna Belle Glos Wagner approached him with a proposition: would he join them in building a premium winery on their land in Napa? I fell in love with the agricultural part of it first and foremost, he said. Each year something new comes down on the industry. His goal is to continue planting vineyards in Californias coastal regions each year. and aged line of craft spirits from fifth generation Napa Valley winemaker and "next generation" distiller Joe Wagner. But part of his master plan is stalled. Last year he also formed Copper Cane Wine & Provisions to handle Meiomi and several other wine brands. (Courtesy of Joe Wagner). April 30, 2017. No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. After cultivating and specializing in this specific grape for about eight years before Meiomis release, Joe had developed a series of standards that he utilized to create a product that had mass appeal to the American wine drinker. Its from a vineyard we planted in the Santa Rita Hills called Glasir Holt. It will be a small portfolio to start: five different products over four brands. In 2001 at age nineteen, he rolled up his sleeves and has yet to look back. StyleBlueprint was invited to meet with Joe Wagner, one of California's most impressive winemakers, on his recent visit to Nashville. How is it going to affect the Wagner name in the marketplace? Wagner said. American radio shot show how has gained fame under the moniker Stugotz. Im glad to be more entrenched again in the fine wine world, with the ability to grow more of our own fruit and be able to create a few more brands, Wagner said. We had made great strides there. To add to a wine country visit, Joe has opened a restaurant in Downtown Napa calledAvow that focuses on the culinary personality of Napa as a whole region, where the beverage list sets the stage for the occasion. He received all-CIF Central Division honors as well as all-Mount Baldy League accolades. In 2019, Constellation Brands acquired Meiomi from Wagner's Copper Cane Wines & Provisions. We are planning to continue to grow through this period, he said, noting that the winery is pivoting its focus from restaurants to retail and direct-to-consumer sales using social media. Although it was a difficult time to open a tasting room, it still has had its benefits. SND:Can you give us an update on the Belle Glos and Quilt brands? Ben. Fathers dream of big things their sons will accomplish, yet reality never quite matches dreams. Home Wines of Joe Wagner (Copper Cane) These are some of the best prices you will find nationally on the wines of Joe Wagner. He would always encourage experimentation, Joe said. Explore new paths. From my interview with Joe, here are some insights into whats going on with California wine right now: Your family has been making wine for five generations, what changes have you noted in the California wine industry? I don't think it's a variety that lends itself to being something that you can overproduce and make a billion dollars, he said. Joe is the fifth generation to make wine but he never forgets that everything starts in the vineyard and that he is first and foremost a farmer. Wagner, 35, owner of Copper . Within a few months in 2020, we saw a great turnaround there. Wagner:We opened a tasting room in late 2020 in downtown Napa. August 19, 2015. While each vineyard location lies near the Pacific Ocean, the climate differences are significant, varying with the amount of fog, wind, sunlight, and soil type at each site. This tap the cap technology tool developed by SharpEnd and Guala Closures Group, gives customers unparalleled access to information about that specific bottle of wine with a simple tap of their smartphone on the cap of the bottle. It is a more than an exceptional place and it shows in the grapes and in the wine. Created by fifth generation winemaker Joe Wagner, with a penchant for always bringing together the . Home - Copper Cane In striking the deal, Constellation adds a brand whose recent performance has been nothing short of astonishing. In 2014, Joe Wagner started his own company, Copper Cane, centered on a wine called Meiomi, which he had developed with his father. Why do you think thats the case? When I sat down for the first time with Chuck, I sensed how torn he was. Uhh, okay Joe Wagnerlmao : r/wine - Reddit Wagner said he prefers to allow the region to dictate the wine style, an approach that may rankle some traditionalists. Chuck agreed, and the rest, they say, is history. Sons want their father's approval. We are seeing more engagement with the younger generation and their curiosity about wine.. Partly its due to know-how in the cellar, but more importantly, our predecessors, who took a leap of faith to try different varieties in new areas, paved the way for growing the right grapes in the right places. In the restaurant business, chef owned and operated restaurants are invaluable to cities. People have adopted that price point (around $55) even when theyre choosing something to drink at home. Jon Weiner (born July 29, 1972) is famous for being radio host. Read about this family business and why their wines are more sought after than ever before. Few people in the American wine industry can claim a history in the business quite like Joseph (Joe) Wagner. For more information or to book a Copper Cane winery visit, contact Lloyd Vance at [emailprotected], 707-200-7093. . padding-top: 10px; Are there any threats to the California wine industry? PeteEckhart 6 mo. He was unafraid to try things and to let his wines' style evolve as customers' tastes changed.