Although Prohibition put an end to the prospering wine businesses as they stood for all three families, all was not lost as the future generations still had wine running through their veins and dreams of resurrecting what their forefathers had begun. Speaking of food, here is a quick video of Joe showing us how to BBQ with wine as the pairing. She's a luxury lifestyle journalist, bestselling author, speaker, radio talk show host, content strategist and Publishing Architect. The onslaught of gentleman farmers (think Eddie Albert of Green Acres) infiltrated the region, but most didnt have the knowledge or even the passion for what truly makes a great wines. 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. He planted nearly 110 acres to 11 varieties across four ridges. Thank You! Called the Paper Street Vineyard, it quickly became a coveted source of grapes for wineries across Paso Robles. It highlights the very spot where regional pioneers first plotted a new appellation more than two decades ago. From 13,000 feet in the air, Joe Wagner looks out of his charter jet and over the Pacific Coast. Wallmine is a radically better financial terminal. He sat down to talk with Luxe Beat Magazine and during the interview, he took me down the Wagner family memory lane and when we were done, there is no question where their success comes from. It is really an honor that people are enjoying our Pinot Noirs. It had lost its way and was at risk of being lost forever.. He was the original developer of the A3MCNP and ADVANTG codes and led the development of the CADIS and Forward . Sherrie Wilkolaski is the Editor-in-Chief of Luxe Beat Magazine and CEO of Luxe Beat Media. Chuck Wagners parents, Lorna Belle Glos and Charlie Wagner Sr., were both born to families that helped shape Napa Valleys wine industry in the late 1800s and beyond, through their hard work, dedication, pioneering spirit and resilience in the face of adversity. Science and inspiration for healthy living with wine, Thomas Jefferson, Barolo and Giuseppe Vaira, The Hampton Water co-founder talks about being a young Black professional in the wine , 12 top sommeliers shared the wines that remind them that winter will (eventually) end, Every day is Christmas morning for me, says the wine director of the Vancouver Best Award , In Valpolicella, a new generation tries to move on from the feuding. It complements the food and the gathering of people, and so it becomes a staple of enjoying life. Privacy Policy, By continuing to use our Services and/or submitting the above information, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of ourPrivacy Policy. His innate ability to negotiate, coupled with his vision for growth has directly contributed to securing innovative opportunities for Toowoomba and the Darling Downs. In the remote Cachagua area of the Carmel Valley, the property was planted with seven acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1968. Is this is true passion? At its core, that is probably why people are quick to adopt it you simply live a better (and possibly longer) life with wine. We have created some amazing relationships through working with growers over long periods of time. Artisan Public Relations. Having the amount of knowledge and know-how from generations before me set an immense foundation for me to build upon. The concept of diversity of character was well intact over the years, and then with the 2008 vintage, I wanted to expand the diversity while staying coastal. I started with vineyard, then winemaking, then sales, and finally business management. A lot of sorting isnt really true to the variety, says Janelle. The Ginny Lee Cafe has different seasonal hours listed separately on their website. Paul Wagner has judged more than 100 international wine competitions, is a founding member of the Academy of Wine Communications, a consultant for the International Wine and Food Society in London, a member of the nominations committee of the Culinary Institute of America's Vintner's Hall of Fame, and a member of the Wine Marketing and Tourism August 21, 2019 - If Meiomi Pinot Noir is on your favorites list, then you can rejoice at the news that its creator, Joseph Wagner, has launched a new line of wines, including Pinot Noir, under the name of Ben.. Back in 2015 the industry was abuzz when Meiomi was purchased by behemoth Constellation Brands for beaucoup bucks, $315 million to be exact and that was for the brand only. Hours: Johns wife, Jill, guided the winery and tasting room design. 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. He was actually producing the wine from grapes in California. A fifth-generation winemaker, Joe comes from a family with a rich understanding of . CA. The way to discover the right time to pick the grapes at their ideal ripeness was not to just calculate sugar content, according to Joe, but to assess them based on more physiological characteristics such as leaves, seeds, and the green tissue that creates the shoot, which turns into a copper color when the fruit is perfectly ripe for picking. The winery is a hub of both boutique and larger batch production, and sustainability is centerstage. It turns food into a meal. One of the familys fond memories is of Chucks dad, Charlie Sr., sitting at the dinner table at the end of each work day, blending wines from one glass into another to create the perfect pairing for his meal. He then headed west, where he opened a hotel in Paso Robles in 1921. Wagner was born in Pennsylvania, USA, in 1949, and spent his first thirteen years . Did you talk business? I asked. He was born on December 17th, 1931 to John P. Wagner, Jr. and Mary Wagner 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. Its a story that needs to be told and reflected more.. All rights reserved. This cool-climate wine-growing region is where Joe Wagner farms. When he bought the property at the end of 2016, Pillsbury began research that may never end. Chuck Wagner, 65, who founded Caymus Vineyards in Napa Valley with his parents when he was 19, is humble and sweet. Qty Item Description Price Total : Subtotal: $0.00: View Cart . All together, these producers teach strong lessons in how respect for the past can be a key strategy for a thriving future. I could immediately see that this was the right thing, he says. Resides in Bethesda, MD. Wine Marketing and Sales, 3rd edition. Their son (Lornas grandfather) Lafayette Stice was the first Stice family member to make wine in Napa Valley in the late 1800s. 9322 State Route 414, Lodi, NY 14860-9641. Seven years later, her father, Mike Dusi, bought 360 rugged acres in the Willow Creek District, after a prolonged search for a new vineyard site. Thats so far included Megan Bell of Margins Wine, Joshua Hammerling of Blue Ox, Matt Nagy of Benevolent Neglect, Jaime Motley and Rajat Parr. After talking about Nashville, Hot Chicken and a slightly chilled Pinot Noir, I would say lay a few side dishes out and youve got a memory waiting to happen. The whole process of finding a site such as that, and creating a wine that can be enjoyed for years to come, will always be a highlight in my mind. Jacqueline Coleman is a professional wine + travel writer, wine judge, columnist, and consultant based in Miami, FL. At the call of God, Mr. Wagner took up the pastorate of the newly planted Covenant Free Presbyterian Church, located in Lexington, SC, in the fall of 2002. Now, the brand is synonymous with Napa Valley Cabernet and its consistent dominance in the American wine market. With their own hands, they cleared the land to build a cabin, planted a fourteen-acre vineyard and constructed a three-mile road connecting their homestead to Crystal Springs Road below. What weve done is peel the paint off of this property and just understand what was here and when, he says. John has 4 jobs listed on their profile. (July 2019) Teaching guide available here. 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. Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 03. by. But sons also want to write their own stories. Developed in the late 1800s by a Danish dairy farmer, whose stone water cisterns still stand on the hilltops, Peake bought what was then a 1,600-acre ranch in 1938. Their Meimoi and Belle Glos history originated in the 1880s and is currently in the hands of Joseph J. Wagner a winemaker with a passion for Pinot Noir. Thats where the magic starts!, The wine that is his all-time favorite is Belle Blos, Las Alturas Pinot Noir, From scouting the barren land, planning and planting the vineyard, then creating a vineyard designate Pinot that has become a hallmark of Santa Lucia Highlands is really something special for me to have under my belt. We are also seeing it now with red blends like our Conundrum Red. One of their early projects with the stonework of the . With her drooping, grayish exterior and sour spirit to match, one particular cartoon character has made a big impression. They were a family of farmers with roots in Napa Valley dating back to the 1850s. John wears many hats around the winery and can be found anywhere from the vineyards, the tank room, the brewery to his office. Lived In Cottage Grove WI, Tomahawk WI, Sun Prairie WI, Fort Atkinson WI. John Wagner Chairman John has over 30 years' experience in the construction materials industry. And in the Sta.Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County, Peake Ranch pays homage to a former owner, the late artist Channing Peake, and the wine industry itself. Sommelier Talk: Robert Stelmachuk Shows Off Wines Versatility at Mott 32. What is the salary of John Wagner? He developed several winemaking philosophies that allowed his wines to stand out amongst the competition, which gave him the opportunity to create another label in 2006 that would shake up the California Pinot Noir world. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. Chuck instilled in his children a passion for hard work and excellence, as well as a desire to carry on the family legacy of making wines of distinction. I wanted my dad to understand why I loved writing. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Their Meimoi and Belle Glos history originated in the 1880s and is currently in the hands of Joseph J. Wagner a winemaker with a passion for Pinot Noir. (A few hours later, I asked Joe the same question, and he answered, Were a wine family. The fact that we can grow in these rugged areas a few miles from the coast and capture the cooling influence of that refracted sunlight and licks of fog, and do it all at elevation is something absolutely unique to California, and unique to this section of the Central Coast, he says. It was my favorite of their pinots that I got to try, and offered a tomato leaf flavor I do not associate with the variety. Lornas mothers family, the Stices, can trace their Napa Valley roots back even further. As a winemaker, I am a firm believer in making what you like to drink. View John Pulos' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. The family focused on farming for the next 50 years, and it remains a major chunk of their business, with grapes sold to Ridge Vineyards, Turley Wine Cellars, Tobin James Cellars and other Zinfandel stars. In 2008, longtime Raytheon chairman Bill Swanson and developer/vintner Rob Rossi acquired the massive facility, which Rossi helped design, as well as the surrounding vineyards, which had been planted in 1997. It was known as the Durney Vineyard, and more acres of Cab, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir would follow. But its also the story of a father and son. One such impressive family of winemakers, the Wagners, has been making wine for five generations in Napa Valley, California. To get to the creation of a wine that would be so widely loved by such a broad audience, Joe had to approach Pinot in a way that had not been done before. FREE delivery Sat, Mar 4 . That was the day the phone started to ring and ithasnt stopped since. His family has been involved in the Finger Lakes wine industry for generations. In 1975, Chuck and his dad noticed that there were a few barrels that tasted better than the rest, so they decided to separate them from the batch and bottle them under a new label called Special Selection. In 1989, Wine Spectator awarded the prestigious Wine of the Year Award for their 1984 CaymusSpecial SelectionCabernet Sauvignon, and again five years later for their 1990 vintage. Wine is a genuine, salt of the earth type of beverage, and people seem to appreciate that. Read about this family business and why their wines are more sought after than ever before. It was so unconventional, but so simple. Charlie Wagner (Chucks older son, who is named after his grandfather) now leads Conundrum, which has since expanded to include a Red wine blend. His business . It is bone dry with delicate, fruit driven aromatics and an acid and saline driven finish that begs to be paired with sunshine and a cool breeze. Not only are these each favorites of mine, each stands on its own, having been judged some of the best wine in America and they continue to be bestsellers in Nashville as well. I was thinking about fathers and sons when I wrote our Nov. 30 cover story on Joe Wagner, who built and sold Meiomi and is now busy building a new company, Copper Cane. I expect to keep that focus on quality. John Caspar Wagner, 70, passed away Friday morning, October 22, 2021 at home in Thornton, Colorado with his family by his side. Joe learned the business from his dad, Chuck Wagner, who built Caymus Vineyards into one of Americas best-known Cabernet brands. Sons want their father's approval. In the restaurant business, chef owned and operated restaurants are invaluable to cities. It's free! Running a business with your family must be even harder. you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our. Cory Wagner savors role as wine merchant. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. For more information or to book a Copper Cane winery visit, contact Lloyd Vance at Lloyd.vance@coppercane.com, 707-200-7093. Riedel VINUM Wine Glasses Pay 6 Get 8 Mixed White Varietal Set 4 Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier/Chardonnay. Chuck Wagner and his late parents, Lorna and Charlie, started Caymus Vineyards in 1972. 01/04/1951 - 10/22/2021. For a novice wine drinker, it is full of character and very forward in expressing berry tones and sweet oak notes. Co-creator of some of the most iconic British comic book characters of the last thirty years, John Wagner continues to script his co-creations Judge Dredd and Strontium Dog in the pages of 2000AD . Another of his creative endeavors is Red Schooner, a rich, dark Malbec made from grapes grown in the Andes Mountains of Argentina, shipped chilled to Caymus and produced in the supple Caymus style. For seven generations, our family has lived in and loved the Napa Valley. As the demand for connectedness grows within the industry, Joe and his team have shown how they use technological progress and innovation to create a more engaging experience tying vineyard to consumer with the tap of a phone. CA. Catching the attention of wine critics, it earned them recognition and acclaim. The challenges are still there, but its like a child that listens rather than one who is always bucking the trend (like Pinot). While its true that Caymus Vineyards is the only winery in the world to have twice earned Wine Spectators highest accolade, the Wagners did not stop there it motivated them to keep striving to makebetter and better wines each and every year. Joe's success is a story of California Pinot Noir's success, and a snapshot of where the American wine industry is today and where Wagner thinks it will be tomorrow. They have also lived in Washington, DC and Columbus, GA. John is related to John P Wagner and Wagner Meeghan Burke as well as 3 additional people. Wagner is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society and recipient of the 2013 E.O. (These flat rates apply to orders of 750 & 375 ml bottles only. Also known as David David Wagner. It was not long before the father-son winemaking team started producing wines that were rich in character and complexity. 00 ($18.63/Count) $159.00 $159.00. John Wagner (born 1949) is an American-born British comics writer. John E. Wagner, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. If you are looking for an heirloom on which to work with your kids or grandkids, and money is not a concern, it is the right fit. Balancing the artisanal side with the business side; vineyard, winemaking, sales, accountingthey all have different needs and need to be in balance. 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. YUM. This land and these vines are in Joe's blood. Being able to receive such an award on behalf of all the people involved was huge., Team work, successful science projects and legacy arevery commendable, but Im curious as to his individual ego as it relates to his career. The small berries are too intense, and the big ones are too watery. Wine Sales and Distribution, Paul Wagner, John Crotts, and Byron Marlowe. JENNIFER HUFFMAN. The history of the place is part of whats so enchanting, says Wagner. Also, Meiomi recently received the Wine Brand of the Year award from Market Watch, which was a huge kudo to the entire team! Open Daily 11 am to 5 pm Year-Round for Sales & Tastings, Extended hours on Friday nights 5:00pm until after sunset (approx 9:30pm) beginning Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend for ourSummer Music Series. John Caspar Wagner. Chuck required that his children choose their own grape to specialize in besides the familys icon Cabernet, if they wanted to forge their way in the industry and build their own brand. So for now, the biggest threat to the wine and grape industry in California is government regulation. Introducing our Head Chef @artisansofbarossa: Robin Wagner . Charles Glos son Charlie married Mabel Stice in 1910, raising their family on a thirteen-acre property situated on the Napa River halfway between Rutherford and Oakville districts, on a road that is now named Glos Lane. He has authored or co-authored more than 170 refereed journal and conference articles, technical reports, and conference summaries. Rita Hills He spent the next two decades at what he called Rancho El Jabali. Its the little things that create those ah ha moments in the life of a winemaker. Or fastest delivery Fri, Mar 3 . Wagner is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society and recipient of the 2013 E.O. StyleBlueprint was invited to meet with Joe Wagner, one of Californias most impressive winemakers, on his recent visit to Nashville. In addition to Conundrum, Charlie produces coastal Mer Soleil Chardonnays, whose distinct character can be traced to the dramatic growing conditions of the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey County. Through his innovative philosophy of copper cane harvesting, Joe made his luxury wines appealing for everyday drinkers, and he would eventually turn this philosophy into the namesake of his main brand. Over time, the vineyard has grown to about 85 acres, with a switch to organic farming in 1996, when it was known as the Heller Estate. For 150 years, people tried to do something in this canyon., Sean Minor 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles), Bersano 2020 Costalunga (Barbera d'Asti Superiore), McLaren Flat Wine Co. 2021 Chardonnay (South Australia), Ireland Family 2021 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley), Folded Hills 2020 Estate Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley), Folded Hills 2020 Estate Grenache (Santa Ynez Valley), J. Lohr 2021 Arroyo Vista Chardonnay (Arroyo Seco), PoderNuovo a Palazzone 2019 Therra Red (Toscana), Firriato NV Gaudensius Blanc de Noir (Etna), Finca Bacara 2021 3015 Ecolgico Monastrell (Jumilla), Marchesi Antinori 2019 Villa Antinori Red (Toscana), Wrath 2020 Destruction Level Red (Monterey), Wrath 2020 San Saba Vineyard Syrah (Monterey), Wrath 2020 McIntyre Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands), Michele Chiarlo 2020 Le Orme (Barbera d'Asti), San Pedro 2020 1865 Selected Vineyards Las Moradas Carmenere (Maule Valley), San Pedro 2020 1865 Selected Vineyards Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley), Hidalgo 2019 Tradicin H Crianza (Rioja), Bodegas Luzn 2021 Altos de Luzn Made With Organic Grapes Monastrell (Jumilla), Flix Lorenzo Cachazo 2021 Carrasvinas Verdejo (Rueda), Via La Ronciere 2020 Licanten Idahue Estate Malbec (Curic Valley), Via La Ronciere NV Selva Oscura Extra Brut Sparkling (Malleco), Derby 2020 Derbyshire Vineyard Chardonnay (San Luis Obispo County), Bodegas Olarra 2018 Olarra Clsico Reserva (Rioja), Daou 2020 Sequentis Reserve Merlot (Paso Robles), Fernndez Rivera 2019 Condado De Haza Crianza (Ribera del Duero), Fernndez Rivera 2019 Tinto Pesquera Crianza (Ribera del Duero), Portlandia 2019 Big Believer Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA)), By continuing to use our Services and/or submitting the above information, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our Napa Valley isthe most important wine region in the United States. I love you and will always support you, but youre going to be a pauper. These were not the words I was hoping to hear when I told my father 22 years ago my dream of becoming a journalist. Shes a former International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association board member and treasurer. Lowest price in 30 days. Redwood Trees in Sonoma County, California . Along with the opportunity that was in front of me when I joined the family business, came a great amount of responsibility for the current times, but more importantly, to pass the family legacy on to my children in a better state than when I received it. Theyre also focused on the future, evolving constantly to compete with the best wines in the world. Being the winemaker and owner means I dont answer to accountants or shareholders! RUTHERFORD, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 23, 2014) - Joseph Wagner, the founder and winemaker of Belle Glos and Meiomi Pinot Noirs, announces the formation of his new wine company, Copper Cane Wines . It remains a standard-bearer of robust Pinots in many American consumers minds, though it is no longer in Joes portfolio. To learn more go to http://www.meiomiwines.com. When you open that bottle of wine, it is an experiencetypically, with family, friends and food. Its probably not the life my dad imagined for his only son. 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 property, which would later be renamed Eden Rift, featured a marvelous mansion and Zinfandel vines, both dating back to 1906 and the joint ownership of Captain Jules Jacques St. Hubert, a winemaker, and a Chicago grain broker named John Dickinson. New live tastings added regularly and past tastings accessible . There are 3 executives at Wagners getting paid more, with Cameron Coleman having the highest compensation of $568,154. In order to provide the opportunity for visitors to have a full view of the offerings of wine country, Joes Copper Cane tasting adventure can include a half-day of activities, including mountain biking, skeet shooting, or even a campfire at the homestead.. Few people in the American wine industry can claim a history in the business quite like Joseph (Joe) Wagner. They added terraced blocks of Pinot Gris, some Rhne grapes and a new block of Trousseau, which Vache had also planted. Joes dad, Charles J. View the profiles of people named John Wagner. (2020) And Fiction! Their sons, Guido, Dante and Benito, carried on the familys hospitality and vineyard pursuits. It also happened to be my Grandfathers favorite wine to drink, so there is a bit of the nostalgia playing into Zin, becoming one of my favorite wines to work with. Just a few hours earlier, he and Joe had met for breakfast. Napa Valley, CA (March 1, 2022) - Joe Wagner, a fifth-generation winemaker and founder of Belle Glos, announces the launch of its newest varietal and the brand's first white wine, Belle Glos Glasir Holt Chardonnay (SRP: $55).Belle Glos is known for making luxurious, terroir-driven Pinot Noirs from maritime-influenced vineyards in California. Joe offered me multiple reasons for his decision to leave, but I suspect the biggest factor may have been his desire to blaze his own path. You can purchase any of our wines here online or use our wine locatorto find a store near you. Congress passed Prohibition on January 16, 1919 and it did not end until December 5, 1933. They lived there for twenty years while immigrant Charles found work as needed in the valley below. BEA manages and operates the laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy. Prior to this, he labored from January of 1989 in the pioneering and establishing of Orlando Free Presbyterian Church, Orlando, FL. With his earnings, Lafayette was able to purchase 150 acres of land in the center of the Napa Valley, located at the end of the road now known as Stice Lane. The structure still stands, its shelves loaded with 50-year-old bottles. In 1858, Bluford and his wife Martha purchased seventy acres of farmland in Napa Valleys Oak Knoll District. It most certainly is. As Corbett Canyon grew, The Wine Group consolidated production elsewhere. Rita Hills AVA, says Wagner. Despite having bragging rights to that, he's most proud to be a father and a farmer. Chuck Wagner's parents, Lorna Belle Glos and Charlie Wagner Sr., were both born to families that helped shape Napa Valley's wine industry in [] We think of ourselves as farmers at heart, because that is what our family winery was founded on and it is what continues to help set us apart in both quality and innovation today.Chuck Wagner, document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Wagner Family of Wine. Rita Hills in 2009. Board and Bench, Santa Rosa. He focused on vineyard designation for his brand. The focus for Center of Effort remains estate-grown, luxury-level Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but Carlson returned once-common Chenin Blanc back to the Edna Valley and also experiments with Rhne grapes. Sommelier Roundtable: Whats the Best Wine to Beat Cabin Fever? Starting with a focused vision, not deviating from it and being patient will do anyone well in this industry. Meiomi works with growers in Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara and Monterey, and it is a natural fit, as they grow in those areas as well, Its nice to talk about our farming practices and relate them to theirs. And, the Valley has risen to the challenge Best Sonoma Wineries: The Complete Wine Tasting Guide, Healdsburg: The Best Things to Do in This Vibrant Sonoma Town, 15 Best Luxury Wine Hotels & Vineyard Resorts Around the World, 3 Day Lodi Wine Tasting Itinerary: Unique Experiences Beyond the Wine, Where To Go Wine Tasting in Malibu California, Beach Vacation Ideas Around the World for Wine Lovers. United States ; New York (NY) Finger Lakes ; Lodi ; Lodi - Things to Do ; Wagner Vineyards; Search. Continually pursuing new ideas, they feel extremely fortunate to spend their days farming grapes and making wine. Sign Up for Wine Spectators Free Email Newsletters and stay up-to-date with all things wine. There is no better place to showcase a wine than at the dinner table. I guarantee you'll enjoy your wine more after this post! The integrity of the brand is on the line and thats not something that can be easily earned back. The heir to a Napa Valley wine dynasty his grandfather founded Caymus Vineyards Wagner shocked the wine world when, in 2015, he sold his Pinot Noir brand Meiomi to Constellation Brands. Her most recent book, Publishing Architects Blueprint: Self-Publishing Fundamentals is a 2017 Indie Book Awards Finalist. And BEN, with its ripe fruit flavors, bright acidity and hints of toasty oak, is the purest expression of his signature style. The feeling of family seems to extend further out than just their own land, and I have the sense that blending of grapes from a multitude of growers is one of the secret ingredients that makes Meiomi wines so special. Winetraveler spoke with Joe Wagner of Copper Cane Wines to understand more about his background, winemaking philosophy, family history, technological integration and wine brand progression over the years.