Caymus 50th Anniversary Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Its been 50 years since my parents and I first made a Caymus Cabernet. In 1972 few wineries existed – and each of us had a chance for a bright future. Maybe only Robert Mondavi truly believed that Napa Cabernet would reach extraordinary heights. I recall he put his finger on wines long history – being a healthful accompaniment to fine dining and greater enjoyment for body and soul. Caymus consisted of a mom pop and son team – that was it. We began with fermenting tanks that resembled redwood hot tubs and a manual wine transfer pump that operated like an antique exercise machine. Inglenook and Beaulieu gave us some of their used barrels a kind of neighborly generosity that might seem remarkable today. We were so small we did it all – my father Charlie the wine maker who taught me the trade of grape growing and winemaking my mother Lorna Belle the stalwart supporter who held us together. The years with my parents were great and I am fortunate now to be working alongside two of