Our February cruise across the Atlantic Ocean, from Rio de Janeiro to the Canary Islands, took us eight days. Along the way I attended what was billed as a Caymus Wine Dinner. Whenever I have encountered online wine discussions of Caymus wines I have discovered that there are both lovers and haters. Usually this discussion is centered on its Cabernet Sauvignon. These days the Wagner Family produces a diversity wines from Napa Valley, other parts of California, and beyond. During the wine dinner, as we were introduced to Caymus and Wagner Family wines. 
Caymus and Wagner Family Wine Story
Napa Valley’s Caymus Vineyards located in Rutherford, has built its reputation for the production of Cabernet Sauvignon. Caymus also produces Special Selection Cabernet, and Napa Valley Zinfandel, honoring the winery's co-founder Charlie Wagner Sr. Chuck Wagner and his late parents, Lorna and Charlie, started Caymus Vineyards in 1972. The Wagners were a family of farmers, with roots in Napa Valley dating back to the 1850s.
In recent years the Wagner Family has expanded their portfolio. These days Chuck and two of his children, Charlie and Jenny, produce diverse wines from Napa Valley, other parts of California and beyond. The wines are produced under Wagner Family of Wine labels. Briefly the wines are produced under these labels Caymus Vineyard (Napa Valley Cabinet Sauvignon, Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon), with other Wagner Family of Wine labels including Caymus-Suisun (Grand Durit -Petite Sirah, Walking Fool), Mer Soleil and Sea Fun (coastal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, from areas like Santa Lucia Highlands), Conundrum (multi-varietal blends), Emmolo (Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and rosé from estate and Napa Valley fruit), Red Schooner (grapes sourced internationally, like Malbec from Argentina), and Bonanza (California Cabernet Sauvignon). Some of these wines were shared during dinner.
Caymus Dinner
The winemaker's dinner included the following wine and food pairings:
Menu for Caymus Dinner © Spaswinefood
I always like a dining experience where we meet the chef.
What follows is a summary of the discussion around the table and findings from my research.
Openings
1. Beef Carpaccio
Mel Soleil Chardonnay, Monterey County, CA 2023 © Spaswinefood
First Course
Walking Fool wine, a blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, is produced from grapes grown in the Suisun Valley, near Napa Valley.
Main Course
There were two choices for the main prime beef tenderloin (Tournedos Rossini ), or salmon and prawns.
The salmon dish was paired with Sea Sun Pinot Noir, CA
Cheese Plate
It is hard to beat attending a wine dinner during those sea days, of which there are many sea days on an Atlantic crossing. While cruising to the Canary Islands I enjoyed hearing Wagner Family Wine Story, and learning about the various wines included in Wagner Family of Wine portfolio. Of course the Wagner Family wines were also available on the Princess Cruise wine lists during the cruise. Later, I would explore Canary Islands wines before we headed back out to sea (see Canary Islands Volcanic Wines). As we cruised into Casablanca, Morocco, and onwards to Spain, we attended another wine tasting that was advertised as a Tuscan Wine Dinner. I can not think of a better way to have welcomed our arrival to Morocco than a Tuscan Wine Dinner at sea that was inspired by Frescobaldi. I invite you to join me in my Atlantic Ocean Sea travels and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my vine-filled sea cruising explorations.
CHEERS!
Sharon
February 2026
Cruising from Rio to the Canary Islands
© Spaswinefood
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