Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve Santa Barbara 2015

As a teenager, Charlie began making wine along side his father. Charlie and his brother Joe, winemaker of Belle Glos, grew up learning and carrying on the viticulture practices of the Wagner family. However, Charlie continually seeks innovation as he produces high quality Chardonnay. In 2006, he started a second Chardonnay label, Silver, which strayed away from the traditional barrel fermented Chardonnay. Silver is Charlie’s unoaked Chardonnay, fermented in cement vats and stainless steal tanks. Born and raised in the vineyards of Napa Valley, Charlie practically has wine in his blood. It is no surprise that he shares the passion of winemaking with his father and grandfather.

For the Wagners, it’s all about the farming. One important aspect of farming that the Wagners value is crop rotation. In Monterey County, Charlie farms 100 acres of lemons, some of which are the Meyer variety. The juicy, brilliant yellow fruit are sold through a local produce broker. The citrus aroma is often evident in the Mer Soleil and Silver Chardonnays, as the grapes and lemons are produced from the same soils and weather patterns. This is the result of the lemon orchards that surround the vineyards.