My Favorite Cigar
Chuck Wagner • Winemaker • Padrón Serie 1926 No. 35
Chuck Wagner’s first serious cigar was actually half of a smoke. “My cousin got his hands on a Havana, and he cut it in half, and we each smoked half,” says Wagner. “We thought it was heaven.” Today, when Wagner, 72, enjoys his occasional puff he smokes the whole thing.
“I associate smoking a cigar with a good moment, some celebration, being with friends.” Wagner has much to celebrate, as the owner and winemaker of the celebrated Caymus Vineyards in California’s Napa Valley. Wagner has been part of the winery from the beginning, ing his parents at just 19 when they formed Caymus. They had started humbly selling grapes grown on their Rutherford, California property. The transition to winemaker led to some serious accolades: Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon has been named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year twice, in 1989 and in 1994.
Wagner believes certain wines pair well with smokes. “Red blends that have a trace of residual sugar go well with cigars.” That said, Wagner tends to keep his wines away from his cigars. “Generally I separate them. I’m a wine drinker and I have wine with my food. After that, it would be time for a smoke.”
