As the next generation of winemakers takes over Napa Valley, Joe Wagner is at the forefront of the movement.

He is keenly aware that Napa Valley currently is fighting an "image problem" because many of the region's wines are considered over-priced. In addition, as the one of the world's greatest wine regions, Napa has had its share of legacy issues.

Wagner, a fifth-generation winemaker, wants to change all that, he said last week during a private tasting at Capital Grille in Midtown Manhattan.

So he's making reasonably priced wines and created an empire for his six - yes six - kids.

All at the ripe age of 34. 

History Repeats Itself

Wagner's father, Chuck, founded Caymus Vineyards with his grandparents more than 40 years ago. Those wines have been top-rated and have received critical acclaim over the years. And Chuck has become one of the most important people coming out of Napa in our lifetime. 

But with success comes worry. Chuck watched his friends, the Mondavis, who put Napa Valley on the wine-world map, destroy the family legacy because of internal family feuds.

Chuck didn't want that to happen to his family business. He wanted his kids to take ownership. So he gave each kid a grape. His oldest son, Charlie, got Chardonnay, his daughter, Jenny. took Merlot; and Joe wanted Pinot Noir.

But Joe didn't just take ownership of the family's Pinot Noir, he blew it out of the water.

In 2001, he started with a single vineyard Pinot Noir, that they called Belle Glos, after his grandmother. It is still one of the most respected high-end Pinot Noirs available today.

Read more at source: TheStreet