Bios:
CHARLIE WAGNER is owner and winemaker for Mer Soleil winery in the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County. At 16, he began his winemaking career in the family’s Mer Soleil vineyard. After graduating from high school, Charlie apprenticed with Jon Bolta, the winemaker for Conundrum White. With the 2003 vintage, Charlie took over full production responsibilities for Mer Soleil Chardonnay. He not only oversees winemaking, but also continues the Wagner love of vineyard development and farming in California.

JENNY WAGNER is the newest member of the Wagners to join the family business as winemaker for Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. Emmolo is named after Jenny’s maternal family. The Emmolos have a long history in Napa Valley with Jenny’s great-grandfather, Salvatore Emmolo, starting the family’s grapevine rootstock nursery in 1923. Her grandfather, Frank Emmolo, managed the nursery and grew Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot on their family property. Jenny has been working alongside her father, Chuck Wagner, for the past few years, benefiting from hands-on learning of both grape farming and winemaking in the Napa Valley.