DR. ABOU NAJM
Associate Professor - Land, Air and Water Resources
UC Davis
Professor Abou Najm studies the dominant physical and biogeochemical processes controlling the flows of water, carbon, energy, and nutrients across the soil-plant-atmosphere system. He seeks integrative approaches at the nexus between those resources to develop sustainable solutions that promote circular economic progress, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. He advocates for a nexus way of thinking, which led him to agrivoltaics, a new way to harvest the sun for maximizing the co-generation potential of food and energy while saving water and promoting healthy soils.
WILLIAM BRAZELTON President
(Bio will be updated soon)
JENNY WAGNER
Coming from a long line of farmers and winemakers, Jenny Wagner inherited a love of farming, an eagerness to get her hands dirty and a willingness to push boundaries.
As owner and winemaker of Emmolo wines, Jenny has created a distinguished and singular style for her Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Sparkling. She also oversees production of hillside Zinfandel along with several experimental varieties planted under the Caymus-Suisun label in Suisun Valley, including Italian, French and Greek varieties.
Emmolo is named after her maternal relatives, who arrived in Napa Valley from Sicily in 1923. For many years, the Emmolos ran a rootstock nursery, providing grapevines to many of the area’s growers (including Jenny’s dad Chuck, who founded Caymus Vineyards with her grandparents in 1972).
In addition to Emmolo, Jenny recently launched Caymus-Suisun The Walking Fool, a red blend produced from nearby Suisun Valley. Only a short drive from Napa Valley, Suisun shares a remarkably similar climate and exceptional growing conditions, and the region has quickly become the Wagner family’s second home.
The Walking Fool is named after a long-ago relative who was often seen traveling by foot, thus earning this affectionate moniker. Featuring Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, this wine is smooth and lively, with juicy raspberry, notes of espresso and softly fine tannins. The Walking Fool is the second of Caymus-Suisun’s flagship wines alongside Grand Durif. Besides her winemaking, Jenny is actively involved in Suisun Valley, sitting on the board of the Suisun Valley Vintners and Growers Association.
Jenny feels extremely fortunate to be putting her mark on both The Walking Fool and her Emmolo wines, embracing new techniques in both the vineyard and her winemaking.
Charlie Wagner is owner and winemaker for Mer Soleil winery in the Santa Lucia Highlands (within Monterey County). Making both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir under the Mer Soleil label, he is passionate about how these wines reflect the drama and rugged beauty of California’s central coast.
Charlie also leads Conundrum, which was inspired in the late ‘80s by his grandfather’s experiments at the dinner table. Mixing different varietals was unheard of back then, and Conundrum helped to ignite the nowpopular blend category. In addition, Charlie leads Red Schooner – which now includes two “Red Wines of the World,” a Malbec made from grapes grown in Argentina and a red blend made from grapes grown in Australia.
With a tireless interest in making wines from different parts of California, Charlie launched his newest label, Sea Sun, a few years ago. Reflecting the state’s unique landscape, Sea Sun offers both a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from premier coastal regions, each holding broad appeal for a wide range of palates.
Named after his grandfather, Charlie Wagner Sr. – co-founder of Caymus Vineyards – Charlie has a long family history in Napa Valley dating back to 1857.
