Stanley Wagner (winemaker)
Bill Wagner | |
|---|---|
| Born | Stanley Arthur Wagner 10 April 1927 Elmira, New York, U.S. |
| Died | 26 June 2010 (aged 83) |
| Occupation(s) | Winemaker, brewer |
| Known for | Founding Wagner Vineyards and Wagner Valley Brewing Company |
Stanley Arthur "Bill" Wagner (April 10, 1927 – June 26, 2010) was a pioneering American winemaker who, during the 1970s, became one of the first to develop a vineyard in the Finger Lakes area of Upstate New York, specifically within what would later be designated as the Seneca Lake AVA. In addition to producing acclaimed wines, Wagner launched a microbrewery that crafted pilsner, lager, ale, and stout varieties.
Biography
Wagner was born in Elmira, New York and spent his formative years in Lodi, New York, close to where he eventually established his vineyards. After leaving high school early to serve in the United States Navy during World War II, he returned to agricultural pursuits following his military service. By the mid-1950s, he had resumed the family’s grape-growing legacy. In the 1970s, Wagner played an active role in promoting the New York Farm Winery Act of 1976, legislation that encouraged the growth of wineries throughout New York State.
Founded in 1979, Wagner Vineyards emerged when fewer than twelve wineries operated within the Finger Lakes region. The construction process spanned three years and was largely completed by Wagner alongside his family members. The initial vintage, produced in 1978, concentrated on white grape varieties such as chardonnay, gewürztraminer, and riesling. A 1981 review in The New York Times lauded its chardonnay for being "rich and creamy," drawing favorable comparisons to premier French white Burgundies.
Subsequently, the winery earned acclaim for its red wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot noir. In 1997, Wagner diversified into brewing with the creation of Wagner Valley Brewing Company. Following legislative changes that allowed expansion, he opened additional locations in New York City, Syracuse, New York, and the Thousand Islands. Throughout the 1990s, Wagner partnered with researchers at Cornell University to study resveratrol content in wine and highlighted its antioxidant properties on product labels until federal rules barred health-related claims.
Living in Lodi until his passing at age 83 after a short illness, Wagner credited part of his longevity to daily consumption of his own Pinot Noir. He left behind three children and six grandchildren.