Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit The Calling with a Private Chauffeur
Sportscaster Jim Nantz's Sonoma wine, built on Dutton Ranch Chardonnay and made by James MacPhail. The Calling does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Jim Nantz, the Emmy-winning sportscaster who began calling the Masters, the Final Four and NFL games for CBS in 1985, met Peter Deutsch by chance in 2009. Deutsch had joined his family's company, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, in 1985 and became its CEO in 2007. The two bonded over their admiration for their fathers and founded The Calling in 2012 as a tribute to them; Nantz's father's struggle with Alzheimer's disease also led him to found the Nantz National Alzheimer Center in Houston.
The wines are Sonoma-focused Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon made by James MacPhail, who has deep Sonoma roots and has made more than 100 Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays rated 90 points or higher since 2002. His Chardonnays are barrel fermented with wild yeast, go through full malolactic fermentation and age on the lees for 11 to 12 months. The Calling's first grower partner was Dutton Ranch in the Russian River Valley, the source of its Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, and the range now includes Searby Vineyard Chardonnay from vines planted in 1972, Patriarch Pinot Noir from the Putnam Vineyard on the far west Sonoma Coast, and Alexander Valley and Red Fox Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Calling does not have a winery open to the public. The wines are sold through its website and at retailers found with its store locator, and a concierge team answers questions on weekdays. For a day among the Russian River Valley vineyards it draws on, we take guests to estates nearby that do host.
Tasting Fees
The Calling does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Green Valley, Sebastopol
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
The Calling does not have a winery that is open to the public.
Known For
Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Sonoma Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, and its founders Jim Nantz and Peter Deutsch
Founded
2012
Good to Know
Join the mailing list on the winery's website for releases. The concierge team takes inquiries Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a hotel such as The Sebastopol Inn or Farmhouse Inn.
9:45 · Pickup at The Sebastopol Inn or Farmhouse Inn
The Sebastopol Inn, in downtown Sebastopol, and Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room country inn among the vineyards and redwoods of Forestville, are each about 15 minutes from Lynmar Estate. Since The Calling does not host visitors, this day takes you to three estates nearby that do. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Lynmar Estate
The first stop. Lynn and Anisya Fritz's estate on Quail Hill, with gardens that supply Chef David Frakes's kitchen, 10,000 square feet of caves and a solar-powered, gravity-flow winery. The seated Wine Flight of estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is $60; allow 90 minutes. By reservation, Wednesday to Monday, at 10 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m.
11:50 · Benovia Winery
About 20 minutes away. A family-owned Pinot Noir and Chardonnay house founded in 2005 by Mary Dewane, Joe Anderson and winemaker Mike Sullivan. The seated Estate & Single Vineyard Tasting of five or six wines is $45. Reservations required; open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last tasting at 3 p.m.
1:15 · Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe
About 25 minutes away. A café, soda fountain and general store at the center of Graton since 1995, serving down-home comfort food. Lunch from 11:30 a.m., with brunch on Sundays. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:35 · Russian River Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. A Forestville winemaking property with roots in the 1890s, revived in 2008 by fourth-generation farmer Gio Balistreri, who makes the wines, and with its own kitchen and a shaded, heated outdoor tasting area. The Library Tasting of red wines from the library collection, its rarest bottles, is $75, prepaid, for 2 to 6 guests. Open daily from 11:30 a.m.; reservations recommended.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back in Forestville or Sebastopol by 3:50 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Lynmar seats tastings at set times, Wednesday to Monday, so the day starts at its 10 a.m. seating and works on those days.
About $180 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries ($60 at Lynmar, $45 at Benovia and $75 for the Library Tasting at Russian River Vineyards), paid directly to each winery.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Can you visit The Calling?
No. The Calling does not have a winery open to the public, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at estates nearby that do host.
How can I buy The Calling wine?
Through the winery's website, or at retailers listed on its store locator. The mailing list announces new releases.
Who owns The Calling?
Founders Jim Nantz, the CBS sportscaster, and Peter Deutsch, CEO of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, who started it together in 2012.
Who makes The Calling wines?
James MacPhail, a Sonoma winemaker with more than 100 Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays rated 90 points or higher.
What is The Calling best known for?
Its Dutton Ranch Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley, along with Sonoma Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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