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Jim Nantz & Peter Deutsch

Our Founders

Jim Nantz & Peter Deutsch of The Calling Winery

Jim Nantz

Emmy Award winning sports commentator Jim Nantz has called some of America’s biggest sporting events for the CBS Television Network since 1985. His voice resonates to viewers with a simple “Hello Friends”welcome on each NFL, NCAA or PGA Tour broadcast.

Jim had a very close relationship with his father, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and later became the inspiration for Jim to open a world-renowned Alzheimer’s research center, the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist Hospital.

When Jim met Peter Deutsch by chance, they immediately bonded over their shared respect and admiration for their fathers. Their friendship soon turned into a partnership as they pursued their dream to establish a winery in honor of their fathers, who always inspired them to find their life’s calling.

Headshot of Jim Nantz, Co-Founder of The Calling

Peter Deutsch

Peter Deutsch joined the family company, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, in 1985. Working closely with his father, Bill Deutsch, Peter guided numerous up-and-coming wine brands to global success. His creative and operational strengths, along with his proven industry success, propelled him to CEO in 2007.

Much like Jim Nantz, Peter also wanted to honor his father by creating a wine bearing the Deutsch family name as a tribute to the impact his father has had on his life.

Peter’s intimate knowledge of the wine world, in addition to his access to top winemakers and vineyard sites, were pivotal factors to the friends’ new venture. Impassioned by their shared calling, Peter and Jim now produce beautifully crafted wines of which their fathers would be proud.

Headshot of Peter Deutsch, Co-Founder of The Calling

When we release our wines, naturally, the first people we think to share them with are our friends, family and fellow wine lovers. We love that the passion and respect for Sonoma wines brings all of these people together.

Jim Nantz
Peter Deutsch

A momentous meeting. A fast friendship. A common calling.

Jim and Peter met serendipitously in 2009. The two men struck up a fast friendship, quickly realizing that they shared an independent dream of finding the ideal site to establish their own premium wine brand. They decided to chase this common calling and pursue their dream together as partners.

As plans to pursue this adventure progressed, Jim and Peter felt Sonoma calling. Known for its elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sonoma was the best choice for making extraordinary wines. Jim and Peter
were eager to explore the diverse micro-regions within Sonoma and the different expressions of Sonoma’s most renowned varietals they could produce.

The Calling was formally founded in 2012 and has been making premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon wines ever since – a true testament to the greatness that is possible when you follow your calling.

Grapes growing at dawn.

Experience Our Calling

“When we release our wines, naturally, the first people we think to share them with our friends, family and fellow wine lovers. We love that the passion and respect for Sonoma wines brings all of these people together.” –Jim Nantz

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Bottle of Pinot Noir from the Calling displayed on table, with a glass of red wine and olives on both sides.