Carmel Magazine

Winter 2017

Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/784242

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 127 of 243

Ted Balestreri, "attended by a Who's Who of golfers and celebrities. They have a great time, telling stories and giving toasts. Jim is definitely the chairman of the board that night." "That dinner is an ode to the good thing that Bing brought to Pebble Beach," Nantz says. At the tender age of 11, Nantz knew exactly where his life was going. "I knew I wanted to be in broadcast- ing—specifically at CBS Spor ts," he recalls. "That was because they broad- cast the Masters." He was hired by CBS in 1985. "I don't consider myself a 'broad- caster' per se —I leave the casting to the fishermen. I'm a 'spor ts commenta- tor,' a storyteller, not a statistician. And golf is an oppor tunity for me to do long-form storytelling." He excels at it, as the three Emmy awards on his mantle and legions of fans attest. As if his CBS duties weren't enough to occupy his time, Nantz is also in the wine business. The Calling is the brand he co- created with Peter Deutsch of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. "When we met, one of my first questions was, 'Do you want to put your name on the label?'" Deutsch recalls. "He didn't know the question was a make or break for me. If he said, 'Yes,' I would have passed and recommended someone else. He said, 'No.'" According to Deutsch, celebrity-driven wine brands do not resonate in the marketplace. "My interest is in creating the next great American wine brand," Nantz says. So far, so good. The first vintages, launched in June, 2012, of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were cultivated in the Russian River Valley and the Cabernet Sauvignon in Alexander Valley. "We've received ten scores of 90 and above," Deutsch says, "which for a brand in its infancy is amazing." The wines are available in all 50 states and at over 5,000 restaurants, including Vesuvio and Dametra Cafe in Carmel, Sardine Factory in Monterey, and Pebble Beach Resorts "Our Chardonnay is the number one seller at Roy's at Spanish Bay," Nantz says proudly. The sportscaster doesn't see The Calling as just a sideline, however. "I see the company as something I can pass on to my kids," Nantz says. And he is intimately involved in every detail. "Jim is probably one of the busiest guys on the planet, yet we speak three or four times every week," Deutsch says. "It's an unbelievable amount of commitment. There's something very special about this project to him." Commitment is a good choice of words when talking about Jim Nantz. It's obvious in the passion he puts into every aspect of his life, from his televi- sion work to his wine business and especially to his family. "He's the type of guy who makes America great," says Balestreri. "He's truly a man of the community. As famous as he is, he's really a homebody when he's here." 126 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 (Left) Jim's daughter Caroline with siblings Finley and Jameson. (Right) Courtney and Jim's families gathered to celebrate the christenings of Finley and Jameson. Both were born at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Nantz is committed to and passionate about The Calling, his premium wine brand. Photo: Amanda Reamer Photo: Kelli Udlall Photo: Courtesy of Nantz Family Collection

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Carmel Magazine - Winter 2017