Show Notes
In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Owner & Winemaker, MacPhail Family Wines & Tongue Dancer Wines | Winemaker, The Calling, Sangiacomo Family Winery, and We Know Jack!
James MacPhail grew up just north of San Francisco in Marin County where, since the 1880s, members of his family have been pillars of the local business community. Between the dairy farm in western Sonoma County and the building materials, electronics and propane businesses in Marin County, James was raised with a strong work ethic. A passion for entrepreneurial business and a love for the land are at the center of both his personal and professional lives. James became an accomplished classical pianist and bagpiper, as well as a dedicated sportsman. He excelled at competitive swimming and water polo and today is still a daily Masters swimmer.
James attended the University of Redlands in the 1980s and later earned dual B.S. degrees in Business and Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Encouraged by his father to blaze his own trail, James designed a custom work/study program to pursue his true passion: wine. In the mid-1990s, he began honing his craft in Sonoma County, particularly in Pinot Noir, starting as a harvest intern at Quivira Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley in 1994.
With over 28 years in the wine industry, James has produced more than 100 wines, consistently earning 90+ point scores from major publications. His wines are celebrated for their balance, varietal expression, and commitment to sustainable farming. James produces wine in small batches, by hand, using traditional old-world techniques and minimal intervention.
James founded MacPhail Family Wines in 2001, becoming part of a wave of boutique Pinot Noir wineries. Despite early success, challenges arose, including a 2008 wildfire in California’s Anderson Valley that caused smoke taint, as well as the impact of the global financial crisis. In 2011, James sold the brand to Hess Collection to focus on winemaking, continuing to produce Pinot Noir for Hess under the Sequana label until its discontinuation. As a consulting winemaker, he worked with over 70 vineyard sites across California for brands such as The Calling, Sangiacomo, We Know Jack, and his own Tongue Dancer Wines, co-founded with his wife, Kerry, in 2012. In 2023, they re-acquired MacPhail Family Wines from Hess.
James' expertise spans multiple wine regions, including Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Oregon, and Santa Barbara. Throughout his career, he has crafted wines from renowned regions such as the Russian River Valley, Green Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, and Oakville. His wines have garnered numerous accolades, including coverage on the cover of Wine Spectator (December 2006), a spot in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 (2017), and Wine Enthusiast Top 100 selections in 2018 and 2022. He has also earned numerous "Cellar Selection" and "Editor's Choice" honors over two decades.
The Calling sources premium fruit from top vineyards, using classic winemaking techniques. The Chardonnays are barrel-fermented in French oak with wild yeasts, undergo full malolactic fermentation, and age sur lie for 11-12 months. Red wines ferment with wild yeasts, undergo extended maceration, and age in a mix of French, Eastern European, and American oak, tailored to each varietal.
Sangiacomo Wines is a family-owned winery known for high-quality, single-vineyard wines from Sonoma County’s top vineyards. Specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon, the winery emphasizes sustainability and meticulous vineyard management, producing wines with balance, elegance, and complexity.
Founded by James and Kerry MacPhail in 2012, Tongue Dancer Wines focuses on small-scale production of exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery emphasizes quality and creativity, crafting wines with memorable taste and texture, and exploring the full potential of these grapes.
We Know Jack! produces high-quality, small-lot wines from Sonoma’s Rockpile AVA, specializing in Zinfandel and other bold varietals. With James MacPhail as the consulting winemaker, the winery emphasizes sustainable farming and wines that showcase the rugged terroir with bold, expressive styles.
And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!
