About James Callahan

Winemaker James Callahan began his journey into the world of wine in 2007. Freshly minted with a History degree from Arizona State University, Callahan was simultaneously intrigued by the deep human history of wine and the young wine industry right under his nose in Arizona. He began making wine with PurVine Winery in Tempe, Arizona, where he spent three years mastering Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon under the tutelage of winemaker John Allen Burtner. Subsequent harvests were spent with Waters Winery in Walla Walla, Washington, Paddy Borthwick Vineyards in New Zealand, and Kosta Browne in Sebastopol, California. Callahan came to Kosta Browne as a harvest intern in 2010 and rose to the position of Cellar Master during his tenure. In 2012, Callahan returned to his Arizona roots, relocating to Willcox, AZ as Winemaker with Aridus Wine Company, and later Pillsbury Wine Company. In 2013, in a culmination of his experiences thus far, Callahan founded his own label - Rune Wines. Rune Wines has now completed its 9th vintage, and has been recognized for its pioneering utilization of native yeasts and unique expressions of Arizona terroir. Today, in addition to continuously expanding Rune Wines, Callahan is also a consulting winemaker for Deep Sky Vineyards and Autumn Sage Vineyards.