The history of Orin Swift Cellars dates back to 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer and went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, how it was made, and got hooked. A few more years of university led to graduation and eventually a job at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1997 as a temporary harvest worker.
Deciding that if he was going to work this hard, it would eventually have to be for himself, so in 1998 he founded Orin Swift Cellars; Orin is his father’s middle name and Swift is his mother’s maiden name. With two tons of zinfandel and not much else, he spent the next decade making wine for others as well as himself and grew the company to what it is today.
Orin Swift Blank Stare 2018
Every now and then when tasting wine, you come across one that makes you fall into its gravity. One moment you’re having a great time with friends and the next you’re stuck with your nose in the glass—time stands still and you appear to have a blank stare on your face. The gravitational pull makes time stop. In fact, the third iteration of Blank Stare follows in the footsteps of two great vintages for Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced primarily from the Laguna Ranch, MacMurray and Two Rock vineyards, the wine’s main premise is to do just that, make time stand still with glass in hand, just for a few seconds.
Glowing in the glass, the aromatics concentrate with notes of lemongrass, fresh cut grass and hints of lavender, cream and jasmine. On the palate, the entry is all acidity but with a serious mid-palate—lively flavors of kiwi, lime and intriguing minerality. The finish is bright and youthful with a slight Meyer lemon rind closing out the wine.
Orin Swift Blank Stare 2019
A glowing pale straw with a striking touch of chartreuse sits in the glass. Aromatically, the wine pops with lime zest, gooseberries, ripe passionfruit, fresh cut grass and lemon bars. On the entry, the acidity acts like a belt, constraining the voluptuousness; similar taste profiles to the nose plus crispy green apples and the faintest hint of fresh sage abound. The finish is reminiscent of ripe kiwi and limoncello, teetering on a beam of lingering acidity.
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
"Expressive and fragrant, with honeysuckle, candied ginger, tangerine and lemon curd flavors on a full, fleshy frame. A fresh thread of acidity keeps the flavors bright and focused, with accents of matcha green tea, dried white flowers and spice lingering on the finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases made." - 92 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
Orin Swift Mannequin 2018
A lurid straw gold, the aromatics abound with bright lemon, butterscotch, honeysuckle and jasmine, with hints of Granny Smith apple, fresh butter and lime zest. Rich and layered upon entry, the palate espouses honeydew, yellow peach, vanilla with a lush, weighty viscosity. A vein of acidity is present through the finish with a pleasing close of minerality and lemon pith.
Varietal: Chardonnay
Orin Swift Abstract 2020
At Orin Swift, we have been fortunate to have access to a wide range of vineyards across California. Luckily, this diversity of sources meant that the horrific fires of 2020 spared most of our fruit. Carefully tasted, tested and tasted again, we made sure any lots included in our 2020 wines were free of smoke taint. Abstract being one of our largest blends, we were diligent with the process of evaluating the wines; a patchwork of individual lots that retain some of their character but meld seamlessly together—like the collage—is why this wine is always a team favorite.
Nose: The 2020 Abstract pours a neon purple splash and an opaque maroon core with dark aromatics upfront. Black plum, boysenberry and hints of bing cherry and lavender invite a taste.
Palate: On the palate, the aromatics turn into the sense of taste along with a touch of dark chocolate and reduced blackberry. Supple drying tannins and a slight chalky texture close the wine with a calming finish.
Varietal: Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah
"This blend offers a potpourri of hearty aromas and flavors, with black raspberry and cherry flavors accented by smoked pepper, orange peel and black olive notes that finish with medium-grained tannins. Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Malbec." - 91 points, Tim Fish, Senior Editor at Wine Spectator
Orin Swift Abstract 2021
One of many definitions of the word, abstract, is a summary of something larger, encompassing the crucial elements, making it easy to comprehend on the fly. Abstract, in its own way, is an abstract of our winemaking mission and ethos at Orin Swift. It will always have our signature drinkability, comprised of fruit from quality vineyards across California and creates conversations—be it about the wine or the label. For those new to Orin Swift, Abstract is a beloved starting point on a journey with us.
Nose: An opaque purple core with a glowing mauve rim, the 2021 Abstract brings forth opening aromas of muddled blue and blackberries with a frame of dark chocolate brownie and seasoned leather.
Palate: The wine enters with class, being soft and lush, with notes of ripe plum, boysenberry and Santa Maria tri-tip. Grippy, chewy tannins, the wine closes with pleasing sarsaparilla and blackcurrant.
Varietal: Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah
Orin Swift Abstract 2019
Immediate aromatics escape the glass: blueberry, Mirabelle plum, ripe raspberry, Bing cherry and enchanting musk. On entry, the wine is seamless and enveloping with notes of Black plum, sweet cassis and blueberry compote on the mid-palate. Textured and long on the finish, the wine closes with a hint of dried lavender and dark chocolate.
Varietal: Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah
Orin Swift Mannequin 2020
Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape in California, and Mannequin was created to highlight the varietal from different appellations across the state in a single blend. Each vineyard and their resulting wine lots have their own personality which on their own makes them interesting; however, we’ve learned that sometimes the sum of parts can be greater than the parts themselves. You could say the same about the label too… Sourced from the Laguna Ranch and Del Rio vineyards in the Russian River Valley, the Stagecoach Vineyard on Atlas Peak and other select vineyards in Sonoma County, the 2020 Mannequin represents some of the best Chardonnay growing areas in California.
Nose: Golden straw in the glass with a flash of emerald, the wine opens with notes of ripe Bosc pear, lemon meringue, and white flowers.
Palate: On the palate, the entry is coating with yellow peach, honeydew, and wet stone along with a mid of palmiers, tostones and ripe stone fruit. The finish is accentuated by a seam of acidity and leaves one with hints of lemon pith and butterscotch.
Varietal: Chardonnay
"Complex, with details of butterscotch, ripe melon, baked apple and spices. This has a supple texture that adds an air of elegance, with details of honeycomb and nutmeg on the finish." - 90 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
Orin Swift Slander 2020
In the seventh iteration of our Pinot Noir, Slander is solidifying its style and defining its own voice. As we strive to always overdeliver with each wine, Slander has proven difficult because of the fickle nature of the varietal. In many respects, we treat Pinot Noir differently than the rest of our red varietals; we pick it earlier and typically utilize the punchdown over the pumpover. Gentle handling in the vineyard and cellar allows us to capture these delicate aromatics and the enchanting palate of Pinot Noir. Sourced from across California, this 2020 vintage includes fruit from Annapolis, Del Rio, Radian and Our Lady of Guadalupe vineyards.
Pale ruby in the glass.
Nose: The wine opens with no-fuss aromatics of bright strawberry, candied cherry, crushed gravel, wet brick, white pepper and brushed violet.
Palate: Enveloping in a sophisticated, elegant manner, the palate has similar tones to the nose with some black cherry and a touch of minerality. Vibrant and energetic through the finish, the wine closes with a pleasant vein of acidity, capable of myriad pairings.
Varietals: Pinot Noir
"Plump and direct, offering mulled black cherry and plum notes, with dashes of sweet toast and licorice. Drink now. 4,140 cases made." - James Molesworth, Senior Editor and Special Projects Director at Wine Spectator
Orin Swift Slander 2021
A focus on geographic diversity has been a principle of ours for many years. Sourcing grapes from across California gives us the flexibility to produce wines when some regions are affected by forces outside of our control. But when the entire state experiences a great vintage, the diversity can sometimes be a problem…a good problem. Extensive tastings of trial blends are difficult when each blend is great for specific reasons. But in the end, we all agreed on the blend in front of you, comprised of fruit from across California—Sonoma Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta. Rita Hills and many more.
Crisp crimson in the glass.
Nose: The 2021 Slander opens with notes of wild strawberry, pomegranate, Bing cherry and cedar. Secondary aromatics abound, with hints of redwood grove underbrush, white pepper and earth.
Palate: Delicate on entry, the palate is flooding with red plum, cherry cola, rhubarb and spices. A touch of cocoa powder on the finish, the wine closes with confident acidity and length.
Varietals: Pinot Noir
Orin Swift Machete 2018
A gothic mauve with a vivid neon rim, the wine appears almost black in the glass. Notes of wet stone, black plum and crushed gravel reverberate from within. Bold upfront, the palate is all-enveloping with mixed berry crepe, black licorice and a touch of char. Layered and omnipotent in weight, the wine finishes with ripe Petite Sirah tannins, providing a pleasant closing texture.
Varietal: Petite Syrah, Syrah and Grenache
Orin Swift 8 Years In The Desert 2020
8 Years in the Desert is our homage to California. Anchored by a distinctly Californian grape varietal, Zinfandel, we have been able to source fruit from across the state and craft a wine that shows off our style. As a result of picking later than most, we have a higher risk of ‘stuck fermentations’ specifically with Zin; our methods have minimized those risks although they still remain year to year. Complemented by structured Petite Sirah and layered Syrah, this blend was carefully selected to be the fourth progression in the series.
Bright violet in the glass, the 2020 8 Years in the Desert is the epitome of our style, the reason we are even here in the first place.
Nose: As it’s being poured, the aromatics hit squarely on the nose with a perception of sweetness: pure brambly raspberry juice and blueberry preserves with a hint of white pepper and High Sierra forest floor. Yet, the perceived sweetness on the nose is just that, perceived, and doesn’t carry through to the palate.
Palate: Lush and enveloping with a beam of acidity, notes of blackberry pie, plum and kirsch flourish. Ultra-round tannins and lingering raspberry, the wine finishes in slow-motion.
Varietal: Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah