Watson's Wine

Dave Phinney, Winemaker of the Year, Wine Enthusiast 2019

Dave Phinney, founder of Orin Swift, is a Napa wine legend! In 2019 he was named Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast, and Robert Parker admires his wines for their considerable character and complexity. He’s as known for his innovative packaging as he is for wine quality and personality. He believes that wine should resemble a piece of great art, and his labels, inspired as much by street art as fine art, tell stories about the vineyard, the vintage, the winemaker.

“There’s a soul to this business. That soul isn’t just from the people who make wine, it’s everyone who loves wines that make them feel something.” – Orin Swift Winemaker, Dave Phinney

Orin Swift Cellars

Based out of Saint Helena, within the prized Napa Valley, Orin Swift features a portfolio of wines that appeal to a variety of senses. It all begins in the vineyard. Sourcing for the Orin Swift family takes Dave across the state of California, with special interest in the Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Santa Barbara. He sets his sights on small lots within the most coveted growing regions while ensuring that only fruit of the highest quality makes it in to the final blend.

Every wine in the portfolio, from the vineyard source to the distinct artwork adorning the label, offers a unique point of view while creating a heart-skipping impression.

Orin Swift Cellars

Based out of Saint Helena, within the prized Napa Valley, Orin Swift features a portfolio of wines that appeal to a variety of senses. It all begins in the vineyard. Sourcing for the Orin Swift family takes Dave across the state of California, with special interest in the Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Santa Barbara. He sets his sights on small lots within the most coveted growing regions while ensuring that only fruit of the highest quality makes it in to the final blend.

Every wine in the portfolio, from the vineyard source to the distinct artwork adorning the label, offers a unique point of view while creating a heart-skipping impression.

Orin Swift’s eclectic wines combine bold, intense flavors with balance and focused sleekness.

But certainly a key part of the attraction of Orin Swift is the creative individuality of the labels, in addition to the wines themselves. The evocative packaging captures and holds attention, featuring classic art, dramatic photography, abstract image collages and an out-of-circulation dime.

Orin Swift Blank Stare Sauvignon Blanc

An all-new wine (thus as yet unscored) from the Phinney stable – concentrated, powerful and full of flavour. Fruit is sourced primarily from Russian River in Sonoma, a great climatic spot for Sauvignon Blanc vineyards which allows for the retention of natural fruit acidity. Nearly half the fruit is fermented in stainless steel, contributing a taut mineral edge to ripe flavours of peach, pear and pineapple, with notes of butterscotch and vanilla. This wine is a real eye-opener – exactly as you would expect from the label!

Orin Swift Blank Stare Sauvignon Blanc

An all-new wine (thus as yet unscored) from the Phinney stable – concentrated, powerful and full of flavour. Fruit is sourced primarily from Russian River in Sonoma, a great climatic spot for Sauvignon Blanc vineyards which allows for the retention of natural fruit acidity. Nearly half the fruit is fermented in stainless steel, contributing a taut mineral edge to ripe flavours of peach, pear and pineapple, with notes of butterscotch and vanilla. This wine is a real eye-opener – exactly as you would expect from the label!