If you judge wines on how they taste and the degree of pleasure they offer, they are all incredible efforts.

Terroirists will claim the devil has possessed Phinney, as his offerings from France, Italy and Spain are all blends from different sectors of each country. This is going to be Orin Swift, no holds barred.I reviewed these Locations offerings from Dave Phinney of Orin-Swift Cellars last year, who is going against all conventional wisdom of vineyard and vintage dating wines. 'Together, we're going to make it better. 'I'm in the wine business-like so many people-because of the Gallos,' he explained. Phinney described the opportunity to partner with the Gallo family as working with some of his wine heroes and make wine not restricted by grape or facility limitations. Phinney also keeps his personal land holdings, including 250 acres in Napa Valley's Atlas Peak appellation, 250 acres in Alexander Valley and a minority interest in the 8-acre Old Crane Zinfandel vineyard in St. Phinney will retain D66, a wine made from old-vine Grenache on his 200 acres of vineyards in France's Languedoc-Roussillon region, as well as Locations, a value-oriented lineup of wines from around the world. 'We have every expectation to continue these products and brands, and hope to innovate more,' said Nabedian. Today the brand includes several different bottlings: Mercury Head, Papillon and Palermo are Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon labels, Mannequin is a Chardonnay-based blend and Abstract a red blend anchored in Grenache. After he sold the brand to Huneeus Vintners, Phinney kept busy with Orin Swift. The Prisoner appeared on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list multiple times. Zinfandel was blended with everything from Petite Sirah to Cabernet Sauvignon and Charbono, bottled with the striking image of a Francisco Goya sketch. The wine grew rapidly, from 385 cases to 85,000 cases in 10 years, foreshadowing the popularity of red blends today. Phinney founded Orin Swift Cellars in 1998 when he created The Prisoner, a popular Zinfandel-based wine he made from purchased grapes. We have great sales, but they wrote the book about it.' They have amazing vineyards and amazing facilities, and it's something we don't have. 'I get to continue to foster the brand along with Gallo and make it better, through their vineyards and facilities. 'I look at this as a long-term decision,' explained Phinney. 'You don't get to be Gallo by doing the wrong thing.'Īll signs point to Orin Swift growing after the transaction. 'I always had a high respect for ,' Phinney told Wine Spectator. Phinney has known the Gallo family for years, purchasing grapes and barrels from them.

Despite not owning its own winery facility, Orin Swift's current annual production stands at 100,000 cases. 'Dave has been really successful in making world-class wine, and we think we can provide resources for him to make even more outstanding wine,' Roger Nabedian, senior vice president and general manager of Gallo's Premium Wine division, told Wine Spectator. The acquisition includes the brand, inventory and St. Neither side would disclose a purchase price. Gallo announced that it has acquired Phinney's company, Orin Swift Cellars. Winemaker Dave Phinney has a knack for making delicious, stylish wines with memorable labels and attractive price points but also for understanding wine's business side.

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