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The Odd Fellows Lodge
1352 Main Street
St. Helena, CA 94574

Website:  http://www.orinswift.com/

History

Orin Swift Cellars is the realization of a dream that began while studying abroad at the University of Florence in Florence, Italy. Like so many other college students I was at odds with what to do upon graduation. Fortunately for me, my roommate at the time was from an old wine family in the Sonoma valley and he had a great suggestion: "Why not get into the wine business? You seem to like wine."

In truth, I did enjoy wine and even more, I enjoyed the idea of what I perceived to be an honorable and honest profession. Having just finished an internship for a congressman the previous semester, the latter was very important to me.

When I returned to the States, I tried to immerse myself in all aspects of the wine business, which is no easy task being in the middle of the desert at the University of Arizona. As luck would have it, I found a professor in the agriculture department who was also interested in growing grapes and in the spring of 1997 the University planted a one-acre experimental block in the heart of Tucson, Arizona. Equally important was the experience I gained while working at one of Tucson's finest retail wine shops learning the hardest part of the wine business, selling the stuff.

A few months later, I found myself with a degree in political science working my first harvest for the Robert Mondavi Winery. I cut my teeth as the low man and only white guy on an all-Mexican nightshift. I was hooked. The next year, I started Orin Swift Cellars with two tons of purchased Zinfandel grapes and as my wife likes to say, with one pair of shoes.

Over the last few years we've continued to grow, adding Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc to the program, as well as streamlining the Zinfandel into what is now our flagship wine, "The Prisoner". In addition, we recently purchased forty-eight acres of raw land in the hills above Oakville and hope to someday build a winery there. Until then, we welcome you to visit us at our newly renovated offices and tasting room located in the heart of downtown St. Helena at the historic Odd Fellows Lodge.

From all of us at Orin Swift Cellars, we thank you for your interest and hope you continue to enjoy the wines, which we proudly offer.

Warmest Regards,

Dave Phinney

Their well known/best sellers selection includes:
The Prisoner 2008 Red Wine
Great color, deep, dark garnet with a clean and bright red band in the rim. The aromas take a minute to come up, and then they take off into a blend of ripe berry and cherry with just a hint of new oak. We age the wine in both new and seasoned French and American oak.
46% Zinfandel
26% Cabernet Sauvignon
15% Syrah
10% Petite Sirah
  2% Charbono
  1% Grenache


SALDO 2008
Through the succes of his Prisoner label, Orin Swift Cellars owner/winemaker Dave Phinney has gained access to some of the best Zinfandel vineyards in the Northern California growing community. Dave recently decided he wanted to make a high quality Zinfandel and what he created did not fit the constraints of a single AVA.

Winemaker Notes

The 2008 Saldo is rich, ripe, and full-bodied, with aromas of black cherry and bramble fruit. The tannins are soft but the wine has a huge mid-palate. The soft, lush finish lingers. 2008 was a perfect vintage for Saldo. The hot weather was ideal for creating ripe zinfandel. Drink now and enjoy over the next five years.

Blend 88% Zinfandel   8% Syrah   4% Petite Syrah	California Appellation Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Amador, and Contra Costa
Alc/Vol 15.5%	Production 14,000 cases. Produced and bottled by Orin Swift Cellars.

Oak

French and American Oak barrels, 20% new