- Publish Date: Oct 26, 2009
Only in his mid-30’s, David Phinny has already achieved more than many winemakers hope to accomplish in a lifetime.
His flagship wine, a Zinfandel-driven blend called The Prisoner, was named #15 in Wine Spectator’s "Top 100 Wines of 2007" – pretty amazing for a $35 bottle.
Yet David decided early that he would not be a prisoner to his career. After spending a semester abroad in Italy, he fell in love with wine and was attracted to what he “perceived to be an honorable and honest profession,” a welcome change from the job he had held working in politics the summer before.
David’s foray into the wine industry came at Robert Mondavi Wines where he worked the night shift. His next steps took him to Napa big-wigs Opus One and Whitehall Lane. (Not bad places to pick up a thing or too about winemaking.)
His own label, Orin Swift, was founded just shortly after working the harvest at Robert Mondavi with only two tons of Zinfandel. With names like The Prisoner and Mercury Head, the Orin Swift labels appear avant-garde yet invoke the high level of intellect and artistry behind his carefully-crafted wines.
As high as The Prisoner has taken him, David is sure to reach higher heights. Be sure to visit the Orin Swift website to join his mailing list or sample the goods.
You can buy David's wines at www.orinswift.com
