Industry legend david swift phinney fell into winemaking by accident. A trip to italy with a friend in 1995 led to him discovering wine and how it was made – and that later translated into a job as a harvester at renowned robert mondavi winery in napa valley. When david eventually founded orin swift cellars in 1998, he was to spend the next two decades experimenting, blending across varieties and appellations to proudly create what he felt was a true californian wine. This bottling features zinfandel grapes sourced from around the state, complemented by dashes of syrah, petite sirah and grenache. Brambly red fruit, blueberry preserve and white pepper tones waft from the glass along with notes of forest floor and plum. Lush and rounded, yet with a fresh beam of acidity, it’s a very fine match for steak or cheeseburger. Or even blue cheese and dark chocolate after dinner.