What is Dave Phinney doing now?
The entrepreneur and founder of several influential California wine brands is expanding his vision to e-commerce and hospitality companies, waterfront redevelopment and more. (Margaret Pattillo) Dave Phinney is best-known as the mind behind The Prisoner and Orin Swift.
Who is Dave Phinney and why is he distilling in Vallejo?
Napa Valley vintner Dave Phinney is no ordinary winemaker. And now he’s no ordinary distiller. Prolific in creation of new and extraordinarily popular wine brands and labels, the original founder of The Prisoner and Orin Swift wines has set his sights on the spirits world, and he’s selected Vallejo’ Island as his muse.
Do you know Dave Phinney’s “The Prisoner”?
“I never made a wine I liked,” says Dave Phinney, world-famous winemaker-turned-distiller. If you don’t know Phinney by name you probably know The Prisoner wine. This Zinfandel blend is a testament to Napa wines that also put red blends on the map. Phinney, ever the perfectionist, toiled away at The Prisoner, creating a few hundred cases in 2000.
Is Phinney Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the year?
“I know all the things we could’ve done better,” said Phinney, who’s up for Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year. The Prisoner was the cornerstone of Phinney’s Orin Swift Cellars, propelling the brand to stardom.
Who is David Phinney?
A creative thinker, iconoclast and tirelessly hard worker, Napa Valley-based winemaker Dave Phinney may not be a household name among wine drinkers, but many of his wines sure are.
Is Dave Phinney Orin a swift?
Named after his parents (his dad's middle name is Orin and his mother's maiden name is Swift), the label was born and Phinney made his first solo wines from a custom-crush facility in Napa with a couple of thousand dollars' worth of bought-in fruit and a desire to make wines as great as the ones he tasted in Tuscany.
Who owns Orin Swift wine?
Gallo WineryGallo Winery (Gallo) announced today that it has purchased Orin Swift Cellars, a brand known for their excellent wines, bold imagery, memorable names and creative labels.
Why is the prisoner wine called the prisoner?
THE LABEL. Our brand name and flagship label were inspired by an etching titled Le Petit Prisonnier by 19th century Spanish artist Francisco Goya. Its subtitle translates to “the custody is as barbaric as the crime”.
Does Orin Swift own prisoner?
Phinney, 49, is the mastermind behind the cult wine The Prisoner, which was sold to Constellation Brands in 2016 for $285 million. He sold the Orin Swift Cellars brand to E. & J. Gallo Winery the same year for $300 million then sold the Locations brand to Gallo two years later for an undisclosed sum.
Who owns the prisoner winery?
Constellation BrandsPurchased by Constellation Brands in 2016 the brand now produces 85,000 cases a year and focuses on not just the famous Prisoner Red Blend but also on high end Cabernet Sauvignon and interesting varieties such as Charbono and Chenin Blanc.
Why did Orin Swift sell the prisoner?
Keen not to be shackled by its success, Phinney sold The Prisoner in 2008 to concentrate on his boutique brand, Orin Swift, named after his father's middle name and mother's maiden name.
Does Orin Swift still make wine?
Orin Swift's winemaker Dave Phinney is as passionate as he is dedicated to quality – and he says he still hasn't produced a wine he is completely satisfied with. “We're always challenging ourselves. We don't have competitors – we compete with ourselves.
Is Orin Swift a real person?
In our private dining room, The Captian's Table was filled with guests all waiting to know more. Hosted by Brittany Palmateer and Molly Schuster of Empire Merchants North, the evening was as much informative as it was delicious. The hosts explained to diners that Orin Swift the man simply just does not exist.
What is the story behind 8 years in the desert wine?
Upon selling The Prisoner, David was on an agreement that he couldn't make another Zinfandel blend for another 8 years. 8 Years In The Desert is David's first Zinfandel blend following his 8 year hiatus. The wine is a powerhouse blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Syrah. He's back, and he's better than ever.
What does prisoner wine taste like?
Costco Notes: Features enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove and roasted fig. Persistent flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate and vanilla linger harmoniously, for a smooth and luscious finish.
How many glasses do you get from a bottle of wine?
5 glassesIn most cases, with a standard sized bottle and a standard sized pour, you should get about 5 glasses of wine out of a bottle. A typical 750ml bottle of wine holds 25 liquid ounces, while the standard wine pour, you'd get at a restaurant is usually around 5 ounces.
Who owns Savage and Cooke?
winemaker Dave PhinneyThe Distillery The Savage & Cooke distillery, owned by Napa Valley winemaker Dave Phinney, is located on historic Mare Island and opened in 2018.
Where did Orin Swift come from?
The history of Orin Swift Cellars dates back to 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer and went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, how it was made, and got hooked.
Who founded prisoner?
winemaker Dave PhinneyBorn in Rutherford, Napa Valley, The Prisoner began as a little-known red blend, created by winemaker Dave Phinney in 2000, but the brand quickly garnered a huge fan base, becoming famous for its untraditional label and style.
Who makes Mercury head wine?
Orin Swift CellarsOrin Swift Cellars Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon - Ed's Fine Wines.
Where was Phinney born?
Phinney was born in northern California, made his fortune and his reputation in Napa Valley, is making agriculture deals all around northern California...so of course the Savage & Cooke distillery would have to be in this area.
Where did Phinney arrange to go?
So what did Phinney arrange to do? Well, he went down to Jalisco, of course, trekked up the mountain to meet the Ramirez family…and made a deal to bring Ramirez’s tequila in barrels across the border…to Mare Island, where Phinney finishes the tequila! But not just any barrels: they made the trek in Phinney’s once-used Chardonnay barrels that Phinney shipped to Mexico before shipping them back!
What is the brand name of Phinney tequila?
The brand name is Ayate, and I also tasted the pair of Phinney tequilas now available. Wow! The Ayate Tequila Anejo ($95)—which, as with all Mexican Anejos, is the longest aged—beautifully shows its sojourn in Phinney’s barrels. A lovely amber in the glass, the pure smell of agave rises up to the nose, cut, perhaps, with something suggesting fresh-made metal. It is round and elegant on the palate—as Anejo is supposed to be, but is rarely this round and elegant.
Why is Phinney called a control freak?
In the literature about Phinney, no one ever calls him a “control freak”—I guess because the phrase has negative connotations. But you can’t help thinking it about Phinney—as long as you keep in mind that the “control” part is purely an exercise in creating quality. Sure, he likes to control things—but only because that yields a better product.
Where does Phinney produce wine?
As if that weren’t enough, Phinney today produces wines from vineyards he owns in four European countries (France, Italy, Spain, Greece)…AND…..he now works for Orin Swift (the company he founded)…which he managed to sell in 2016 to E. J. Gallo (who can be very quality-oriented when they want to…and very cash-generous!)
Where did Phinney buy wheat?
So Phinney bought wheat fields in nearby Yolo County which will be the basis of many Savage and Cooke whiskeys. Water is a key part of the process: “I found the purest, cleanest, most delicious water in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley,” he says. “Uncannily perfect for distillation!”.
Who worked at Robert Mondavi?
Now an elder statesman of the industry (at a mere 45 years of age), Phinney recalls how, (after falling in love with wine during college years in Florence) he maneuvered his way into working the harvest at Robert Mondavi (in 1997), then worked his way up the wine chain at that vinous holy of holies.
Who is Davis Phinney?
Wondering how we got our name? Davis Phinney is an Olympic Bronze medalist and Tour de France stage winner who has celebrated the most victories of any cyclist in American history.
Why did Davis Phinney start the Davis Phinney Foundation?
Realizing early on that he could take action to feel healthy and strong despite his Parkinson’s, Davis started the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s to promote and fund innovative research that seeks to improve the quality of life of those living with Parkinson’s.
What is Davis Phinney Foundation?
Since 2004, the Davis Phinney Foundation has brought to life some of the most important programs, research, content, and events for those affected by Parkinson’s. Our community includes people living with Parkinson’s, Parkinson’s care partners, families and friends of those living with Parkinson’s, physicians, and Parkinson’s allied health professionals.
Who is Dave Phinney?
Dave Phinney’s legendary status as a winemaker in Napa Valley is due to his acclaimed flagship blend “The Prisoner.”. Phinney continues to consult for Orin Swift and produces wines from his vineyards in France, Italy, Spain and Greece. Scottie Pippen tasting his DIGITS bourbon whiskey for Savage & Cooke. Margaret Pattillo.
Where is Scottie Pippen?
Scottie Pippen at Savage & Cooke in Mare Island. Margaret Pattillo. In keeping with that Chicago pride, Chicagoans will be the first to taste and experience Pippen’s new label. Their distributor in Chicago signed on for 5,000 cases, sight unseen, with various opening events like a tasting at The Clayton Hotel to celebrate the launch the week ...
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