2023 Orin Swift, 8 Years In The Desert, Napa Valley, CA

From the grape that started everything OSC, the ‘desert’ gave us an opportunity to explore the diverse range of California’s grape varietals. But, as soon as those eight years were up, we had a plan in place to pay homage to our home. Zinfandel holds a very special place in our hearts; it is one of California’s signature grapes, easily associated with the state. Suited to the warm growing regions across the west coast, we focus on finding great vineyards that produce Zinfandel to our liking. There’s a perfect window when picking Zin—pick it too early and you end up with a thin, “green” wine; pick it too late and you risk a stuck fermentation; pick it just right...well, that’s our goal. Sourced from vineyards of pedigree, such as Stefani, Barrelli and Monte Rosso, the 2022, sixth iteration, exudes the ethos of Eight Years in the Desert: a heart and body of Zinfandel with added nuance and complexity from Petite Sirah and Syrah—the quintessential California Red Wine.  At first glance, the