Orin Swift Eight Years in the Desert Red Wine Size:750 mL In 1877 when cousins Ilario

In 1877 when cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino embraced their passion for winemaking by establishing a small winery in the town of Pontassieve near Florence

Although laidback and easygoing by nature

The distinct taste of lychee takes center stage

means “valley of the smooth flowing one” and is most likely referencing the nearby River Livet

a wine has a beginning

Orin Swift Eight Years in the Desert Red Wine Size:750 mL In 1877 when cousins IlarioAbout Orin Swift Though Dave grew up in California, it was in Italy where his obsession began. In 1995, what was originally billed as a semester studying abroad, turned into an immersion on all aspects of wine. By 1997, Dave was all in and landed his winery job at Robert Mondavi as a temporary harvest worker. He learned a lot, including that he wanted to make his own wine. The next year, with two tons of zinfandel and not much else, Orin Swift Cellars