Orin Swift Cellars

A Masterclass in Wine Tasting: An Ode to Ian Seletzky

During our recent visit to Orin Swift Wines, we had the immense pleasure of being hosted by Ian Seletzky. From the moment we stepped into the charming world of Orin Swift, Ian greeted us with an infectious warmth that set the stage for an unforgettable experience.

Ian is not just a host; he is a master storyteller, weaving tales that bring each wine to life. His knowledge of Orin Swift's products is unparalleled, and he shares it with such passion that you can't help but hang on every word. With each pour, Ian detailed the intricate process of winemaking, the unique characteristics of the grapes, and the rich history behind each bottle. His storytelling transported us to the vineyards, and to Dave’s memories (the origin for all these inspiring wines).

What truly sets Ian apart is his ability to connect with his guests. He tailored the experience to our interests, making us feel both valued and understood. His recommendations were spot-on, perfectly aligning with our tastes and preferences. It was evident that for Ian, this is not just a job, but a passion – a passion he shares generously.

The wines themselves were a revelation, each sip a testament to Orin Swift's commitment to quality and innovation. But it was Ian's presentation and profound knowledge that elevated the tasting from a simple indulgence to a sensory journey. He has a unique talent for making complex wine concepts accessible and engaging, ensuring that even novices like us could appreciate the depth and nuances of each glass.

Our experience at Orin Swift Wines was nothing short of magical, thanks largely to Ian Seletzky. His charisma, expertise, and genuine love for wine and people make him an asset to Orin Swift. We left not only with bottles of exceptional wine but with memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. Ian is more than a host; he is a true ambassador for the art of winemaking and the joy it brings.

This was our last tasting of the day.

We are big fans of the wines and had this on the list.

Tasting Room: great atmosphere and very modern. Loved the simplistic modern design. It was very chill and relax.

Staff: the gentleman helping us was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. He also told us some interesting facts about the wine maker and the history of the labels. He knows his stuff and he made some very cool recommendations. He even went out of his way to give us food and drink recommendations.

The wines are very good and Orin Swift is worth the stop.

Great tasting room and wines!!! Our host (I forgot his name) was really friendly and knowledgeable. We tried the four main reds and then he poured a Zin. Excellent! My wife and I bought the machete and roses in the desert. Looking forward to trying them when we get home.

My wife and I were skeptical at first given the cult-like following of Orin Swift. But through the stories and labels, Izabella was very knowledgeable and showed the approachable side to the Orin Swift brand and winemaker Dave Phinney.

Best wine tasting experience we had in Napa. Beyond the wine being great, our host, Dave I believe, was AN EXPERIENCE. I apologize if that's not his name. He's a skinnier, white male, grayish hair, who's turning 60 this year and worked on July 3rd 2023.

I learned so much from him. He was personable and had us laughing while being the most knowledgeable guide about both wine and the company.

Due to him and the quality of the wine, I will certainly recommend Orin Swift to my guests dining over 1000 miles away

Place is incredible. One could say it is an art gallery combined with a delicious winery.

Great staff, great wines. Check it.

Fabulous Unique Wine in a beautiful setting

Our tasting here was fantastic. The ambiance was unique and modern. Our wine tasting experience was amplified by the great service of Ian our wine educator. The wine was fantastic and was explained in depth. Ian gave us a interesting background on the wine label's which are very artistic by owner Dave Phinney. Great background history for such a creative design .

As an out of state fan, this was our start. Ian was fantastic and all of the amazing stories and knowledge drops were next level. If we were fans before, we are now absolutely in love with Dave Phinney and his entire operation.

Our bachelorette party unexpectedly made a stop to this winery. What a delight! They were welcoming, providing us with wonderful wine samples and amazing chocolates to pair! We purchased some wine and left happy. Great add on to a fantastic day!

I was nervous visiting Orin Swift because I had read some negative reviews about the tasting room experience, but my wife and I visited from Michigan and we couldn't have had a better experience. McCoy was helping us out and we had our eyes on their more expensive tasting ($25) and the middle one ($15). After these tastings, he offered us a few more tastes that weren't included for free. After we bought a couple bottles for home he even gave us the most expensive tasting on the house. We love their wine and it is even better now with that experience. We will definitely be buying more bottles at our local specialty market in the future! If you are hesitant on visiting, do not be. Well done, Orin Swift.

Their wines are really good (especially Machete and 8 Years in the Desert). Really good price for the tasting and the host let us change the wines from the flight to gave us the ones we wanted to taste. Highly recommended. Btw Santa Helena is beautiful.

What a wonderful experience, Orin Swift wine is top notch. At the tasting room staff were fantastic! Courtney was personable and knowledgeable. A must try if you enjoy wounderful wine.

Orin Swift make great wines at an affordable price. Their Machete has a cult following and at $50 is impossible to beat. One of the best Petite Syrah wines in the Napa and Sonoma area. Their Bordeaux blend, The Prisoner is outstanding. Well with the visit.

Alex in the tasting room was amazing! He helped create an experience that was above and beyond. Orin Swift is now our favorite after such an incredible experience.

Christopher is the cheese and crackers to the wine here. He is a must have with your flight, very knowledgeable of everything Orin Swift.

Dave never disappoints! Great wine and great stories to go along.

Great spot. Super epic style/ vibe. The guys that work there are super nice and really know their stuff.

Amazing room...great staff and of course great wine!!

Great selection, knowledgeable staff