I am a bit of brat about domestic wine. As in, I don’t typically drink it. Every now and then fate shakes the dice and a US wine lands in my path. Usually an old vine Zin. Speaking of Zin, allow me to introduce you to Orin Swift’s “8 Years in the Desert”.

A blend?! A blend.

“8 Years in the Desert” is a punchy red blend. It’s kind of a winner if you want a red, but you’re not sure what you want to get into– maybe you are a guest at a gathering or dinner, or you are not even eating dinner you just don’t know where your night is going to go. While the latter is better cured with a glass of champagne, if you’re feeling red, try this.

The story behind this wine is a bit of an intrigue itself. As part of the sale of his popular Zin at the time (early 2000s), Orin Swift founder signed a non compete that he would not put to market another Zin for 8 Years. Out of this restriction, and back to the drawing board, 8 Years in the Desert was born.

Poetic, no?

Seeing this wine label and hearing the name transports me immediately to Joshua Tree. As you can imagine, it’s strange out there, wonderful and strange.

from a trip to Joshua Tree 2019, with my dear friend

Something about the desert..