PROPRIETOR AND WINEMAKER

The history of Dave Phinney’s winemaking career dates back to 1995 when on a lark, he 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. Upon graduating college, he moved to the Napa Valley and landed a job at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1997 as a temporary harvest worker. Deciding that if he was going to work that hard, it would eventually have to be for himself.

He founded Orin Swift Cellars in 1998 with two tons of Zinfandel and not much else. He spent the next decade honing his craft, producing a signature winemaking style and an unorthodox design aesthetic that has developed a cult following.

Dave and his team have since grown several companies into multinational brands such as The Prisoner, Orin Swift Cellars, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Locations and Savage & Cooke. Dave was awarded Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2019, graced the cover of Wine Spectator in June 2022 and has made over a hundred 90+ point wines throughout his winemaking career.

GENERAL MANGER

British-born Richard Case first got in to wine in his early 20's when a bottle of Amarone changed everything. Richard was part of the second intake in to the UK’s first wine school, where he studied both viticulture and winemaking before heading to London to work in the wine trade. Through his work in London Richard met winemakers from all over the world and soon realized that winemaking was really where his ambition lay.

Richard and his wife Sarah left London after their wedding in 2001, and harvests in New Zealand and France followed. Their ambition was to head to Spain in search of old vine garnacha – hoping to start their own domaine.

A chance visit to Maury in late 2002 changed their plans permanently. Completely taken by the stunning landscape, incredible terroir and huge potential of the local vineyards Richard and Sarah staked their future on what became Domaine de la Pertuisane.

In 2008 Dave Phinney invited Richard to join him in setting up ‘Department 66’ as GM.

CELLAR MASTER

Being English, the passion for wine does not come naturally, the English are more into beer! It was when I first studied Hotel Management at university and wine was on the curriculum then it was “POW” like a new dawn and I instantly fell in love with wine.

I went to Plumpton College in UK which included all facts of wine making for 2 years but then operational experience was to come whilst following the “crush”. I went to Western Australia working for Plantangenet wines in Mount Baker then to the USA, Washington State and learnt more about the organic aspect with China Bend wines.

I then had the opportunity to work in France and worked as the winemaker for the local cave cooperative in Cucugnan. A delightful village a few kilometres from Maury, Cucugnan was also where I met my future partner and Mother of my 3 children. Love blossomed as well as the vines ! It was in Maury where I next found a position as cellar master and team leader with Calvet-Thunevin. It was during my 7 years in this area of France where I learnt a vast amount about the beautiful but challenging terroir.

OFFICE MANAGER

A native Londoner, Sarah pursued a career in journalism and photography before finally becoming disillusioned with the hectic city lifestyle.

Together with her husband Richard she embarked upon a life changing journey through the viticultural landscapes of Lebanon, New Zealand and Chile indulging both her passion for photography and new-found love of wine.

Sarah divides her time between Domaine de la Pertuisane and Department 66, where she manages the office and general winery logistics.