BEYOND THE BUZZ
JANUARY 26, 2025
ELEVATING THE BIG GAME EXPERIENCE
There’s something sacred about the Big Game. The food. The friends. The unapologetic indulgence. It’s a day built on tradition like chicken wings stacked high, chips crushed under generous pours of salsa, the hum of anticipation before kickoff.
But tradition doesn’t have to mean predictable.
At Orin Swift, we believe elevation lives in the details. The unexpected pairing. The moment when something familiar feels entirely new. This season, we’re taking the Big Game beyond beer buckets and into a world where bold wines, elevated snacks, and creative cocktails share the same table.
Classic Game Day Foods—Rewritten in Wine
You don’t need white tablecloths to drink great wine. Some of the best pairings happen with your hands—and maybe a napkin or two nearby.
Chicken Wings
Spicy, smoky, sticky—wings demand a wine that won’t disappear.
Reach for Abstract Red Blend, with its dark fruit core and subtle spice that stands up to heat and glaze alike. For dry-rubbed or pepper-forward wings, Machete brings structure and depth without overpowering the bite.
Chips & Salsa (or Guacamole)
Acid meets acid. Salt meets freshness.
Mannequin Chardonnay—rich yet balanced—handles the brightness of tomato-based salsas while complementing creamy guac. For a lighter, fresher moment, Blank Stare Sauvignon Blanc keeps things crisp and clean between bites.
When the Game Calls for Caviar
Some traditions deserve a little audacity.
Caviar and potato chips may feel indulgent, but they’re also effortless—no stove, no stress, just pure texture and contrast. Pair this salty crunch with Slander Pinot Noir for a bold, unexpected counterpoint, or lean into elegance with You Go First Sparkling Wine, whose layered richness mirrors the luxury without stealing the spotlight.
It’s proof that elevation doesn’t mean complication—it means intention.
Wine Cocktails Worthy of Kickoff
Wine cocktails are having a moment, and the Big Game is the perfect excuse to play.
Johnny Said Cocktail
- 2 oz Advice From John Merlot
- 1 oz Gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- .5 oz AFJ simple syrup
- 1 egg white
Add all ingredients to shaker, dry shake 30 seconds, add ice, shake 10 seconds, pour in coupe, garnish with lemon peel.
AFJ Simple Syrup
- 1 cup Advice from John Merlot
- 1 cup white sugar
Bring to a boil, then simmer 10 minutes.
This isn’t a substitution. This is an upgrade.
Advice From John is currently sold out (THANK YOU!), so if you’re looking for a substitute, we’d recommend our Double Take Merlot.
A Destination Worth the Drive
With the Big Game hosted in Santa Clara, just a few hours south of us here in St Helena, there’s never been a better time to turn the celebration into a weekend. Our St. Helena tasting room offers a place to slow down before, or after, the noise. To taste intentionally. To experience the wines behind the moments.
Because elevation isn’t just about what’s in your glass. It’s about where you are when you raise it.
Elevate Everything
The Big Game comes once a year. The memories last longer.
Whether you’re watching from your living room or making a Northern California escape out of it, Orin Swift wines are built to meet the moment—bold enough for the noise, layered enough for the quiet, and always ready to elevate whatever tradition you bring to the table.
Explore the wines. Visit the tasting room. This year, elevate your game day experience with Orin Swift.
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