YOU HAD ME AT HELL NO!

ADVICE FROM JOHN – Sold Out (for now)

Like many things at Orin Swift, what started as a fascination quickly turned into an obsession. Samantha Smith, Dave Phinney’s longtime executive assistant (read: chauffeur, gopher, right-hand ma’am, therapist, etc.), managed amidst her daytime job to multitask away at a book, Advice From John—an anthology of the brilliant, idiotic, and sometimes deep thoughts found at the bottom of a cocktail and then subsequently scribbled and scrawled onto the walls of dive bar bathrooms.

“You Had Me At Hell No,” captured at a dive in Texas, caught Dave’s eye while ruminating ideas on how to bring Merlot back into the mainstream fold—long pilloried for its second of fame in that movie two decades ago. All good things circle back around, so let’s revitalize this delicious, luscious, and fun varietal.

AVAILABLE THIS FALL

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JOIN ADVICE FROM JOHN MILK RUN

SHIPS FALL 2025

Orin Swift Advice From John Wine and Book

THE BOOK

The label art features a message left on the wall of a bathroom in a Texas bar that just so happens to perfectly capture the spirit at the heart of Orin Swift. The photo was taken by Sam Smith, artist and longtime member of the Orin Swift team, as part of a nationwide project in search of advice from johns that resulted in a book by the same name. If you’re interested in receiving a copy of Sam’s book, please purchase the bundle below.

Advice From John 6-Bottle Pack – SOLD OUT
This pack includes 6 bottles of Advice From John Merlot and a copy of ‘Advice From John’, the artbook* featuring original photography by Samantha Smith.

The ‘Advice From John’ artbook is still available for purchase.

THE NOTES

Dominating aromatics abound with notes of blackberry pie, black plum, sage and lilac. A flooding sensation on entry drives dark fruits onto the mid-palate with touches of savory, fennel and licorice as complements. Long on the finish, the espresso bean and continued concentration of blackberry throughout fades slowly with gentle and soft tannins.

FULL TASTING NOTES

AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER

You Had Me at Hell No Neon Sign in Tasting Room

You Had Me at Hell No Neon Sign

THE ART by Samantha Smith

Discover the unique artistry of Sam Smith, the creative mind behind the inspiring “Advice from John” label, and inquire about owning one of her exclusive limited edition art pieces. Each piece is part of a highly limited series of only eleven originals ever created. View her gallery.

Contact Samantha to purchase these limited edition Advice From John art pieces.

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Advice From John Wine and Glass

ADVICE FROM JOHN “You Had Me at Hell No” PRINT

Take home an 11″ x 14″ signed print of the original photography by Samantha Smith that inspired our Advice From John Merlot label.

$65 / print

Signed print of the original photography by Samantha Smith.

Advice From John Book by Samantha Smith

ADVICE FROM JOHN BOOK

This book is a photo journey through Americas bar bathrooms. Discovering the hidden gems of advice and opinion from the sharpie wielding bathroom dwellers who feel loose with words a few drinks into the day or night.

$25 / book

Pouring a glass of Advice From John

Close up bottle of Advice From John