Darioush Winery

Darioush Winery, specializes in premium wines and was founded in 1997 by Iranian born, Darioush Khaledi and his wife Shahpar with their first vintage released that year. The visually stunning ‘Persian palace’, i.e., hospitality center was not completed until 2004 and was constructed with stones imported from quarries near Shiraz.

Darioush’s father was a hobby wine maker; during his formative years, Darioush grew up exposed to wine which was well prior to the Islamic revolution in 1979. After college he became a civil engineer in Iran working on government projects.

Through a sponsorship from Shahpar’s sister who was already living in Los Angeles, Darioush and Shahpar immigrated to the USA in 1976. He did not yet speak English, although he spoke Farsi, French and Russian. Over time with his brother-in-law Parviz (Paul) Vazin, they built one of the most successful independently operated grocery store chains in the USA. Their first purchase was the failing Top Valu Market near Torrance. The parent company was called K.V. Mart Co – combining the first initials of the men’s last names, Khaledi and Vazin.

Darioush and Shahpar’s daughter Sally Khaledi officially joined the Darioush team in 2021. Born in Iran but raised in California she has a passion for not only wine, but also fashion and travel.

Recognizing the needs of the surrounding Hispanic community were not being met by the prior owners, they transitioned to different products including those imported from Mexico. And rather than hire from outside the community, they hired locally. They built this business from just one store to a regional chain of 41 stores at its peak. While Darioush has since divested himself from his interest in the business, several stores operated for some years afterwards, primarily in the Los Angeles area. These operated under the name Amar Ranch Market, Buy Low Markets, Top Valu Markets and Valu Mart Food Warehouse – and all have permanently closed, but we keep our photographs here for historical reference.

Amar Ranch Oxnard, permanently closed

Buy Low Market, Norwalk, permanently closed

Top Valu Market, Long Beach, permanently closed

Valu Mart Food Warehouse, Temple City, permanently closed

Darioush spent several years searching for an ideal vineyard site before settling in the southern part of Napa Valley, encouraged in his search for the right property in part by Robert Mondavi.

A bit of interesting Napa trivia: the site of Darioush Winery used to be Altamura Winery and Vineyards; unfortunately the old Altamura home burned down in 2017 during bush fires. The Darioush property is 33 acres including winery and hospitality buildings, and a vineyard planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. When Darioush purchased the property, vines were planted to Chardonnay and Sangiovese.

Darioush owns four other vineyards including the nearby Ashley Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District (named after Darioush and Shahpar’s granddaughter), the 50 acre Sage Vineyard (22 acres planted to primarily Bordeaux red varieties along with 2 rows of Sauvignon Blanc) located at an elevation of between 1,850 and 2,080 feet on the upper slopes of Mt. Veeder (Mayacamas Winery is one of their close neighbors), a vineyard in Coombsville near the city of Napa and their most recent acquisition, the 21-acre former Grigsby Vineyard in Yountville from previous owners, Rocca Family Vineyards. As of our latest update to this review, Darioush owns 130 acres in Napa Valley of which approximately 65 are under vine.

Darioush owned, former Grigsby Vineyard, Yountville

Grapes for their Signature wines are not used until the vines reach at least 7 to 12 years of age; for reference and for commercial use, vines typically produce enough grapes to harvest between three and five years.

Founding Darioush winemaker was Steve Devitt; in 1972 his parents James and Arlene Devitt purchased the old Sam Haus Winery in Pope Valley, restored the winery, put in new equipment and started producing wines again that same year under the label, Pope Valley Winery. After Steve’s father sold Pope Valley Winery in 1997 he moved to Oregon and in 2004 began Devitt Vineyards & Winery.

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Besides coming for the wine, visitors often stop in to admire the architecture. At the entrance, guests drive past metal gates, always open during normal operating hours. Proceed down a very long narrow road passing water bubbling up in the grass median until reaching a circular part of the driveway containing a pedestal with an Olympic style flame. When the flame is turned on, this signifies that Darioush is at the property. The southern wing of the building is his private residence.

In the prestigious tradition of Opus One, visitors need to choose to park on either the left or the right side of the parking lot, but just like at Opus One over the years we notice most people park on the right side of the parking lot. If it’s raining, courtesy umbrellas are available for visitors to use between the parking lot and the winery.

And guests often stop to take photos in front of the faux columns and fountains. The fountains and reflecting pools are impressive above ground, but equally as impressive is what is below the pools to keep the fountains flowing. Jim Wilder, owner of Pond and Fountain Pros installed the various plumbing and intricate web of equipment for these fountains. He told us the internal plumbing architecture is significant to ensure that the ponds are always filled to the same levels. Ten fountain jets are calibrated to spray water all at the same height and so the inner chlorinated pools do not mix with the outer water which contains koi and various aquatic plants.

Walking up to the winery is like walking onto a Hollywood set. This modern building “looks old” as it takes its historical influences from Apadana, a hall built in the first half of the 6th century BC originally part of the ancient great Persian city of Persepolis (located about an hour’s drive outside of Shiraz in Iran). Its original design was by Darius the Great. Numerous historically accurate looking columns greet guests at the main entrance. The carvings of bulls on top of these statues are all missing their horns – to symbolize the pillage of the solid gold horns when Persepolis was destroyed. Similar to parts of Iran, the property is planted to several pomegranate and pistachio trees.

Persepolis, Iran (for comparison!)

Visitors entering the main room will notice the interior opulence matches the exterior. If tasting in the winter, enjoy a seat in front of the blazing fireplace. The fireplace’s headstone appropriately rests on the heads of two metal men and contains what appear to be ancient hieroglyphic writings. Ask one of the hosts at the wine counter to translate these inscriptions for you.

A number of couches and coves located throughout the tasting room area are often used by small groups enjoying more intimate tastings. These sit-down spaces are available by reservation only with the last seating at 330pm. The tasting counter is rather unique; it looks like a broken windshield but is actually composed of several layers of glass with the broken glass being the bottom layer. The interior surrounding the bar is well-stocked with a variety of unique decorative items, kitchen ware and wine-related books for sale.

Experiences
A concierge is usually located inside the main entrance ready to welcome arriving guests. Sometimes on busy summer weekends, the concierge will setup a greeting station directly outside the main entrance doors.

A wine tasting includes at least one white and several reds including their signature Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition to the visually intriguing architecture, the winery offers a variety of unique tastings (all by appointment). As of our latest update to this review, Darioush offers Sensory Sessions: A Caviar Experience, which pairs caviar sourced from local caviar experts with some of the Darioush wines. On Darioush’s 90-minute tour and tasting called Fine Wines, Artisan Cheeses, guests are treated to hard-to-find limited production cheeses from family farms, and special winery release and library wines which are not available outside of the winery. The Signature Mezze pairs mezze created by their culinary team with both their Signature wines and also Cabernet Sauvignon.

These offerings always include small bites and evolve over time; check the Darioush website for the latest experiences and offered times.

Another very exclusive event is Darioush’s By Invitation Only. This is offered on certain days at set times and appeals to serious wine enthusiasts. It is a two-hour experience in which guests try some of their best wines including several bottlings from their Signature series. Guests begin this experience in a private room drinking a current release of Darioush Chardonnay while listening to a wine educator speak about Darioush’s background and the history of the winery. A real treat are the tiny plates of caviar. One photo will catch one’s eye; Darioush in 2008 wearing the Ellis Island Medal of Honor awarded by then President George W. Bush.

The wine educator led tour of the winery continues with a stop next to their vineyards and private space among the vine rows just north of the winery for intimate tastings; this is a beautiful spot, especially in spring and summer. Guests will also linger for short time in a small amphitheater; this comfortably seats about 180 people. This is used for local concerts and various fundraising events and has been used by the famous Iranian singer, Sattar and also a Russian opera singer. Then guests will enter the cellar; this is a clean and carefully thought-out space underneath the hospitality center with containing barrels in perfect alignment. Remarkably Darioush uses nearly 20 different coopers; during our latest visit, we saw some from Hungary. Oak is used as an ingredient to complement their wines and never dominates; their barrels are typically medium to medium+ toast.

One of the highlights of a visit to the cellar is a stop in Darioush’s personal wine cellar room. It contains a significant collection of some of Napa Valley’s finest wines including older vintages as well as premium bottlings from some of France’s First Growth chateaus.

And the experience culminates with a seated tasting of current release wines including their flagship, Darius II. Small bites are paired with the wines by the in-house chef. During our experience we found the culinary offerings exceptional. A couple of standouts included: Roasted beets, beet purée, fromage blanc, beet powder, Corn agnolotti, corn pudding, crispy tortilla corn husk sauce and Morel mushrooms with fava beans and parmesan foam.

And guests who visit during Nowruz (Persian New Year) during the latter half of March, will be treated to special family recipes celebrating this annual event.

If we were to carefully choose several words to describe the Darioush wines they would be: elegant followed by graceful and sophisticated. Texture is always one of the hallmark characteristics of their wines. Tannins are handled thoughtfully and carefully both in the vineyard and in the winery. As a result, none of the wines we have ever tried over the years show any textural harshness – rather they are well integrated and contribute to each of the wine’s overall balance.

Select Wines
Whites
Chardonnay
The 2023 Chardonnay is from sites in Carneros and Oak Knoll. This wine is medium to deep gold in color; what we like about this bouquet is its elegant character. It offers scents of pineapple, baked apple, white nectarines and peaches and a light toasted almond character. It is superbly balanced between flavor, acidity and texture. On the palate there are flavors of golden delicious apple, mandarin orange, warm honey, golden kiwi, comise pear and pineapple. Minerally. The mouth feel is supple with a creamy but not a heavy character and that is an important distinction; its texture is lifted nicely by its accompanying lively acidity. This is a refreshing expression of this variety. It was aged for 11 months in 100% French oak of which 50% was neutral and 50% new; the wine went through full 100% malolactic fermentation.

The 2018 Signature Darioush Napa Valley Chardonnay is medium to dark gold in color; it offers captivating aromatics of honeycomb, creme Brulé, baked pear, hints of vanilla and caramel, butter and yellow pineapple. Offers plenty of complementary aromatics from the oak, but the bouquet is not oaky. Rounded across the palate but not creamy with flavors of pineapple, butter, apricot and ripe mandarin. Nicely balanced from start to finish. Lingers softly with some desert spice notes (clove) and a hint of mineralities. This wine saw 11 months in 66% new Siruge, Damy and François Frères French oak barrels.

Viognier
The 2023 Darioush Viognier is 100% varietal. For reference there is very little Viognier planted in Napa Valley and only a handful of Napa Valley based producers who make wine from this variety. Originally grapes for this wine were purchased from Carneros; today this wine is made every year from their vineyard in the Oak Knoll District. It was aged for 6 months in 25% new French oak and 75% neutral oak. In the cellar, intervention was kept to a minimum. This wine is medium gold in color; highly aromatic as this variety often is, the generous bouquet smells like tropical fruit meets stone fruit meets floral. These scents include honeysuckle, star jasmine, ripe yellow nectarines and apricot, pineapple, mango and papaya. The balanced, clean and crisp palate offers flavors of apricot, nectarine, peach, pineapple guava, golden delicious apples and light notes of ginger and honey. Bright acidity. Pair with something from the sea and a glaze – perhaps wild caught salmon with a nectarine glaze.

Reds
The Duel
The 2021 Darioush The Duel. Its first vintage was in 2004; the label features a bull and lion was designed by Darioush’s son Kashy. For this vintage, this bottling is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Shiraz, but the blend percentages will vary depending on the year. The Shiraz is from the estate and the Cabernet is from both the estate and their Mt. Veeder property. It was aged for 20 months in 80% neutral and 20% new French oak barrels. This wine is deep ruby and opaque; the freshness of the Cabernet Sauvignon is clearly present on the bouquet accompanied by savory characters of the Shiraz. Its red-fruited expression includes aromas of cherries, and assorted red berries including currant. Also dried sage and a light kiss of old cedar. The palate is about freshness including red fruits and bright acidity. Its flavors are of red cherry, red currant, blueberry and dark raspberries with a lingering note of dried tobacco and a light and lingering red-fruited tartness. The tannins are finely-polished and exert a dusty character which comfortably outlasts the fruit on the finish. For two powerhouse varieties and a label indicating, strength, this wine is remarkably elegant.

Shiraz
The 2022 Darioush Signature Shiraz (100% varietal) is from grapes grown at their estate and also from their vineyard in Oak Knoll. It was aged for 18 months in 70% new French oak barrels (Burgundian barrels); early budbreak this year led to an early harvest. This wine is deep ruby with an amaranthine rim; the fruit is the star of the show on the bouquet with aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, boysenberry and red cherry accompanied by licorice, anise and lavender. The oak lends a light touch of old cedar and dark cocoa powder. Refreshing, energetic and nimble on its feet, the palate sings with flavors of cherry, blackberry, blueberry and savory attributes including smoked meats, dried herbs (sage) and white pepper. Finishes with a light dusty character and a lasting presence of dried tobacco leaf. The lightly grainy tannins are felt, but are highly resolved and rounded in their youth. Rhône character meets Napa Valley fruit. Pair this beauty with pork spare ribs covered in a spicy dry rub and a BBQ.

The 2017 Darioush Signature Shiraz (100% varietal) is dark ruby in the glass; the wine offers notes of black licorice, black pepper, dried herbs and hints of cedar and bacon fat. Initially shows savory but give this wine time to breath and the rich fruit aromatics will evolve in the glass revealing aromas of dark cherry, blackberry and mocha. The layered bouquet is diverse. It is nicely balanced across the palate with flavors of blackberry and a currant and red cherry brightness lingering on the finish. The tannins are very well integrated.

Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2021 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. This vintage features a gold brand on the front label in homage of their 25th anniversary. It was aged for 21 months in French oak barrels. The grapes are from the estate, Coombsville and their Mt. Veeder Sage Vineyard. This wine is deep ruby in color. The bouquet includes scents of cherry and cherry pie, red plum, sandalwood, dried tobacco and cocoa powder; it is saddled on the side of ripe but doesn’t cross over into being over ripe. Fresh and lively, the palate offers flavors of plum, cherry, dark raspberry and dried herbs including sage and thyme. The finish falls on the earthy side with a dusty and persistent character. The broadly coating tannins are gravely and gritty, often attributes we have noticed in red wines from this vintage from Napa Valley tasted in their youth. We would love to pair this with a well marbled cut of Wagyu beef and a BBQ.

The 2020 Darioush Caravan Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot and 4% Malbec. This wine is deep ruby in color; the initial aromatic hit we noticed was that of sweet Santa Rosa plum but with also a generous helping of florals including violets and lilacs. And there are also scents of boysenberry jam, dark mulberry, a sweet cassis note, dark licorice and a hint of clove. On the palate there are flavors of dark raspberry, blackberry, ripe Corral cherries, boysenberry and a note of chocolate. The fruit is clearly ripe and leaves a perception of sweetness, especially noticeable towards the finish. Medium acidity. This wine lingers with a note of warmth on the back of the palate. The tannins are ripe, rounded and sport a light and slightly dusty grip. This is ripe and easy-drinking Napa Valley in a glass; the alcohol is a listed 15.8%.

The 2018 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon is dark ruby; the aromas are highly appealing including blackberry, dried tobacco leaf and hints of cedar. Slightly briary. One of the hallmarks of this wine is its balance; it is a seamless presentation on the palate from start to finish with finely dispersed and rounded tannins anchoring the supple finish. Lingers with bright red fruits including cherry and cranberry. And this was the first wine that Darioush ever produced in 1997.

Darius II is their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon; it is made every year without a recipe, a specific vineyard or varietal percentage in mind. The majority of the grapes are typically sourced from the winery estate and Sage Vineyard. And the label changes every year; Darioush and Shahpar, travel to London to the Victoria and Albert Museum which houses one of the world’s largest collections of Islamic art. Each year they pick out a piece that speaks to them and license it for the label of this bottling. This wine is allocated through their First Offering Membership to members every year.

The 2021 Darioush Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet France and 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 21 months in 75% new French oak barrels. This wine is deep ruby and opaque. On the nose there is a union of both red and darker fruits including cherry, plum, currant, cranberry and blackberry. But there are plenty of other aromatic layers at play including red chili spice, old cedar box, and crushed white pepper. Fresh, savory, dark and layered, this wine delivers in spades in terms of flavor, character and depth. Its tastes like blackberry, boysenberry, dark plum and also features dried herbs, a meaty and dark pepper spice character, which is especially noticeable on the finish. The tension of tannins is immediately felt; they are densely packed, broadly distributed and persist on the extended finish with a grippy (but not edgy) drying chalky character.

The 2018 Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon from the Adadana Block at the winery estate with a small amount of Cabernet Franc sourced from their Sage Vineyard on Mt. Veeder. Medium to dark ruby in color, one can pick out this bouquet from a lineup due to its aromatics. Savory, hints of cigar smoke, spicy Santa Rosa Plum, blackberry, hints of fig and clove and cardamom – all rolled into one captivating aromatic showing. It is generously layered across the palate, primarily showing darker fruits. Offers a firm texture with dusty rounded and finer grained tannins which show a little dry in their youth. Also lingers with a hint of cedar on the finish, but the oak does not dominate this wine. Has the depth and character to be very age worthy. And the label on the 2018 bottle matches the pedigree of the wine; it’s a colorful portion of the 1890s piece inspired by ancient patterns of Persia created by artist John Henry Dearle.

During one visit while tasting the Darius II, we overheard another guest exclaim, “I would be an alcoholic if I had this wine in my cellar”.

Pinot Noir
The 2018 Darioush Signature Pinot Noir is the only wine in their portfolio that is not from vineyards owned by Darioush. These grapes are from a four-acre vineyard on Vine Hill Road in the Russian River appellation of neighboring Sonoma County. The vineyard is close to Dehlinger Winery. The grapes are farmed entirely for Darioush and are dry farmed. This bouquet smells like the variety but on the riper end of the aromatic spectrum. The wine offers a noticeable intensity with fruit forward aromatics including red cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Also tinges of baking spices and some tea leaf notes. The palate is very supple from start to finish and like the bouquet, also showing an intensity of fruit. The finish lingers softly. The wine is fermented partially whole cluster, with hand-punch downs conducted during fermentation. It was aged 15 months in François Frères oak barrels.

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In mid 2022 Darioush donated $100,000 to the Teaching Vineyard at Napa Valley College in support of replanting efforts needed at that time. A sign indicating his efforts stands at the southeast corner of the vineyard, easily seen from Highway 221 and the intersection of Streblow Drive.

Darioush Community Garden, OLE Health
This garden is located at the OLE Health Napa Valley Vintner’s South Napa Campus to the rear of the primary parking lot. Vegetables growing here are provided to those in need; this community garden is also used for educational purposes including the monthly ‘Garden with the Master’s a partnership between CommuniCare+OLE and the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County. Other programs include how to prepare healthy meals and how to plant a home garden.

The namesake for the garden, Darioush helped raise funds to build it.

For more information, to purchase wines, to schedule a tasting or to join the First Offering Membership club, visit: www.darioush.com

Estate

Winemaking/Cellar