From Persia to Napa

PRINT THIS

MOST POPULAR

When I was growing up in Iran post-revolution, the family would recite a verse or two of Hafiz or Khayam while raising their cups. We took the wine in these Sufi poems quite literally and made sure that wine and vodka were always part of the offering, served alongside the customary tea.

The love for poetry was as generously expressed as the glass of wine or two (sometimes three). So it is no wonder today that as I get older, I too have come to associate and enjoy the sweet scarlet and poetry together.

Last summer, I took a few days off from work and flew with the gentleman I was then dating to Northern California. I wanted to show him one of my favorite wineries.

The trip was short and tasteful in every possible. We flew into Oakland, rented a car and headed up to Napa Valley.

Nearly everyone in the world is familiar with this great fertile land that winemakers have named the Napa Valley. Located about an hour's drive North of San Francisco, this region’s local economy is almost completely reliant on grape vineyards and winemaking. The wine production here accounts for nearly four percent of all California wines.

Tourism here is booming too, though quietly so, what with the region’s excellent restaurants and beautiful bed and breakfasts and resorts. The blessed climate and peaceful, sunny days mark Napa as a grand wedding destination and a lovely weekend getaway for lovers and artists or anyone who wants a change of scenery.

My favorite place in Napa is the Darioush winery, near the southern end of the valley. The winery is noted for its Bordeaux-style estate wines and architect Ardeshir Nozari's challenge to create a place where all things new and old from Persian culture could be respectfully exhibited. Hence, the main building here is reminiscent of Persepolis, albeit with some modern structural details.

Approaching the building, one feels as if they were in sarzamin-e ajayeb (strange land). It’s a little bit California, a little bit Iran. I always become child-like and excited, tempted to run inside as if I were little Ferial all over again, visiting an uncle back home.

The colors and decorations here are simply magnificent! The tasteful furniture by Mies Van Der Rohe is charming against the Persian carpets. There’s also a beautiful giftshop with incredible (and hard-to-find) books and crafts related to Iran.

If you visit, make sure to get the full tour, with the history of this incredible Little Iran. Experience a private wine tasting in the cozy cellar with the owner, Darioush Khaledi. He is my hero and role model. He goes to show that we can all live in the present, while appreciating the past. He creates beautiful experiences from our culture and passions while sharing his joy with the rest of the world.

I couldn’t recommend visiting our collective Persian uncle Darioush's winery more highly.

PRINT THIS

MOST POPULAR