Description
Darioush route themselves in ancient Persia, one of the oldest cultures to celebrate wine as the great gift it undoubtedly is. Born and bought up in Iran and trained as a hydrological engineer, he quickly emigrated to California to search for the American dream. Success came with a grocery business which became the largest in California.
Alongside his wife Shahpar, Darioush then founded his winery in 1997. He had been taught the love of wine and winemaking craft by his father in Iran, and it was a natural task for him to turn to next. He wanted to makes wines which celebrated the heritage he bought across the water with him, plus the dreams and aspirations of the local area.
Founding Darioush in the southern end of Napa, specifically in the broad, maritime-influenced geology of the valley floor and lofty slops of Mt Veeder. Spanning Oak Knoll AVA, Mount Veeder itself and staight Napa Valley, they've planted vineyards with a strong Francophile heritage with flashes of Persian culture and history coming over in the labelling and the style.
Hope Goldie has been the winemaker since 2018, having worked alongside the former winemaker Steve Devitt for a decade. Michel Rolland also consults.
"The 2021 Viognier Signature from Darioush is terrific, with a beautifully balanced, medium-bodied style as well as classic Viognier notes of honeyed peach, apricot, and flowers. It has a kiss of background oak and is going to shine on the dinner table over the coming couple of years." 93 Points, Jeb Dunnock, Jebdunnock.com