Darioush Khaledi
Darioush Khaledi’s life story has inspired the creation of Darioush and continues to shape it today. Darioush is a man dedicated to wine and the ideals of the American dream – a deeply rooted belief in individualism and opportunity. Born and raised in Iran, trained as a civil engineer, and a lifelong entrepreneur, his fascination with wine was instilled at an early age by his father’s winemaking efforts and the cultural history of winemaking in Shiraz.
Darioush emigrated to the US seeking opportunity, reinventing his career by building what became at one point the largest family-owned grocery business in California through determination, experimentation and a commitment to pursue opportunities others overlook. Together with his wife Shahpar, he founded Darioush in 1998, and set out to produce wines that celebrate individualism and craftsmanship. The winery is Darioush’s realization of his American dream.
A Cultural Inheritance
Our story began centuries ago in the Zagros Mountains, where Persian communities brought winecraft to life as early as 5000 BCE. Hailing from the foothills of those mountains, our founder Darioush Khaledi grew up immersed in the ancestral winemaking culture of Shiraz, the fabled city of gardens and poetry. The Darioush legacy stems from this foundational intersection of viticulture, hospitality, cuisine, and art.
Inspired by his heritage and fueled by his entrepreneurial spirit, Darioush set out to California, where he and his wife Shahpar realized their dream of opening a boutique winery. The Khaledis ventured into the unexplored territory of the southern Napa Valley, selecting sites that span three distinct AVAs—high atop Mount Veeder, nestled in a pocket of Oak Knoll, and down in the maritime-influenced floor of the valley. In the years since, Darioush’s continued investment has empowered the craftsmanship of intriguing wines that delight guests known and new—a commitment that still guides us today.
portunity, reinventing his career by building what became at one point the largest family-owned grocery business in Southern California. Together with his wife Shahpar, he founded Darioush Winery in 1997.
