Darioush builds a Persian Palace

Wines & Vines, Jan, 2005 by Tina Caputo

Despite the winery's unusual architecture, Nozari noted, the project met with little resistance from locals. "Although the design of the project is unlike any other winery in Napa, the city officials were generally receptive to the project and saw (it) as a valuable addition to the architecture of Napa Valley."

Construction was handled by James Nolan Construction, of St. Helena, Calif., which built the winery's new administration offices, visitors' center and underground barrel storage room. According to project manager Larry Seaton, Darioush was unlike other winery projects he has worked on in the past.

"There are nine different types of natural stone used on the interior surfaces and six types of stone used on the exterior surfaces," Seaton explained. "Pre-cast concrete building components were designed by the architect, carved in rigid foam by a sculptor in Los Angeles and sent to Napa Valley, where the moldings and final castings were made by Napa Valley Cast Stone."

Darioush presented some major challenges to the building process, Seaton said, including on-the-spot decisions made during construction about the building's interior and exterior finishes, lighting design and details. Since Darioush wines were already in production, winemaking facilities had to remain operational during construction. The final challenge involved slightly sloped walls, designed to allow stacking of the stone on the exterior of the building's wood frame.

The result has been hailed as a wine country landmark, and one of the most eye-catching wineries on the Euro-centric Napa Valley landscape. For Darioush Khaledi, the winery is simply his "dream home."

RELATED ARTICLE: Darioush Hosts Grand Opening Gala

On Oct. 7, Darioush and Shahpar Khaledi hosted a gala event to welcome Napa Valley residents, vintners and the media to their new winery and visitors' center.

The celebration began with a musical reception by the Oak Cross String Quartet, led by the concert master of the Napa Valley Symphony. After the reception, the Khaledis presented a video documentary about the history of the ancient Persian city of Persepolis in the winery's 150-seat amphitheater, followed by dance performances and a four-course Persian feast, served in a lavishly decorated tent. Darioush's acclaimed Bordeaux-style wines, produced by winemaker Steve Devitt, were paired with each course.

After years of speculation about the new Darioush facility among Napa Valley residents, the event was surely the year's most anticipated winery opening.

T.C.