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.

Shahpar Khaledi's founding vision for Darioush combined her experience in fashion and boutique retail, her trendsetting sensibility cultivated over decades as founder and creative director of Echelon, an influential women’s boutique that offered niche European designers. Treating her clients and guests well is more than a cultural tradition for Shahpar, it is a way of life – one she has added to the hospitality experience at Darioush. Taarof is the Persian art of social etiquette, the art of politeness, a way to make your guest feel more at home than home itself. Shahpar’s welcoming philosophy has defined the Darioush experience of today.