Darioush
Cameras out! No visitor can resist stopping at this glorious, yellow-stoned, neo-Persian extravaganza of columns, porticoes and fountains, all leading towards a lofty pillared visitor centre. This is more than a standard tasting room: it is admirably staffed, as all tastings are hosted, and also sells decanters, wine books and Coravins. Tastings can also be organised in the shady gardens.
Darioush was founded in 1997 by Iranianborn entrepreneur Darioush Khaledi, who wanted his winery to be a tribute to the architecture of his native land. From the outset the estate favoured big, bold wines, mostly sourced from his 44ha of vineyards. Wines are handcrafted with lavish use of new oak, yet manage to avoid being overblown.
The Portfolio tasting at Darioush offers five wines for $40, with the fee refunded if you purchase at least two bottles. There are also other tasting options, such as a 90-minute tour and seated tasting with artisanal cheeses for $75 or food and wine pairing for $150. 4240 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558 10.30am-5pm daily www.darioush.com