Kian Tavakoli

Winemaker, Faustini Wines

Winemaker Kian Tavakoli brings to Faustini Wines tremendous knowledge and experience having been part of two of Napa Valley’s most prestigious wineries: Opus One and Clos du Val.

Born in Iran to a Persian father and French mother, Kian’s family moved to Marin County (north of San Francisco) in 1981. Kian began his appreciation of wine at an early age as the son of restaurateurs.

A graduate of the University of California, Davis, Kian continued to develop his passion for wine, studying viticulture and genetics – both tremendous assets to his winemaking.

As the enologist for Opus One, Kian developed his ability to produce well-balanced, elegant wines. For nearly a decade at Clos du Val, Kian directed the winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon efforts, including their highly acclaimed Napa Valley Reserve bottling.

At Faustini Wines, Kian’s passion and pursuit of handcrafting ultra premium wines with a vineyard focus, is exactly what we are all about at Faustini Wines.

Country born: Iran

Education: UC Davis graduate in 1992, with a degree in Genetics/Viticulture Minor.
Spent 9 years at Clos Du Val where he was Associate Winemaker and eventually winemaker of their Cabernet program. Under the tutelage of Bernard Portet, he honed his skills in the craft of blending - creating focused, distinguished, and layered wines.

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Honors / Awards:
Voted as a top 3 Napa winemaker the last two years, by the readers of Napa Life magazine.

Winemaking Philosophy:
Creating refined, structured and well balanced wines, expressing varietal characteristic, as well as a sense of place. I consider myself more of a guide to the grapes,. moving through the winemaking process, than anything else.