An exploration of the rich history and culture of wine and grape-growing in Iran, the regions, and the hope that the Iranian diaspora offers us … in a glass.

Resources from this episode:

Books:

The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023)

Papers:

Grapes Production in Afghanistan, Khasrow, A. (January 2016) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289999498_Grapes_production_in_Afghanistan/link/569429ba08ae820ff072b7fe/download

Websites:

Britannica: Achaemenid Empire, Young, T. C. (22 May 2026) https://www.britannica.com/topic/Achaemenian-Empire/Imperial-culture-and-governance

Classical Wisdom: Wine as pharmakon: Persian drinking in the Histories, McLaverty, R. (7 October 2020) https://classicalwisdom.com/symposium/wine-as-pharmakon-persian-drinking-in-the-histories/

Country Reports: The Achaemenid Persian Empire - the First Great World Empire https://www.countryreports.org/articles/the-achaemenid-persian-empire

Darioush: https://www.darioush.com/

Encyclopaedia Iranica: Angūr, Hanaway, W.L., E Planhol, X., and Bazin, M. (14 August 2018). https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/angur-grapes/

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Grape Production System in Jowzan Valley, Iran (2018) https://www.fao.org/giahs/giahs-around-the-world/iran-grape-production-system/en

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Sites in Iran and Italy designated as FAO globally important agricultural heritage sites (30 November 2018) https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/Sites-in-Iran-and-Italy-designated-FAO-globally-important-agricultural-heritage-sites/en

Forbes: The Story Behind an Oregon Pinot Noir Made by an Iranian Immigrant, Bell, K. K. (updated 31 May 2017) https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebell/2017/05/28/the-story-behind-an-oregon-pinot-noir-made-by-an-iranian-immigrant/

Iran Daily: Iran among major exporters of grapes, raisins in the world, Dehqan, S. (24 July 2023) https://newspaper.irandaily.ir/7347/1/3726

Iran Doostan Tours: Achaemenid Empire (Map, Flag, Pronunciation, Facts), Shidfar, N. (13 March 2024) https://irandoostan.com/achaemenid-empire/

Jancis Robinson: Iranian winemaking in exile, Currin, T. (29 November 2023) https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/iranian-winemaking-exile

Keush: https://keush.com/

History Today: The Origin of the Whirling Dervishes, Fremantle, A. (5 May 1976) https://www.historytoday.com/archive/whirling-dervishes

The Legal Guide: Can You Legally Drink Alcohol in Iran (1 November 2025) https://thelegalguide.org/can-you-legally-drink-alcohol-iran/

Linked In: History of wine or alcoholic drinks in Iran, Palizma (11 March 2024) https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/history-wine-alcoholic-drinks-iran-palizmacom-o5pwf/

Maysara: https://www.maysara.com/

Molana Wines: A profound journey of discovery https://molanawines.com/story/

Sun and Soil: Iranian Wine - The birthplace of viticulture, the 40-year silence, and the return of Persian wine (8 June 2026) https://sunandsoilshop.com/blogs/news/iranian-wine-guide

This Day in Wine History: Thus Drank Zarathustra - Zoroastrianism and wine Culture in Ancient Persia (updated 28 February 2024) https://thisdayinwinehistory.com/thus-drank-zarathustra-zoroastrianism-and-wine-culture-in-ancient-persia/

Tokba: Iran's Export Grape and its Popularity (8 March 2023) https://tokba.com/irans-export-grape-and-its-popularity/

University of Chicago - Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia and North Africa: Persepolis Fortification Archive https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/projects/persepolis-fortification-archive

Vinerra: Discovering Rasheh Wine - A Journey Through Iran's Unique Vintage https://www.vinerra.com/education/wines/discovering-rasheh-wine-a-journey-through-irans-unique-vintage

World Atlas: Iran https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/iran

World of Fine Wine: Wine in history: Shiraz, Syrah, and Shirazi, Walton, S. (20 November 2025) https://worldoffinewine.com/news-features/shiraz-syrah-shirazi-persia-iran-wine

World History: Tushpa, Cartwright, M. https://www.worldhistory.org/Tushpa/

Videos:

Somm TV: Cup of Salvation [documentary] (2023) https://tubitv.com/movies/100033083/somm-cup-of-salvation

Glass in Session Episodes Related to this Episode:

S8E3: Once Upon a Wine Grape in Afghanistan https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/s8e3-once-upon-a-wine-grape-in-afghanistan

S10E4: Wines of Ukraine https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s10e4-wines-of-ukraine-yesterday-today-and-a-hopeful-tomorrow

S22E1: Wine in Lebanon - Wine, War, and Rising https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/wine-in-lebanon-wine-war-rising

S22E3: Wine in Albania - In the spirit of eagles … and flamigos? https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/wine-in-albania-in-the-spirit-of-eagles-and-flamingos-s22e3

S22E4: Amenian Wine - Of caves, mountains, wars, and resilience https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/armenian-wine-of-caves-mountains-wars-and-resilience-s22e4

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)