travel | Ashes & Diamonds: Napa's Mid-Century Revival
The 2007 film Bottle Shock tells the remarkable true story of a California vineyard owner who shocked the world by winning a blind wine tasting in France, forever changing perceptions of California wine. Set in Napa Valley, this story centers on Robert Mondavi—a name even casual wine enthusiasts have likely heard. In 1965, Mondavi established the first major winery in Napa Valley, breathing new life into the American wine industry and earning his title as the godfather of California wine.
Nestled in Napa Valley, Ashes & Diamonds Winery (A&D) draws inspiration from the dawn of America's 1960s wine renaissance that Mondavi helped usher in. (Interestingly, part of A&D's vineyard was once operated by Mondavi himself.) This boutique winery, which opened in 2017, pays homage to that era in a uniquely stylish way—by embracing the timeless mid-century modern architectural style that continues to captivate design lovers worldwide.
The Vision Behind the Design
A&D's owner, Kashy Khaledi, is an LA-based music producer and media publisher who grew up around wine through his father's winery business. A passionate advocate of mid-century design, Khaledi chose LA-based architect Barbara Bestor to bring his vision to life. Bestor, principal of Bestor Architecture, has built her reputation restoring the architectural masterpieces of mid-century legends throughout Los Angeles. Her book Bohemian Modern showcases residential spaces in LA's Silver Lake neighborhood, reintroducing the world to the elegant and charming appeal of mid-century architecture.
An Architectural Wellness Retreat
The moment you arrive at A&D, you're enveloped by the soul-cleansing power of thoughtful architecture and landscape design. The pristine white building features a distinctive zigzag roofline and rounded windows that capture the pure, beloved essence of mid-century design. The landscaping and walking paths, inspired by the resort town of Palm Springs, recreate the peaceful, restorative mood that defines mid-century style—a true revival of California modern design.
Inside the Experience
Step into the tasting room through an entrance that embodies mid-century wit and experimental spirit—located not at the front, but along the side of the building. The vibrant yellow door creates anticipation and extends a warm welcome. Inside, the space feels like stepping into someone's stylish living room, where playful yellow and green mid-century furniture pieces serve as colorful accents.
The furniture collection features authentic pieces from the era, including Eero Saarinen's beloved organic chairs produced by Knoll, alongside coffee tables and lighting by design icons Jean Prouvé, Verner Panton, and Isamu Noguchi—creating an atmosphere that's both intriguing and deeply comfortable.
Redefining Wine Culture
Perhaps Khaledi wanted to challenge conventional winery expectations. Inheriting the owner's free-spirited lifestyle and cultural sensibility, A&D deliberately defies typical winery imagery. The tasting room feels more like enjoying wine at a sophisticated café—an approach that lowers barriers to wine culture and creates space for more people to share meaningful experiences.
This innovative approach to Napa winery design has earned recognition as a true innovation, with features in Dwell, Architectural Digest, Dezeen, and The New York Times.
P.S. Wine Notes- A&D collaborates with premier vineyards from Santa Cruz to Yountville to craft eleven distinctive wines that reflect their unique character. Their mission is to offer a modern interpretation of the flavors that legendary Napa winemakers created during the mid-century era. The wines maintain elegance while featuring lower alcohol content and higher acidity—perfectly aligned with today's wellness-conscious wine culture.
- Written and Photographed by JODE Team | Originally published on Naver Korea as 우아한 미드센트리 디자인을 부활시킨 와이너리; translated and edited in 2025