Born and raised in Norman, Oklahoma, Sean Massey spent his teen years in kitchens, dreaming of seeing the world. After graduating from culinary school, he moved to Florida, where he cut his teeth under Hubert Des Marais at the Four Seasons Palm Beach, then at the Four Seasons Maui. The art of wine pairing piqued his curiosity, prompting him to earn his Level 2 Sommelier Certification. Curiosity soon evolved to passion, which he chased to Napa Valley, where he elevated his craft at Michelin-rated restaurants Redd and Auberge du Soleil. He eventually landed at Morimoto Napa, serving as Executive Chef and later assisting in opening ten restaurants across four continents.

Sean joined Darioush as Executive Chef in 2021, leveraging his diverse expertise to craft a distinct culinary program that he calls Persian in heart and California seasonal in mind, with menus taking inspiration from a rich local bounty as well as Shahpar Khaledi’s own family recipes. He also lovingly shepherds the estate’s own culinary garden, which yields ingredients that come together with Darioush wines to fully express the depth and beauty of the property’s terroir. Sean relishes every opportunity to translate the winery’s character to the plate, ensuring the Darioush culinary experience makes an unforgettable impression.