Sasan Nayeri – Owner/Proprietor
Sasan Nayeri was born in 1985 in Esfahan, Iran. He grew up in a large and prominent family and from an early age was immersed in food and hospitality, drawing inspiration from the rich tradition of hospitality that is the cornerstone of the Persian culture. At the age of fifteen, Sasan, along with his family immigrated to the United States, where he immediately started working in a restaurant while attending Boulder High School. His early days in a restaurant world started as many others do working in the kitchens as a dishwasher and prep cook and quickly progressing in the ranks in the kitchen.
While finishing high school, and later enrolling at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Sasan decided to leave the stoves and move on to the front of the house, again starting at the humble position of a bus-boy. Shortly after finding his footing on the restaurant floor, he became enamored and inspired by the world of fine wine. He began his course work through the London Court of Master Sommeliers while finishing his double degree in Neuroscience and Business Administration and in 2010 became a Certified Sommelier. That year, he also graduated the University of Colorado and began working in the corporate world during the day, while working nightly on the floors of some of the top restaurants in Boulder as a sommelier and captain.
In late 2012 Sasan decided to fully dedicate himself in the world of hospitality and wine and left his corporate employment to pursue a career as a wine director and general manager of Mateo Restaurant Provencal in Boulder. The following year, a harvest opportunity (vendemmia) in Tuscany took Sasan to Italy where he participated in all aspects of winemaking, from harvest to bottling, at Fortulla winery in Castiglioncello. This several month’s long residency inspired Sasan to live in the wine country and upon his return to the United States, he quickly obtained a position as Manager and Wine Director of the Michelin Starred and star studded team of Terra Restaurant in St. Helena. His Napa Valley career continued with the opening of Evangeline Restaurant in 2015 where he was the opening general manager, wine and beverage director and business partner.
Evangeline quickly became a top Napa Valley destination achieving many local and international accolades such as Michelin ratings from 2015 through 2022, Top 100 restaurant in the bay area and best new restaurant in Napa Valley. In 2017 Sasan Nayeri took over as the sole owner and proprietor of Evangeline, and shifted the focus of the restaurant to appeal and cater to the locals of Calistoga and became a locally-revered and locally-owned business. Sasan continues to work at his restaurant Evangeline on a daily basis and he continues to draw inspiration from his own diverse background and the rich tapestry of the local and international influences in Napa Valley. He is aided by his loyal and dedicated team at Evangeline in developing further concepts in the area and beyond.
Outside of the restaurant Sasan serves on the leadership board of the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce in addition to serving his community by volunteering and participating in many local charity and philanthropic organizations. Sasan lives in Calistoga with his English Labrador puppy, Pirouz, and in his spare time enjoys swimming, hiking, biking and reading.