**Title: Women Empowerment and the Resilience of Persian Heritage: The Story of Iranian Women Winemakers in France**

In a picturesque vineyard in France’s western Dordogne region, Iranian women fleeing their oppressive homeland have found solace, empowerment, and a means to preserve their cultural heritage. These courageous women, swapping their state-enforced veils for T-shirts emblazoned with the words “life” and “liberty,” are part of a unique winemaking project rooted in ancient Persia.

Marjan Jangjoo, a 32-year-old former sports coach from Iran’s southwestern city of Shiraz, recounts her harrowing journey to freedom. Last November, she fled her homeland when security forces targeted her for arrest. Enduring months of treacherous travel across snowy mountains without proper clothing, Jangjoo eventually found herself seeking asylum in France. Now, she and her friend Soodeh Lashkarizadeh, who also escaped Iran due to her defiance of societal rules, are working hand-in-hand to keep Persian winemaking traditions alive.

Their journey to the vineyards of France represents more than just their personal quest for freedom. It is a testament to the resilience of the Iranian people and their determination to reclaim their cultural identity. The protests that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who was arrested for violating the dress code, served as a catalyst for Jangjoo’s and Lashkarizadeh’s escape. Their experiences shed light on the repressive environment that activists and athletes face in Iran, where happiness derived from activities such as dancing, sports, and drinking wine is regarded as a threat to the regime’s control.

Chowra Makaremi, an Iranian-born anthropologist, highlights the importance of sports as a platform for rebellion within Iranian society. The regime views athletes as symbols of hope, inspiring and uniting working-class youth. This perception has led to increased repression against sportspeople in Iran. Makaremi supports Jangjoo’s journey and praises her determination to reach France, where she and Lashkarizadeh now find themselves immersed in the world of winemaking.

Makaremi’s brother, Masrour Makaremi, owns a vineyard in the village of Saint-Meard-de-Gurcon, where Jangjoo and Lashkarizadeh participate in the harvest. Masrour’s vineyard, heavy with Syrah grapes, harks back to the Rhone valley’s winemaking tradition. However, legend has it that the Syrah variety originated in ancient Persia, brought back by crusaders. Following this narrative, the wine produced on Masrour’s land is set to be called “Cyrus,” honoring the founder of the Persian Empire.

To further bridge the gap between ancient Persia and present-day winemaking, the Makaremis ferment the wine in terracotta amphoras using a 5,000-year-old method. These porous vessels are sealed with a natural resin derived from pistachio trees. While embracing tradition, a heartfelt connection to Persian history is solidified through the use of an amphora dating back to the last Persian dynasty. Acquired at an auction, this relic vessel breathes life into the winemaking process, reminding everyone involved of their rich cultural heritage.

For Masrour Makaremi, producing approximately 6,000 bottles of wine each year is more than a commercial endeavor; it is an act of resistance and a celebration of Persian culture’s rebirth. The hands that harvest the grapes represent a continuation of the struggle against oppressive regimes and a remembrance of his mother, who was executed in 1988. Despite his mother’s tragic fate, Makaremi reminisces about walking among the vines with his grandmother in Shiraz, where winemaking traditions thrived.

The demonstrations within Iran following Mahsa Amini’s death have subsided for now due to severe repression. However, Makaremi clings to hope, dreaming of one day planting new vines in his homeland’s soil. Failing that, he envisions his children embarking on that adventure. The preservation of Persian winemaking approaches serves as a symbol of defiance against the oppressive regime while simultaneously keeping the flame of cultural heritage alive.

Marjan Jangjoo, Soodeh Lashkarizadeh, and the Makaremi family embody the resilient spirit of Iranian women and their fight for freedom. Through their determination, they embrace tradition, celebrate their cultural roots, and contribute to the renaissance of Persian winemaking. Their journey is a testament to the power of empowerment, the endurance of heritage, and the resilience of the human spirit.