Introduction
Situated in the picturesque landscape of Napa Valley, California, Castello di Amorosa winery is a unique blend of history, beauty, and enology. A structure that elegantly juxtaposes Old World charm with New World wine culture, the Castello has become one of the top destinations for wine enthusiasts, history buffs, and tourists from around the globe. This sprawling castle winery, perched atop a sun-kissed hill, is a spectacle in stone and vines, well worth exploring.
History
The Castello di Amorosa, translating to “Castle of Love” in Italian, is the brainchild of Dario Sattui, a fourth-generation winemaker and the great-grandson of Vittorio Sattui, who founded the acclaimed V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena in 1885. However, the idea for Castello di Amorosa didn’t take root until much later, around the turn of the 21st century.
Inspired by a profound appreciation for Italian architecture and a love for Italian wine, Sattui began building the Castello in 1994. His vision was to construct an authentic 13th-century Tuscan-style castle in the heart of Napa Valley, imbued with the soul of Italian winemaking tradition.
Construction took over 15 years, employing old world crafting techniques and importing materials from Europe to ensure authenticity. Over 200 containers of handmade antique bricks and tiles were shipped from Europe to give the castle a genuine historical feel. The castle officially opened to the public in 2007.
The Castle Architecture
The resulting structure is an architectural masterpiece that spans 121,000 square feet. The Castello houses 107 rooms, including a grand banquet hall, secret passageways, a torture chamber, a chapel, and even a drawbridge. The castle’s lower levels include an elaborate labyrinth of cellars and caves where wines age to perfection in a cool, controlled environment.
The Vineyard
The vineyard surrounding the Castello spans over 171 acres, though only 30 acres are cultivated for grapevines. The vineyard uses sustainable farming practices to nurture a variety of grapes that are ideally suited to the local climate and soil.
The majority of the vineyard is dedicated to growing red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Primitivo. The white grape varieties include Gewürztraminer and Muscat Canelli, which are known for their rich, aromatic profiles.
One of the unique aspects of Castello di Amorosa’s viticulture practice is their dedication to Italian grape varieties. While many Napa Valley vineyards focus on the classic French varietals, Castello cultivates Italian varieties like Sangiovese, Primitivo, and Moscato, fostering a connection to Sattui’s Italian heritage.
Winemaking
Castello di Amorosa’s winemaking combines centuries-old Italian traditions with modern techniques. Following a meticulous selection process, the handpicked grapes are fermented in a mix of stainless steel tanks and open-top fermenters, which allow for careful temperature control and extraction of colors and flavors.
After fermentation, the wines are aged in an impressive cellar, containing over 1,000 barrels made from a variety of European oaks. This attention to detail in barrel selection reflects the quality and complexity of Castello wines.
The winery produces a range of wine styles, from robust, flavorful reds and crisp, aromatic whites to delectable dessert wines. They also produce a range of reserve wines and single-vineyard selections.
Notoriety and Accolades
Over the years, Castello di Amorosa has been recognized for its outstanding wines and exceptional wine tourism experience. They have received numerous awards and honors from prestigious institutions within the wine industry.
Their wines, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, have received high ratings from critics and have been awarded in several wine competitions. The Il Barone, their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and La Castellana, a Super Tuscan-style blend, are particularly renowned. The Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, a delectable dessert wine, is another crowd favorite and has earned critical acclaim.
The unique and authentic experience Castello di Amorosa provides for its visitors has been acknowledged by leading travel and lifestyle publications. The opulent medieval architecture, coupled with wine tasting tours and food pairings, provides an unforgettable journey through history and viticulture. They have been named ‘Best Tasting Room’ by the North Bay Bohemian and their Wine Club, which offers exclusive wines and events to members, is also highly rated.
Moreover, Castello di Amorosa has often been the venue of choice for special events, galas, and wine release parties, adding to its reputation as an iconic Napa Valley destination.
Conclusion
While there are many remarkable wineries in Napa Valley, Castello di Amorosa stands apart in its commitment to creating an authentic, immersive Italian wine experience. From its careful viticulture and winemaking practices to the attention to detail in the castle’s architecture, Castello di Amorosa seamlessly melds history, culture, and oenology.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a casual visitor, Castello di Amorosa offers an enchanting escape. Here, you can sip finely crafted wines, marvel at the historical architecture, and indulge in the breathtaking views of Napa Valley – a testament to Dario Sattui’s vision and a homage to the time-honored tradition of winemaking.
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Linda Vang
2 weeks agoThe castle and the views were great. Service was excellent. Our host was wonderful and brought out 4 different bottles each sampling round for us to chose from so we didn't have to drink the same thing. Love that you're able to explore most of the grounds and that there even a little zoo, though the emu was creepy when it opened its mouth and its beedy black eyes locked in on you lol. I'm not a wine drinker myself but their grape juices were amazing too.
Miley Rodriguez
a month agoThis review is long overdue. During the first days of the year, we visited Castello for a wine and cheese tasting tour. The tour itself was enjoyable, and the castle is absolutely beautiful. However, there were a few disappointing aspects that I only realized afterward. First, regarding my wine order experience. Since we had another tasting scheduled that same day, we didn’t place an order on-site. I later contacted our tour guide and placed the order over the phone 2–3 weeks later. The sales representative who helped me was very kind and knowledgeable, offering great storage tips and advice. Unfortunately, things went downhill when it came to shipping. I did receive a tracking number, but honestly, who checks that every single day? Especially when spending over $5k on wine, a simple courtesy reminder about the delivery date would have gone a long way. I have dozens of packages delivered weekly, so I wasn’t actively monitoring it. Of course, this delivery required a signature, and no one was home at the time, so the package wasn’t dropped off. When I reached out to the sales rep, I was surprised to hear they don’t have any system in place to notify customers before delivery. Really? For high-value orders like that? Especially when commission is involved? He reassured me that the wine was stored in a temperature-controlled facility and would be fine until redelivery the next day. However, after following up directly with FedEx, I learned the truth. The wine had been sitting in a hot van all day, and the overnight storage wasn’t temperature-controlled either — this is Florida, after all. I was so disappointed, not just by the poor handling of the wine, but by the false reassurances I was given. For me, one lie is enough to lose trust. As a result, I canceled the entire order (which took multiple calls to finalize) and also canceled my futures order. It became clear this place is more about business than preserving the original idea of great wine and good company. To add to the experience, our tour guide was a few minutes late, the tastings felt rushed, and the overall atmosphere was loud and chaotic. It felt like money was the priority, not the experience — and eventually, that shows. In the end, I bought my wine elsewhere, from a place with better quality and service. I honestly feel bad for whoever ends up with the returned boxes from my order because I have no doubt they’ll just resell them to someone else.
Makai Genovese
a month agoBy far one of the best wine tasting/tours I’ve been to. The mood , ambience, the wine and our Host were amazing . The actual tour/tasting is well presented with entertaining descriptions that make it fun for anyone . We traveled with our senior dog who is non aggressive and non barky. He was welcomed at Castello Di Amorosa . I had him in a backpack during the tour and that seemed to work just fine .
Joan Pratt
4 months agoOur visit to Castello di Amorosa was truly unforgettable. The guided tour was fantastic—our guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the history of the castle come alive. Exploring the multiple underground levels was a highlight, with each level offering something unique and fascinating. One of the coolest touches was the attention to detail throughout the castle, like the intricate dragon designs on the light fixtures—they were such a fun and unexpected surprise! If you’re a wine lover, history buff, or just someone looking for a unique experience, I highly recommend a visit to this incredible castle. It’s not just a winery; it’s a step back in time with so much to see and enjoy.
Justine Jordan
3 months agoAmazing, exclusive wines worth nothing! Definitely a vision of a property with some cool history behind it. Stephen was a knowledgeable, kind server I enjoyed. One thing I have to add: the outdoor patio is covered overtop with some tarp/plastic? Really not a problem it's just visually not cute; it was toasty in there, nice for the winter months. I'd say maybe offer a more attractive tasting area for all to complement the castle.