Castello di Amorosa | Napa Valley | Calistoga, CA

Last week I spent a few hours in Italy, wandering a Tuscan castle…..while I was visiting the Napa Valley!

The Castello di Amorosa is an amazing winery that opened in 2007 after 14 years of construction. It is built using the perfect blend of old-world craftsmanship and new-world technology. On the exterior the attention to detail is stunning in the masonry, ironwork and woodwork done by skilled artisans (many from Italy) using old-world crafting techniques. New-world technology, while mostly hidden from view, is abundant in the construction which according to our tour guide, surpasses many of today’s building codes.

This awesome structure features a moat, drawbridge, defensive towers, an interior courtyard, a torture chamber complete with a 300-year-old Iron Maiden, a chapel/church, a knights’ chamber, and a great hall measuring 72′ x 30′ with a 22′ ceiling!

And, lets not forget the wine! The wines at Castello di Amorosa are Italian-style and sold only at the winery, so be sure to bring a bottle or two home with you…I did!

My picks:

• Il Raggio del Sole – Santa Barbara Muscat Canelli; pair with dark chocolate studded with sea salt
• Il Brigante – a red wine blend

For those of you who know me well, you know that I lived in Italy, loved the experience, and would move back in a heartbeat! As you can imagine, wandering a Tuscan castle (along with sipping some vino) was soothing to my homesick-for-Italy soul.

If you are planning a trip to the Napa Valley please visit the Castello di Amorosa – you won’t be disappointed! Splurge for the full castle & winery tour – it is well worth the money!

**quick tip: right now if you check in on Yelp there is a discount on the tour, but I’m not sure how long that promotion will be available

Castello di Amorosa

4045 North St. Helena Highway

Calistoga, CA 94515

(707) 967-6272 (it is recommended to make reservations for the castle & winery tour)

Cin Cin!!