Castello di Amorosa
| Castello di Amorosa | |
| Location | Calistoga, California, USA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°33′30″N 122°32′34″W / 38.5584°N 122.5427°WCoordinates: 38°33′30″N 122°32′34″W / 38.5584°N 122.5427°W |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Founded | 2007 |
| First vintage | 2001 |
| Key people | Dario Sattui |
| Cases/yr | 16,000[1] |
| Known for | Il Barone Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Varietals | Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Muscato, Gioia- Rosato di Sangiovese, Merlot, La Fantasia |
| Tasting | Open to the Public (tours & tasting by appointment only) |
| Website | www.castellodiamorosa.com |
First opening its doors to the public in April 2007, the Castello di Amorosa is located near Calistoga, California. It is the pet project of 4th generation vintner, Dario Sattui who also owns and operates the V. Sattui Winery named after his great-grandfather who originally established a winery in San Francisco in 1885. [2][3]
Sattui claims to have spent nearly all his resources during the 14 year process of building this medieval replica castle on the vineyard grounds.[4] The winery sits on property that was once part of an estate owned by Edward Turner Bale.[5]
[edit] The castle
The castle interiors, which include 107 rooms on 8 levels above and below ground, cover approximately 121,000 square feet (11,200 m2). Among many other features it has: a moat; a drawbridge; defensive towers; an interior courtyard; a torture chamber; a chapel/church; a knights' chamber; and a 72 by 30 feet (9.1 m) great hall with a 22-foot (6.7 m)-high coffered ceiling.
The torture chamber has an authentic 300-year-old iron maiden which Sattui states he bought for $13,000 in Pienza, Italy, a replica rack, prison chambers and other torture devices. [1] [6][7] The great hall features frescoes painted by two Italian artists who took about a year and a half to complete and showcases a 500 year old fireplace.
The masonry, ironwork and woodwork was fashioned by hand using old world crafting techniques. Building materials included 8,000 tons of locally quarried stone, in addition to paving stones, terra cotta roofing tiles and some 850,000 bricks imported from Europe.[1][8] Extending into the hillside adjacent to the castle lies a labyrinth of caves some 900 feet (270 m) in length. Beneath the castle are a 2-acre (8,100 m2) barrel cellar and tasting rooms where visitors can sample the wines-all sold only at the Castle.[9]
Due to Napa County restrictions, the castle and grounds cannot be rented for weddings or receptions, but are available to rent for corporate gatherings and fund raisers.
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A view of the great hall.
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A view of the courtyard.
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A view of knights' chambers.
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A view of the wine cellar.
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A view of the castle exterior from moat level.
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The Iron Maiden in the Torture Chamber.
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The Torture Chamber.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c NewsOK
- ^ Nolte, Carl (March 28, 2010). "V. Sattui's humble beginnings in North Beach". San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA: .). http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/28/MNJV1CLQCL.DTL. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ^ Davis, Kip (September 24, 2010). "Reviving a century-old dream". Napa Valley Register (Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc.). http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/wine/article_59d81d90-c79f-11df-88e2-001cc4c03286.html. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
- ^ The Cork Board
- ^ Indardonato, John (January 29, 2004). "Sattui castle combines art, wine and the old world". Napa Valley Register (Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises). http://napavalleyregister.com/news/article_8a60eacc-0ead-555c-a311-7e43f3082761.html. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
- ^ Engle, Jane (February 27, 2007). "Napa Valley medieval: Sattui's Castello di Amorosa". Los Angeles Times (Napa, CA). http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-castle25feb25. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ^ Via Magazine
- ^ The Press Democrat
- ^ Golden Haven
[edit] External links
- Webshots Album: Dozens of photos of the grounds and rooms
