Castello di Amorosa is a one-of-a-kind castle and winery located in Calistoga, California. It was built by Dario Sattui, a 4th generation vintner and owner of the V. Sattui Winery, as his personal pet project. The castle sits on a 171-acre property that was once part of an estate owned by Edward Turner Bale. Sattui purchased the property in 1993 for $3.1 million and spent another $40 million constructing the castle, outbuildings, and the winery inside the castle. The castle opened its doors to the public in April 2007.
The castle was built using old-world crafting techniques and is architecturally faithful to the 12th and 13th centuries. It has 107 rooms on 8 levels above and below ground, covering approximately 141,000 square feet. The castle features a moat, a drawbridge, defensive towers, an interior courtyard, a torture chamber, a chapel, a knights’ chamber, and a great hall with a 22-foot-high coffered ceiling. The torture chamber has an iron maiden, a replica rack, and other torture devices. The great hall features frescoes painted by two Italian artists and a 500-year-old fireplace.
The building materials used in the castle’s construction include 8,000 tons of locally quarried stone, paving stones, terra cotta roofing tiles, and 850,000 bricks imported from Europe. The masonry, ironwork, and woodwork were fashioned by hand. Beneath the castle are a 2-acre barrel cellar and tasting rooms where visitors can sample the wines, all sold only at the castle or through the winery’s wine club. A labyrinth of caves, 900 feet in length, extends into the hillside adjacent to the castle.
Due to Napa County restrictions, the castle and grounds cannot be rented for weddings or receptions. However, they are available to rent for corporate gatherings and fundraisers. Castello di Amorosa is a unique destination that offers visitors a glimpse of a bygone era and an unforgettable wine-tasting experience in a beautiful and historic setting.
