CASTELLO DI AMOROSA WINERY: A SLICE OF TUSCANY IN NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

If you can’t make it over to Italy this summer, I’ve found the next best thing. Tucked away in the western hills of Calistoga is the winery Castello di Amorosa, but it isn’t just any winery. This one has been designed to look like a medieval castle set in the rolling hills of Tuscany. It took 30 years for Italian-American winemaker Dario Sattui to build the winery, a must-visit on any trip to Napa Valley. Below is my complete guide to visiting Castello di Amorosa that includes winery tips, my favorite experiences, photo locations, where to stay, best Napa Valley restaurants and more.

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How is this not Tuscany?

CASTELLO DI AMOROSA TRAVEL TIPS

• RESERVATIONS – To access the castle, you’ll need a wine tasting reservation. There is a guard kiosk outside the property that checks reservations before guests drive up to the winery. Reservations can be made online in advance here.
• TIMING – The castle and its grounds are beautiful. Arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to explore and take photos. I suggest an hour to two to walk the castle grounds and its surrounds before or after your tasting.
• GUIDED TOUR VS. SELF GUIDED TOUR – I personally preferred the self-guided tour, but if you do a guided tour, you will have access to additional rooms including the torture chamber, library, armory, grand barrel room and fermentation room.
• KID-FRIENDLY – The winery is kid-friendly as long as children are well behaved, but note that strollers are not allowed inside the castle.

WHEN TO VISIT CASTELLO DI AMOROSA

• MARCH-MAY – Vines bloom during the spring as the wine tasting season starts to rev up again. Weather is generally cool, but comfortable this time of the year.
• JUNE-AUGUST – Summer season is the busiest time of the year in Napa Valley, and Castello di Amorosa is a popular stop on wine tasting trips. Temperatures can get pretty toasty, especially in July and August, sometimes into triple digits.
• SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER – Harvest season is a lovely time to visit. The winery is busy with grape picking, the weather is comfortable and the summer crowds have dispersed. Vineyard colors start to change from green to orange in late October for autumn.

FAVORITE CASTELLO DI AMOROSA EXPERIENCES

THE CHAPEL

It’s too bad Castello di Amorosa isn’t a wedding venue, because the castle chapel is lovely. It’s located right off the main courtyard, an airy room with high ceilings covered in Italian frescoes designed in Umbria, Italy.

DRAWBRIDGE

Walk across an medieval drawbridge over the castle moat to enter Castello di Amorosa. This is one of the most popular spots at the winery for photos.

GRAND BARREL ROOM

This 12,000-square foot underground space that sits under the castle reminds me of the eerie cisterns of Europe. The Grand Barrel Room is made from ancient European brick set into 40 ribbed cross-vaults to keep temperatures cool for the aging wines.

GREAT HALL

The Great Hall is the prettiest room in the castle. It’s located right off the main courtyard – a grande airy space with walls covered in hand-painted, Italian inspired frescoes surround a 500-year old Ubrian fireplace.

MAIN COURTYARD

Everything flows through the spectacular main courtyard at Castello di Amorosa. It’s one of the first places you’ll see when you enter the castle, surrounded by gorgeous archways made entirely of brick. There are several tables scattered in the center of the courtyard, a lovely setting for wine tasting if it isn’t too sunny out.

SOUTH TOWER

The South Tower might be my favorite spot inside the castle. It’s a short climb up to the medieval perch that overlooks the vineyards and cypress trees. As you make your way up, look through the tower crenels for sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and cypress trees. On a hazy morning, the setting looks a lot like Tuscany. It’s uncanny. Don’t miss the medieval artifacts inside the tower.

TORTURE CHAMBER

Just like the castles in medieval Europe, Castello di Amorosa has a torture chamber filled with historic devices designed to inflict pain.

UPPER LOGGIA

The Upper Loggia is made entirely of brick, and basically serves as an open air balcony over the main courtyard below. The castle scenes from up here are lovely – all the brick reminds me of being back in Siena.

WALK THE CASTLE GROUNDS

I love exploring outside the castle as much as inside the castle. Castello di Amorosa is unlike anywhere else in Napa, and seeing the stone castle rise up out of the rolling vineyards is a breathtaking sight.

WINE TASTING

There’s nothing quite like wine tasting inside a medieval castle, and Castello di Amorosa offers a variety of experiences to choose from.

• Diamond Estate Tour & Tasting – This adults-only experience takes guests through the Chapel, Knights Hall, Great Hall and production areas in the upper levels of the castle, as well as underground to see the dungeon, armory and torture chamber. The tour is followed by a tasting that includes five wines from the Reserve and Current Release categories, or the non-alcoholic Librero tasting.
• Seated Tasting – If you want to skip a formal tour of the grounds to explore on your own, this is the best option. This seated tasting offers a selection of five wines from the Reserve and Current Release categories, or the alcoholic Librero tasting.
• Cheese & Charcuterie Wine Pairing Tour – Similar to the Diamond Estate Tour, this is an adults-only tour of the castle followed by a tasting of six wines, all paired with local cheese and cured meats. Includes Reserve and Flagship wines.
• Cabernet Is King – This a completely private tour and tasting with a focus on Cabs.

To enter the castle, guests cross a draw bridge over a moat.

Gargoyle details outside of the medieval castle.

FUN FACTS

• Castello di Amorosa was a 30 year project that took 15 years of construction.
• The 2008 Adam Sandler film Bedtime Stories was filmed at Castello di Amorosa.
• This is one of the few wineries that offers non-alcoholic tastings.
• The winery has been featured on the reality show The Bachelor.

PLACES TO STAY IN NAPA VALLEY

ALILA NAPA VALLEY

Alila Napa Valley is an adults-only retreat set in the heart of St. Helena, a central location for exploring different parts of the valley. There are more than 60 rooms and suites that boast bright neutral color palettes with high ceilings, hard wood floors, glass doors and lots of light. Amenities include an on-site spa, fire pits, pool, vineyard views and the amazing restaurant Violetto.

AUBERGE DU SOLEIL

Inspired by the South of France, Auberge du Soleil is a lavish adults-only resort that sits on a hillside in Rutherford. The private maisons, named after Monaco and Cannes, are the pinnacle of luxury at the property. These two-bedroom villas feature sweeping vineyard panoramas, a fireplace, indoor soaking tub, outdoor soaking tub, rain shower, plush king beds and a Mercedes-Benz for exploring the valley. There are also a collection of beautiful guest rooms and lavish suites, many with private terraces, vineyard views and fireplaces. Auberge du Soleil is home to a Michel-starred restaurant, award-winning wine cellar, spa, olive groves and opulent pool.

CARNEROS RESORT

Carneros Resort is a charming farmhouse styled property located in southern Napa Valley. The property is a guest favorite for its private cottage retreats that are a spacious mix of indoor and outdoor spaces. There are fabulous restaurants at the resort, as well as a stunning pool that overlooks a fabulous view of the surrounding vineyards.

FOUR SEASONS

The Napa Valley Four Seasons location opened its doors in 2021, and it’s by far the most luxurious resort in Calistoga. It’s located on a working vineyard where guests enjoy unique grape-to-glass experiences including barrel tastings at Elusa Winery, vineyard grove picnics, production tours, vineyard strolls and more. The five-star resort offers a collection of stunning one, two and three bedroom suites, as well as traditional guest rooms and expansive villas.

HARVEST INN

The Harvest Inn sits quiet and unassuming along the bustling St. Helena Highway. The vibe of the estate grounds is English countryside with its manicured gardens, ivy walls, flowing fountains and Tudor-esque buildings. Rooms are a little dated, but clean and cozy. And the location is ideal – central to the valley for exploring wineries, and a few minutes away from the amazing restaurants of St. Helena.

HOTEL YOUNTVILLE

Another boutique hotel in Yountville that is lovely, but a bit more casual than some of the sprawling resorts in the valley. Hotel Yountville is a lovely little gem with comfortable rooms, a spa, pool and an ideal location to nearby restaurants, bakeries and tasting rooms.

MEADOWOOD NAPA VALLEY

If rustic elegance is your vibe, look no further than Meadowood Napa Valley. The five-star property sits on a 250-acre wooded estate in St. Helena where guests enjoy hiking, tennis, pool days and wine tasting, all on property. There are 36 rooms and suites at Meadowood, all luxurious farmhouse retreats that feature a variety of amenities including hardwood floors, wood paneling, vaulted ceilings, soaking tubs, private porches and glass walled showers. Feels like a five-star version of home.

MILLIKEN CREEK INN

Once a stagecoach stop in the 1950s, the Milliken Creek Inn has undergone a complete transformation into one of Napa Valley’s most sought after luxury stays. The property was awarded the Michelin Guide Two Key distinction in 2024 for an “exceptional stay” experience. Milliken Creek Inn sits on three acres of land overlooking the Napa River. There are 11 beautiful guest rooms that are cozy, elegant and refined. The spaces are designed in white with vaulted ceilings and wooden beams, black fireplaces, hard wood floors and private patios.

NORTH BLOCK HOTEL

If you’re looking for something a bit more modern and not-so remote, North Block Hotel is a boutique property that sits in the middle of Yountville. The local restaurants, bakeries and tasting rooms are all walking distance from the property. There are only 20 rooms – they are crisp, clean and lovely, but not over the top luxurious.

THE SETTING INN

The Setting Inn is a lovely little gem in Napa Valley. The farmhouse-inspired retreat is located along St. Helena Highway, very central if you plan to explore wineries to the north and south. It’s a great spot if you’re looking for something unpretentious without sacrificing luxury. Rooms here feel like home – comfortable and cozy, but still elegant and refined.

I visited at the start of harvest season when the vines were filled with plump grapes.

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN NAPA VALLEY

CASUAL FARE

• Bouchon Bakery (French bakery)
• Gott’s Roadside (American comfort)
• Mother’s Tacos (Mexican)
• Stateline Road Smokehouse (barbeque)

MICHELIN GUIDE RESTAURANTS

• Ad Hoc (American)
• Bouchon Bistro (French)
• Charter Oak (Californian)
• CIccio (Italian)
• Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (American)
• La Toque (French)
• Mustard’s Grill (Californian)
• Restaurant at North Block (American)
• Solbar (American)

MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS

• Auberge du Soleil (French)
• French Laundry (French)
• Kenzo (Japanese)
• Press (American)

OTHER FAVORITES

• Bistro Don Giovanni (Italian)
• Bistro Jeanty (French)
• Boon Fly Cafe (Californian)
• Charlie’s (American)
• Contimo Provisions (brunch)
• FARM Restaurant (Italian)
• La Cheve (brunch)
• Moulin (brunch)
• Violetto (American)
• Winstons’s Cafe (brunch)

Cheers to a spectacular day in Calistoga.

The Great Hall inside Castello di Amorosa.

GET TO CASTELLO DI AMOROSA

• FLIGHT – Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) is the closest airport, located 45 miles from downtown Napa. It’s a small airport serviced only by Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. Alternatively, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major airport serviced by all airlines and located 75 miles away.
• CAR – Rental car is the easiest way to both get into and around Napa Valley. The region’s wineries, restaurants and sights are spread out, and you’ll want a rental car to move from one place to another. For example, Castello di Amorosa is located in Callistoga, whereas Domaine Carneros is located 40 minutes away in southern Napa Valley.