One of the luxuries of living in the Bay Area is being in such close proximity to Napa Valley. Wine connoisseurs travel from all over the US to one of our local airports, and make the trek over to get a taste of Italy. Bay Area residents are lucky to have such accessibility to the wine country, as only 2% of the world’s surface is covered by dry Mediterranean climate and part of that is right in our own backyard. Which is something I take advantage of, as much as I can. My love of planning Napa trips runs deep, from girl’s days out to romantic overnight stays. It even becomes a destination for last minute adventures. So fair warning, this will definitely be one of many blogs starring the wonderful Napa Valley.
About a 35 minute drive from Napa, is Calistoga, where you can find spas with hot springs and mud baths. Home to The Old Faithful Geyser and beautiful wineries such as Castello di Amorosa, a medieval-style castle and a favorite I frequently visit. One hobby I truly enjoy is taking scenic drives and the one to Castello di Amorosa I can do several times a year. As soon as you hop onto Route 29, it's time to drop the top, let the sun kiss your face, and feel the breeze brush your cheeks. Nothing feels more freeing than riding alongside the vineyards with the wind blowing through your hair, taking in the fresh air with the light aroma of grapes.
As you first get to the property, you are greeted at the check-in stand, where you present your prepaid tasting or tour reservation in order to enter. Once checked-in, you start the drive on a road lined with manicured trees and grapevines. As you continue up, one cannot help but feel astonished as the beautiful Castle of Love appears in the near distance. What a sight, something you would see in the hills of Tuscany. The vision of 4th generation winemaker Dario Sattui came to life when he built this authentically styled 13th century castle winery honoring his Italian heritage and deep love for medieval architecture.
Coming here is such an experience, much more than just wine tasting. From watching the livestock graze through the fenced farm to the sound of the water trickling in the moat surrounding the castle, every detail was curated to make you feel like you stepped into a fairytale. For a moment I was swept away touring the grounds of a King’s castle, thinking I would walk in on Knights communing in the Great Hall or come across a Princess daydreaming of her Prince in the Courtyard.
After experiencing every room, nook, and cranny of the Castello, we made it to the Main Tasting Room located underground. For their tasting you select 5 of their elegant, intensely flavored, well-balanced Italian-style wines crafted with a traditional approach incorporating modern techniques. Although having such an extensive wine menu, it was easy to decide based on the suggestions of our very knowledgeable sommelier which catered to our preferences. We started with fruitier tones of their white wines, then continued onto the refreshing rosés, ending with bold reds. Out of all that we tasted, we relished in the sips we had from their Reserved Wines, La Castellana. Described as a bold yet elegant Super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese, it was very smooth and pleasing to the palette.
On top of all the wonder Castello di Amorosa has to offer, they also throw the most marvelous soirees. One I hope to attend is their annual Hot Havana Nights where guests are served Cuban bites, enjoying hand rolled cigars and dance under the stars decked out in their best Havana-Inspired attire. This is a winery I will continue to enjoy for years to come.
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