The Castello di Amorosa 
Having visited european Castles, I can attest to the authentic feel of this modern masterpiece. /em>
 Strolling up the path to the castle's entreance feels like you are transported back into a time long past. 
Daryl Sattui's Castle is already attracting swallows and adapting to the natural surroundings.
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Bonnie and I had some special guests in from Southern California. Endevoring to be good hosts, we set off for a day of picnicing, wine tasting and touring.
We started our day off with a picnic at Sterling, in Calistoga.
We were fortunate to have our Grandson along for the ride, because he brought his parents, who were great tour guides. 
Two of the best kids/parents in the world -- Jen and Mike Acker,
AKA parents of Lucius
Michael and Bonnie on the Sterling terrace overlooking the valley, including Castello di Amorosa While on the terrace at Sterling Winery in Calistoga we noticed a castle is rising in the hills across Highway 29. So, after a thoroughly enjoyable trip and tasting at Sterling we set out for the unknown. 
Jen and Mike getting a refill.
Daryl Sattui’s Castello di Amorosa
As any long time aficionado of the Napa wine region can attest, Daryl Sattui’s, winery and deli a few miles away in St. Helena are a popular picnic stop. However, this medieval-style castle and second winery looks to be the new “must see” venue in the valley. At 121,000 square feet, the Castello di Amorosa, could hold 50 average-sized homes. It has 107 rooms on seven levels. 
The scope of this eccentric castle nearly rivals the late William Randolph Hearst's Castle which is located down the coast in San Simeon. This “Tuscan castle” in the California Wine Country sports a dry moat, drawbridge, iron-gated entrance, five towers with battlements, a church, a great hall, gargoyles and wrought-iron sconces; its dungeon is outfitted with torture equipment, including a reproduction of a rack and an antique iron maiden, which Sattui said he bought for $13,000 in Pienza, Italy. Asside from modern conveniences such as handicapped accessibility, electricity and indoor plumbing, Castello di Amorosa is nearly as authentic a reproduction as we can get of a Tuscan Castle in the USA. |
