The Castello di Amorosa
A Winery in a Tuscan Castle

Updated October 29, 2025

The Castello di Amorosa, or Castle of Love, is in a class by itself. When I first heard about this winery, I thought, the horror, Disneyland in the Napa Valley. But no, it's not like that at all. In fact, it's hard to believe that the "castle" hasn't been standing there for centuries (instead of 2007).

Visiting the castle (tastings & tours)

Tours to the castle from SF

The Castello di Amorosa

The castle and winery were built over a period of years by an Italian-American winemaker, Dario Sattui (who also owns the V. Sattui winery in St. Helena nearby).

He had a passion for the architecture of the Middle Ages; authenticity of design and materials were very important in the construction.

Many of the stones used to build the castle are actually very old, collected from various sites in Europe and shipped to the vineyard just outside of Calistoga.

Walls of the castle, Castello di Amorosa winery in Calistoga

Mr. Sattui has essentially recreated a 13th century Tuscan castle in the northern end of the Napa Valley.

What was supposed to be a modest winery got out of hand and turned into a massive fortress. And now it's open to the public for wine tasting and a tour of the winery and grounds.

Exploring the Castle

Tours and Tasting

Wine Tasting. It costs $60 to get into the castle (adult price), but you get a tasting of five of their wines as well, in a medieval cellar under the castle. Very cool. You can explore the castle on your own, if you like. Minors ages 2-20 pay $25 (juice included, ha ha). Visitors under 21 have to be accompanied by someone older.

Tour and Tasting. Even better, do a combination tour and wine tasting for $75 (Adults only). The tour includes the viewing and history of the Grand Hall, chapel, courtyard, towers, then into the fermenting and storage areas of the winery. Allow 60 minutes for the tour and 45 minutes for the tasting.

We did the tour/tasting combo; highly recommended!

You can also do tastings that pair the wines with cheese or chocolate- yum!

To book a tasting, go to Castello tastings and tours.

Reservations are now required for all tastings and tours.

The Great Hall...Amazing!

I wasn't expecting a grand, medieval hall with the walls completely covered by authentic-looking Italian frescos. An expert in this style of painting was brought over from Italy to do all the work. Gorgeous!

Medieval Great Hall at Castello di Amorosa winery

The Great Hall

There is also a large chapel that has the feel of a very old European church, and a courtyard where you would expect Juliet to show up at any moment.

Courtyard and well of Castello di Amorosa

Castle Courtyard

The tour takes you past huge metal vats used for heating the grape juice.

Underneath the castle are rooms and rooms, caverns really, with thousands of barrels of wine in various stages of fermentation.

Wine barrels in cave uner the Castello di Amorosa winery

Wine Barrels in the Cellar

The Dungeon

This castle even has a dungeon with authentic medieval torture equipment...a bit creepy. The iron maiden is there along with the rack and an oubliette. The guide said they have great Halloween parties there...I'll bet they do.

Outside there is a menagerie roaming the grounds: white peacocks, goats, chickens, etc.

Wine Tasting

After an interesting tour, it's time to taste some of the wines produced at the castle.

The tasting takes place in an atmospheric cellar, with guests comfortably seated at a long bar.

Wine Tasting in the Cellar

The standard tasting program allows you to taste 5 different wines from a full page of options. Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese, Pinot, Barbera and more in the Reds; Chardonnay, Pinots Grigio and Blanco, and Gewürtztraminer in the Whites, and a collection of dessert and sparkling wines.

Something for every taste! Several of their wines have won high honors in respected wine competitions.

Hours

Open daily

March-Oct: 10-6

Nov-Feb: 10-5

Location- finding the winery

The address is 4045 North St. Helena Way (Highway 29).

The turn-off is between St. Helena and Calistoga on Hwy 29, 2 miles south of Calistoga. Watch for a large sign for the castle (you can't see the castle from the highway). 707-967-6272.

Note: I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide all the free information I post on this website.

Take a Winery Tour to Castello di Amorosa

I found two tours from San Francisco that take you up to this winery.

Napa Valley Wine & Food Tour. This tour takes you up to two wineries in the Napa Valley, including the Castello di Amorosa. You also enjoy food pairings (cheeses, chocolates, and charcuterie) with the wine tasting. Tastings included.

See Napa Wine & Food Tour for more info and booking.

Small Group Luxury Winery Tour. This tour takes you from SF to do wine tasting at three wineries in the Napa Valley, including the Castello di Amorosa. It's a full day tour and includes a private guide explaining winemaking and covers the fees for the tastings.

See Small Group Winery Tour for more info and booking.

Alternative tours (not to the Castello)

These tours don't go to the castle winery, but they are less expensive, and one is just a half-day tour if you are pressed for time.

Napa & Sonoma Wine Country Tour. If you want to see both Napa and Sonoma wine country, this is a popular tour that takes you to three wineries for tasting. Have lunch at the charming Sonoma town square and stop for photos at the Golden Gate Bridge. Full day tour. This doesn't go to the Castello winery, but it's less expensive. Tasting fees included.

See Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour for more info and booking.

Half-day Sonoma Wine Tour. Shorter tour visits two wineries in Sonoma (the less-traveled" wine region, and learn about wine-making. Tasting fees included and has hotel pick-up and drop off.

See Half-day Sonoma Wine Tour for more info and booking.

Check their website for more info: www.castellodiamorosa.com.