If you’re heading to Napa Valley, it would be well worth your while to visit Daryl Sattui’s new $30 million, 100000-square-foot Castello di Amorosa. It’s a 13th-century-style Tuscan castle that sits on Diamond Mountain, just south of Calistoga. Recently opened Castello di Amorosa valley, this castle is fast becoming the most lavish tourist draw.
The castle has stunning interior but wine is the focus. Wines produced here are sold under the Castello de Amorosa label. There are 107 rooms on eight levels, four above ground and four below. Also, there is a Knight’s Room decorated with lively frescos and a torture chamber with gruesome replica instruments and one very gruesome, non-replica, 300-year-old Iron Maiden.
The roughhewn walls and ceilings of the castle are made of hundred year old bricks that are imported from Europe. The stones use are also not simple, they were hand-carved by the stonecutters in the traditional methods. There are replicas of medieval Italian paintings that also add to the attractiveness of the castle.
The castle has secret passageways, a church, a kitchen, an apartment for the nobles, stables and an outdoor oven for baking bread. There is a room in the castle that is dedicated to Daryl Sattui’s grandfather, Vittorio. The room features dusty old bottles that are from the original winery.
Image Credit
The castle opened for tours earlier this year and has drawn thousands of visitors already, some coming back for a second or third time.
Location:
Castello de Amorosa,
4045 N. St. Helena Highway,
2-1/2 miles south of Calistoga,
California.
Image Credit for the first picture
Source: CNN
