Castello di Amorosa

The Basics

Though opened in 2007, the castle includes many historical touches. The Great Hall houses a 500-year-old fireplace, and all the ironwork, antique bricks, and tiles were handmade in Italy and other parts of Europe. Like a real medieval castle, the building includes a watch tower, torture chamber, secret passageways, and a church.

The Napa Valley Wine Trolley and the Napa Valley Wine Train both stop at Castello di Amorosa. Private and small-group Napa Valley wine tours often stop at the castle for a tasting (wine tasting fees are not always included), as well as other Napa wineries like V. Sattui Winery and Robert Mondavi.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The castle and winery is a must-see for wine lovers and architecture buffs.

• Strollers, selfie sticks, and drones are not allowed on the property.

• Winery tours and tastings often sell out on weekends and holidays, so it’s a good idea to book ahead.

• Children are welcome at the winery, and the entrance fee for minors includes a cup of grape juice and access to a coloring table in the Knight’s Hall tasting room.

• Wear comfortable shoes and expect to walk or stand for about an hour during the tour.

• The winery is fully ADA compliant, with an elevator to all levels on the wine tour.

How to Get There

The winery is located off Highway CA-29 in the northern area of Napa Valley between Calistoga and St. Helena. Get there by private car, or by booking a guided tour, the Napa Valley Wine Trolley, or the Napa Valley Wine Train.

When to Get There

Castello di Amorosa is open seven days a week with extended hours on weekends. The winery can become extremely busy on weekends and holidays, particularly in the afternoon, so plan to visit on a weekday or before lunch on a weekend.

Complimentary Corkage

Castello di Amorosa produces chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, and gewürztraminer, among other varietals. If you enjoy one of the wines you taste there and have dinner plans in the valley, be sure to pick up a bottle or two. The winery has partnered with select restaurants in Napa Valley—the region has more Michelin-star restaurants per capita than any wine region on earth—to offer free corkage on Castello di Amorosa wines.

How long is the tour of Castello di Amorosa?

There are multiple combined tastings and tours of Castello di Amorosa to consider. The shortest tour, the Diamond Estate Tour and Wine Tasting, takes around two hours. The longest and most extensive tour, Cabernet Is King, takes about 2.5 hours.

What is Castello di Amorosa famous for?

Castello di Amorosa is most famous for its distinctive look, as it’s modeled after a 14th-century Tuscan castle. The medieval architecture of the winery, with its commitment to the theme throughout—including a moat, drawbridge, and torture chamber— creates a unique experience for wine tasting in the Napa Valley.

How long is a tasting at Castello di Amorosa?

The most basic tasting at Castello di Amorosa involves trying five wines and has no set time, although most visitors find one hour is enough time to enjoy tastings and explore the castle. You can also do tastings as part of the various winery tours, but these tours take longer.

Can I just visit Castello di Amorosa?

No, to visit Castello di Amorosa you must make a reservation for a tasting or tour, or place an order for pickup. Security at the front gate of the winery will not let you through without a reservation or order, even if you don’t want to participate in wine tasting.

What happened to Castello di Amorosa?

On September 28, 2020, Castello di Amorosa suffered comprehensive damage to its farmhouse building when the Glass Fire swept through Napa Valley and Northern California. The castle and wine cellars were unaffected, but the farmhouse was destroyed and with it approximately 120,000 bottles of wine stored inside.

How much does it cost to visit Castello di Amorosa?

A tasting session at Castello di Amorosa starts at US$60. It's US$75 for the basic tour and tasting. Cost increases for tasting session add-ons or for longer, more in-depth experiences. Members of the Amici del Barone club receive complimentary entry for tastings and discounts on the winery’s tours.

Ways to explore

There are a number of ways to experience Castello di Amorosa. The Napa winery offers a range of visiting packages, including combination castle tours and tutored tastings, cheese and charcuterie pairings, luxury tasting options, and more. No matter what you opt for, it’s worth spending some time admiring the winery’s regal looks.

Additionally, the Napa Valley Wine Trolley stops at Castello di Amorosa. Private and small-group Napa Valley wine tours often stop in for a tasting (wine tasting fees are not always included), as well as at other popular Napa Valley wineries.

Accessibility

The winery is fully wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant.

Age limits

Well-behaved kids are welcome, but cannot come on most guided tours; only adults aged 21 and over can enjoy wine on-site.

What to pack

Handheld bag, camera, layers in case the cellars are chilly

What to wear

Wear weather-appropriate layers, as most visits include time outdoors, as well as comfortable walking shoes—leave the heels behind.

Not allowed

Outside food and drink, strollers, drones, tripods and other photography equipment

Amenities

Tastings, tours

Address 

Castello di Amorosa is located near Calistoga in the Napa Valley wine region, roughly 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of San Francisco. To get there, you can drive, take the Napa Valley Wine Trolley, book a private shuttle service, or visit as part of a guided tour.

Driving

To get to Castello di Amorosa from San Francisco, travel north via I-80 E and CA-29 N. The journey takes roughly 1.5 hours, and there is parking on-site.

Public transportation

Public transit options for reaching the Castello di Amorosa are limited, although you can get there on the Napa Valley Wine Trolley or other tours.

Best times to visit

The Castello di Amorosa is open from midmorning until early evening. The winery is only accessible via reservations, so choose a time slot that’s best for you when booking.

Best days to visit

The winery is open daily. You can generally expect weekends and holidays to be busier than weekdays; book well ahead if necessary.

Best months to visit

If you can, time your visit for the late summer or early autumn harvest season, when California wine country swings into high gear.

Special events

In addition to its range of tasting and tour packages, the winery also hosts several special annual events, some of which are members-only; consult its calendar for more.