(Contributed by Cosimo Lindstadt) My most memorable winery visit was during a week-long vacation to Napa Valley with my girlfriend. Driving west through the lush green valley floor, we caught our first glimpse of the winery: A beautiful 13th century Tuscan castle with complete with turrets – Castello di Amorosa Winery. Driving up the steep drive-way, we passed acres of vineyards on each side, with the tiny pale green leaves of budbreak. Right after parking our car and walking up to the castle, we spotted a bright blue peacock strutting along a rock wall. It was then that we knew we were in for a magical time.
Peacock at Castello di Amorosa. Photo Credit: C.Lindstant & Castello di Amorosa
Touring the Castle and Torture Room
As we fell under the spell of the architectural marvels and beauty of the castle winery, we opted to take a guided tour and tasting. Our gleeful young tour guide poured us a glass of their 2016 Spumante, a sparkling pinot/chardonnay blend produced using method champenoise. We started the tour in the courtyard where our guide informed us that every stone in the winery was imported from Tuscany!
Next we headed down a steep flight of steps to the dungeon. It was there that we saw the torture chair – a chilling wooden concoction covered with vicious spikes. Right next to it was an Iron Maiden, which is another torture device similar to an iron cabinet brimming with spikes. The poor victim is forced inside and impaled with the spikes. All around, hanging on the walls and overhead were medieval weapons and armoury. The tour guide gleefully told us that the torture chamber was nearly everyone’s favorite part of the tour.
By this time we were getting thirsty again, so we were pleased when the guide led us to barrel room. After explaining how the wines were aged in the rows upon rows of wooden barrels, he stopped at a barrel of Sangiovese, and extracted wine from it, pouring it into our glasses. The wine was a glowing ruby red with a great dried cherry taste, and seemed perfect to be tasting in the dark cellars.
Torture Chair and Barrel Tasting at Castello di Amorosa. Photo Credit: C.Lindstant
Seated Tasting of Castello di Amorosa Wines
After the tour, our guide invited us to the Main Hall of the castle to try some more of the winery’s offerings. As we entered the grand room, we couldn’t help but admire the beautiful medieval frescos that adorned the walls, and the large wooden dining table glittering with wine glasses. We were given a wine list and invited to select four wines each to taste. I decided on the Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, a Super Tuscan blend, and a dessert wine. This was the Il Passito Reserve, a late-harvest Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, which had golden hue with rich honey notes. It was quite different from the silky red pinot, and more powerful and bold cab and super Tuscan – but they all were delicious.
Great Room at Castello di Amorosa and Wines. Photo Credit: C.Lindstant & Castello di Amorosa
In Love with the Castle
Overall, this was an extremely magical tasting room experience and to this day remains one of my most memorable. The beauty of Napa Valley in early Spring, combined with the medieval Tuscan architecture and great wines, set the ambience for a wonderful tasting. The addition of peacocks and a castle dungeon, heightened the sense of adventure, and made it feel like we were in a very enchanted place.
About the Author: Cosimo Lindstadt in a Wine Business Major at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California.