Castello di Amorosa
Fourth-generation winemaker Daryl Sattui spent the past 14 years building Castello di Amorosa, a 121,000-square-foot medieval-style castle, constructed from hand-carved chestnut beams, basalt, sandstone, and 200-year-old brick. He was nothing if not thorough: among the 107 rooms are a church, stables, and a dungeon, complete with torture devices. (The entire project cost $27 million.) Says Sattui, a self-proclaimed "madman" with an affinity for pocket squares, "I just wanted to build out all of my ideas." Thus, 100 of those rooms are of no use to the public. Politicians and San Francisco socialites—George Pataki, Dede Wilsey—have hosted events in the frescoed Great Hall. Visitors can taste Castello wines (Merlot, Pinot Grigio) in the underground cellar and then take a 45-minute castle tour. For a couple of hours, you’ll forget you’re in Napa—and the 21st century.
tour and tasting: $25 (Mon.–Thurs.) and $30 (Fri.–Sun.); tasting only: $10 (Mon.–Thurs.) and $15 (Fri.–Sun.)
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