Castello di Amorosa
Castello di Amorosa is an authentically-styled 13th century Tuscan castle winery in Calistoga in the heart of Napa Valley. Castello di Amorosa produces a wide range of hand-created wines all sourced from top vineyard sites. Each vineyard offers a distinct expression of location, soil, and micro-climate. We tasted through the whole line, thankfully we had a team of helpers along for the ride. We tasted the Pinot Grigio, the Vermentino, the Gewürztraminer and the Pinot Bianco first. These whites are aromatic, crisp, unoaked expressions of the varietals. They produce a few rosato wines made of Pinot Noir, and Sangiovese and as usual, I loved the dry pink wines produced here.
We continued with a tasting of the reds. Italian inspired reds included the opportunity to taste Napa Valley Sangiovese, two single vineyard Pinot Noirs, Il Rubino, and Cresta d'Oro. In true homage to Tuscan production, Castello di Amorosa also has some Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon which they produce as solo varietal wine, and use for blending in the "La Castellana" and "Il Brigante" red blends. Overall the property is beautiful and the wines are great expressions of Italian varietals produced in Napa Valley. A combination of new world style and old world heritage. We can build your tasting with any of these wines, but I suggest the Vermentino, the Cresta d'Oro Rosato, and the Sangiovese as a cool way to try Italian varietals with a domestic price tag.