Castello di Amorosa

Ridesharing Castello Style

Ridesharing: Castello Style

Dario Sattui (with the Cal Bears football helmet) and his team are serious about ridesharing. His Citroen 2CV which was originally designed to hold 2 farmers and haul 50 kilos of potatoes at 30 mph has been selected as the rideshare vehicle of choice for his enthusiastic employees.

 

CASTELLO DI AMOROSA OFFERS RIDE-SHARING FOR EMPLOYEES

Biggest program in Napa Valley

 

 

Frustrated with traffic in the Napa Valley? Wondering if any wineries are doing anything about it? Castello di Amorosa launched a ride sharing program in August and has seen the program succeed beyond expectations. The castle wishes to be part of the solution.

 

Approximately 30 castle employees have taken advantage of this program and are carpooling, cycling, walking or taking the bus to work.  In this program drivers and passengers are incentivized with cash payments by the winery of $5 per round trip per passenger if there is less than a 15 mile commute and $10 per round trip per passenger for distances greater than 15 miles.  The winery is proud to be reducing traffic generated by its employees on Napa County roads.

 

“We are delighted to be doing our part in cutting down on traffic and pollution,” says winery founder Dario Sattui. “We may be the only winery offering a financial incentive to our employees to ride to work together,” he continued. “We see this program growing at a great pace in the near future, and we’re honored to be a leader in our community to make this a worthwhile project both for our employees, local citizens and ‘Mother Nature,’” he added.

 

Napa County has studied local traffic patterns over the last several years and, in broad terms, has determined that most of the traffic is caused by people who work here but live somewhere else.  “There are many factors---such as the lack of affordable housing---which cause the traffic which we all are noticing,” Sattui adds. “If other wineries follow our lead and incentivize their employees to share their rides and take public transportation, we may be able to see a difference in a relatively short period of time,” he continues.

 

In the County’s study (http://www.nvta.ca.gov/travel-behavior-study), tourists accounted for only 21% of the County’s traffic. The study estimated that 9% of all traffic is just passing through the County.

Castello di Amorosa will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2017. Building the winery was a fifteen year labor of love for Dario Sattui.  The authentically built castle/winery used European artisans and materials such as antique bricks and roof tiles, hand-hewn timbers and doors, hand-forged iron gates, lamps and hardware and medieval construction techniques and over 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled local stone create this architectural gem. 

 

The winery itself is a modern contrast to the castle. It contains the most advanced crushing and fermentation facilities, four underground levels and 24,000 square feet of caves for barrel aging.

 

Castello di Amorosa owns a total of 83 acres of estate vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties.   It sells its entire production of wine exclusively at the winery.

 

Castello di Amorosa is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. March-October and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November-February. Guests can come only to taste or can take a guided tour followed by tasting.  Reservations---for tours only---are recommended.

NY Strip Steaks

I've spent a few years around various farms and ranches in Montana and Washington State working with livestock and performing various farming duties and I’ve had the opportunity to dine on some very good steak.  I’ve been a real fan of steak ever since and so I was very excited to meet the folks at Best Filet Mignon and taste their product, paired with our Il Barone Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, of course.  You can read about our meeting in our last blog post, but let’s talk about the NY Strip steaks.

Just when I thought I had tasted the finest filet mignon ever, our friends at Best Filet Mignon sent me a package of their NY Strip steaks and I didn’t waste any time organizing a party and then heading to the grill.  The steak was cooked to perfection which was great, but now all my friends have very high expectations when they come for dinner!

Sent overnight in an elegant shipping box, the NY Strip steaks, in their vacuum sealed pouch were very fresh, just like the filet mignon steaks I tasted earlier.  Their steak is USDA prime and no hormones or antibiotics are ever used in the diet of their cattle. 

What really impressed me was that Executive Chef, Phil Horn of Best Filet Mignon included a great recipe which I followed.  Here it is. Follow every step and you won’t be disappointed.

Roasted Garlic Dijon Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 pounds medium-size Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, room temperature
• 2/3 cup (or more) whole milk
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Directions

• Placed peeled garlic cloves in small piece of tin foil, drizzle with olive oil, pinch of salt, close and place in 425 degree oven for 40-50 minutes.
• Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until very tender, about 25 minutes.
• Drain well.
• Return potatoes to pot. Add butter, roasted garlic cloves and mash potatoes until almost smooth.
• Mix in 2/3 cup milk and Dijon mustard.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Parmesan Tomato Crisps

Ingredients

•    6 cups thinly sliced beefsteak tomatoes
•    2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
•    2 teaspoons sea salt
•    1 teaspoon garlic powder
•    2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
•    2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

• Gently drizzle and toss the sliced tomatoes in the olive oil to coat slices.
• Place slices without overlapping onto dehydrator shelves or a baking pan.
• If you are baking preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a small bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients.
• Sprinkle mixture over each slice.
• Depending on how thick the slices of tomato are, dehydrating could take anywhere from 12-24 hours.
• If baking check every 30 minutes until edges show some charring, could take 2-3 hours.

To order these delicious NY Strip Steaks from Best Filet Mignon, head to their website. Normally, Best Filet Mignon offers their 8 pack of 10 oz. NY Strip steaks for $289, but for a limited time, friends of Castello di Amorosa will receive $100 off which includes free FedEx overnight shipping.  Simply enter the code “cdany” at checkout.

And if that’s not enough, you should know that BestFiletMignon.com is more than Filet Mignon. If you need guidance, ideas, or culinary advice, call the chef on his personal cell at 310-729-3264 or email him at chef@bestfiletmignon.com.

Stay tuned for more recipes from Chef Phil and wine pairing ideas from Castello di Amorosa.

Napa Valley Festival del Sole celebrates 10 magical years

Nadine Sierra, one of the most promising emerging talents in the opera world today opened the landmark 10th season at the Napa Valley Festival del Sole on July 17, 2015. Boasting formidable 13th century Tuscan architecture and stunning views of the Napa Valley from it's Diamond Mountain District vineyards, the Napa Valley and Castello di Amorosa was a perfect setting to experience the performing arts, wine, wellness and the culinary delights offered by Festival del Sole, one of the world's premiere cultural events.

Nadine Sierra, one of the most promising emerging talents in the opera world today, performs.

 

Nadine Sierra celebrates with Jan Schrem, a major benefactor 
of Festival del Sole.

 

Nadine Sierra on stage at the 10th anniversary of Festival del Sole.

 

An elegant dinner for patrons followed Nadine Sierra's performance in The Grand Barrel Room.

 

The Russian National Orchestra performes Moscow Nights in the Courtyard featuring world-renowned baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, acclaimed Russian-born baritone, Rodion Pogossov and tenor Daniil Shtoda.

 

The much-revered coutyard at the Castello was filled with the sounds of the Russian National Orchestra.

 

Cellist Nina Kotova performs with the Russian National Orchestra.

 

Music icon, legendary trumpeter and nine-time Grammy Award winner Herb Alpert and his 
wife, Grammy-winning singer Lani Hall made their Festival del Sole debut in a night of sublime jazz.

 

Herb Alpert was simply magical on the trumpet playing many classic numbers and songs from their latest album, Steppin' Out.

 

That's Michael Shapiro on drums and percussion and Hussain Jiffry on bass.

 

Bill Cantos performs with Herb Alpert and Lani Hall.

For more details visit: http://www.festivaldelsole.org

 

Capture the Castle Video Contest: Video of the Week

Castello di Amorosa's "Capture the Flavor" video contest on our Facebook page is in full swing.  One of the recent entries can be viewed by clicking:

http://youtu.be/JhziZB_bwU4

Famous Italian Winemaker from Sassicaia Joins Castello di Amorosa Team

Georg Salzner, Sebastiano Rosa and Brooks Painter celebrate at Castello di Amorosa

Napa Valley's Castello di Amorosa today announced that Sebastiano Rosa, winemaker at Tenuta San Guido- producer of Sassicaia- one of Italy's leading Bordeaux-style red wines has joined the winemaking team of Brooks Painter, Peter Velleno and Laura Orozco. Sebastiano will travel from his home in Bolgheri, Italy to consult with Painter's team on all aspects of Castello's Italian-style red wine program.

"From the vineyard to the glass, the addition of Sebastiano Rosa will bring an international perspective to our program," said Georg Salzner, President of Castello di Amorosa. "Our history is Italian; our winery is Italian style so it's natural that we partner with Sebastiano to create unique, Italian-style wines."

Rosa, the stepson of Nicolo Incisa della Rocchette whose family owns Sassicaia, brings an extensive wine background to the team. Upon graduating from U.C. Davis in 1990, Sebastiano participated in the 1991 harvest at the storied Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

From 1992 until 2002, he was General Manager at Tenuta di Argiano in Montalcino where he worked with legendary winemaker Giacomo Tachis, considered by some to be the father of the renaissance of Italian wine. While Sassacaia was the first wine in the renaissance, his other label, Solengo, was the number 8 wine in Wine Spectator's Top 100 and received 96 points in only it's second vintage.

"We are excited about Sebastiano's collaboration and contributions to our winemaking," said Brooks Painter, Castello's Director of Winemaking. "At Castello di Amorosa we are only interested in producing top quality wine. Sebastiano will help us continue to craft exceptional wines with distinct character and structure while respecting the unique Napa Valley terrior."

Rosa, the Technical Director of Tenuta San Guido from 2002 until 2011, managed the Sassicaia cellar where he started the second and third labels for Sassicaia- Guidalberto and Le Difese.

Castello di Amorosa Wins Best of Show at American Fine Wine Competition in Florida

Twenty four judges tasted their way through 660 wines from across the country and found Castello di Amorosa’s 2009 Il Passito - a late harvest blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that sees 20 months in French Oak- the top white wine of the competition.  Gold medals were awarded to the 2008 vintages of Il Barone and La Castellana and the 2009 Bien Nacido Vineyards Chardonnay.

“We only enter a couple of wine competitions a year,” said Castello di Amorosa President, Georg Salzner. “We were honored to be invited to this invitation only competition and very pleased with the final results.”

Held at the prestigious Boca Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida, the American Fine Wine Competition is rapidly becoming the premier wine competition in the country with an all-star judging panel of recognized professionals as wine educators, wine writers, restaurateurs and sommeliers all with top qualifications in the their field.

It’s tough to win this competition-- 100 percent of the panel of judges must agree that any particular wine is worthy of a Gold Medal.  To win Best of Show, the consensus standards are even greater.

Castello di Amorosa’s award-winning wines will be poured at the American Fine Wine Competition Gala at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida by 50 volunteer Wine Angels.  Five courses will be served with the main course being prepared live on stage by Chef Emeril Lagasse.

Benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute and the Golden Bell Education Foundation, the Lifestyle live auction will be presided over by Alan Kalter announcer for Late Night with David Letterman. The Silent Auction features all 600+ award winning wines each signed by the winemakers themselves.

	Winery	Year	Wine	Region
BOS	Castello di Amorosa	2009	Il Passito	North Coast
BOC	Ferrante Winery	2010	Golden Bunches	Grand River Valley
BOC	Ledson Winery & Vineyards	2010		Napa Valley
BOC	Mumm Napa	2005	DVX	Napa Valley
BOC	Mumm Napa	2009		Napa Valley
GG	Chappellet Vineyard & Winery	2010		Napa Valley
GG	Sbragia Family Vineyards	2008	Gamble Ranch	Napa Valley
GG	Sterling Vineyards	2008	Reserve	Napa Valley
G	Castello di Amorosa	2009	Bien Nacido Vineyards	Santa Barbara County
G	Castello di Amorosa	2008	Il Barone	Napa Valley
G	Castello di Amorosa	2008	La Castellana	Napa Valley
G	Acacia	2009	Sangiacomo Vineyard	Carneros
G	Ceja Vineyards	2008		Carneros
G	Domaine Carneros	2006	Le Reve Blanc de Blancs	Carneros
G	Mi Sueno Winery	2009		Los Carneros
G	Grgich Hills Estate	2010	Estate Grown	Napa Valley
G	Hall	2010		Napa Valley
G	Honig Vineyard and Winery	2010		Napa Valley
G	Miner Family Winery	2008	Wild Yeast	Napa Valley
G	Mumm Napa	NV	Brut Rose	Napa Valley
G	Truchard Vineyards	2010		Napa Valley
G	Swanson Vineyards	2007	"Tardif"	Oakville
G	Provenance Vineyards	2010	Estate	Rutherford
S	Artesa (Codorniu)	NV	Estate Reserve	Carneros
S	Clos Pegase	2008	Hommage Artist Reserve	Carneros
S	Patz & Hall	2009	Hyde Vineyard	Carneros
S	Beaulieu Vineyards	2008	Reserve	Los Carneros
S	Bouchaine Vineyards	2010	Bouche D'Or	Los Carneros
S	Francis Ford Coppola Winery	2010	Sofia Blanc de Blancs	Monterey County
S	B CELLARS	2010	BLEND 23	Napa Valley
S	Ballentine Vineyards	2009	Chenin Blanc	Napa Valley
S	Bennett Lane Winery	NV	After Feasting Wine	Napa Valley
S	Cornerstone	2010	Stepping Stone	Napa Valley
S	Frank Family Vineyards	2010		Napa Valley
S	John Anthony Vineyards	2010		Napa Valley
S	Maldonado Family Vineyards	2008		Napa Valley
S	Raymond Vineyards	2009	Reserve Selection	Napa Valley
S	Stag's Leap Wine Cellars	2009	Karia	Napa Valley
S	Trefethen Family Vineyards	2009	LH Riesling	Oak Knoll
S	Turnbull Wine Cellars	2010		Oakville, Napa Valley
S	Sawyer Cellars	2010	Estate	Rutherford
S	JCB by Jean-Chaarles Boisset	2010	JCB No. 81	Sonoma Coast
B	Schug Carneros Estate Winery	2009		Carneros
B	Gustavo Thrace	2010		Napa Valley
B	Hess Collection	2010	Allomi	Napa Valley
B	Rutherford Wine Company	2010		Napa Valley
B	Keenan Winery	2010		Spring Mountain

 

Castello di Amorosa wine wins San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Napa Valley's Castello di Amorosa wins San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition:

We are pleased to announce that Castello di Amorosa’s 2010 Anderson Valley Late Harvest Gewürztraminer is the Sweepstakes Winner and Best of Class in the Dessert wine category at the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest competition of American wines in the world.

Sweepstakes awards were given for Sparkling, White, Pink, Red and Dessert. The 2010 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, the only wine from the Napa Valley to win a Sweepstakes title, was the best of 66 other Dessert wines submitted by wineries from across the U.S.

In addition to the Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, our 2010 Mendocino County Gewürztraminer received a Double Gold and the 2008 Merlot was a Gold Medal winner at this prestigious wine competition.

The 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition set a new American wine competition record with an astounding 5,500 entries, surpassing its previous record of 5,050 last year.

For complete results, see http://www.winejudging.com

The winning treo of Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Dry Gewurztraminer and Napa Valley Merlot.

(Photo: Jim Sullivan, 2012)

A Chance to get all Medieval at the Castle

Let the games begin. The Midsummer Festival at Lake Mario.

Jousting, falconry, archery, bocce and wine at the Midsummer Festival.

Merrymaking in the Castello's Courtyard where the games continue and...

... the feast begins. Seating is available at this premiere Castello di Amorosa

Amici del Barone wine-club event. Not a wine club member? Not a problem.

Come to the event and sign up for the club on the spot.

 

18th Annual Best of Napa & Sonoma Valleys

The Napa Valley, a premiere wine-region with world-class wines, is a beautiful place; a great place to take visitors.

We are were humbled when we heard that Castello di Amorosa was honored with the distinction of "2010 Best Place to Take Visitors" in the Best of Napa & Sonoma Valleys magazine-presented by 1440 KVON & 99.3 THE VINE.

With voting conducted by ballot and online, Castello di Amorosa, Dario Sattui's 13th century Tuscan-style castle and winery, joins a select group of establishments considered by locals as the best place to eat, drink and stay in the Napa Valley.

Robert Parker loves our wines

Robert Parker, a leading U.S. wine critic with international influence can literally make or break wineries with his judgments. He was in the Napa Valley at the invitation of the Napa Valley Vintners Association and posted the following in his newsletter, The Wine Advocate.

2007 Reserve Il Barone 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Parker score: 94

"The brilliant 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Il Barone boasts an opaque purple color as well as a beautiful sweet nose of blackberries, black currants, camphor, subtle toasty oak, and espresso roast. Rich and full-bodied with sweet tannin, a hint of smoked meats, deep fruit, and an impeccable balance, purity and texture, this stunning wine should drink nicely for 15-20 years."

2007 La Castellana Super Tuscan

Robert Parker score: 92

"The 2007 La Castellana is a proprietary blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 6% Sangiovese. An outstanding, hedonistic, complex red, it reveals notes of wild strawberries, new saddle leather, black currants, cherries, cedar, and smoked herbs. Full-bodied, lush, and seductive, this beautifully mouthfilling, supple wine should be enjoyed over the next 7-10 years."

Castello di Amorosa wines are sold only at the winery, directly to the consumer. The 2007 vintages Il Barone and La Castellena Super Tuscan will be released in 2012.