Score!
Meet Mary
Score! - Wine Rating Scale Explained
American Idol, Miss USA, The Olympics, elections, books, dancing, movies, food, wine. From singing competitions to the food we eat and the wine we drink, it is compared and calibrated by a score. What are the parameters used to grant a number or a rating and how reliable are ratings when so much of what we find pleasing,…
A History of the Project – Part III
Castello di Amorosa: A History of the Project: Part III
After more than 15 years of research, I was ready to build my castle in the Napa Valley. And I had my first paying customers, Peter Thomas. They love the Napa Valley. Photo taken April 29, 2006.
I had accumulated a wealth of knowledge on medieval architecture, a huge library of books, photos, plans and detailed…
A History of the Project – Part I
A History of the Project: Building a Medieval Castle in Napa Valley
In 1993, I purchased the spectacular property upon which I built Castello di Amorosa. It sat on a hundred-seventy beautiful acres of forest and hills with a stream, a lake, one of the first houses built in Napa County and a great Victorian home where I chose to live. It was my dream property, culminating a…
Learn How to Taste Wine
Learn How to Taste Wine
A Beginner's Guide to Wine Tasting: Sip, Savor, and Discover
Wine tasting might seem like an intimidating experience reserved for sommeliers or wine enthusiasts, but the truth is, anyone can learn to appreciate and enjoy wine. Whether you're visiting Castello di Amorosa’s Napa Valley tasting room or exploring bottles at home, this guide, designed for…
Operation Vine Removal and Replanting
Operation Vine Removal and Replanting
Castello di Amorosa, nestled in the hills just south of Calistoga in the northern end of Napa Valley, has long been a symbol of tradition, craftsmanship, and excellence. The Castello, built by pioneer winemaker and winery owner, Dario Sattui, has been recognized as an architectural masterpiece that combines centuries-old medieval…
Overlooking the Napa Valley: The Melanson Vineyard
Overlooking the Napa Valley:
The Melanson Vineyard
Melanson Vineyard is one of a handful of exceptional vineyards that share an enchanted slope of land nestled among the rugged eastern ridges of the Napa Valley. It’s called Pritchard Hill. Most vineyards in the Napa Valley are based in one of the 16 American Viticultural Areas, or Sub-AVAs of the Napa Valley. Melanson Vineyard and…