EXPLORE

Castello di Amorosa produces classically structured Italian-style wines that reflect California’s unique climate, soil, and growing conditions.

Our philosophy is to make elegant, intensely flavored, and well-balanced wines that showcase the “terroir” of each unique vineyard site. In this way, we can experience the flavor and aromas of the vineyard itself.

We are committed to using traditional approaches to the craft of wine growing and winemaking, but also incorporate modern techniques and equipment when it improves quality.

Brooks Painter has been a winemaker for over 30 years. His impressive resume includes positions as operations manager at Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville and winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Leeward Winery, and Felton-Empire Vineyards.

Brooks has been director of winemaking at the Castello since 2005, producing a variety of highly acclaimed 90+ point wines that have gained recognition from Robert Parker, Wine Spectator, and Wine Enthusiast. In 2014, he received the distinguished Winemaker of the Year award in the American Fine Wine Competition.

He discovered his passion for wine while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. His work has been published in The American Journal of Viticulture and Enology, Biochemistry, Practical Winery, and Wines & Vines. Brooks is a professional member of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture and a former chair of the Microbiology Committee for the California Enological Research Association.

For the past 15 years, Brooks and his wife Beth have lived in Napa. They’re actively involved in the Napa Valley community, charitable organizations, and long-range public planning for local city and county government.

Peter Velleno studied winemaking, brewing science, microbiology, and food engineering at the University of California at Davis. In 2003, he was the only student to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in fermentation science.

After graduation, he went to work in the laboratory at William Hill Winery, where he quickly worked his way up to assistant winemaker specializing in Chardonnay production. Peter went on to work for the ultra-premium small winery Hartwell Vineyards, where he helped craft some of the most highly regarded Cabernets in the Napa Valley.

Peter’s career path took a sharp turn in 2008 when he joined Castello di Amorosa as the associate winemaker. He was promoted to winemaker in 2014 and manages the production of the Castello’s wines. If asked, he will tell you that making wine in a Castle is even more fun than it sounds.

Peter and his wife Lauren have lived in Napa since 2003. They have two children and enjoy playing tennis, biking, cooking, and spending time outdoors with their dog Nora.

Shelby Green is the Assistant Winemaker for Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga and V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena. Shelby joined the wineries in 2017, after graduating with two degrees from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo—one B.S. in Food Science and another B.S. in Nutrition. She has also recently completed her two-year Winemaking Certificate Program at the University of California, Davis.

Post-graduation and prior to joining Castello di Amorosa and V. Sattui Winery she worked at Ferrari-Carano Winery in Sonoma County. She currently works with a wide range of varietals making wines for the two wineries and particularly enjoys Merlots and Pinot Noirs.

Shelby enjoys working in the medieval setting of Castello di Amorosa. As she explains, “even though we may work in a thirteenth century castle, our winemaking techniques have kept up with the modern day. One of the most important tools we utilize during harvest is TankNET; it’s essentially a cloud-based control system that we use to keep track of our tanks during the busy season. We have the ability to schedule automated pump-overs on tanks, control heating/cooling and track fermentations of all of our tanks directly from our computer or phone.” If she had to choose just one wine as a favorite of the wines she makes, it would be the winery’s Terra de Promisso Pinot Noir, which is sourced from a spectacular vineyard on the Sonoma Coast.

Margarito Rivera joined the Castello team in 2017, having worked with our director of winemaking nearly two decades ago at another Napa Valley winery. His dedication and excellent work ethic have made him a valuable addition to our winemaking team.

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard

97 points – The Wine Advocate

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli-Borges Vineyard

98 points – Jeb Dunnuck

Check out more accolades for Castello di Amorosa wines.

Check out our winemakers Q&A here.

Pruning

With Director of Winemaking Brooks Painter

Suckering

With Director of Winemaking Brooks Painter

Blooming

With Director of Winemaking Brooks Painter

Cellaring

With Winemaker Peter Velleno