Ceremony in the Winery’s Own Chapel with Local Clergy
October 2, 2025 (Calistoga – Napa Valley, CA) — Castello di Amorosa began harvesting grapes on September 2 with 11 tons of Zinfandel from Calistoga. Owner Dario Sattui, President Georg Salzner and Winemaker Peter Velleno welcomed the first grapes onto the hopper on the crush pad.
With this harvest the winery is beginning a tradition of having a priest bless the harvest and officiate at a luncheon afterwards. This year Father Brendan McGuire welcomed a group of winery employees in the winery’s frescoed chapel for a brief service before the luncheon. Guests included local clergy Mother Melania, Abbess of Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga, and Mother Tabitha, also from the Monastery.
“For centuries in medieval Italy, the harvest began with a tradition: the Benedizione dell’Uva (the Blessing of the Grapes),” explains Dario Sattui. “Communities would gather in chapels and courtyards, offering thanks for the bounty of the land and prayers for a prosperous vintage. We’ve brought this tradition to life once more. The ceremony inside our chapel echoed those of the Middle Ages. At our lunch afterwards we raised our glasses together in gratitude, fellowship, and joy,” he continued.
“Going forward, this will be a signature event for our wine club members, celebrating the start of harvest with a meaningful and festive ceremony every year,” announced Georg Salzner, the winery’s President.
The winery’s chapel features two secret passageways and walls painted in traditional medieval Italian frescoes. The altar and side walls were painted by Monika Limart of Chile; the back wall presents a dramatic recreation of “Hell,” originally painted in 1392 by Taddeo di Bartolo. The work was reinterpreted by artist Fabio Sanzogni, who also created the frescoes in the winery’s Great Hall. More detail: Castle Rooms: Medieval Great Hall, Towers, Chambers & More and Medieval Italian Frescoes and Paintings | Napa Valley Artwork.
The winery farms 160 acres of estate vineyards in 6 North Coast AVAs. Vineyard manager David Bejar prioritizes sustainable farming. All estate vineyards are farmed organically.
The winery’s estate vineyards consist of:
- Villa Amorosa, Napa Valley (30 acre estate vineyard surrounding the Castello in the rolling foothills of the Diamond Mountain District)
- Butala Estate Vineyard, Napa Valley (12 acre estate vineyard is located in Coombsville AVA, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot)
- Manley Estate Vineyard, Napa Valley (3 acre estate vineyard in the Rutherford AVA, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Cresta d’Oro Vineyard, Sonoma County (12 acres in the sub AVA of Green Valley on the southwestern edge of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, planted to Pinot Noir)
- Morning Dew Ranch, Anderson Valley (12 acres just west of Philo in Anderson Valley, planted to Pinot Noir)
- Boonville Ranch, Anderson Valley (34 acres south of the town of Boonville in Anderson Valley, planted to Pinot Noir)
- Favola Vineyard, Mt. Veeder (43 acres, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Zinfandel, Albarino).
- Dennison Vineyards, Diamond Mountain District (48 acres, planted to Muscat, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Pinot Noir).
About Castello di Amorosa
Opening its doors in 2007 just south of the town of Calistoga, Castello di Amorosa is the realization of Dario Sattui’s all-consuming passion. A fourth-generation winemaker, he built an authentically styled 14th-century Tuscan castle winery to honor his Italian heritage and deep love for medieval architecture. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Castello di Amorosa is dedicated to producing premium wines that honor tradition while also pioneering new techniques. The winery is a leader in direct-to-consumer marketing: its wines are available for purchase only at the winery and the winery’s website.
Castello di Amorosa is known for its events, including Fall Member Pairings every Friday; a Vertical Tasting & Harvest Lunch on October 10 and The Grand Barrel Party on May 8, 2026. Details at https://castellodiamorosa.com/events/
The Castle is located at 4045 St. Helena Highway and is open seven days a week by appointment. The picturesque winery is one of Napa Valley’s most popular destinations—its mix of unusual elements include the castle-like setting perched on a hill, hand-crafted artisanal décor throughout and the traditional Tuscan-inspired farm animals who live at the winery.
Castello di Amorosa is open seven days a week by appointment, at https://castellodiamorosa.com/tour-tasting2/
Online also at:
https://www.instagram.com/thecastello/
https://www.facebook.com/castellodiamorosa
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFWQPv-tyMc292-ulWfBd1Q
