Sattui Castle new home for President Bush????????

by Curtis Van Carter on August 7, 2008

Jorgen Gulliksen Napa Register photo Marine One

Jorgen Gulliksen Napa Register photo Marine One

Last Thursday, President Bush visited the Napa Valley during one of his whirl wind fundraisers sponsored by the Republican Party held at Harlan Estates . You can read more about his visit and see additional photos from Jorgen Gulliksen who took the Presidential shots here for the Napa Valley Register.
Jorgen Gulliksen Napa Register photos President Bush

Jorgen Gulliksen Napa Register photos President Bush

A little know fact, there was a special contingency as part of the advance team which always precedes any Presidential visit. Their primary mission was to check out the local real estate for a possible West Coast haunt for the President after his leaving office.

We all know the President is first and foremost a Texan and would never abandon his ranch there. Another little known fact and something kept very quiet for obvious reasons,  his love of the Napa Valley and desire to have a small abode here to use for those special upscale events which require a little more decorum than cowboy gear and barbecue. At the top of his list of possible properties was the newly completed Castello di Amorosa, better know to the locals as Sattui’s Castle.

Castello di Amorosa photo from their web site

Castello di Amorosa photo from their web site

Castello di Amorosa walls

Castello di Amorosa walls

 

Besides the normal requirements any former President would need for a future residence; room to entertain, for staff, for security, etc.; there were a list of unusual criteria which I have just uncovered. Here are just a few I found unique and very unusual:

On those special occasions when the guests are required to wear cowboy hats, the rooms had to be spacious enough so the hat wouldn’t be the entire focus of the event

There is an old family dining set with chairs, which I am told resemble thrones, and the rooms had to be regal enough to make the chairs feel down home

The President is really into carrying off the fair maiden and riding into the sunset

The President has always wanted a moat and drawbridge

 

Castello di Amorosa feast from their website

Castello di Amorosa feast from their website

 

Unfortunately for him, Darryl Sattui said no to selling his Castle to anyone. In non-jest, it is truly one of those exceptional properties in the Napa Valley and if you every get the chance to visit, it is a must see.

Castello di Amorosa

Castello di Amorosa

Kevin Boer

Kevin Boer

 

If you wonder where the idea of this article came from, you need to look no further than Kevin Boer and his finding Ms. Condoleezza Rice a property for her retirement in Palo Alto, California near Standford University. You can read about it here on his blog, 3 Oceans Real Estate. Beside being my blogging mentor, Kevin sometimes has a sense of humor, no.

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