Chateau Amsterdam: Where winemaking meets urban cool

Did you know there was a winery in Amsterdam, making wines in the heart of Amsterdam Noord? If the answer to that question is no, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. But this pair of Finnish culinary fiends were in the business of getting their hands on some locally vinified wine last weekend and I’m going to tell you all about it.

What I knew about Chateau Amsterdam before I went

The first time I came across Chateau Amsterdam was during the lockdowns of 2021. You could say Instagram made me do it, because I saw their ads of locally made wine and thought… why not, let’s give it a go. And I am so glad I did. I fell in love with their exciting take on modern wines, and they even managed to convert my husband into while wines, something he would have never even contemplated enjoying before.

Fast forward a few years and the lockdowns are gone, and so is Chateau Amsterdam existing just as a small, niche winery – now they are a full blown winehouse, with their operations sharing the space with a restaurant, a wine room and a tasting area. It’s all urban, it’s all modern, and it’s really inviting.

Chateau Amsterdam works with a number carefully selected partners (farmers, families and entrepreneurs) from all over Europe – of course from the usual suspects Italy, Spain and France, but also Germany among others, and they blend the grapes with abandon, creating exciting and modern tastes.

What I really appreciate about Chateau Amsterdam is their commitment to sustainability. They don’t just talk about it; they walk the walk – or rather, they bike the walk. Most of their deliveries are made by bike to reduce their carbon footprint. They also make conscious choices in both materials and operations to minimize their environmental impact. They are taking significant steps towards 100% organic grape harvesting and are striving to have their entire product range Skal-certified by 2025. Their commitment to zero waste extends to collaborating with local craft breweries to utilize their leftover grape byproducts, and anything remaining is donated to the local pig farmer at Extraordinary Pigs. And I like all of that.

So, now you know all about the winery itself – let’s talk about the wine tasting. You get to try 6 different wines, carefully selected by the staff. You start from the whites, move to the reds, from lighter ones to more full-bodied. The wine experts explain the winemaking process, the grapes, and all the quirky and interesting things about each wine, and they are also already paired with some bar bites if you’re into that kind of thing (we were, obviously). The whole thing can take a few hours, or longer if you’re pacing yourself.

Here’s the wines we tried in the wine tasting:

Piquette ’22: A fresh and fruity light drink, with a bit of bubble. This low-alcohol tipple is the perfect drink as aperitif or as a summer refreshment.

Chenin Blanc & Garganega ’22: This wine was recommended to go with oysters, so obviously that’s what we tried. And they were right! This blend of two classic grapes is full-bodied, fresh and playful and an absolute hit for us.

Fat Lady Sings ’22: This was the wine that turned me into chardonnays – I used to think they weren’t all that but I am now convinced they are all the buttery happiness their fans claim. Consider me converted!

Mario Corvina ’21: This light red wine, they said, is at its best when chilled a little. I had never thought about chilling a red wine but they were absolutely right, it was an easy-drinking experience.

Sangiovese & Cabernet Franc ’22: This was the winner of the red wines for us: a robust red with firm tannins and cherry notes, easy drinking enough to share over a casual catchup but packing enough punch to leave a definite impression.

Mayor’s Choice ’22: Fancy something super full-bodies? This bad boy has notes of blackberries and currants, with a touch of spices and liquorice. We paired this with some cured sausage but it would go well with any red meat I reckon.  

What’s the verdict?

We ended up ordering some extra oysters and a bottle of the Sangiovese & Cabernet Franc to finish the experience off.

Long story short: we had a great time at Chateau Amsterdam and enjoyed the wine, the bites and the immaculate vibes. The staff are lovely and really take the time to explain their produce to you, and are always up for having a conversation with you. The place gets quite busy towards the evening hours so you’re best booking a table – or like us, start early and enjoy the chill ambience of the place before it gets packed.

So what are you waiting for? Book yourself into a wine tasting with these delightful folks asap, or pop in for a few glasses of locally made delights in a truly independent ambience. You can find Chateau Amsterdam on Johan van Hasseltweg 51, in Noord Amsterdam.

Give Chateau Amsterdam some online love y’all!

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