Looking for an exceptional culinary experience paired with a bit of Golden State history? Climb aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, sit back, and gaze out the windows of vintage Pullman railcars—beautifully restored and decked out in plush fabrics and mahogany wood paneling—while enjoying some of the region’s best food and wine. Read on for more about this unique car-free experience in one of the world’s great wine regions.
History of the Napa Valley Wine Train
The Wine Train, as it’s known to locals, has a long history in the Napa Valley. The train runs on the Napa Valley Railroad, a passenger line that played a key role in Napa’s agricultural and economic development from the late 1800s through the early 20th century. In 1989, after decades of decline, the railroad was reborn as the Napa Valley Wine Train, featuring refurbished antique train cars that evoke the romance of luxury rail travel in the early 20th century.
Wine Train Trip Options
Today, the train offers a variety of excursions, embarking from the station in downtown Napa and chugging along a 36-mile round-trip route to St. Helena and back. Upon boarding, passengers are greeted with a glass of Napa Valley sparkling wine to set the tone for a relaxed, celebratory journey. Each train car features unique decor and special features, and guests are free to explore them along the way. Riders are also welcome to pop into the train’s kitchen car to watch the chefs perform their culinary magic.
To go all out, opt for the Legacy Experience, a six-hour trip that features wine tasting in an open-air railcar, a multicourse lunch highlighting seasonal wine-country fare, and stops at two St. Helena wineries for seated tastings. Shorter, three-hour experiences include lunches and dinners in the Vista Dome—a 1952 Pullman glass-domed car—and tastings in a luxe lounge car outfitted with plush armchairs that face picture windows showcasing epic vineyard views.
In addition to year-round offerings, the Wine Train hosts several seasonal events each year, from murder-mystery dinners to harvest-time grape stomps to holiday-themed family trips with Santa Claus.
Each experience includes a curated selection of Napa Valley wines, and for those who’d like to continue sipping, additional wine flights, cocktails, beer, and other drinks are available for purchase throughout the journey.
More to See and Do in Napa
Before or after your Wine Train experience, there’s plenty of activities to consider in Napa—including some hidden gems to explore. In the city’s walkable downtown, a variety of wine-tasting rooms, boutiques, and restaurants beckon. You could easily spend the whole day shopping and sipping your way through town.
When you’re ready to venture outside the main hub, head toward the region’s vine-covered hillsides and valleys to experience more Napa Valley wineries. The region is home to hundreds of producers, from world-famous brands to under-the-radar discoveries. Though Cabernet Sauvignon is Napa’s signature wine, the region grows more than 40 different grape varieties. If you’re having trouble deciding where to go, book a tour with a Napa Valley insider. When you’re finished exploring for the day, “wine down” at one of Napa Valley’s many luxury lodgings.
