All Aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train

Yes, it’s true. There really is a Napa Valley wine train. I should know. I rode it this weekend and it was pretty cool.

The antique train takes passengers on 36 mile round trip through the Napa valley. While it’s chugging along you get to feast on either a gourmet lunch or a dinner AND you get to tour a vineyard. See…I told you it was cool.

Just in case you need more convincing, the train has two engines, three kitchens on board and a collection of early 20th century rail cars that are pure Americana. It offers guests great regional food and fabulous, hard-to-find wines. Plus, for the three hour ride, the price isn’t that bad - just over $100 a person.

What makes this trip different from visiting Napa Valley in your car is that you are seeing the vineyards in an actual piece of history. Yeah, that's right. You aren't riding in some modern day train, but something that authentic from days gone by. The dining cars are circa 1915 to 1917 and the domed viewing cars are from 1952.

During the trip, you’ll pass by five towns: Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena, and numerous wineries. If you happen to go on the same tour I did, you'll see where Robin Williams had a home and where some of best wine in Napa is grown.

WHERE IS THIS INFAMOUS NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN?

The Napa Valley Wine Train begins its journey at the McKinstry Street Station in Napa. The train then travels north to St. Helena, where the locomotive disconnects from the north facing side of the train and reconnects to the south facing side of the train in preparation for the return journey.

Depending on the day of the week, the Napa Valley Wine Train makes two stops. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, guests who have purchased the Domaine Chandon Tour will disembark at Yountville during the southbound leg of the trip. On weekdays (Monday through Friday), guests who have purchased the Grgich Hills Tour will disembark at Grgich Hills Winery on the northbound leg of the trip, and be picked up by the Wine Train as the train travels southbound.

I did the Grgich Hills Tour and loved it. The tour guide on our 1 hour private tour was hilarious and we tasted at least three different wines which were included in our train ticket price. We also got to keep our tasting glasses as souvenirs – which is always a nice touch.

NAPA WINE TRAIN PRICES AND ROMANTIC NIGHTS

The prices for the train ride and wine tour range from $119 to $184.00. The Grgich Hills tour is the cheapest one, but they also do seasonal tours.

They actually have a Moonlight Escape on July 25, 2010 coming up that looks really romantic. It’s on the date of the full moon during the time of year when thunder storms are most frequent. There is nothing better than looking at the moon with a good glass of wine.

But don’t wait too long to book if you’re interested. They only accept 24 couples for this particular trip.