When there are so many worthy excursions to enjoy in Napa Valley, it’s often hard to decide what to add to the roster. So many possibilities, so little time. Any good day in the valley should include spectacular scenery, world-class cuisine that represents the unique terroir and culture of Northern California, great wine, of course, and a bit of pampering by local hospitality experts whose goal is to ensure visitors leave with memories to last a lifetime.
Imagine this: a day trip on vintage Pullman rail cars lovingly restored to recreate the ambiance of the golden age of rail travel. This opulent train passes through lush vineyards embraced by mountains, punctuated by palatial vineyard estates and wineries. Afternoon and evening journeys include a multi-course lunch or dinner service with wine pairings and, in some cases, include stops at the region’s most revered wineries. Add to this white glove service that is personalized, exceptionally courteous, and meticulously detailed, ensuring every aspect of the journey is perfect and exceeds the expectations of the most discriminating passenger. Now imagine the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Plan to make a trip on Napa Valley’s legendary train the center of an entire day’s itinerary. To fully appreciate this immersive and stimulating experience, it is best bookended by simpler and more casual meals and outings or activities at one’s hotel on the day.
Though the wine train has no dress code, many visitors enjoy blending into the train’s luxurious aura, dressing in their best finery, and getting done up for the day. Others prefer comfortable attire to avoid detracting from the train’s exceptional multi-sensory experiences. Either way, all who ride the train will find an undeniably celebratory mood permeating the excursion. The Wine Train: always an exciting and unique adventure.
The numerous lunch experiences best exemplify an extraordinary day on the Wine Train. Guests arrive at the McKinstry Street depot and check in at the Train’s vintage ticket counter. As they wait for the signal to board the train, they can enjoy wine and other beverages at the Artists Café or shop for Napa Valley wines and wine country merchandise and apparel at the Wine and Gift Shop. Guests are also encouraged to relax in the depot’s expansive lounge area. Those riding the train should plan to come early to enjoy all the depot has to offer.
For those on honeymoons or celebrating anniversaries, make a point to stop at the Train’s Love Lock Bridge before boarding the train. A popular tradition for those who visit Napa Valley is to commemorate their romantic stay by leaving an engraved or otherwise customized padlock on the bridge, tossing the key over the side for good luck (or holding on to it as a keepsake). Couples and other visitors will also want a boarding portrait done by the Train’s professional photographers. These print images are then available for purchase at the station or online.
As guests proceed to their designated dining cars, they are encouraged to stop for additional photo ops. After boarding the train, guests are greeted with a welcome glass of sparkling wine at beautifully appointed tables, where the culinary adventure begins.
Executive Chef Rodrigo Cuadra, whose pedigree includes stints as chef at Silverado Resort, Legends, and The Citizen Hotel (both in Sacramento), at Bouchon, Estelles Patisserie, and the Four Seasons in Miami, takes pride in the gourmet lunches and dinners he prepares for Wine Train’s excursions. “I aim to bring Napa Valley’s best restaurant experience to the Wine Train with produce, meats, and fish locally procured and with dishes that reflect the best the season has to offer,” said Chef Cuadra. He also noted, “The Wine Train has three fully operational kitchens on board, and it is in these live and moving kitchens that we cook from scratch the foods our guests enjoy above.” Guests are encouraged to leave their seats between courses to view the chef and his crew at work; something patrons aren’t typically privy to in restaurant settings of this caliber.
Ever popular among the Wine Train’s many experiences are the 3-hour journeys that take place midday, when local scenery can be thoroughly enjoyed, and with views varying greatly throughout the year based on seasonal changes.
A favorite among daytime experiences is the Vista Dome Lunch, which takes place in a 1952 Pullman glass dome car, affording a 360-degree view of the valley. In this most beautiful of cars, guests dine in plush booths that provide a sensuous backdrop for the Vista Dome’s exclusive 4-course meal – elevated dining in this elevated car. Those partaking in the Vista Dome Lunch also enjoy priority boarding, and the car is accessible only to the guests enjoying this experience.
Other noteworthy experiences on the daytime runs include the Afternoon Tea X CHANDON and Tasting on the Rails. The Train’s traditional high tea starts with a CHANDON Garden Spritz Cocktail followed by a sophisticated tea service and an assortment of culinary decadences, such as finger sandwiches and miniature sweets.
The Tasting on the Rails Lunch is the Train’s most extensive menu, with seven courses that are a feast for the senses, each course paired with the perfect Napa AVA wine. Guests will savor the region’s seasonal bounty with pairings that can include wines from Charles Krug, CHANDON, Trefethen, Tate, Beaulieu Vineyard, Belle Glos, and Ghost Block.
Consider also the Wine Train Adventure on the Riverfront for those seeking seamless coordination between venues. The Train has partnered with the River Terrace Inn to provide cozy accommodations for its guests. The hotel is centrally located near the Napa River, Oxbow Market, and the Culinary Institute of America at COPIA and is within walking distance of a wealth of restaurants, entertainment, and tasting rooms in downtown Napa.
Make Napa Valley Wine Train’s offerings the starting point for any stay in the region, ensuring it will be the vacation of a lifetime.
