napa valley wine train tour

The Definitive Guide to Choo-Choosing Your Wine Train Adventure

• by JEN SCHMITZ
• on NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Photo Courtesy of Napa Valley Wine Train

Our top pairings in Napa Valley often include delectable food, dynamic wines, and breathtaking views. While Wine Country is legit ripe with all three, when their powers combine and you add in a 36-mile, round trip journey on board the famed Napa Valley Wine Train , you’ve got a combination that packs a whole lot of punch.

The Wine Train has been a staple since the 1980s, and if you’ve had the opportunity to check out the region, you’ve probably seen their historic rail cars chugging alongside Highway 29. Perhaps, you’ve been curious on how it all works—and we’re here to help.

That’s right, we’ve tackled your biggest question: what ticket is right for me? We did a deep-dive to create the definitive guide to help you on your way. Between food-filled rides, behind-the-scenes wine tours, and seasonal splendor, you’re going to want to climb on board, and our extra information may be just the ticket to make it happen ASAP.

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Napa Valley Wine Train: What to Expect Aboard this Rolling Restaurant

by Jill Loeffler   •

Hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train for an experience of a lifetime. This rolling restaurant features gourmet multi-course meal, an extensive wine menu, and extraordinary views all around.

They serve up both lunch and dinner most days of the week as well as a few special options on key holidays.

While all rides include a meal, there are also a few tours that include stops at local wineries. The half-day experiences stop at one winery, while the full-day experiences stop at one to three wineries, depending on the option you choose.

Tours last between three to six hours. Some, but not all of them, include one complimentary glass of wine. You can also buy a glass or two of wine off their menu of more than 40 local options.

Read on to learn more about this train, the tours offered, what you should wear, and answers to other frequently asked questions. 

Disclaimer : I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

What to Expect from Your Journey

The Napa Valley Wine Train purchased their first railcar in 1987. All of the cars on this historic train are from 1915. Built by the Pullman Standard Company, they were originally in use by Northern Pacific Railway.

After two years of work, four railcars took their inaugural journey on September 16, 1989. 

Today, the Napa Valley Wine Train consists of 16 railcars and 4 engines. Although some people confuse it for a touring train just for wine tasting, it is mainly a restaurant on train tracks that rolls through the valley. 

Their Executive Chef and his team prepare all of the meals on board. There are four kitchen railcars. 

They serve up dishes with fresh ingredients and offer some of the tastiest meals in the valley. For each meal selection, you will choose from a selection of three to four dishes per course.

Since it is a high-end restaurant, they will work with you if you need modifications for your diet. You just need to let them know ahead of time, so they have what they need on board for your meal. When you enter, just let any of the attendants know which person in your party ordered a dietary specific meal.

The cool thing about this experience is that you also have the chance to watch the chef and his staff in action. The main kitchen railcar has a large window and viewing area, so you can see them create the perfect meal.

What to Expect the Day of Your Journey

Your journey starts with check-in at the Napa Valley Wine Train depot in downtown Napa at 1275 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559. Check-in starts 45 to 60 minutes before your journey. Once you are finished with that, you can roam around the historic depot until you hear the boarding call. 

They begin boarding about 30 minutes before the train leaves the station. As long as you are still in the depot, you will not miss the boarding call.

Some packages include private tables and others include up to four people at one table. All of the tables are next to the windows, so each seat has an amazing view of Napa Valley.

The experiences vary slightly, but after you are seated, you are welcome to order a glass of wine. Non-alcoholic drinks such as soda and water are included with your ticket price, so you are welcome to order one of those beverages also.

Your journey begins after everyone is on board. During the first 10 minutes, you will roll through the city of Napa. After that, you will be surrounded by vineyards and wineries for the remainder of your journey.

All experiences are round trip, so your journey begins and ends at the Napa Valley Wine Train station in downtown Napa. 

Napa Valley Wine Train Experiences

There are several daily Napa Valley Wine Train experiences. Some offer lunch, others afternoon tea, and others an evening dinner. There are also a handful of special events that run a few times each year.

Dining Experiences

For the following Dining Experiences, you stay on the train the entire time, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the gourmet gastronomic adventure surrounded by the beautiful landscape.

The daytime experiences last three hours (11:30 am to 2:30 pm) and the evening ones run for around two hours (6:20 pm to 8:30 pm). Keep in mind that check-in and boarding start an hour before train departure. 

1. Vista Dome

The Champagne Vista Dome is a two-story vintage dining car with the best views of Napa Valley. The ride is luxurious thanks to the train's plush booths and curved glass windows that let you admire the landscape, sunset, or stars, depending on the time you choose your tour.

The experience includes a welcome glass of sparkling wine along with your multi-course meal. It runs around $270 to $420 per person depending on the time of year.

All tickets include private tables.

2. Gourmet Express

The Gourmet Express is a less expensive option. This experience includes lunch or dinner in one of their one-story antique Pullman rail cars. This tour includes a complimentary welcome glass of sparkling wine in addition to the multi-course meal.

There are two seatings for each meal, and that way guests get to enjoy different courses in each the dining and the lounge cars. You're also welcome to visit the kitchen cars to see the chefs in action. 

This dining option runs from about $205 to $295 per person. For these seatings, you may share a table with another party.

3. Afternoon Tea x Chandon

For those looking for a lighter dining experience, this is a great new option. You'll start out with a welcome glass of Chandon's Garden Spritz cocktail. Then, you'll savor a traditional afternoon tea service—complete with a selection of fine teas, finger sandwiches, mini desserts, and more. 

This tour offers the elegance of wine country dining as well. You'll get a sparkling wine toast with cheese, and small portions of soup and salad, to round out the local culinary experience. The tour runs on the lunchtime schedule of 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, and costs $255 to $325 per person.

4. Tasting on the Rails

This culinary experience on the recently refurbished 1915 Pullman lounge car is the ultimate adventure in food and wine pairings. You will enjoy a total of seven delicious courses, including an amuse bouche and three duo plates.

These courses are paired with seven premier local wines from Charles Krug, Chandon, Trefethen, Tate, Beaulieu Vineyard, Belle Glos and Ghost Block. 

The three-hour lunchtime tour runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The evening dinner option runs on Saturdays. It costs $405 to $525 per person.

Half-Day Tours

The half-day tours include a stop at one winery. You will enjoy a multi-course meal onboard, disembark to do a tour at a winery, and then re-board the train to return to the station at the end. These journeys last between 3 and 4 hours. 

5. Grgich Hills Estate Tasting

This includes a two-hour train ride, lunch, and a private tour of Grgich Hills Winery. The owner, Mike Grgich, is one of the best winemakers in the valley and famous for the winning Chardonnay from the 1976 Judgement of Paris .

Your tour starts with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, then a multi-course meal on the train, followed by a one-hour seated tasting at Grgich Hills. You will then finish with a nice dessert onboard the train as you head back to the station.

This tour leaves at 11:30 am and tickets cost around $360 to $425 per person.

Full-Day Tours

The full-day tours last about 6 hours and include stops at Napa Valley wineries. All include a gourmet multi-course lunch on the train.

6. The Legacy Tour

This tour includes three one-hour wine tastings. The tour begins with check-in at 9:45 am, and the train leaves at 10:15 am.

Your day starts with breakfast on your way to the first stop and photo opportunity, the iconic 1949 Napa Valley welcome sign. You will then enjoy your first one-hour immersive wine tasting aboard an open-air car. 

You will then reboard at 12 pm and enjoy your second course as the train makes the 30-minute trip to Charles Krug. This tour runs until 1:45 pm. You'll hop on board again to enjoy your third course as you ride the train to V. Sattui Winery.

You will spend just over an hour here and return to the train at around 3:20 pm. Your final course is dessert, which you will enjoy as you ride the train back to the Napa Valley Wine Train station.

You will return around 4:15 pm. This tour is $595 to $775 depending on your booking date.

Special Events

Murder Mystery : If you love murder mysteries, then hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train for one of their Murder Mystery dinners. These 2.5-hour rides include both excitement and elegance as you roll through the vineyards. You'll also have a multiple-course gourmet meal.

The experience begins at 5:30 pm, when you'll board, meet the other guests, and survey the room. There are a few different storylines, and each offers recommended attire so you can fit into the theme. In total, they run more than 20 of these each year.

They are $395 to $600 per person depending on the date and theme.

>> More fun things to do around Napa

What Should You Wear on the Napa Valley Wine Train?

The Napa Valley Wine Train is an upscale restaurant experience. While they don't have a strict dress code, I do recommend that you dress up a little.

You can wear business casual attire or class it up even more in the evening. If you plan to do one of the trains with the tastings at local wineries, make sure to wear casual or comfortable shoes. You will be standing on and off for up to an hour at a time.

Here are a few more tips on what to expect from the weather throughout the year, so you can pack accordingly.

Is the Wine Train Good for Kids?

If you are planning on visiting Napa with family, you will find that kids are welcome on the Napa Valley Wine Train. There are certain tours that include kid pricing and options.

A couple of things to note if you plan on riding the train with your kids. They do not allow the kids to run around the train and/or be unattended. If you have a little one that has a hard time sitting still, you may want to reconsider this as an option.

I think kids will enjoy it as there are great views out the windows, and who doesn't love riding around on a train!

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Wine Train Packages

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Embark upon a culinary journey while traveling through Napa’s scenic vineyards.

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Wine Train Adventure

Enjoy a bottle of Napa wine on arrival. In the morning, step back in time to a bygone era of luxury as you climb aboard a 100-year old rail car on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Watch scenic Napa Valley roll by as you enjoy a freshly prepared, multi-course gourmet lunch.

Elegant River View accommodations

A bottle of local wine upon arrival

2 tickets for the Napa Valley Wine Train Gourmet Express Excursion. A three hour journey through the Napa Valley

*Advance reservations for the Napa Valley Wine train are required. Wine and drinks aboard Wine Train are not included. A two night minimum applies to this package. Package is based on 2 adults. Contact the River Terrace Inn for complete details. All package attendees must be 21 years of age to participate in wine tasting tours and activities.

River, Rails & Wine Trails

Enjoy winery tours along the beautiful Napa Valley wine trails, including Napa’s Silverado trail, lined with 36 wineries and breathtaking vineyards.

Day 1 3:00 – Check-in River Terrace Inn

Day 2 10:00 – 4:00 – Platypus Tours winery tour 12:30 – Picnic lunch

Day 3 10:30-4:30 – Gourmet Lunch experience on the Napa Valley Wine Train 2:30 – Evening – Explore Napa 4:30 – Depart Napa

*Wine and drinks aboard Wine Train are not included. Tasting fees are not included. A 2 night minimum applies. Package is based on 2 adults. All package attendees must be 21 years of age to participate in wine tasting tours and activities.

Full Day Tours

Stay in luxurious accommodations and walk just steps to the Wine Train depot to depart for a day of wine tasting in the Napa Valley via one of the Full Day Winery Tour experiences… no driving required!

CALL FOR RESERVATIONS: 866-627-2386

Terms and Conditions for all offers: Restrictions apply. Valid ID required. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount and not valid for groups. Subject to availability & blackout dates. Unused credit will be forfeited. no cash value and cannot be used towards room rates or resort fees.

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Unique Activities in Napa Sonoma

A nytime I go to visit a California community I’m always looking for some of the most unique things to do. Everyone knows that Napa Sonoma is known for their wineries but there are lots of other activities to do in the area. After celebrating several birthdays in wine country, I’m here to share some unique activities in Napa Sonoma!

Olive Oil tasting in Napa

Fans of olive oil have several tasting options in Napa and Sonoma. The first is Round Pond Estate which offers a tour of their harvest methods before tasting all of their blends. Oxbow Market in Napa also has an olive oil-tasting bar run by the Olive Press in their food court.

Bottle Rock Concert

BottleRock is one of the premier music festivals in Napa.  Gourmet food trucks, wineries pouring and in the last two years, this music festival has attracted some of the hottest bands in the country. 

BottleRock kicks off every May and often sells out so visitors need to plan their trips in advance!

Vodka Tasting

Hanson’s of Sonoma is quickly becoming one of the most unique tastings in Sonoma.  For $25 guests can tour the distillery and try at least three of the infused vodkas.  The staff is friendly and helpful and the tasting room is pristine.  Parking can be limited as the facility shares a parking lot with the Ceja tasting room.

Hanson’s also offers a specialized tasting that includes a cocktail mixing lesson!

Hiking Napa Sonoma

Napa Sonoma is home to many hiking trails.  One popular hike is a leisurely trek around Lake Hennessy or visitors can checkout more strenuous hikes like the Robert Stevenson trail. It’s just north of Calistoga and the five-mile hike to the top of Mt. St. Helena offers stunning views.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Enjoy a floating ride over the Napa Valley in a hot air balloon. All companies launch their balloons super early in the morning for the best weather conditions. While flights usually take about one hour, plan for a 3-4 hour experience and pack layers as it tends to be cold in the morning in Napa.

Napa Valley Wine Train

We think the Napa Valley Wine Train seamlessly weaves together the pleasures of fine dining, wine appreciation, and scenic beauty, making it a unique Napa experience for everyone!

The cost of a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train varies based on the chosen package and seating class. Generally, prices range from approximately $150 to $300 per person for a standard dining experience. Upgraded packages, such as exclusive wine-tasting tours or private dining cars, may incur higher costs.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers various packages to suit different preferences, but a typical journey lasts approximately three hours. During this time, the train winds its way through the heart of the valley, treating passengers to uninterrupted views of rolling vineyards

The best sparkling wine locations in Napa and Sonoma!

The post Unique Activities in Napa Sonoma appeared first on This Bliss Life .