Planning a wine weekend in Napa Valley often leads to one question: What is the Napa Valley Wine Train really like, and is it worth adding to your trip? To help answer this question and any others surrounding the Wine train experience, we’ve put together this simple guide. If you’re staying with us at one of our Calistoga bed and breakfasts, you can ask us for more details as well. We’re always just a quick message away.
What is the Napa Valley Wine Train?
The Napa Valley Wine Train is a unique way to see Napa Valley without having to drive between wineries, offering scenic views, gourmet dining, and wine tasting on a 36-mile round-trip route from downtown Napa to St. Helena and back.
The train’s 1915 Pullman cars are restored with mahogany paneling, soft velvet seating, etched glass, and warm brass touches. Two onboard kitchens prepare meals using seasonal ingredients from the region. Wine service includes tastings depending on the ticket you choose, along with a long list of Napa Valley favorites you can order throughout the ride.
Types of Napa Valley Wine Train Experiences
There are several ways to ride, so choosing the right experience depends on what you want from your day.
The Legacy Experience
If you’re new to the Wine Train or want the complete Napa Valley experience, the Legacy Experience is the signature journey. This six-hour excursion (10:15 am to 4:30 pm) is available almost every day and includes a one-hour immersive wine tasting, a photo op with the Napa Valley welcome sign, a four-course meal, and visits to Charles Krug and V. Sattui, two of the most prestigious wineries in St. Helena.
Daytime Journeys: Three-Hour Lunch Experiences
If six hours feels too long or you want to fit the Wine Train into a larger itinerary, several three-hour lunch experiences (11:30 am to 2:30 pm) offer a taste of the experience without the full-day commitment.
Gourmet Express: Travel through wine country, enjoy a 3-course lunch of seasonal cuisine, and explore the stunning train cars, from the intimate dining areas to the open-air observation platform.
Tasting on the Rails: Pairs a 7-course lunch with 7 Napa Valley AVA wines. This 3-hour lunch train is available on weekends and select weekdays throughout the year.
Afternoon Tea x Chandon: Step aboard the floral-decorated train car for a complete afternoon tea experience. Enjoy a 4-course menu of finger sandwiches, soups, salads, teas, and toast your journey with a welcome Garden Spritz cocktail from Chandon. This option is especially popular for girls’ getaways, no matter the occasion!
Grgich Hills Winery Tour: Includes lunch onboard plus a stop at Grgich Hills Estate, founded by legendary winemaker Mike Grgich (whose 1973 Chardonnay won the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris, putting Napa Valley on the world wine map). You’ll tour the winery and enjoy a seated tasting of their acclaimed wines.
Grape Stomp at Grgich Hills (Seasonal): Available during harvest season, this interactive Napa Valley Winery tour experience adds the time-honored tradition of grape stomping to your Grgich Hills visit, plus wine tasting and lunch onboard.
Evening Journeys: Dinner Under the Stars
The Napa Valley Wine Train transforms at sunset. Evening journeys (6:20 pm to 8:50 pm) offer a romantic atmosphere with candlelit dining, starlit views, and a more intimate vibe perfect for date nights and special celebrations.
Vista Dome Dinner: The most luxurious option, featuring a 4-course gourmet meal in the two-story Vista Dome car with panoramic views through arched windows. This elevated dining car offers unobstructed views from every angle and feels like true first-class rail travel. It’s the priciest option, but guests say the experience justifies the cost.
Gourmet Express Dinner: A three-course dinner served in classic Pullman dining cars. You’ll have the freedom to explore the entire train during your journey, moving between elegant dining areas, lounge cars, and the open-air platform.
Murder Mystery Dinner (Select Dates): For something completely different, don your best 1920s attire and solve a murder mystery while enjoying a multi-course dinner. It’s dinner theater on rails, combining fine dining with interactive entertainment.
Tasting on the Rails Dinner: Available April to November on Saturday evenings, enjoy a sunlit ride as you celebrate the Valley’s bounty with a 7-course meal and complimentary wine from local wineries.
Seasonal Experiences
Throughout the year, the Wine Train offers special seasonal journeys that add festive flair to the standard experience.
Grape Stomp at Grgich Hills (Fall): Available during harvest season, this experience adds the time-honored tradition of grape stomping to your Grgich Hills visit, plus wine tasting and lunch onboard.
Santa Train Jolly Journeys (November-December): The train transforms into a winter wonderland with carolers, hot cocoa, cookies, and visits from Santa himself. It’s a family-friendly experience that captures the magic of the holidays while traveling through decorated wine country.
Peppermint Tea (Weekends in December): Enjoy a welcome glass of sparkling wine followed by a selection of seasonal teas, finger sandwiches, and special holiday treats.
Keep an eye on their calendar for other holiday experiences like Thanksgiving and Mother’s Day!
What to Expect on the Napa Valley Wine Train
Boarding & Check-In: The Wine Train departs from McKinstry Street Station in downtown Napa (1275 McKinstry Street). Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in.
Dress Code: There’s no strict dress code, but the wine train encourages a “dress to impress” philosophy. For daytime experiences, business casual works well (collared shirts, slacks, dresses, nice jeans). Evening journeys tend to be slightly dressier, with some guests in cocktail attire.
Wine Policy: Some experiences include wine in the ticket price (Legacy, Tasting on the Rails). For others, an extensive wine list features Napa Valley wines available for purchase throughout your journey. You can bring your own wine, but a corkage fee applies. The welcome glass of sparkling wine is complimentary on most experiences.
Mobility & Accessibility: The Wine Train staff is experienced with mobility assistance, but because of the antique cars, there are limitations. They offer a transfer wheelchair for use in the 1100 Gourmet Car that has been uniquely modified for access via a manual lift. Notify them when booking if you have specific accessibility needs.
Photography: The iconic photo opportunity is at the Napa Valley Welcome Sign in Oakville, visible from the open-air car (you don’t disembark for this photo). Staff will help you capture the moment. Throughout the journey, you’re free to move between cars to photograph vineyard views, the train exterior from platforms, and your dining experience.
Dietary Restrictions: The culinary team can accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other restrictions are routinely handled. Mention any requirements when booking so the chefs can prepare appropriate alternatives.
Pricing: Experiences start around $250-$300 per person for daytime lunch journeys in the off-season.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Wine Train Experience
- Book in Advance: Popular rides like the Legacy and Vista Dome often sell out weeks ahead, especially from spring through fall and around holidays.
- Consider the Season: Winter and early spring bring fewer crowds and better availability, and the bonus of mustard season. Summer and fall are busier with warm weather and harvest season energy.
- Pair It with a Calistoga Stay: Many guests choose the Wine Train as one special day during a Calistoga stay, then enjoy hot springs, local tasting rooms, and downtown walks on other days.
- Don’t Rush: Put your phone away, talk to your companions (and neighboring tables), and watch the landscape unfold.
- Explore the Train: Take time between courses to walk through different cars, step onto the open-air platform, and enjoy the views.
- Ask Questions: The staff enjoys sharing stories about the train, the valley, and the wineries along the route.
Is the Napa Valley Wine Train Worth It?
This is the question guests ask us most, and our answer is always honest.
You can find outstanding meals and deeper wine tastings elsewhere in Napa Valley if you book them separately. What you cannot recreate is the experience of enjoying food and wine together while moving through the valley on a historic train, elevated above the vineyards, with views you simply do not get from the road.
The Wine Train is best for guests who love the romance of trains, enjoy a slower pace, and like the idea of turning wine tasting into an experience rather than a schedule. The food is good, the wine tasting is enjoyable, and the service is warm, but the real reason to go is the feeling of being on the train itself.
If that sounds like something you would enjoy, the Wine Train can be a memorable highlight of your trip. If your main goal is to seek out the very best single restaurant or the most in depth winery visits, you may prefer planning those experiences on your own.
Thinking About the Wine Train During Your Stay?
The Napa Valley Wine Train can be a lovely part of a wine weekend, especially as one planned day, balanced with more relaxed tastings, hot springs, and easy walks around Calistoga on the other days of your stay.
If you are curious whether the Wine Train is the right fit for you, just ask us. We’re always happy to talk through the options, share what guests tend to enjoy most, and help you shape a weekend that’s completely tailored to your interests.