Napa Valley Wine Train, California

The Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the most scenic and enjoyable Napa Valley wine tours. This train has nine historic cars that have been restored and renovated to accommodate diners in its classic interiors filled with fine brass fixtures, mahogany paneling, and elegant partitions of etched glass that you can enjoy a meal in as you ride past dozens of Napa Valley wineries.

Since 1989, the Napa Valley Wine Train has been carrying visitors from Napa to St Helena to the north. You can book a lunch or a dinner time ride in one of these elegant cars, two of which are filled with splendid dining areas with table set with fresh flowers, delicate china, crisp white linen and silver utensils. You can sit in the Silverado car, which is open air, and enjoy views of Napa Valley as you enjoy a superb meal.

If you've already visited the wineries on your own, this is a way to take in the countryside at a relaxed pace, for an enjoyable afternoon or evening. Napa Valley wine tours on the train is also a great way to kick off your visit, since you get a chance to ride by all the wineries so you can get a feel for the area and look over the Napa Valley wineries you might want to visit later in your trip; the wine train also offers three winery tours to four different wineries.

The prices range for various meal options; for instance, some choices offer sparkling wine and outstanding appetizers to enjoy while you relax in the lounge car before going to the dining car for your next three courses. You can walk anywhere you want in the Napa Valley Wine train, since it is all open. The kitchen car has glass walls so that you can watch the talented chefs prepare meals onboard. Of course, you can enjoy selections from the top Napa Valley wineries while you're touring the California wine country.

If you want to experience the most elegant, scenic of all the Napa Valley wine tours, you will be boarding the 1275 Mckinstry Street, in downtown Napa, just steps away from the picturesque Napa River. You will ride by mustard plants in Yountville, rumble past the Grgich Winery, where you can disembark and get back on when the trains returns south again if you're participating in the optional tour of this winery. You will arrive at the oldest train depot in California in sleepy St. Helena.

From the Old Faithful Geyser in nearby Calistoga to the excellent Napa Valley wineries to the nearby Sonoma Wine Country, there is a ton to see and do in this area. Parking is plentiful, and the crowds are few. With old-fashioned charm, great food and sun-drenched afternoon, you will love seeing the countryside and the different Napa Valley wineries from the comfort of a restored dinner train.