Napa Valley Wine Train — Attraction in Napa

The Napa Wine Train lunch train was a fun experience. We arrived a few minutes early for our 10:30 check-in, which only took a minute or two. Notes on the train itself. We were near the back (South) end. At the end of the train is a private rail car, which we didn't enter. Next was our Dome Car, which has truly panoramic views in all directions. Dining is upstairs in the dome and there are great views for most of the trip. The Dome Car has dining tables on each side - mostly 4 places each, but some 2-place areas above the stairs that go down to the lower level. The booths on each side are separated by ornamental etched glass sheets. Moving towards the front (North), the next car was equipped with swiveling upholstered blue captain's chairs along each side, each with a table/shelf under the window in front of the chair - big enough for food service. Bouquets of faux flowers garlanded the overhead throughout the car. There is a small bar area in the middle of the car - on this day, the car was empty except for two couples at opposite ends of the car. Moving to the next car, the right (East) side has some completely open windows (with low bars to prevent accidentally falling out). You can really "hang out" of the windows for some interesting selfies and train shots. The northern end of the car has 12 tables for dining (4 persons per table) with ornamental etched glass partitions between the tables on each side. The next car was the kitchen car and since they were furiously preparing food for the passengers, I didn't try to proceed any further towards the front of the train. All the train cars are restored original Pullman cars, which were the height of luxury during the heydays of rail travel, from 1860-1982. All have been obviously lovingly restored and are fun to walk through and examine the detail in each car. The train is pulled by a diesel locomotive, which is on the North end for the trip to St. Helena, where it is switched to the South end for the return trip along the same line.

Our dining experience started inauspiciously, as they were expecting two of us (though our reservations and the check-in boarding ticket clearly said four). The staff on the car quickly rounded up additional glasses of champagne and place settings, and from there everything went well. The menu changes with the seasons. We had a choice of soup or salads for the first course, then choices of beef, pork, chicken, pasta, and salmon entrees, and finished with a choice of desserts. My beef tenderloin served over mashed potatoes and carrots was cooked perfectly and just fell off the bone. The salmon was served over a bed of spinach and other greens with diced beets. The pasta dish was vegetarian, with numerous small sliced vegetables mixed in. The pork tenderloin was served on a polenta bed with a port reduction. All our meals were very good - filling and tasty. Of course, baguettes for the table were provided as well. We also enjoyed the suggested wine pairings with the courses. If this were just a restaurant, I would only give it 3-4 stars for the food, but the service was very good.

The actual ride is about 2 hours - about one hour up to St. Helena, 5-10 minutes there to switch the engine to the other end of the train, and about one hour back.

Our server was listed variously as Mitchell (her name tag) and Michelle (I think) on the receipt. Whatever - she was fun to talk with and encouraged us to explore the train, which was great advice. She was an excellent hostess for our ride and lunch, with good suggestions and a great personality. Recommended - especially for train buffs like a couple of us. But get out of your seats and walk through the train cars and view...

I recently booked the Legacy Experience on the Napa Valley Wine Train to celebrate my daughter’s 31st birthday. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. The food was delicious, the train itself is beautiful, and the flow of the day ran smoothly.

The staff was friendly and did make everyone feel welcome. Toward the end of the ride, they acknowledged guests celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones, which was a nice touch. However, it was done as a group acknowledgment rather than anything personalized.

As someone who has been in hospitality and event production for over 20 years and have worked at resorts in the area works and currently produce large Napa Valley events, I was hoping for a bit more attention to detail. Prior to the trip, I spoke with Ragina Garcia, the Director of Customer Service, and she mentioned that she would make a note for the team about my daughter’s birthday and the fact that I am in the industry. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to translate into anything noticeable during our visit. There was no acknowledgment or effort to make the experience feel any more special than it would for any other guest.

Even a small gesture like offering one of the open booths with extra space would have been appreciated. When I asked about switching seats before those tables were filled, I was told seating was predetermined. It just would have been nice to see a little more flexibility or thoughtfulness considering the occasion.

However, I have to be honest that not everything stood out. The stop at Charles Krug Winery felt underwhelming. I’ve visited before, and while it’s a beautiful property, the wines just aren’t particularly memorable. On the other hand, the visit to V. Sattui Winery was great - lively, engaging, and much more enjoyable.

The dancing portion in the open-air car was fun and added a nice social element to the experience. However, it was very hot. Only a couple of windows were open, and that car didn’t seem to have air conditioning running, so it felt like being in a greenhouse. Because of that, people naturally rushed to the few open windows for air, and if you didn’t get there first, you were left in the hotter section of the car with no real breeze. When the train stopped near the Napa sign, it would have been nice to step off for a short break, but they kept everyone on board due to safety reasons. Sitting there for nearly an hour in the heat without much airflow wasn’t ideal.

Lastly, for the price point, gratuity should be included. There were multiple signs and reminders about tipping throughout the train, which felt unnecessary for a premium experience.

All in all, it was a nice day with great food, lovely views, and a well-run operation. But if you are looking for something that feels truly special or personalized, especially for a celebration, it may not deliver that wow factor. Everything runs very much by the book, polished and pleasant, but a bit too vanilla for what could easily be an...

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the Napa Valley Wine Train’s Gourmet Express Lunch, and it was truly one of the most memorable outings we’ve ever had together. From the moment we boarded the beautifully restored vintage railcar to the final sip of wine, every detail felt carefully curated to create an atmosphere of romance, relaxation, and indulgence.

The ambiance of the train itself set the tone immediately. Stepping inside was like being transported back in time, with rich wooden accents, elegant seating, and large windows offering perfect views of the Napa Valley landscape as the train glided along the tracks. The slow pace of the ride gave us plenty of time to take it all in the rolling vineyards, charming wineries, and sun-drenched hillsides. It was the kind of scenic backdrop that makes you pause and feel grateful for the moment.

The service was impeccable from start to finish. Our table was set with fresh flowers, sparkling glassware, and a chilled bottle of water on ice, all adding to the sense of occasion. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our glasses were always full and that each course arrived perfectly timed. We felt both pampered and unrushed, which is exactly the balance you hope for on an outing like this.

And then, of course, there was the food. Each dish reflected the elegance and quality you’d expect in Napa Valley. My entrée was a beautifully grilled steak, topped with crispy onion strings and paired with tender carrots and broccolini in a rich sauce. My wife enjoyed the braised short rib, melt-in-your-mouth tender and perfectly complemented by mashed potatoes and baby carrots. Both dishes were hearty yet refined, and we found ourselves savoring every bite.

Dessert was equally impressive. I opted for the warm molten chocolate cake, which was perfectly gooey in the center and balanced by a drizzle of chocolate sauce and a dollop of whipped cream. My wife chose the crème brûlée, its caramelized sugar top cracking to reveal a smooth, creamy custard beneath, crowned with a scoop of ice cream. Both desserts were indulgent finales to a meal that exceeded our expectations.

But what truly elevated the experience was the atmosphere. Sitting across from my wife, enjoying our wine while the train rolled past sunlit vineyards, felt like the definition of a perfect date. We laughed, talked, and simply enjoyed being present with each other, free from distractions. The Napa Valley Wine Train didn’t just serve us a meal; it gave us a shared memory we’ll treasure forever.

In a world that often feels too fast-paced, the Wine Train was a reminder to slow down, savor, and celebrate life’s moments. Whether you’re a local looking for a special day out or a visitor wanting to experience Napa in a unique way, I can’t recommend it highly enough. We left with full hearts, satisfied appetites, and the joy of knowing this was an experience we’ll talk about for...