Considered to be one of the top wine producing regions in the world, it’s easy to understand why Napa Valley is such a popular vacation spot. Every year, nearly 4.7 million wine lovers travel to Napa Valley to enjoy the beautiful scenery and get a taste of the region’s superior, high quality wine. Those seeking a quintessential California wine country experience will be delighted with a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train.
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Offering delicious wine, a gourmet meal, stunning views and a fascinating history, a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the best ways to experience this pristine area. The 3-hour train ride transports passengers in a meticulously restored 1915-1917 Pullman Dining Car, where guests can sit back, relax and take in everything Napa Valley has to offer.
Andrea Guzman, Promotions and Partnership Manager for Napa Valley Wine Train, says “Guests feel like they are going back in time,” describing the elegance of the vintage rail cars as one of the things visitors love most about the Wine Train. This is not surprising, considering the train’s history. The train was built in the 1860s with the sole purpose of taking visitors to the popular resort town of Calistoga. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Napa Valley Railroad continued to play an important role in the region’s development and became a popular form of transportation for those living in the Valley.
After the automobile was invented and the railroad started to lose its importance, Vincent DeDomenico, the inventor of Rice-A-Roni, and a group named the Napa Valley Wine Train Inc. purchased the line and the Napa Valley Wine Train was born. The new owners worked hard renovating antique train cars and putting together a dedicated service team to create a unique and luxurious experience for guests. It’s safe to say that they’ve succeeded – the Wine Train has won several awards over the years, including “Best Place to Take Visitors” in the 2010 BEST OF Napa and Sonoma Valleys magazine.
Wine lovers aren’t the only ones to recognize the Napa Valley Wine Train’s appeal. Recently, the popular CBS television show The Big Bang Theory featured the Napa Valley Wine Train in an episode titled “Locomotive Manipulation”:
While the interior of the train car shown in the episode was actually a studio set, Guzman says it is pretty true to form and that the actual train, including the exterior, was featured in some scenes. “The horn in the episode is actually the Wine Train’s. Of course, we’re really thrilled with the episode!” Guzman says.
In 2015, the Wine Train will be celebrating the vintage cars’ 100-year anniversary. Enjoy Executive Chef Kelly Macdonald’s award-winning freshly prepared cuisine for an amazing lunch or dinner aboard the train. Cheers!
If you are interested in reserving a Winspire Experience with the Napa Valley Wine Train, please request a free Event Consultation to speak with one of our professional Event Consultants or call 877-544-8555.