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Rows of lush green vines pass the Napa Wine Train. Our gaze is broken by the vibrant purple-red liquid, streaming into our empty glasses. After several days of hiking paths in Redwoods National Park, sipping wine in a restored 1915 Pullman car is an indulgence.
Napa Valley wasn’t a part of our original Northern California itinerary. When we discovered we would have to drive through Napa on our road trip, we decided to add a stop. With limited time, spending a day or two or three visiting multiple wineries wasn’t feasible. The best option to get a taste of Napa Valley on a time budget was dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train.
The Napa Valley Wine Train encourages early arrival. After checking in, we wander the gift shop then settle into one of the waiting area’s sofas. The people watching is top-notch. The train has many cars, each car serves a different purpose. Our ticket is for the Tasting on The Rails experience. I’m captivated and a wee bit jealous of the party arriving in 1920s garb. They are here for the Murder Mystery Car. There is a couple who got married just hours before. I never learned which car experience they chose.
When our number is called, the staff instruct us to exit through the back doors. After smiling for a souvenir photo, we board our train car. I’m ecstatic. Our ticket allows us to ride in the last train car. The 1915 Pullman’s restoration goal is to resemble a dining car on The Orient Express. It is luxurious.
Each party is seated at a table set with all of the accoutrements needed for a seven-course wine pairing dinner.
There are two seating areas furnished with cushy swivel lounge chairs. In between courses, we are invited to sit in the lounge chairs to sip any unfinished glasses of wine.
There is a restroom, just through the interior train car door.
Our servers, Tammie and Luilani, do not waste time. The pouring begins.
Amuse Bouche
Endive with Boursin Herb Cheese, sliced grapes, and milk crumb.
Paired with Chandon, By the Bay, Blanc de Blanc (a sparkling wine).
You know you are having a fancy dinner when your meal starts with an “amuse bouche.” You know it’s extra fancy when that amuse bouche includes endive. Our first bite is light and refreshing. The cheese adds a nice, creamy texture to the crunchy ingredients.
The Bread
Rosemary Brioche
The bread is buttery, fluffy, with just the right amount of rosemary.
1st Duo
Arugula Salad with Chevre, beets, pistachios, and Orange Vinagrette.
Paired with Charles King Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh Tomato Soup.
Paired with Tate, Dillon Vineyard, Chardonnay
The Napa Valley Wine Train rocks gracefully along the tracks. Every so often, there is a more aggressive shake. Tammie instructs, when not lifting the spoon to your mouth, set your spoon on the table. Leaving the spoon in the vivid red liquid, on a jiggling train, can have disastrous results.
The combination of salad ingredients is citrusy and bright. The tomato soup tastes like the pic the tomatoes were picked fresh that day. It’s evident they put thought and work into the soup and salad duo. This isn’t basic, quickly made, mass-catered cuisine.
Respectfully taking turns, each party is encouraged to step outside onto the train’s rear platform. The train is moving slowly enough for the outdoor platform to feel safe, but moving swiftly enough to feel a gentle breeze. It’s a nice Tasting the Rails ticket perk. Watching the track glide underneath you is hypnotizing.
The rear platform is the perfect photo op.
2nd Duo
Herb Garlic Prawns with polenta, crispy Prosciutto, confit tomatoes, watercress, and Ramp Chimichurri.
Paired with Belle Glos, Eulenloch, Pinot Noir
Beef Tenderloin, Potatoes Au Gratin, black garlic mushroom puree, and Bordelaise.
Paired with BV, Georges de Latour, Private Reserve Cabernet.
Both of the entrees are delicious. Potatoes au Gratin is one of my favorite side dishes. I only
occasionally see it on menus. I enjoy every bite.
The other passengers seem disinterested in the lounge chairs, so after finishing our delectable prawns and beef tenderloin, we take glasses of Cabernet and sit in the cozy chairs. Taking small, savoring sips of the wine, we are aware that they are wines, we would not
taste if not for our dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train.
During the ride, Tammie provides information about the individual wineries we pass. We learn about Napa Valley’s history, which wineries absolutely require reservations, and the winery that has a months-long waiting list.
3rd Duo
Choco Bar-Cremeux, hazelnut praline, flourless cake, Sea Salt caramel, and mild chocolate Chantilly.
Paired with Ghost Block, Pelissa Vineyard, Estate Zinfandel
Valley Ford Estero Gold, Point Reyes Bay Blue House-made Blackberry Lavender Jam with Sourdough Crostini.
Paired with Trefethen, Estate Late Harvest Riesling
There is a small piece of real estate in my brain devoted to the memory of that chocolate bar dessert. It was rich and decadent. I relished every bite. Whoever started the trend of elaborate grown-up chocolate bars, thank you.
Since the Tasting on the Rails is a splurge experience, every party riding in our 1915 Pullman car is celebrating an anniversary or birthday, including us. We celebrate Shannon’s birthday.
There must be a large box of candles located behind our car’s bar. Every table receives a candle and a special occasion card signed by Tammie and Luilani. Extra touches like these make the ride memorable.
Seven courses is a lot, however, the food is expertly portioned. The wine tasting pours are
also well portioned. Not too much, but enough to get a decent sampling.
Two and a half hours fly by, or in this case chug by, when you are tasting wine and eating seven courses. When the train pulls into the station (the same station where we boarded), we are sad to leave but grateful we squeezed the Napa Valley Wine Train into our Northern California, National Park and Ballpark itinerary.
Note-
-Tasting on the Rails includes a seven course set menu and seven wine tastings. It is the most extravagant evening experience the Napa Valley Wine Train offers.
Other cars offer a three or four course meal, with a menu of items you can select. The wine is optional and not included with your ticket. Some do include a welcome sip.
-If your evenings are booked while visiting Napa Valley, there are lunch rides, including an afternoon tea.
-There are portions of the ride with sweeping vineyard views with mountains in the distance, but there are also sections where you are viewing the backs of buildings and road construction.
-Two and a half hours on a train go by quickly.
The Napa Wine Train was the splurge of our Northern California trip. Unsure of what to expect, we worried the experience might be “touristy,” with mass-prepared food, but our evening Tasting on the Rails was worth the expense. The restored train car is beautiful, the servers made each person on the train feel special, and the food and wine are wonderful. It’s an exquisite, relaxing, unforgettable trip.
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