THE NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN®

Frequently Asked Questions

"One of the World's Most Magnificent Trains"

Does the Napa Valley Wine Train Stop at wineries?

The Train does not stop at wineries. Currently the Napa Valley Wine Train offers two optional winery tours in conjunction with the luncheon excursion. Passengers can choose the Gourmet Express Package with Grgich Hills Winery or Domaine Chandon. Grgich Hills Package is available Monday through Friday year round. Domaine Chandon Package is available Friday through Sunday. This option is available after reserving a excursion and must be booked directly with the Train Reservations department. Winery Tour upgrades are $ 24.00-39.00 per person. Phone contact info to add these Winery tours will be on your voucher.

Is Wine included?

Wines are included during the Friday’s Vintners Luncheons, the monthly Appellation Dinners, the monthly Moonlight Escapade Dinners and for all guests during the informal Wine Seminar prior to boarding the Luncheon Excursions. Cocktails and beers are available onboard throughout each restaurant. Additionally, over 100 wines are available for purchase on the wine list and in the Wine Tasting Car.

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Can we get off the Napa Valley Wine Train?

Currently passengers cannot disembark anywhere other than the Yountville Station or as a part of the Domaine Chandon or Grgich Hills Luncheon and Winery Tour Packages. The Napa Valley Wine Train’s business plans, since beginning operations in 1989 have always been to offer train service between the towns and wineries of Napa Valley with the long range hope of offering service to south Napa County and beyond to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal for connections to San Francisco for commuters and visitors.

What is the 12% Service Charge?

12% Service Charge is added to all food & beverages in order to provide higher wages to our staff, medical coverage & other benefits not often common in restaurants.

Is a tip included in the 12% Service Charge?

Gratuities or ‘tips’ are not a part of the 12% service charge and optional tipping is solely based upon the guests’ experience onboard. It is not unusual for guest to leave 3%-8% additional based upon receiving excellent service.

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Do you have to drink wine on the Napa Valley Wine Train?

Many guests enjoy coming to the Napa Valley Wine Train and being served wine with their meal ... still many others do not. We also offer juice, soda, non-alcoholic wines, beers, cocktails & brandies.

Are there bathrooms on the Napa Valley Wine Train?

All three of the restaurants; The Gourmet Express, Champagne Vista Dome and Silverado Grill are equipped with beautiful restrooms.

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How long does each excursion last?

Luncheon and Dinner Excursions are typically three hours. Holiday or Special Brunch trains vary and generally run for approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

How many railcars are there?

The Napa Valley Wine Train consists of nine rail cars and a double-sided Alco Diesel Engine:

• Parlor or Lounge Cars (3)
• Parlor or Lounge Car with Wine Tasting Bar (1)
• Gourmet Express Dining Cars(2)
• Silverado Grill Car (1)
• Champagne Vista Dome Car (1)
• Chef de Cuisine Kitchen Car with Glass Observation Car (1)

Is smoking allowed?

No smoking is permitted in the Station, onboard the Train or on the outside observation deck of the train.

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What do we wear?

Attire is generally casual at lunch time, depending on time of year or which special event passengers are participating. Dinner is more dressy or ‘cocktail party’ attire. Jackets are suggested, but not required. Please NO JEANS for dinner.

What is the cancellation policy?

24-hour notice of cancellation is required to avoid forfeiture of payment on file for daily programs, 5-day notice for special events. We attempt to reserve other guests in order to return your payment on file, in the hopes that you will return when you can.

Who owns the Napa Valley Wine Train?

The Napa Valley Wine Train and the Napa Valley Railroad are privately owned, operated and maintained by Vincent DeDomenico of Golden Grain and Ghirardelli fame.

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Do you allow children aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train?

Children are always welcome and some programs have special rates and menus. Caution is recommended to parents of toddlers who might have a difficult time ‘relaxing’ for three hours. Due to the general movement of the train or the rare potential for a sudden stop, children cannot walk about the cars unattended. Diaper changing is not permitted in the railcars due to food service and the bathrooms are somewhat small. McKinstry Street Station has a ‘diaper changing station’ in the Restrooms. Due to safety issues, strollers and carriers are not permitted onboard, booster seats are available. Please check with your Napa Valley Wine Train Reservationists for special handling for infants.

What is the difference between the Gourmet Express & the Vista Dome?

These two restaurants both offer freshly ‘prepared to order’ gourmet meals but have a slightly different menu style. The Vista Dome has more choices within each course. Additionally, the Gourmet Express is decorated in the style of the era of the 1915-1917 Pullman Cars which are used for this restaurant and made to replicate that era of the world famous “Orient Express”. The Champagne Vista Dome car is a much newer style of fabrics and layout to match the 1950 era during which it was originally built and operated.

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What age are the railcars?

The Alco-diesel engines are 1950, the Silverado Grill & Gourmet Express are 1915-1917, and the Champagne Vista Dome is 1950.

Are the meals made by the Napa Valley Wine Train?

The Silverado Grill, Gourmet Express and Champagne Vista Dome each have their own kitchen and specific menu. Award-winning Executive Chef, Kelly Macdonald, and his culinary staff do not cook each meal until it is ordered. Some of the side dishes and desserts are prepared in the Napa Valley Wine Train’s Culinary Arts Center and ‘finish’ cooked or baked onboard during the three hour excursions. Even the sorbets are homemade!

How many people can the Napa Valley Wine Train accommodate?

The Silverado Grill capacity is 50, the Champagne Vista Dome is 56 and the Gourmet Express is 264.

How long has the Napa Valley Wine Train been operating?

The Napa Valley Wine Train began gourmet dining excursions September 16, 1989, however the Napa Valley Railroad was built and operated by Samuel Brannan in 1864 as a tourist railroad to take visiting San Franciscans as they arrived by ferry in south Napa to his resort town ‘Calistoga’

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Can we bring on our own wine?

Although we have a wine shop with almost 300 kinds of wine and onboard have approximately 100 kinds of wine, we do recognize that many people have special wines that they want to have for a ‘special occasion’. The Napa Valley Wine Train charges a Corkage fee of $15.00 per 750ml bottle.

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Return to Main Wine Train Page

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Lunch aboard the Wine Train

"GOURMET EXPRESS" LUNCHEON: Enjoy 3-course meals freshly prepared onboard ... choose from two seatings ...either northbound for first seating or southbound for second seating aboard lavishly restored 1915-1917 Pullman Dining & Lounge cars. Package includes an informal Wine Tasting Seminar with two varietals in McKinstry Station prior to boarding. All guests can tour the cars and have the option of visiting the Wine Tasting Car.

CHAMPAGNE VISTA DOME GOURMET LUNCHEON: View the scenic Napa Valley in "elevated style" aboard this elegant 1947 "glass~topped" dining car...4-courses for luncheon and a 'welcome' glass of Napa Valley's premier sparkling wines is included. Package includes wine tasting seminar in station prior to boarding (except on some special events). All guests can tour the cars and have the option of visiting the Wine Tasting Car.

SILVERADO CAR: The Napa Valley Wine Train introduces the newest Railcar with an 'American Frontier' theme of decor and cuisine. The Silverado Railcar will operate "open-air" dining for the luncheon excursions daily with 'slide-open' windows for guests to enjoy the fabulous year-round climate of the Napa Valley. To reflect California's rich frontier heritage, the decorations feature a historical photographic collection of "Hollywood Western Movie Stars," donated to Wine Train owner Vincent DeDomenico by Robert Redford. Adorning the walls throughout the Railcar is gear from the 'Cowboy trade', furthering the 'early West' theme. In addition to having a completely different décor from other Pullman Dining, Parlor or Vista Dome Cars, the 'a la carte' menu is also a big departure. Chef Kelly Macdonald and staff have a state-of-the-art railcar kitchen with grill for "ranch-style" cooking. Passengers can now add "fresh air" to their scenic ride! Operates: April - October

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Dinner aboard the Wine Train

CHAMPAGNE VISTA DOME GOURMET DINNER: View the scenic Napa Valley in "elevated style" aboard this elegant 1947 "glass~topped" dining car...4-course meal with an intermezzo and a 'welcome' glass of Napa Valley's premier sparkling wine is included. All guests can tour the Railcars in between courses and enjoy a 'leg stretch' visit to the Wine Tasting Car. These "VIsta Dome" Dinners are available Friday-Sunday (November -April),Thusday-Sunday (May), Wednesday-Sunday (June) and Thursday -Monday (July-October).

"GOURMET EXPRESS" DINNER: Enjoy 4-course meal with an intermezzo either northbound for first seating or southbound for second seating aboard lavishly restored 1915-1917 Pullman Dining & Lounge cars. All guests can tour the Railcars and have the option of visiting the Wine Tasting Car. These "Gourmet Express" Dinners are available Friday-Sunday (November -April),Thusday-Sunday (May), Wednesday-Sunday (June) and Thursday -Monday (July-October).

 

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Departure Dates and Times:

LUNCH: DAILY

10:30 AM .......... Check In
11:00 AM .......... Board the Lunch Train
11:30 AM .......... Lunch Train Departs Napa
2:30 PM ............. Lunch Train Returns to Napa

DINNER: DAILY

5:30 PM ........... Check In
6:00 PM ........... Board the Dinner Train
6:30 PM ........... Dinner Train Departs for St. Helena
9:30 PM ........... Dinner Train Returns to Napa

 

ANY RESERVED SEATS NOT CHECKED IN 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE MAY BE RELEASED FOR RESALE . Daily - Closed Christmas Day

Wine Train Route:

A 3-hour, 36 mile, excursion from the historic town of Napa through one of the world's most famous wine valleys to the quaint village of St. Helena and return. Government regulations do not permit the train to stop or disembark passengers en route, except at designated stops or stations.

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Seatings:
Lunch or Dinner has two seatings. Passengers spend half of the trip in a Dining Car and half in a Lounge Car. All guests are always invited to visit the Wine Tasting Lounge Car. Brunch has one seating. Passengers purchasing transportation only for Lunch are assigned only to the Silverado Car.

Passengers choosing First Seating will begin the excursion in the Dining Car for the soup/salad and main course for the northbound trip to St. Helena. Approximately 1-1/2 hours later, passengers completing their first two courses are then escorted to a Lounge Car to enjoy dessert and coffee for the return trip to Napa.

Passengers choosing Second Seating will begin the excursion in the Lounge Car for appetizer course (and optional cocktails) for the northbound trip to St. Helena. Approximately 1-1/2 hours later, passengers are then escorted to the dining Car to enjoy their soup/salad, main course, dessert and coffee for the return trip to Napa.

Attire and Dress Code
Brunch and lunch are casual. Please NO old or faded jeans. During dinner, jackets are suggested but not required; ladies should dress as they would for dining in any fine restaurant.

Directions:
From Marin, San Francisco, Peninsula -via Golden Gate Bridge:Take 101 north to Highway 37 east. Take Highway 121 towards Napa, 121 connects with Highway 29. Turn left, take 29 north. Exit Lincoln Avenue. Go east on Lincoln Avenue. Turn right on Soscol Avenue. Turn left at light onto First Street then immediately turn left again onto McKinstry Street. Make second left into driveway for parking at the McKinstry Street Depot. (map of location)
Approximate travel time: San Francisco = 1 hour & 20 minutes Marin County = 50 minutes. Additional 15 minutes during Summer months.

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Return Details:
Train Trip concludes at the original departure point

Children and Seniors:
Children can order from all gourmet menus during the Brunch, Luncheon or Dinner Excursions. (13 or older is considered an adult).. Children's rates may not be available on a few special events programs.

Payment: Payment in advance by major credit card; Visa, AMEX, MasterCard and Discover.

Confirmation & Travel Voucher
For every confirmed booking you will receive an e-mail with a link to your E-Ticket Voucher - when your booking is confirmed. Please present this E-Ticket voucher at the Train Depot.

Cancellation Policy
24-hour advance notice of individual reservation cancellation is required to insure a full refund of payments. 5-day advance notice for some special events. Advance pre-payment of all package pricing and train fare only programs is charged to a credit card upon placing reservations. 24-hour advance notice of cancellation is required to avoid forfeiture of payments on file for regular programs.

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Additional Information:

 

This activity must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your travel date.

Confirmation for this product will be received within 12-24 hours, subject to availability.

The Napa Valley Wine Train , although not required by the ADA (due to historic renovation), can be somewhat accessible to travelers with minimum mobility limitations. Wheelchairs measuring no wider than 26" can be accommodated onboard via our wheelchair lift. Advance notification and specific discussion of mobility restrictions is necessary in order to facilitate serving limitation needs and Boarding. Due to the unique boarding timing procedures, advance notification is critical to insure comfort for all guests.

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Excursions are approximately 3 hours in duration.

Meal pricing includes 12 %service charge & 7.75% sales tax.

All food & beverage is subject to a service charge of 12% and sales tax. Service charge is taxable in California. Gratuities are optional, thank you.

Coffee, tea or decaf included in meal package excursions. Wine, cocktails & other refreshments are an additional cost & are subject to service charge and sales tax.

Operating Schedule of Excursions vary slightly based upon seasonal demands.

Confirmations are based upon space availability.

All pricing, programs, terms & conditions are SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. All quotations in U.S. Dollars.

 

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