Does the Napa Valley Wine Train Stop at wineries?

Currently the Napa Valley Wine Train offers two wineries 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.

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 on the wine list and in the Wine Tasting Car.

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.

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.

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:

Is smoking allowed?

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

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.

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.

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’

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.