Napa Valley Wine Train x Rail Arts District
May 6, 2025 / Art & CultureThere’s an art to wine-making. From the growing season to the harvest, production to the final pour, creative decisions are made every step of the way to give Napa Valley wines their distinct characteristics. Vintners are more than just makers — they are artists in the truest sense.
So it should come as no surprise that here on the Napa Valley Wine Train, we’re proud supporters of the arts, and our patronage runs beyond our partnerships with local wineries. Since 2016, we have proudly collaborated with the Napa Valley Vine Trail and the local arts community to help develop the Rail Arts District. And in honor of World Art Day on April 15, we want to share a little bit about the district with you.
What is the Rail Arts District?
The Rail Arts District is a free outdoor museum inspired by Miami’s Wynwood Walls Arts District. The first and only district of its kind in Napa Valley, the Rail Arts District is revitalizing Downtown Napa’s Crosstown Commuter Path with a mix of vibrant murals, captivating sculptures, and inspiring landscape pieces created by local and international artists.
The Rail Arts District believes in the cultural, educational, and economic value of public art. Those values are reflected in the efforts made to transform the walls of this semi-industrial area into a buzzing, enlivened community that is a must-visit for any cultural connoisseur making their way to Napa Valley.
Where is the Rail Arts District?
The Rail Arts District runs a two-mile stretch through the Oxbow District along the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Best of all, it also runs along the Napa Valley Wine Train route, so guests aboard our journeys can take in the beauty of the district from the comfort of our luxurious train interiors.
A Collection of Thought-Provoking Work
The canvases of the Rail Arts District are unconventional, to say the least. Here, you won’t find traditional framed paintings or sculptures behind glass. Instead, the walls of buildings and industrial areas play the role of the canvas. You’ll even find artwork on rail line signal boxes. The Rail Arts District defies the conventional notions of presenting art in a climate-controlled, sterile gallery, instead presenting art as a living, evolving thing. You can get up close and personal with these pieces as you walk or cycle the Napa Valley Vine Trail.
The themes explored by the Rail Arts District are diverse, and the art often touches on subjects such as renewal, rebirth, and resilience. The first mural unveiled in the district was 2017’s Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Polish artists Bezt and Natalia Rak. The piece tells a story of finding your way — and the beauty in the journey — even when you may sometimes feel lost. The bright butterflies offer light in the darkness, symbolizing perpetual hope and positivity.
Rolling Portrait of a Firefighter, by Australian artist Fintan Magee, is a moving piece depicting firefighter Cody Zetlmaier, who saved the home of Ryvonne and Mike Bruno during the 2017 Northern California wildfires. Conveniently enough, The Bruno’s own the building where you’ll see this stunning tribute. The piece is a reflection on the cycles of life, death, and regrowth that come with forest fires and is not to be missed while exploring the Rail Arts District.
One of the Rail Art District’s most anticipated works has been 11 years in the making and also honors those impacted by wildfires, as well as the 2014 Napa Earthquake. Artist Kristina Young has been working on Quake Mosaic since 2014, with over 1000 community members contributing to the project through volunteering, donating, or providing materials collected from local businesses and homes. Much of the material used to create Quake Mosaic was broken or damaged during the 2014 earthquake, and is now being brought together to provide a snapshot of stories, history, and memories from that day. It is a testament to the strength of our community, and we’re looking forward to its unveiling in the Rail Arts District soon.
Of course, we couldn’t talk about the Rail Arts District and not mention one of our favorite works, The Whine Train. The mural depicts a Dachshund as a locomotive, complete with a body shaped like a wine bottle. In artist Jeremy Dan Fish’s own words, “My mural here in Napa is titled The Whine Train and is dedicated to those “whiny” days we all have. When the world feels much bigger than we are, and we have to find some inner strength to move forward. Those days when you need something inside to boil up from within, to power us forward, and move on to accomplish life’s difficult goals and tasks. When people view this mural, I hope that it makes them smile, and feel compassionate to the task of this little dachshund train. I also hope it is a gentle reminder not to give up on those whiny days when life’s locomotive needs a little more steam to keep progressing.”
Getting the Community Involved
The Rail Arts District is for everyone who makes their way to Napa Valley, and offers outreach programs for all ages that are fun and educational. A favorite among local youth is the OUR RAD Wall Program, an initiative encouraging new and blossoming artists to tap into and harness their creativity. It’s always a joy to see what these young artists create.
Ways to Support the Rail Arts District
As with many art and cultural projects, the Rail Arts District thrives with help from community members and people who support their vision of the value of public art. But it’s not just monetary gifts they need. In addition to mural sponsorships and donations, the Rail Arts District welcomes volunteers to help ensure it continues to grow and thrive for years to come.
You can pledge to support the Rail Arts District by becoming a RAD Member, which comes with special perks, events, and recognition. Best of all, becoming a member is easy! You can learn more here.
At Napa Valley Wine Train, we’re proud to support the efforts and funding of the Rail Arts District throughout the year, and we encourage our guests to do so as well. That’s why, during your ticket booking process with Wine Train, you can easily support the Rail Arts District by making elective donations of support to a fantastic range of causes.
Explore the Rail Arts District From the Rails With Wine Train
In our opinion, there’s no better way to take in the Rail Arts District than from the Wine Train. Our route runs directly alongside the canvases of the district, making it easy to get an overview of all that it has to offer. Our 14 uniquely curated experiences are perfect for groups and couples alike. From our three-hour lunch and two-and-a-half-hour dinner schedules to our legendary six-hour Legacy Experience, there’s an escape for every wine lover. We even offer thrilling Murder Mystery Dinners for those who like a little intrigue paired with their vino!
Start planning your visit to Napa Valley — complete with a journey on the Wine Train and a stroll along the Rail Arts District — today.
