( awaiting the early morning ferry to get to Napa)

Lin and I have driven through Napa on one of our long distance moto adventures but wine and motorcycles are not a good pair!!!!! So when we booked my 40th birthday trip to San Fran, I thought it would be fun to take a day trip to Napa. But hmm…renting a car…well that doesn’t really solve the whole wine driving situation. And I was not interested in staying overnight with such limited time in my fave city. So I did some research and discovered The Napa Valley Wine Train!

The 36-mile Napa Valley Wine Train through California’s wine country runs from Napa to St. Helena and back, bringing you not only a gorgeous view, but also a delicious multi-course meal and delectable wines.

Day trippers can choose from five full-day itineraries that include a lunch and winery tour: the Castle winery tour (pricing begins at $280 per person) at the Castello di Amorosa; the Ambassador winery tour ($280pp), which brings you to the oldest winery in Napa Valley; the Legacy tour ($353pp) which includes tastings at Italian family wineries Robert Mondavi, Charles Krug, and V. Sattui; the Collective tour ($353pp) that explores a sustainable winery owned by Chanel; and the Estate tour ($333pp), a tour that discovers the French winemaking traditions in California. So of course I wanted to do the Collective tour but it was sold out. So we chose the Legacy tour!

You can get to the Napa Valley wine train by taking a Bay Area connection with the San Francisco ferry. They will arrange all of this for you BTW. Their personal shuttle awaits you at the ferry dock and gets you to the train station and then takes you back to the ferry dock! No driving required!!

Legacy Tour

A legacy is handed down over time, through family and tradition. And lots and lots of wine. Robert Mondavi. Charles Krug. V. Sattui. The legacy of these Italian families represents a combined winemaking history of more than 300 years. And some very fine vintages. Some say this is where it all began. And this is where your journey begins.

At a glance:

3-hour rail tour of Napa Valley, departing at 10:15 a.m.
Welcome taste of sparkling wine
4-Course Napa style meal
1-hour each, tour and tasting at Mondavi, Charles Krug and V. Sattui
Getting Started
But first, sparkling wine. Lemon mascarpone crepes, roasted maple bacon, and oven basted egg with salmon roe and buttered croutons.
First Stop, Robert Mondavi Winery
First stop, Robert Mondavi Winery. Step off your early 20th century Pullman railcar and onto the rich soil of one of Napa’s leading wineries for a private tour and tasting of some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world and Mondavi’s signature Fumé Blanc.
The Menu
Back on board, it’s time for some difficult decisions: Cracked mustard-cider glazed salmon or grilled tenderloin of beef with pastrami spices and truffle potato salad? Whatever you order, luxurious ambiance is always served. I had the beef. Lin had the salmon! Both were absolutely divine!!
Second Stop, Charles Krug Winery
Go behind the scenes at iconic Charles Krug for a private tour of Napa Valley’s oldest winery and a sampling in California’s first tasting room. From the moment you set foot inside the beautiful Redwood Cellar to your last sip, hear the fascinating history of the Mondavi and Krug families.
The Menu
Back on board, indulge in your third course—whipped Marin County brie with local honey, country olives, fennel pollen, and a ciabatta crisp—a divine savory palate pleaser on your journey to our last winery. Be sure to savor the extraordinary Napa Valley landscape with every bite.
Last Stop, V. Sattui Winery
Next stop, V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, in the heart of Napa Valley. Learn about the deep roots of this historic family and get a behind the scenes glimpse into the winery, which was founded in 1885, closed during the Prohibition, and is now an award-winning producer of small batch wines. This winery ended being my absolute favorite!! It has an incredible little market too with cheeses, chocolates, and gift items galore!
Last But Not Least
Then the journey back, indulge in your final course—dessert. The pastry chef’s daily creation, to be exact. Whether it’s sweet or savory…or a bit of both, the real treat is the journey you’ve just had. Because it’s one you’ll never forget.
Book it here and let me know what you think!!!