I'm a California native and a former resident of the Monterey Bay area south of San Francisco. But somehow, in all my years in the Golden State before I headed east for New York, I'd never made it up to Napa Valley.
Growing up, my mom and I loved watching the 1998 version of "The Parent Trap," which was set in the Napa Valley. Lush vineyards and big ranch-like homes provided an idyllic backdrop for that film and shaped my vision of Napa.
And I'm happy to say that's exactly what I encountered when I finally made my first visit to the region in December.
I was there for a two-night trip to ride the Napa Valley Wine Train, a luxury day tour operator that takes guests on a wine tasting tour through the valley in vintage rail cars.
Close examination of a red wine produced at the Charles Krug Winery, one of three visited on the six-hour Legacy Experience. Photo Credit: Nicole Edenedo
The Legacy Experience
Napa Valley Wine Train tours come in various shapes and sizes. There are daytime and evening excursions, seasonal trips and tasting journeys, which are longer, more immersive experiences.
I knew I wanted to have the full experience of the Wine Train, so I opted for the Legacy Experience, a six-hour tasting journey that includes a four-course meal with wine pairings and a wine tasting on the train plus visits to two wineries.
My trip started at 10 o'clock on what began as a cold and rainy Friday morning, but by the time the journey was coming to an end at around 4:30 that afternoon, the sun had come out, the clouds were rolling over the hillsides and I got to see with my own eyes the Napa I had always dreamed of.
This rail experience was made for travelers who love to get dressed up and take Insta-worthy pictures against stunning backdrops, and it truly was one of the most Instagrammable trips I took last year. (Instagram is actually how I discovered the Wine Train.)
Though off to a chilly start, the welcome glass of sparkling wine I received upon boarding and the eggs Benedict breakfast I was served just before our first tasting warmed me right up.
Filet mignon with mashed potatoes and wild mushrooms is one of the main courses served for lunch aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Photo Credit: Nicole Edenedo
After our first onboard tasting, we paid a visit to Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, then returned to the train for lunch. All meals are prepared fresh onboard and served at guests' seats. I opted for a savory mushroom risotto and filet mignon with mashed potatoes and wild mushrooms. Don't skip the bread and butter plate, either; this tasted as delightful as its plate presentation looked.
In addition to Charles Krug, we also visited the V. Sattui Winery, which is also located in St. Helena.
Visiting the vineyards was a fun and educational experience -- and I emphasize the educational aspect. Napa Valley is home to more than 400 vineyards, and about 95% of them are family-owned, according to the Napa Valley Vintners trade group. We were treated to many interesting backstories while touring the production facilities and sipping wines these wineries have been creating for decades.
What really stood out to me about the Wine Train experience was how well planned out everything was. It was a packed day, but I never felt rushed. I felt like I had plenty of moments to peacefully gaze out of the window and savor each bite of my meals, not to mention my glasses of wine.
Guests at the entrance of the V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, Calif., on the Napa Valley Wine Train's six-hour Legacy Experience. Photo Credit: Nicole Edenedo
Holiday rides and mystery dinners
There are about 13 packages the company offers across several categories. Trips such as the Vista Dome Lunch and the Gourmet Express Dinner last about two and a half hours and feature a leisurely ride through the valley onboard a vintage Pullman rail car while guests are served a three- or four-course meal with wine pairings. These short journeys don't include stops at vineyards, but they do give guests more time to savor the onboard experience and the passing countryside.
Seasonal trips, like the three-hour Grape Stomp at Grgich Hills Estate itinerary and several versions of the two-hour Santa Train Jolly Journeys, are primarily centered around Christmas and the festive season, but there's also a longer, six-hour New Year's Eve-themed itinerary.
There's even a two-and-a-half-hour Murder Mystery Dinner itinerary offered on select dates throughout the year, which tend to sell out fast, the company said. Napa Valley Wine Train recommends guests on the mystery itineraries dress in the suggested attire, which can be 1950s fashions or masquerade formal wear.
Prices vary depending on the itinerary, but packages like the two-hour Gourmet Express Lunch start at $295 per person, and the Vista Dome Dinner is priced at $320. More immersive trips like the Murder Mystery Dinner or the Legacy Experience carry higher price tags, $555 and $625, respectively.
CORRECTED: The original report, which also appeared in the March 25 issue of Travel Weekly, mistakenly said the train made a stop at Beringer Vineyards.
All aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train