Are you a wine aficionado or an enthusiast that appreciates a glass of the simple yet complex aroma and taste of fermented grapes? If you're like me, the only 2 things I know about wine are... RED and WHITE.
Connoisseur or not The Napa Valley Wine Train is an experience worth the travel especially if you live in the Bay Area. The United States ranks within the top 10 most popular regions and grapes. And aren't we fortunate to live in California - home to Wine Country. Napa is about 55 miles north of SFO International Airport. As a resident of Napa county we are at the gateway to this whole experience. But since relocating here from San Jose in 2011 I haven't traveled the area much or been to our favorite wineries (V.Sattui in St. Helena and Castello Di Amorosa in Calistoga) as often as I'd like. Maybe because it is just beyond our backyard and we know we could easily get up and go, which we realized isn't always the case. Yet when we have guests over and bring them around to see the sites of wine country we zoom past these lush plantations that we don't take a moment to enjoy how fertile the land is up here that Napa Valley is a top producer of world class wines. For me this trip was like getting reacquainted with home, why we decided to move to Napa County and being a tourist in our own place, all the more reason to explore right? What better way to experience this and make it special than by going here on an occasion.
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| appetizer |
Our reservation was set for Jan. 23, Gourmet Express Lunch in celebration of my husband's birthday. The journey starts at McKinstry St. in Napa and is a 3 hour trip through the cities of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena. When seated you are greeted with a welcome message and a glass of wine, choice of Chardonnay or Merlot.
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| Love Lock Bridge at the train station |
Upon reaching St. Helena the train then heads back to the station while lunch is being served and you will enjoy the encore sites of the various wineries and panoramic views of the vineyards.
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Random photos (sorry for the reflection and blurriness)
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Lunch is served...
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| Menu |
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| First Course: Soup du Jour Tomato Bisque |
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| Entrée: Fresh Fish of the Day Mahi Mahi |
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| Dessert with coffee |
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This mini get away for me and my husband was truly a wonderful experience! I whole heartedly recommend this trip especially to couples, I found this so romantic though this is also a fun excursion for a group of friends or family who love wine or just want to try something different. The whole travel and experience was a feast for the senses - food, wine, scenery and the ambiance as a whole. The crew and staff were tremendously courteous and so friendly, as you pass each winery your assigned guide tells you a little history of the place and the owner. I wish I jotted down notes because we found out that one of the owners wine story was made into a Hollywood film - and for the life of me I cannot remember his name. The building of one of the wineries was made out of grapevines, how awesome is that! And one of the wine owners was an architect and is said that you cannot wine taste unless you were an architect too... exclusive! Just so much information you would have never guessed about these businessman that is so impressing.
Thank you Wine Train we will definitely be back!
For more information about The Wine Train click here:
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