NAPA VALLEY - Welcome to the beautiful Napa Valley, California - one of the premiere winery destinations in the United States! Today we have the special opportunity to go on the Wine Train, a historical railroad journey that's been restored as a gourmet food experience. I’m going to share with you a little behind the scenes of what goes into the Wine Train, and all the delicious food on board!
We arrived early and headed to the commissary to learn a little about what happens behind the scenes of the Wine Train. It was also a great opportunity to learn a little about the history of the Wine Train and how it was established and later restored, and converted into a gourmet meal experience and what it is today. We saw a little of the prep in the kitchen and then some of the chef’s loading their ingredients onto the train for the lunch ride.
When the time came, we boarded the train, and first sat in the lounge to enjoy a drink and appetizer. For appetizers today we had a tray of cheeses and fruits. After the train traveled from Napa to St. Helena, it then turns around and heads back. We then headed over to the main dining car for lunch. In the kitchen things were buzzing - unlike a restaurant where guests arrived staggered, on the wine train, everyone is there and ready to eat at the same time. So the kitchen car is a frenzy at peak time. Yet as soon as all the orders are ready, it’s immediately calm. It was quite unique to see. For lunch we tried the tenderloin and the herb roasted chicken.
Definitely the Wine Train is not only about the food, but really about the atmosphere, the classic heritage of the train cars and decorations, and the gorgeous changing scenery of Napa Valley. I thought it was an incredible experience in California.
We took the Gourmet Express train for lunch and depending on season and situation, prices can fluctuate between $265 - $325 per person. 🚂 Wine Train: https://www.winetrain.com/
