Napa Wine Train--Opinions?

[ducklite]

We're booked on this for an upcoming trip. It's the afternoon train. I'm debating cancelling it, as the reviews are very mixed. It's $250 for the two of us, seems very steep for what we would get.

If you've taken it, what did you think?

I'm really torn. If it's a great experience I do'nt want to miss it, but it seems like we could certainly find other things to do and save a lot of cash.

Help!

 

[Liberty Belle]

I've never even heard of it, but if you like wine as much as you seem to, I don't think $250 for two people seems very pricey at all. What is included?

 

[momof2inPA]

That doesn't seem at all bad. Are the tastings included? You could always rent a limo.

 

[Honu]

You're doing the limo, right? If so, skip it. You'll see the valley on your drive and there are way too many fine restaurants in the area to waste a meal on the wine train.

 

[shortbun]

I took it when it first came into being. It was nice but boring. I MUCH prefer spending my time, driving the valley and stopping at wineries to taste and buy.

 

[ducklite]

We'd be taking the wine train on Sunday, and with that we've got a side trip to Domaine Chandon.

On Monday we've hired a car service (We got a Prius--way too cheap for a limo! ) to drive us to five wineries--Cakebread, Opus, V Sattui, Caymus, and Mumm Napa. We're having dinner at Bayleaf that night--wouldn't mind thoughts on that either. We'll cab it to and from Bayleaf--no driving after that day!

Tuesday we're going to Del Dotto (morning) and Jarvis (after lunch) before we drive into SF. We were going to visit Jelly Belly on Tuesday as well, but I think we're going to end up really, really pressed for time because we've got to have the rental returned to a Union Square location by 7:00 pm.

So I was thinking if we cancelled the wine train we could visit either Domaine Chandon, Mondavi, or Coppola, then go out to Jelly Belly, then swing by Domaine Caneros before our dinner reservation at Downtown Joe's. (I know, it's not fine dining, but we were thinking that if we had a heavy meal on the wine train that we might not want much more than pub grub type appetizers.)

(We're going to Sterling on our frist day before we check into our hotel)

The wine train is basically a meal and a scenic ride, although a lot of what I'm reading is that the senery isn't all that great on the route. No wine is actually included except a glass of champagne before you leave the station.

I'm over budget by about $300 as of right now, and cutting the wine train seems to be a good way to bring it back into line.

 

[lg3]

We took it about 6 years ago, so I don't know if things have changed. We really enjoyed it and had a very good meal and it was enjoyable. We love old picturesque trains in great condition, so that added to the ambiance. That said if you are doing your own limo thing and really have to cut corners, I can understand not doing it. Personally we loved it.
PS - Please do make a stop at Coppola.

 

[ducklite]

Would you plan on Coppola instead of the Wine Train?

What to do, what to do....

 

[lg3]

Would you plan on Coppola instead of the Wine Train?
What to do, what to do....

Probably not, even though Coppola is one of our favorite wineries to go to. They are just very different experiences. We go to wineries often in general and enjoyed the wine train experience for a change of pace. If you can swing it I would say do the wine train - more unique.