The 3-hour train tours depart from the McKinstry Street Station in the historic town of Napa and travels through the wine valley to the picturesque village of St. Helena before returning back to Napa. The original train tracks were built during the 1860s to transport guests to Calistoga, a hot spring resort town. Although the section of the track to Calistoga no longer exists, the wine train makes a 36-mile, round-trip journey on the remaining tracks.
When the train reaches St. Helena, the locomotive prepares for the return trip by disconnecting from the north facing side of the train and reconnecting to the south facing side of the train. Passengers can enjoy views of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena during the journey.
While on the train, passengers can enjoy the scenery while eating a freshly prepared meal in one of the restored vintage dining cars. During the Ambassador Winery Tour, a knowledgeable guide provides an informative commentary about wines and the Napa Valley area while passengers sample local labels.
The Raymond Vineyards and ZD Winery Tour is more than simply a tour of two renowned wineries, it is a tour of almost the whole Napa Valley. After lunch aboard the train, a luxury motor coach will transport guests to the Raymond Vineyards winery for a guided tour and tastings. Passengers are returned to the train and proceed to an organic, solar-powered, family operated winery, ZD Wines. After a tour of the ZD winery and a sampling of current releases, guest re-board the train for a relaxing 30-minute ride back to the station.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Departure Point: McKinstry Street Station
1275 McKinstry St.
Napa, CA 94559
800-427-4124
winetrain.com
The full-service bicycle tour company offers half-day and full-day tours as well as a four-night bicycling vacation packages. You can also rent a hybrid touring bike or a high-performance road bike and explore the area on your own. If you sign up for a Self-Guided Tour with Support you will receive a box picnic lunch delivered to a winery on your personalized route, and the tour company will also pick up any of the wines you purchased during your journey so you do not have carry them on your bike.
The company also offers several guided bikes tours for small groups. The guided tours include visits to boutique wineries and a catered picnic lunch overlooking vineyards. The guided tours are held in all weather conditions, and riders must wear helmets, which are provided free to tour participants. Layers of casual clothes and closed-toe shoes are recommended for any bike tour. During a guided tour, participants are welcome to leave any unwanted gear or clothing behind at wineries, and a company van will pick up and return the items to you at the end of the day.
The Ride, Wine & Dine Tour begins at 9:30 a.m. and lasts until approximately 4:30 p.m. The guided tour journeys through the scenic country roads of Napa Valley at a casual pace. The route and winery stops vary daily, but a catered picnic lunch is included in the all full-day tours.
Napa Valley Bike Tours
6795 Washington St. Bldg. B
Yountville, CA 94599
800-707-BIKE (2453)
napavalleybiketours.com
Featured on the "Today Show," "Oprah" and the Travel Channel, FAA certified pilots fly colorful hot-air balloons over Napa Valley. Whether you choose to go on a single flight or a combination tour package, the balloon passenger meeting point is at Domaine Chandon, located at One California Drive in Yountville, California.
Each balloon basket can accommodate up to 10 passengers. Passengers can select from a variety of hot-air balloon tour packages, including the Balloon & Platypus Wine Tour. The package tour begins with pre-flight coffee, juice and pastries before an early morning balloon ride. An experienced pilot will point out landmarks and provide an informative commentary as you pass over Napa Valley.
Once the passengers have returned to the ground, they will have the opportunity to relax and discuss the highlights of the flight during a champagne buffet breakfast.
For the next portion of the tour package, guests will board the Platypus wine tour bus to visit four boutique wineries with a knowledgeable guide. Chilled bottled water along with a cheese and cracker snack platter will be available aboard the shuttle, and a picnic lunch will be served at one of the wineries.
Napa Valley Balloons Inc.
P.O. Box 2860
Yountville, CA 94599
800-253-2224
napavalleyballoons.com
