Historic Wine Train is Big Hit in Napa

Hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, and you're immediately en route to amateur wine Napa heaven.The experience is all about wine, of course, but is also enjoying the finer things in life . The typical Napa visitor spend much time to visit several cellars where each will offer its special and vintages - usually ten to 15 dollars for a few sips - and there is little housing in Napa who are not luxuries. Food is also considered de rigueur for any serious visit to what is now the basis for hundreds of wineries.It of the installation, therefore, that the Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the most popular tourist attractions in one place which is the definition of elegance. Like visitors a taste for expensive wines for a fraction of their cost, the visitor who boarded the train wine is a little taste of pampered railways - think Orient-Express - for a fraction of what they cost for real thing.We spent the night before in San Francisco, but we still were able to make our way to the wine of the train station in Napa around 10:30 hours on board the train at lunch. The Wine Train also offers a dinner excursion, but that was booked when we asked for reservations coming weeks. The train lunch, however, has its advantages: the three-hour drive east in the light of day, no matter what time of year, and it costs a little less.You 'll want to plan to be patient during the process of embarkation. With hundreds of guests and passengers attributed to several dining rooms and even, in some cases, various meals, it just takes a little time to get all signed and onto the train. But during the hour we waited for the reality of boarding the train wine offered a conference on the vineyards of Napa Valley and - always a crowd-like - a couple of glasses of wine on board sample.Once , It is clear that the wine a train out all stops to do what luxurious as possible. We moved into plush chairs facing one another with a table between the two. Others in our car sitting in comfortable over-stuffed swivel chairs placed side by side so that customers can always see the scenery or passing easily discuss with another. This car was style in red and gold accents with natural wood, giving a feeling of luxury and feel quite different from a typical car, say, Amtrak.This is a wagon train Historic iron, and indeed it is quite a history behind this train and railways. The railway line was built in 1864 by San Francisco the first millionaire, Samuel Brannan, and was used to take visitors to its new spa called "Calistoga." In 1885, South Pacific bought the Napa Valley Railroad, which has provided regular passenger in the Napa Valley until 1930. It was used for transporting goods for some time afterwards, but it was not until 1987 that a group of citizens founded the Napa Valley Wine Train and locomotives purchased and restored 1910-era Pullman cars to provide the new service.During our three hours on board, we were treated to waves of food and beverage service from wine (not included in the price of your meal, for that matter), appetizers, salads, main dish - which, during our trip was a choice between salmon and beef an entr? -- And dessert. Everything was wonderfully prepared and presentations competing with what you find at an expensive gourmet restaurant.The trip took us part way up the valley of St. Helena, then back to Napa. There are magnificent views along the path of colors vineyards and hills just beyond the valley. The weekend the Wine Train offers a variant of this luncheon service that allows passengers to disembark and spend some time at a local cellar before making the return journey Napa.We returned to Napa totally relaxed and decided to visit a few vineyards before checking into our station. The choices are endless and, in Napa, there are several major areas that have Big Money in their visitor centers. There are also some small family wineries. They all want to buy cases or bottles of wine to take home but, in Napa, we noticed a trend in recent years to charge more for wine tasting. Or May it be a case charging the same, but less wine. A portion of this, we suspect, has to do with how Napa is busy on weekends and is a means of reducing the line tasting bar.One of the least expensive is a tasting V. Sattui Winery, which was buzzing with people queuing $ 5 wine tasting. Located in St. Helena, this is a great stop for visitors who want to retrieve a bottle of wine and picnic on the beautiful grounds. The winery also sets up a buffet line on the ground, offering barbecue for those who have not made their brown bags. Interestingly, V. Sattui not to sell its wine any place other than the field, by mail or by the Company Web site.While V. Sattui is typical of a relatively small family area, the other end of the scale is Domaine Chandon, which we found in Yountville. With spectacular park grounds and a four-star gourmet restaurant just traces of where the wine is made, Domaine Chandon is an example of a cellar belonging to a large conglomerate that distributes its products worldwide. On a previous trip, we took 45 minutes to visit this vast institution, which we thought was well worth the time. Small groups are taken step by step the process of winemaking, while the path of growth of grapes to bottling the product. We concluded our first day working in the Napa Valley with a short distance from our Housing for the evening, Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa. Like several other dwellings Napa Valley, the Silverado is rooted in luxury and offers a feast for the senses. Located beside a 18-hole golf course, the Silverado is really a series of cottage suites that are reached by winding through alleys and side picturesque and colorful gardens, walkways golf courses and ponds.Each chalets Silverado to a unique d? r and ours felt a little story of a holiday home with a complete kitchen and sitting room, dining room, fireplace and a separate bedroom. A large flat-screen television was in the living room, just outside the sliding glass door has a terrace and chairs where you can sit and watch the golfers a few metres away.The we Silverado has reminded some of Harrison Hot Springs, BC, which is a favorite of ours is quite similar - they are the two village-style dwellings connected by trails that wind through the property of surprises at every turn . With a total of 1200 hectares, Silverado meet many surprises invited for reasons that are lush with trees and vegetation and impeccably maintained.Silverado is the perfect complement to our days on the Napa Valley Wine Train and another excellent example of 'spirit of Napa Valley.AT GLANCEWHERE A: The Napa Valley is about 45 miles north of San Francisco and about 60 miles south-west of Sacramento.WHAT: The Napa Valley has become famous because of grapes grown in that place . Grapes grown in different climates, soils and places have different characteristics and Napa Valley grapes are considered some of the best in the world for the manufacture of several varieties of fine wines. Accordingly, more than 300 caves have now located in the valley. Fine restaurants, housing and shopping have also come to the Valley. WHEN: Any time of year. A bonus is available in August and September during the annual harvest of grapes. You can sometimes see first hand how the grapes are crushed. Note: Most of them do not like Lucy Ricardo did.WHY: The Valley has an almost mystical atmosphere that is difficult to describe, but easy to discern.HOW: To start planning your trip to Napa Valley, go at www. napavintners.com or www.napachamber.org. To learn more about the Napa Valley Wine Train, call 800-427-4124 or visit www.winetrain.com. For more information about Silverado Resort and Spa, phone 800-427-4124 or visit www.silveradoresort.com.
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