For many first-time visitors, the Napa Valley Wine Train is the classic way to see wine country without driving.
The route
The privately run excursion train travels between Napa and St. Helena on an 18-mile line operated by the Napa Valley Railroad, reporting mark NVRR. Much of the line runs alongside Highway 29 and passes Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford, along with many of the valley's vineyards and wineries.
How it started
According to Wikipedia, the operating company was formed in 1987 by local businesspeople led by Vincent DeDomenico. It bought the right-of-way for $2.5 million after Southern Pacific moved to abandon the line in 1985. Local activists and several cities fought the plan, worried about noise, pollution and more tourist traffic. Opponents got the state Public Utilities Commission to require a full environmental review. On March 19, 1990, the California Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the PUC had no authority to require it, because passenger service on an existing rail line was exempt.
The line had gone years without maintenance, and Wikipedia says about $20 million was spent rebuilding it before trains could run safely.
How the rides work today
The Wine Train's site says it uses restored vintage railcars and offers several kinds of trips. These include multi-course lunches and dinners, afternoon tea, onboard wine tastings and winery excursions. Trips last about 2.5 to 6 hours. Dinner trips run about 2.5 hours and lunch trips about 3. The six-hour Legacy Experience includes tastings at Charles Krug and V. Sattui. Some trips stop at wineries and others stay onboard, so check which kind you're booking.