We are staying in Vacaville, CA, which is close to where we would catch the Napa Valley Wine Train, which would take us from Napa to St. Helena and back.
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| One of the cars on the Napa Valley Wine Train |
This information is taken from their website-http://winetrain.com/train/route. The Napa Valley Wine Trains' route runs through one of the top wine growing regions in the world. The Napa Valley is located in Northern California, about 50 miles northeast of San Francisco and about 60 miles west of Sacramento. The Napa Valley is 30 miles long and 5 miles across at its widest point.
Samuel Brannan, who was San Francisco's first millionaire, had a rail line built in 1864 to take visitors to the resort town of Calistoga, in northern Napa valley. About 100 years later, Highway 29 was installed next to the rail line, being the best travel corridor through the Valley. This rail corridor runs through the western side of the Valley, with the Silverado Trail traveling up the east.
We boarded the train at the McKinstry Street Station, which is located in Napa and after the train got moving, we traveled through the old industrial section of Napa. The train crossed the Rural Urband Limit Line about ten minutes into the journey and we were greeted to the spectacular scenery of the wine country of Napa Valley. While we were traveling along we were served lunch and a couple of glasses of wine.
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| Views from the train |
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| Views from the train |
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| Views from the train |
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| Views from the train |
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| Views from the train |
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| Views from the train |
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| Views from the train |
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Views from the train
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Mari and I had decided to take advantage of one of the specials that we were offered and got a tour of the winery at Castello Di Amorosa. Castello Di Amorosa is the only authentic medieval(13th century) Italian Tuscan castle and winery built in America. The winery officially lowered its drawbridge for business in April 2007 and is located on 171 acres just south of Calistoga.
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| Castello di Amorosa |
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| Castello di Amorosa |
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| Dining room at Castello di Amorosa |
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| Castello di Amorosa |
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| Castello di Amorosa |
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| Dining Room at Castello di Amorosa |
It was an interesting day and I am so glad we did the train and saw Castello Di Amorosa. Marissa had decided to stay at the hotel, which is typical, especially when we deal with lots of people, plus she wasn't that interested in the wine tour.
That's a trip I'd love to take. My daughter and son-in-law went to Castello di Amorosa...said it was fabulous. Enjoy your adventure.
ReplyDeleteWe did! The wine on the train was enough for me, so I really did not want to try more wine at the winery. Eydie Stumpf, thank you for the comment!
DeleteWow, when you say authentic, do you mean the castle was a careful copy? Or do you mean it was actually picked up and moved to California? It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI've traveled in that area, but always by car, not by train. Beautiful and restful, especially if you take advantage of a spa visit in Calistoga.
I believe it was a careful copy, as I do not believe the man moved the castle to its current site. The castle was awesome. I agree the area is beautiful and restful. Most of the time I have gone to Napa Valley, I have visited wineries and not done a spa visit. Thank you Rachel for the comment.
DeleteI had no idea there was a Napa train! It looks like there were some lovely sights!
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome to take the train and yes, the countryside is beautiful!
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