Day-29: Napa Valley

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Everyone met up at 10 AM in the hotel lobby for the Napa Valley Wine Train ride. After another mini-Butterfinger, we drove to the train station in downtown Napa.

This was no Amtrak station, the seats were plentiful, the chairs and couches cushy and there were plenty of options to start the wine tasting early. Of course there was also a gift shop and if my memory is correct, we did not come from the shop unscathed. After confirming our tickets and seat reservations, we waited for our boarding group to be called. While we waited a train service employee gave out pre-ride instructions and general info.

We boarded in Group-G, in the last car and at the last tables on the train, just next to the open platform at the rear of the train. The ride started with wine and an appetizer plate which included sweet pepper, mini-corn, calamari, a selection of cheese, and several other items, etc. Being that it was so early, 11:30 in the AM, several of our party chose to imbibe in Bloody Marys. These “Bloodies” came with a garden salad of sort; seems that the swizzle stick had, green beans, onion, carrots, celery and who knows what else. Seems that the Jones-Maxwell table got a chuckle out of the pearl onions served with the drinks; I’ll leave it at that for the time being.

Sample of sights along the way.

The train departed Napa on time at 11:30 traveling north on tracks adjacent to CA-29. At the  halfway point, near St. Helena we moved to the dining car for lunch: Ahi Tuna, Pork Loin, Beef Tenderloin, etc. being the offerings. Desserts included caramel topped brownies or crème brulee.

The train arrived back at the Napa station about 2:30. This was a leisurely way to spend a morning and early afternoon. I think we were all pleased with the trip and our kick-off event in the Napa Valley.

Without blinking we were on the road searching out our first vineyard. Soon we came upon the Trefethen Vineyard. Recognizing the name and logo, we stopped for a tasting. Our host was George, 6-weeks on job yet very knowledgeable. We tasted a variety of wines, bought two bottles along with several other gifts. Good start!

With dinner plans having been made we returned to the hotel for a brief respite before venturing out for the next food adventure.

Coincidentally, Chris and Denny had friends from Scottsdale also in the Napa area so we were fortunate enough to match schedules and meet up for dinner. Our group had grown from eight to twelve. Our location of choice was 1313 Main, and as you might guess, it was located at 1313 Main Street in Napa. Dinner included a wide selection of tapas including lobster salad sliders, hummus, duck confit, mussels, pheasant pizza, etc., hosted by general manager Steve who helped us select for consumption a good variety of wines. No desserts tonight, everyone was stuffed.

After saying goodbyes to the new acquaintances, we returned to the hotel for a good night’s sleep, well truth be told, another round of Mini-Snickers and Musketeers.