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Amtrak Wine Tasting Train Rides

Published: October 8, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Few experiences capture the romance of travel like a train ride through rolling vineyards, where the landscape itself seems to slow with each passing mile.

For wine lovers, Amtrak offers a remarkable way to visit the country’s most celebrated viticultural regions without the hassle of driving.

From California’s legendary Napa Valley to the sun-drenched vineyards of Virginia, the train remains one of the most scenic and sustainable means to sip, savor, and explore.

Amtrak's train #30, the "Capitol Limited," is seen here at Glencoe, Pennsylvania on October 10, 2024. Jon Wright photo.

Exploring vineyards by rail from coast to coast

California: The Golden State’s Rails to Vines

No state defines American wine quite like California, and Amtrak’s network conveniently reaches many of its top regions.

Napa Valley via the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins

Travelers from San Francisco or Sacramento can board the Capitol Corridor to Martinez or Suisun-Fairfield, both offering quick connections into the heart of Napa Valley. The famous Napa Valley Wine Train operates from downtown Napa, where vintage railcars glide past dozens of world-class wineries including Grgich Hills, Charles Krug, and Beringer. Guests can even arrive car-free—Amtrak Thruway buses link from Martinez to Napa several times daily.

Santa Barbara and Paso Robles on the Coast Starlight

For a more dramatic ride, the Coast Starlight links Los Angeles and Seattle along one of the most scenic corridors in North America. South of San Luis Obispo, the tracks hug the Pacific Ocean for nearly 100 miles, offering views of surf and sea cliffs before reaching Paso Robles, home to more than 200 wineries. Continuing south, Santa Barbara tempts travelers with the Santa Ynez Valley—famed for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and immortalized in the film Sideways. From the Santa Barbara station, it’s a short hop by shuttle or bike to tasting rooms in Los Olivos and Solvang.

Sonoma and Mendocino via the San Joaquins

Amtrak’s San Joaquins route connects Oakland and Bakersfield, with Thruway bus service extending to Santa Rosa and Healdsburg in Sonoma County, gateway to the Russian River and Dry Creek valleys. A bit farther north, Ukiah and Hopland lead into Mendocino County—an area prized for organic vineyards and crisp coastal whites.

The Pacific Northwest: Cascades of Pinot and Riesling

The lush valleys of Oregon and Washington are tailor-made for train exploration, with Amtrak’s Cascades and Empire Builder routes traversing the region’s premier wine landscapes.

Willamette Valley via Amtrak Cascades

Running from Eugene through Portland to Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., the Amtrak Cascades cuts directly through Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the nation’s epicenter for Pinot Noir. Passengers can disembark at Salem or Albany to visit wineries like Eola Hills, Willamette Valley Vineyards, and Left Coast Estate. In Portland, the urban wine scene thrives with dozens of tasting rooms in converted warehouses near the Pearl District.

Columbia River and Walla Walla via the Empire Builder

East of the Cascades, the Empire Builder from Portland or Seattle follows the majestic Columbia River Gorge—one of the most breathtaking stretches of rail in the U.S. Beyond the gorge lies Walla Walla, Washington’s most acclaimed wine region, accessible via Amtrak Thruway buses from Pasco station. The area’s bold Cabernet Sauvignons and Syrahs pair perfectly with small-town charm and frontier-era streets lined with tasting rooms.

Rocky Mountain and Southwest Routes: New Frontiers in Wine

While not traditionally known for viticulture, the inland West offers distinct wine experiences shaped by high altitudes and desert climates.

Colorado’s Grand Valley via the California Zephyr

The California Zephyr, Amtrak’s crown jewel, runs between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay, crossing the Rockies and Sierra Nevada. Near the Utah border, passengers arrive at Grand Junction, Colorado, the heart of the Grand Valley AVA. Dozens of boutique wineries—Two Rivers, Colterris, and Carlson among them—line the Colorado River, framed by red sandstone mesas. The station sits minutes from the Palisade Wine Loop, and several hotels offer free shuttles for tastings.

New Mexico’s Hidden Vineyards on the Southwest Chief

Farther south, the Southwest Chief between Chicago and Los Angeles stops at Albuquerque, where New Mexico’s wine heritage dates to 1629, older than California’s. The fertile Rio Grande Valley supports wineries such as Gruet, renowned for its sparkling wines, and Casa Rondeña in scenic Los Ranchos. Continuing westward, the train winds through red rock country—an unforgettable pairing of desert vistas and crisp Viognier.

The Midwest: Unexpected Vines along the Great Lakes

The Midwest’s rolling hills and glacial soils nurture a thriving but often overlooked wine scene. Amtrak’s routes link several of these growing areas, offering surprising oenological diversity.

Michigan’s Wine Trails via the Wolverine and Blue Water

Michigan boasts more than 150 wineries, many within reach of the Wolverine (Chicago–Detroit–Pontiac) and Blue Water (Chicago–Port Huron) routes. Disembark in Ann Arbor or East Lansing to explore the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, or continue north to Port Huron for crisp whites influenced by the cool Great Lakes climate. Amtrak Thruway connections from Kalamazoo lead to the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, two of the most scenic wine destinations in the U.S.

Illinois and Missouri via the Lincoln Service and Missouri River Runner

The Lincoln Service connects Chicago and St. Louis, running through the fertile Illinois River Valley, where tasting rooms in Springfield and nearby Petersburg showcase hybrid varietals like Norton and Chambourcin. From St. Louis, the Missouri River Runner parallels the state’s earliest wine region—Hermann, Missouri—a German-settled town founded in the 1830s. Passengers can walk from the depot to historic cellars such as Stone Hill Winery, which still uses pre-Civil War tunnels.

The East Coast: Historic Roots and Boutique Estates

From Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains to upstate New York, Amtrak ties together some of America’s oldest viticultural regions.

Virginia Wine Country via the Cardinal and Northeast Regional

Amtrak’s Northeast Regional and Cardinal routes bring visitors to Charlottesville, home to Monticello Wine Trail and Thomas Jefferson’s visionary vineyard legacy. Dozens of boutique wineries spread across the Piedmont countryside—Barboursville, King Family, and Veritas among them—showcasing elegant Viognier and Cabernet Franc. In nearby Culpeper, the Cardinal line runs within a short drive of the Rappahannock and Fauquier wine trails, where scenic farms welcome day-trippers from Washington, D.C.

Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley via the Empire Service

Heading north from New York City, Amtrak’s Empire Service hugs the Hudson River to Albany and Syracuse, gateways to two of the East Coast’s finest wine regions. The Hudson Valley, one of the oldest in America, produces crisp Rieslings and bold reds amid Revolutionary War landscapes. Farther west, the Finger Lakes region—reachable via Syracuse or Rochester—features over 130 wineries surrounding its glacial lakes. The combination of cool climate, mineral-rich soils, and picturesque small towns like Geneva and Hammondsport make it a must for wine travelers.

New England via the Downeaster

Amtrak’s Downeaster from Boston to Brunswick, Maine passes through emerging New England wine country, where hybrid grapes like Marquette and La Crescent thrive. Stops at Exeter, N.H. or Portland, Maine give access to boutique vineyards experimenting with cold-climate viticulture and farm-to-table dining.

Practical Tips for Wine Lovers on the Rails

Plan Ahead: Many wineries partner with local tour companies offering pickup from Amtrak stations. Check each region’s visitor bureau or Amtrak’s Thruway connections before arrival.

Ship Your Wine: Most states allow direct shipping from wineries, avoiding the need to carry bottles aboard.

Stay Overnight: Nearly all major stops feature charming inns or bed-and-breakfasts near stations, ideal for a relaxed evening after tastings.

Use the Amtrak USA Rail Pass: This flexible ticket allows multiple segments over 30 days, ideal for a multi-region wine odyssey.

Savor the Scenery: The journey itself is part of the pleasure. Observation lounges on the Zephyr, Coast Starlight, and Empire Builder make every mile a moving postcard.

A Toast to Train Travel

From the misty valleys of Oregon to the limestone hills of Virginia, Amtrak offers a uniquely American way to experience wine country—slow, scenic, and sustainable. The rhythm of the rails pairs naturally with the art of winemaking, both rooted in patience, craftsmanship, and appreciation of place. Whether you’re toasting Pinot on the Pacific or Riesling by the Hudson, there’s no finer way to raise a glass than aboard the rails that connect them all.