Washington's "Wine Tasting" Train Rides

Published: January 29, 2026

Washington State’s wine scene is world-class, and few experiences capture its flavor and scenery quite like a wine tasting train ride. Rolling through river valleys and historic towns with a glass in hand blends nostalgia, terroir, and the slow-travel charm of rail. While these events are seasonal and sometimes limited, they’re worth planning a trip around. Here’s a detailed look at where and how to ride, what to expect, and practical tips to make the most of wine tasting by rail in Washington.

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad 3-truck Willamette #2 leads an excursion at Mineral, Washington on June 23, 2011. Drew Jacksich photo.

Why wine tasting by train in Washington

Scenic variety: From the Cascade foothills to fertile valleys, Washington’s landscapes are made for window-seat exploration.

Safety and simplicity: Tasting by rail reduces the need to drive between pours, and many events include timed tastings at staffed stations.

Local discovery: Trains partner with boutique wineries, giving you access to smaller producers you might not find at big tasting rooms.

Where To Find Wine Tasting Train Rides

Northwest Railway Museum “Wine Train”

If you’re hunting for a classic, sit-back-and-sip wine train in Washington, start in the Snoqualmie Valley. Several weekends each year, the Northwest Railway Museum runs a special adults-only Wine Train that rolls through the tree-lined upper valley with curated tasting stops, local food, and live music.

Departures are from the historic Snoqualmie Depot; the program typically includes pours from Snoqualmie Valley wineries, a keepsake glass, time at the Museum’s Train Shed Exhibit Hall, and valley scenery—think Mount Si, river bridges, and vintage coaches. It’s as much a celebration of local wine culture as it is a tribute to the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern line that opened this country more than a century ago.

What to expect: Plan on roughly three hours, with tastings offered at the depot and again at museum venues along the route. Schedules vary—some years include themed evenings (even a Halloween edition with a costume contest), and most dates run in spring through fall when the valley is at its most photogenic. Tickets are limited and sell quickly; book directly with the museum after you confirm the current season’s calendar.

Insider tip: Build in time to wander Snoqualmie before or after your run—there are additional tasting rooms in the valley, waterfalls and walking paths near the depot, and an excellent interpretive collection at the Train Shed for rail history buffs.
North Bend Escapes

Rail-Adjacent Pairings: Using Trains to Reach Wine Country

Washington’s best wine towns aren’t always on excursion rails, but you can still let the train do the driving for most of the journey, then switch to a shuttle or tour:

Walla Walla: No excursion train, but one of the country’s great wine towns. Use Pasco (Amtrak) as a gateway, then join a guided tour to hop districts (Downtown, Southside, Westside, Airport). The local tourism bureau keeps a current list of transportation providers and publishes an annual winery guide—handy for building route maps.

Yakima Valley: Washington’s oldest AVA turns on a steady calendar of tasting weekends—Spring Barrel, harvest crush, and more. You won’t find a dedicated wine train here, but pairing a regional rail arrival with a driver service makes for an effortless loop across Zillah, Prosser, and beyond.

Planning Tips (So Your Wine Train Feels Effortless)

Book early and confirm the theme. Wine trains in Washington tend to be limited-date specials. The Snoqualmie Wine Train publishes dates on the museum calendar (and they do sell out). For Chelatchie Prairie and Mt. Rainier Scenic, scan events pages and partner wineries—collaborative tastings may list there first.

Watch the fine print. Many wine events are strictly 21+, require valid ID, and include a set number of tasting tickets. Add-on pours, designated driver pricing, or souvenir glass policies differ by operator and by season.

Dress for microclimates. Valley breezes, shade in forest cuts, and evening departures can run cool even in July. Trains are cozy, but platforms and museum stops are outdoors. Comfortable shoes help with depot-to-exhibit strolls at Snoqualmie and Mineral.

Make a weekend of it. Tie a Saturday wine train to Sunday tastings: Snoqualmie pairs with wineries in the valley; Elbe/Mineral with Eatonville or the greater South Sound; Yacolt with Clark County tasting rooms and Moulton Falls Winery. Lodging sites and visitor bureaus maintain active, seasonal suggestions.

Know the history—it deepens the pour. In Snoqualmie you’ll ride rails linked to early Seattle expansion; at Elbe you’re tracing logging country behind steam; at Chelatchie you’ll cross bridges that once served timber and farm traffic. The story is half the flavor—and most wine train programs purposely weave museum time into the tasting.

A Note on Past and Present

Washington has experimented with wine rail experiences for decades—remember the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train that once ran Renton to Columbia Winery? It’s gone, but its legacy lives on in today’s museum-hosted wine trains and event runs. Likewise, Mt. Rainier’s popular Washington Wine Express has appeared in past seasons and may return as programming expands; check current schedules for the latest offerings.

Final Thoughts

Washington’s wine tasting trains are a niche but memorable way to experience the state’s landscapes and wines—a moving tasting room wrapped in history and scenery. Start with the Snoqualmie Wine Train for a polished, recurring event, and keep an eye on other heritage railroads for seasonal pairings and special dinners. If your dates don’t align with an onboard tasting event, combine Amtrak travel with car-free tasting room clusters for a low-stress, rail-forward wine getaway. However you plan it, the rhythm of the rails and the richness of Washington wine make a perfect pairing.