NAPA VALLEY, Calif. (May 2015) – The later sunsets and longer days during spring and summer give the Napa Valley Wine Train's Sunset Dinner Trains an exclusive view of Napa Valley's sunsets.

While most of the focus is on wine tasting during the day, a lesser known feature of Napa Valley is the often spectacular sunsets. Due to Napa County's Winery Definition Ordinance, there are few places to dine while watching the sun set over the vineyards.

 “The Wine Train has one of a kind access and front row seats to the show,” says Kira Devitt, Napa Valley Wine Train Proprietor. “You can view the sunsets anywhere, but only the Train can serve you an amazing meal as you pass through the changing scenery under the changing sky. The sunsets are beautiful but the best place to view them is from the Train.”

Established on January 22, 1990, the Winery Definition Ordinance spelled out a “winery” as “an agricultural processing facility used for the fermenting and processing of grape juice into wine or the fermenting of still wine into sparkling wine.” All “accessory uses” of wineries in Napa Valley must be clearly related to these main purposes, thus precluding restaurants as accessory uses as they are not directly related to winery functions. Very few locations have grandfathered winery/restaurant exemptions.

Though not a winery, the Napa Valley Wine Train still has vineyard access through the heart of Napa Valley. The tracks the Wine Train owns and operates on were first constructed connecting Napa to Calistoga in 1864, just three years after the first winery in Napa Valley was established. Today, the Wine Train travels between Napa and St. Helena and passes more than sixty wineries along the 18 miles of tracks it operates on.

Sunset Dinner Trains run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until September 1st. The three hour journey departs at 6:30 PM from the convenient Downtown Napa McKinstry Street Station, returning at 9:30 PM. Duration of sunlight and sunset timing depend on the time of year. Sunset colors are weather dependent. Prices start at $124 per person.

The Napa Valley Wine Train is located at 1275 McKinstry Street in downtown Napa, California. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 800-427-4124 or visiting the website http://winetrain.com.

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About the Napa Valley Wine Train

One of the few active historic passenger railroads in the United States, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers an engaging and memorable experience that echoes the glory days of train travel, with fine dining service, multiple course meals cooked to order, Napa Valley scenery and ultimate relaxation aboard an exquisitely restored vintage train. The Napa Valley Wine Train features antique Pullman rail cars faithfully restored with Honduran mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched glass partitions and plush armchairs that evoke the spirit of luxury rail travel at the beginning of the 20th century. Conveniently located in downtown Napa and easily accessible, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers car-free transportation options that bring guests to Napa Valley without having to drive.