Get a $50 Discount For Two on the Napa Valley Wine Train!

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Get a discount on the Napa Valley Wine Train

Get up to $100 Off the Dinner or Lunch Napa Wine Train Experience!  New Deal on the Napa Castle Train Excursion!

Now Priority Wine Pass members can get $50 off the gourmet dinner or lunch experience on the Napa Wine Train. Hop aboard the refurbished luxury dining car and experience for yourself what life of the rich and famous was like.  It's a ton of fun for all ages and there's simply nothing else like it, a quintessential experience for those coming to Napa.

Wine Train Gourmet Lunch or Dinner: (Downtown Napa) $25 off tickets pass members and up to 3 guests ($80 Savings) Reservations required please call (707) 253-2111 and mention you are a wine pass member during booking. At check-in please bring ID and wine pass to obtain special pricing. 

Castello Di Amerosa Wine Train Tour: (Downtown Napa) $25 off tickets for pass members and up to 3 guests ($80 Savings) Reservations required please call (707) 253-2111 and mention you are a wine pass member during booking. At check-in please bring ID and wine pass to obtain special pricing. 

Collective Tour on the Wine Train-St. Supery, Beringer, & Raymond: (Downtown Napa) Starting November 1st 2018 receive $35off tickets for pass members and up to 3 guests ($140 Savings) Reservations required please call (707) 253-2111 and mention you are a wine pass member during booking. At check-in please bring ID and wine pass to obtain special pricing. 

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Dining on the Napa Wine Train

The Napa Wine Train leaves downtown Napa and travels up the valley to St. Helena. Guests who are assigned first seating, dine on fresh soup or salad and their choice of entree in the dining car while traveling up the valley, and will be served dessert with coffee or tea in one of the lounge cars on the return trip. Those guests with a second seating assignment will be served appetizers in one of the lounge cars while heading North to St. Helena and will enjoy their fresh soup or salad, choice of entree and dessert in one of the dining cars on the return trip.

All the rail cars are expertly finished with Honduran mahogany paneling, etched glass partitions, brass accents and original artwork. Guests are invited to explore the train where they may visit the kitchen car to see our chefs in action or the observation deck to enjoy an unobstructed view of the valley.

How to Get Your Discounted Tickets to the Napa Wine Train

All holders of the Priority Wine Pass get this discount. And remember, the Priority Wine Pass not only gets you this exclusive discount but you get tons of other deals as well, including two for one tastings, tours, and discounts at over 75 Napa and Sonoma wineries.  And for my readers who get the pass I offer to build you a free custom trip itinerary, a stop by stop agenda to make sure you get your money's worth from the pass.  Forget the coupons, delete the phone apps, there's no clipping, no tweeting, no fumbling, just show the pass and get free wine - and now get $40 off the Wine Train's Gourmet Lunch or Dinner Excursion.  For complete details go to prioritywinepass.com and search for their Wine Train offer.

To get a Priority Wine Pass just click this link to go to a special Local Wally offer, $39.99 per couple. 

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Beautifully restored Napa Wine Train

Top Napa Restaurants with NO or LOW Corkage Fees: Napa on a Budget

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cork·age fee (noun) a charge made at a restaurant for serving wine bought off the premises.

You've been tasting great wine all day in Napa so when it's time for dinner I don't blame you for wanting to bring in that "special" bottle you thought you would save for 10 years and wanting to open it that night. Bringing in your own bottle is a great way to extend the Napa experience to dinner while saving a few bucks in the process, as long as you dine at restaurants with NO or LOW corkage fees. Napa dining just got a lot cheaper!

For those of you who not familiar with this a corkage fee is what they charge to open your bottle. Dine at one of the restaurants below who have No or Low Corkage Fees and you get to have it all, a great dinner with a great bottle while keeping enough money in your pocket that you can buy another bottle to take home tomorrow!

TOP NAPA RESTAURANTS WITH NO OR LOW CORKAGE FEES

8 Noodle Shop:  Delicious Asian cuisine with Seasonal local ingredients, fresh homemade noodles and traditional ramen, rice, additions and appetizers.  Corkage Fee $12.

Allegria Ristorante:  Elegant Italian-Californian restaurant located inside a historic bank, with vault seating available. Corkage Fee $10, waived on Monday night.

Atlas Social: Gastropub serving New American small plates in a rustic space with communal tables & modern flair. Corkage Fee $15.

Azzurro Pizzeria e Enoteca:  Vibrant Italian eatery known for thin-crust pizzas plus small plates, pastas & lots of local wines. Corkage Fee $15.

Boon Fly Cafe at Carneros Inn: Casual Californian dining option with a lively vibe & modern roadhouse feel, at the Carneros Inn. Corkage Fee $15.

Ca’ Momi Osteria:   Industrial-chic enoteca serving elevated Italian pizzas, pastas & mains. Corkage Fee $15.

Castello di Amorosa:  No, it's not a restaurant but rather the famous Napa "castle" winery. If visiting there get a bottle to open that night and go to a participating restaurant who will waive the corkage fee. More info here: Castello di Amorosa FREE corkage fee partners.

Celedon: Upscale Eclectic comfort food is served in cozy digs with weathered brick walls & rustic courtyard.  Corkage Fee $15.

Compadres Rio Grille: Easygoing eatery offering Mexican dishes along with California wines, plus a patio with river views.  Corkage Fee $10.

Downtown Joe's: This long-running, casual spot for house-brewed beers & burgers features patio seats & water views. Corkage Fee FREE first bottle, $10 each after.

Fume Bistro: Local haunt offering American fare in an inviting, contemporary space with a pergola-covered patio Corkage Fee $10, waived Tuesday nights.

Hurley's:  A Yountville favorite, casual Californian-Mediterranean eatery with a lively bar, stone fireplace & spacious patio. Corkage Fee NONE.

Gott's Roadside:  Unpretentious hamburger stand with gourmet burgers and other standards.  Corkage Fee:  $5

Hog Island Oyster:  Inside the Oxbow Market, freshest seafood in Napa Valley. Corkage fee $15.

Kitchen Door: Oxbow Market cafe offering Eclectic fare in a casual space with industrial accents & outdoor deck. Corkage Fee is $12.

Market:  Seasonal American comfort fare served in a cozy bistro with rustic stone walls & an old-timey bar.  Corkage Fee NONE

Mustards Grill: Quintessential Napa restaurant with upscale versions of your favorite comfort foods. Corkage Fee $15, waived with a reservation.

Pacific Blues Cafe: Relaxed upmarket eatery with a patio offering creative American fare, plus beer & classic cocktails. Corkage Fee $5

R+D Kitchen: Sushi, salads & American dishes are offered in a modern space with outdoor seating. Corkage Fee NONE

Rutherford Grill: Lively restaurant offering American comfort foods & a robust wine list in stylish digs with a patio. Corkage Fee NONE.

Tarla: Seasonal, locally sourced Turkish & Greek dishes share the menu at this casual bistro & bar. Corkage Fee $10, donated to charity.

UVA: Popular hangout for pizza, pasta & other Italian eats in a casual space with live music.  Corkage Fee NONE.

ZuZu: Popular riverside spot offering Spanish tapas & an eclectic wine list in relaxed surrounds. Corkage Fee $10.

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NOTE:  Always a good idea to verify their fees when making your reservation! 

Napa Valley & Sonoma Crush 2018: Top 5 Tips You Need to Experience Harvest

Chris Loxton explains the wine production process in Sonoma

What is Crush?

In the Fall is when the grapes get harvested and wine production kicks in. This is called crush, as in crushing the grapes, and there really is no better time to come to Napa or Sonoma than when the grapes are being harvested. The aroma of ripening fruit in the air mixes with the excitement of anyone who has a stake in wine, from the growers to the drinkers. If you have never been to Napa or Sonoma and can pick one time to visit then this is it!

1.  When do they harvest grapes in Napa and Sonoma? 

Crush happens when the grapes are ready. Simple enough, right? Well, not quite because some years like 2015 grapes were ripe as early as July whereas other years they've held on until October.  It's all a guess (darn you Mother Nature) but one thing is for sure - it is crowded in Napa Valley and Sonoma in Fall as visitors flock hoping to be there at the right time.

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Crushing grapes at Nickel & Nickel

2.  Where can I see Grapes being Crushed into Wine?

If you really want to see actual grape to wine production then book a tour. Good basic tours can be found at big wineries like Mondavi and Cakebread as well as smaller ones like Bell Winery who has an excellent "Grape to Glass" tour that's available two for one with the Priority Wine Pass (get it here). A walk through the vineyards, the smell of ripe grapes being crushed, it's intoxicating - and that's before you even have a sip! 

Booking tours is a good tip during crush as the giant tasting rooms can get more crowded than Costco the day before a holiday. Tours limit the number of people you are with and taste away from the crazy crowds. More time, more wine, sounds perfect. My favorite tours where you can see wine production are:

• Frog's Leap: How fun to walk around the farm (an old frog farm!) while learning about wine, happily sipping along the way?

• Bell Winery: Small boutique with big wines, one of the best tours if you are as focused on tasting great wines as you are learning about them.

• Inglenook: Historic winery and huge production area. A lot to see and do here as well and the setting is so beautiful you may not want to leave.

• Mondavi: This place gets packed so do the tour instead of fighting for a space at the bar and see how wine is made. Good value tour, though tastings a bit skimpy at the end.

• Castello di Amorosa: The Napa castle couldn't get more crowded if they were giving the wine away so get far away from the crowds and do their tour that takes you deep into the castle. Tour is more focused on the castle than wine but still a fun time and you will still see production during crush.

• Cakebread: One of my favorite mini-tours, all tastings are done in small groups so no crush of people during harvest crush.

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Mike Grgich stomping grapes

3.  Where Can I Stomp Grapes in Napa like they Did in "I Love Lucy"?

If you want to roll up your pants and stomp some grapes with your bare feet like Lucy did then head to Grgich Hills where $30 gets you some stomp time and a t-shirt where you can stomp your red stained feet on to take home. Here's all the info on Grape Stomping at Grgich Hills. No, you don't drink the stomped grapes and no, they don't make it into wine later. I mean, would you drink that wine?

4.  OMG, it's so crowded!  How can I get away from the crowds?

Wineries during crush can get more crowded than Costco before a holiday. Think wall to wall people. Correction, wall to wall people who have been drinking wine all day! Not my style and probably not yours. So make it easy on yourself and make every stop a "reservations required" winery. These are often smaller wineries who have legal crowd limits so your experience during crush isn't much different than if were the dead of winter. You can also upgrade tastings at many of the larger wineries where you have a time and a spot just for you.

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Gott's Roadside is a budget crowd pleaser

5.  Where Should I Eat in Napa during Crush?

You would think with the huge amount of restaurants in Napa that getting a reservation a few days before would be a no brainer but if smart people are already booking their spots right now. The most popular restaurants book up very fast during crush so if you have your heart set on going to Mustards Grill or Bouchon or any of the other well know restaurants don't delay.

On the other hand, should you find yourself in a bind know there are some local strategies that won't let you go hungry, such as:

• Bouchon has a great bar that is first come, first served. Come a bit early and grab a spot!

• Rutherford Grill's bar is my favorite spot and also open seating. You might need to hang around for a seat to open but these are prime spots and require no reservations.

• Bistro Jeanty has a communal table (open seating) that works just fine. In some ways it adds to the fun.

• The Bounty Hunter is ultra casual and has beer can chicken and BBQ and an extensive wine list. Located downtown.

• Zuzu's is hugely popular and doesn't take reservations so your chances are as good as the next guys to get a table.

• Don't forget Gott's, the gourmet burger place that's affordable and delicious.

• Looking for Napa on a Budget cheap eats? Here's my list.

TIP:  How Do I Get a Deal in Napa during Crush?

Hate to sound like a broken record but get a Wine Pass, just $39.99 for my readers  There's no posting on social media required like a phone app, no digging in your pockets trying to find a coupon that probably expired, you just flash the card or show it on your phone and you get two for one tastings.  And if you want me to build you a custom agenda for a fantastic CRUSH experience I'll do so for no charge. I make sure that if you get the pass based on my recommendation that you get more than your money's worth.

No unhappy readers, that's my motto, and so far of the thousands who have bought it the feedback is around 99% positive. Local Wally has never recommended something I don't love so trust me when I say this is the best way to stretch your wine tasting dollar!

New Napa Deals! Wineries, Balloon Rides, More!

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Newest Offers from Priority Wine Pass! Updated 8/15/16

NAPA WINE TRAIN

Get $40 off the Lunch or Dinner experience with a Priority Wine Pass.

Wine Country Balloons

Splurge on a Napa or Sonoma hot air balloon ride without breaking the bank! Priority Wine Pass members get $90 off per couple. Normally $225 per person, show them your card and it's only $179 with pickup anywhere within Napa or Sonoma.

Pine Ridge Winery

One of my all time favorite wineries on the Silverado Trail, Monday-Thursday 2 for 1 tastings with reservation by emailing concierge@pineridgewine.com
(707) 252-9777 and 10% off wine purchases Friday-Sunday.

AUBURNJAMES WINERY

A hidden gem, get two for one tastings, a special VIP pour of their high end wine ($125 a bottle), a free cheese platter and a free tour, only for Local Wally readers. Normally $35 per person just for the tastings but two for one with all of the extras.

SADDLEBACK CELLARS

Coming with a big group?  Saddleback Cellars welcomes you and even offers a two for one deal with the Priority Wine Pass. Imagine that, while other wineries want to charge your group MORE money Saddleback wants to give you two for one's. That's my kind of winery!

River Terrace Inn

Incredible offer, River Terrace Inn is one of my favorite hotels in downtown Napa.  Walk to Oxbow Market, downtown restaurants and tasting rooms, and now get 15% off their best rate. You will need to call their reservations department (866) Napa-Fun and tell them you are a member of Priority Wine Pass and that your rate code is PWPASS to receive the special.  

Anthem Limo Service

Big groups take note! Anthem will take up to 8 people for 6 hours around Napa or Sonoma for only $475, normally $800. He can even pick you up at SF Airport, each additional hour only $60. This is a great deal for big groups who want to taste without driving. Just mention Priority Wine Pass as well as Local Wally's Napa Tourist Guide to get this offer.

Platypus Tours

This is my favorite tour company in Napa and Sonoma. If you book with them please tell them Local Wally referred you!

Travel Food & Wines (Yountville)

I am loving all the deals in Yountville. Park you car and walk to each winery and drink away with no worries about driving. Check out Travel Food & Wines and get a 2 for 1 tasting experience with your Priority Wine Pass ($20 value)  for unique and hard to find wines of Napa Valley (By Appt Only: email: laura@travelfood.com).

Don't Have a Wine Pass Yet?

I got you covered!  It's good for a full year and I'll even help you pick out your wineries and plan your day - for free! To get your pass just click here and you are good to go!