Blog
All Aboard The Napa Valley Wine Train
01.04.17
What could be better for wine lovers than a first-class wine dinner aboard a vintage train? The Napa Valley Wine Train, one of the last historic passenger railroads in the country, is bringing back the glory days of train travel. It offers fine dining, Napa Valley scenery and relaxation aboard beautifully restored antique rail cars. Its vintage Pullman rail cars are perfectly restored with Honduran mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched glass partitions and luxurious armchairs.
You can catch the train in downtown Napa, and it offers a car-free transportation option from San Francisco to Napa Valley via the San Francisco Bay Ferry.
For 2017, the Napa Valley Wine Train is offering a monthly Private Reserve winemaker dinner series on the 36-seat restyled Pullman railcar with views of the idyllic Napa Valley scenery. You can enjoy a five-course gourmet feast prepared by Chef Donald Young along with wine pairings featuring highly rated wines from the featured local wineries. You can also meet winemakers who are on board to discuss the pairings and tasting notes in depth.
Check-in for the Private Reserve train begins at 6 p.m. with a departure of 6:30 p.m. and arrival back to the train station at 10 p.m. Tickets for the Private Reserve train start at $269 per person. The Private Reserve train is also available for groups and private events. For reservations and more information, call 800.427.4124 or visit here
The upcoming Private Reserve winemaker dinners schedule:
Grgich Hills Estate, Saturday, January 28 – Includes discussion with Ivo Jeramaz, Grgich Hills Estate Vice-President
Coup de Foudre, Saturday, February 11
Charles Krug, Saturday, March 25
Laird Family Estate, Saturday, April 22
Chappellet, Saturday, May 13 – Includes discussion with Cyril Chappellet, Chappellet Chairman of the Board
Honig, Saturday, June 24
Palmaz Vineyards, Saturday, July 15
Vine Cliff, Saturday, August 5
Inglenook, Saturday, September 9
Rombauer, Saturday, September 30
Trefethen Family Vineyards, Saturday, October 14
V. Sattuci Winery, Saturday, November 4
Napa Valley Wine Train is at 1275 McKinstry Street in Napa.
Blog
Let’s Run Irvine!
01.02.17
Kick off your healthy resolutions by running (or walking) in the 26nd Annual Kaiser Permanente Southern California Half Marathon and 5K this Saturday, January 7 in the Woodbridge community of Irvine. Races start at 8 a.m. for the 5K and Half Marathon, followed at 10 a.m. with a Kids Run for eighth graders and younger. All races will start and finish on Barranca Parkway (between Creek and Lake Street in Irvine. The course is flat, and covers paved roads around neighborhoods and recreational areas of Irvine.
The Southern California Half Marathon and 5K is a well-marked, supervised and scenic course; digital clocks for all 13 mile-marks; chip timing; refreshment stations every two miles; a great expo and food fair after the race; and more.
The event benefits Woodbridge High School athletics among other local schools and charities.
Participants can pre-register online through January 5 at Active.com or register in-person at the following times and places: from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 5 at DICK’s Sporting Goods at 24821 Alicia Parkway in Laguna Hills; or 2771 El Camino Real, Tustin); from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, January 6 at the Lakeview Senior Citizen Parking lot (20 Lake St. in Irvine); or on race morning from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. at the Lakeview Senior Citizen Parking lot (20 Lake St. in Irvine).
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