Train Journeys for Wine Lovers: Exploring Vineyards by Rail

28 January 2026

Imagine sipping a glass of vintage red while the countryside glides past your window — rolling hills, sun-kissed vineyards, cozy villages, and little stone houses dotting the landscape. Sounds like paradise, right? Welcome to the world of train journeys for wine lovers, where travel isn’t just about the destination, but the experience itself. Jump aboard as we tour some of the most scenic, flavorful rail routes around the globe that pair world-class wines with unforgettable train rides.

Why Rail Travel is Perfect for Wine Lovers

Before we dive into the specific routes, let’s talk about why train travel and wine just click together. For starters, no one wants to be the designated driver when you're wine tasting across a lush valley — and with trains, nobody has to! You get to sit back, relax, enjoy the views and indulge your taste buds without worrying about directions or traffic.

Trains also have this romantic, old-school charm. They move slow enough to let you soak in every vineyard-draped hill and rustic village, and many wine regions are actually better connected by rail than by road. Plus, train stations often drop you right in the middle of wine country. Convenient? Heck yes.

Ready to ride the rails and toast to life? Let’s go!

1. The Napa Valley Wine Train – California, USA

Route: Napa to St. Helena
Duration: Approx. 3 hours (round trip)

This is the classic. The Napa Valley Wine Train isn’t just a train ride — it’s a moving gourmet restaurant paired with some of California's finest wines. You're rolling through one of the most iconic wine regions in the world in an elegantly restored 1950s Pullman car.

The experience includes wine tastings, gourmet meals, and even special themed journeys. Think murder mystery dinners, sunset serenades, and even multi-winery tasting tours where the train becomes your chariot to vineyards like Raymond, Grgich Hills, and Domaine Chandon.

Pro tip: Book the Vista Dome car. You’ll get panoramic views of the valley while dining on five-star cuisine. It’s like first-class in wine heaven.

2. Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion – France

Route: Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion
Duration: 35 minutes (one way)

Bordeaux is basically the holy land for wine lovers. But instead of renting a car, hop on a short and scenic train to Saint-Émilion — a medieval village smack in the middle of red wine country. It's UNESCO-listed, ridiculously charming, and surrounded by Grand Cru estates.

When you arrive, it’s all about wandering cobbled streets, ducking into ancient wine cellars, and tasting world-famous Merlots and blends. Don’t miss Château La Dominique for its rooftop wine bar with views over the vines.

Insider tip: Go in September during the harvest. The energy is electric, and you might even catch a grape-stomping event (yes, Lucy-style!).

3. The Vine Train – Lavaux Vineyards, Switzerland

Route: Vevey to Puidoux (Lavaux Express)
Duration: Around 1 hour (round trip)

Switzerland isn’t just about chocolate and cheese — it’s got wine, and it’s good. The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, on the northern shores of Lake Geneva, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s hidden wine gems.

The narrow-gauge Lavaux Express train winds through the vineyards on what looks like a toy railway, but don’t be fooled; this is one serious wine experience. Stop at local winegrowers’ cellars and enjoy Chasselas, the region’s signature white wine, right where it’s grown.

What makes it special? You’re sipping wine on a hillside overlooking a crystal-clear lake framed by the Alps. It’s almost too pretty to believe.

4. The Douro Line – Portugal

Route: Porto to Pocinho
Duration: 3.5 hours (one way)

One word: Port. Portugal’s Douro Valley is where this iconic fortified wine is born. And there’s no better way to see it than by train. The Douro Line starts in Porto (Port wine’s spiritual home) and winds through the valley along the Douro River, passing terraced vineyards that cling to steep hillsides like tree roots.

Along the way, you’ll see quintas (wine estates), and many are just steps from the train stations. Stop off in Peso da Régua or Pinhão to tour cellars, meet winemakers, and sip tawny or ruby Port under the sun.

Hot tip: Sit on the right side of the train from Porto for the best river views. You’re welcome.

5. Northern Spain’s Feve Train – Rioja & Beyond

Route: Bilbao to Ferrol (via vineyards)
Duration: Several days (modular itinerary)

For those who like their wine with a side of adventure, this narrow-gauge train through northern Spain is a must. It’s slower and less flashy than high-speed options, but that’s the charm — it dawdles through green hills, fishing villages, and, yes, world-class wine regions like Rioja.

You can hop off to explore Haro (Rioja’s wine capital), where historic wine cellars (bodegas) offer tastings and tours. Plus, local trains connect to Logroño, another must for Rioja reds and tapas.

Thought to chew on: This isn’t just a train ride — it’s a rolling cultural dive through Spain’s wine-soaked north.

6. South Australia’s Barossa Wine Train (Coming Back Soon?)

Route: Adelaide to Barossa Valley
Duration: Approx. 2 hours (past service)

This one’s a bit of a tease. The Barossa Wine Train was legendary back in the day, offering a luxury rail ride from Adelaide to the heart of Australia’s Shiraz country. It’s not currently running, but there’s buzz it might be revived soon.

Barossa is all about bold reds, cellar doors, and rustic charm. If the train comes back, expect a mix of heritage rail experience and top-tier Aussie wine tasting.

What you should do in the meantime: Take the Gawler Line from Adelaide to the edge of Barossa and then hop on a wine tour. Not quite the same, but still a grape adventure.

7. The Rhine Valley Line – Germany

Route: Mainz to Koblenz
Duration: 1.5 hours (one way)

Germany and wine? You bet. The Rhine Valley is Riesling country, and the train that hugs the riverbank from Mainz to Koblenz is like a postcard come to life. Castles cling to cliffs, vineyards slope down to the river, and charming villages like Rüdesheim beg you to hop off for a glass.

Along the way, you'll find wine taverns, festivals, and historic cellars carved into the hillside. Riesling ranges from bone-dry to sweet-as-honey, and the locals know how to pair it with hearty German fare.

Fun fact: The Rhine Wine Route overlaps with this train line, so you’re literally riding through wine history.

8. Cape Winelands by Train – South Africa

Route: Cape Town to Stellenbosch
Duration: ~1 hour (via local trains or private tours)

South Africa’s Western Cape isn’t just stunning — it’s also home to some of the New World’s finest wines, especially Chenin Blancs, Pinotage, and Sauvignon Blancs. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are the heart of the Cape Winelands, and while public rail service is limited, there are private vintage train tours and luxury options like the Rovos Rail.

Rovos’s wine journeys bring you from Cape Town to Pretoria with curated wine tastings on board and vineyard stops along the way. It’s the Orient Express of Africa, with wine flowing like a mountain stream.

Pro travel nugget: Even if you’re short on time, hop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram — a hop-on, hop-off rail loop that takes you straight to the tasting rooms.

How to Plan a Wine Train Trip

Alright, so you’re itching to book one of these trips — but hold your corkscrew! Here are some quick tips to help you plan the perfect rail-based wine escape:

- Check seasonal schedules: Some wine trains only run during harvest or summer months.
- Book in advance: Especially for luxury cars or themed experiences.
- Pack light: You’ll want room for wine souvenirs, right?
- Wear comfy shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking between vineyards (and you'll probably get tipsy).
- Stay hydrated (with water, too!): Wine tastings add up quickly — enough said.

Final Sips: The Best of Both Worlds

Wanderlust and wine — they go hand in hand. Train journeys through wine country give you the chance to slow down, savor every moment, and experience places you might otherwise miss behind the wheel of a rental car. Whether you opt for the lush hills of France, the sun-drenched valleys of California, the riverbanks of Germany, or the wild beauty of Africa, there’s a train rolling through the vineyards just waiting for you to hop aboard.

So, next time you're craving a trip, ask yourself: why drive when you can ride the rails, glass in hand, heart wide open?

Cheers to that!