Napa Valley: Wine Trolley Tour with Tastings & Local Lunch

Summary

Vintage cable car ride, wine tastings and Napa’s vineyard views

You’ll ride an open-air vintage trolley through Napa Valley with a small group, stopping for tastings at three or four different wineries (the lineup changes). A local lunch is included along the way. With stories from your guide and plenty of vineyard views, you’ll probably leave wishing you could do it all over again.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel like a kid again just stepping onto that old-school Napa Valley wine trolley. The wooden benches creaked a little under us—felt kind of charming—and the brass bell actually worked (our guide let someone ring it, which made everyone laugh). We started at Oxbow Market, which already smelled like coffee and pastries even though it wasn’t that early. I remember thinking, “Okay, this is going to be fun,” before we even left the curb.

The air was cool but not cold, and riding in that open-air trolley meant you caught little whiffs of eucalyptus and sometimes something sweet—maybe wildflowers? Our guide (her name was Carla) had this way of mixing stories about Prohibition with random facts about grape varieties. She pointed out a hillside where apparently some famous movie was filmed—I missed the name because I was distracted by the light on the vines. We stopped at three wineries (the order changes, so don’t get too attached to any list online), and each one felt different. At one place, the guy pouring our tasting told us how fog changes everything for their chardonnay. I still think about that first sip—cool glass, almost citrusy, but not sharp.

Lunch came right when I needed it; there’s something about wine tasting that makes you hungrier than usual. We ate at a local spot—nothing fancy but honestly good sandwiches and salads. Someone at our table tried to guess what was in the vinaigrette (no one got it right). By then people were chatting more freely, maybe because of the wine or maybe just because riding around together in an old trolley breaks down those weird travel barriers. I liked that part.

We finished up mid-afternoon back at Oxbow Market. The sun had shifted and everything looked kind of golden—classic Napa thing, I guess. Carla waved us off with a “See you next time!” which felt genuine. It’s funny how quickly six hours can go when you’re not watching the clock.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Napa Valley Wine Trolley Tour

• Meet at Oxbow Market
• Board Napa Valley Wine Trolley
• Enjoy scenic wine country views
• Listen to guide's wine history
• Visit three or four wineries
• Have lunch at local restaurant

Top questions

Where does the Napa Valley Wine Trolley tour start?

The tour starts at Oxbow Market, 610 1st St, Napa, CA 94559.

How long does the wine trolley tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 hours.

Is lunch included on the Napa Valley wine trolley tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a local restaurant during the tour.

How many wineries are visited on this day trip?

You visit three or four wineries or tasting lounges; stops may change daily.

Is transportation provided during the tour?

Yes, transportation is on a hand-built replica San Francisco cable car (trolley).

What time does the Napa Valley wine trolley depart?

The trolley departs at 10:00 AM from Oxbow Market.

Are there any age restrictions for this tour?

You must be 21 years or older to join this tour.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

The tour operates rain or shine year-round; dress appropriately for weather conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Oxbow Market in downtown Napa, all transportation on a vintage-style cable car trolley, guided commentary throughout the valley with stories and history from your local guide, reserved tastings at three or four different wineries (which may change), and lunch served at a local restaurant before returning in the afternoon.