In my book, any time is a good time for tea time. On a recent Saturday in downtown Napa, my daughter-in-law Grace and I boarded the Napa Valley Wine Train for a formal tea that featured so many delights we needed take-home boxes. The event is the Secret Afternoon Tea, and patrons embark on a three-hour journey on a vintage, flower-festooned Pullman car.
Available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the end of October, the experience starts at $271 and soars past $350, depending on the day. When you arrive at the depot, you will discover a gift shop and seating areas. If you are lucky, a rep from one of the many local wineries will be on hand to offer sample sips.
Pro tip: maximize your experience. Arrive early to shop and take photos by the train-themed backdrops. Although not required, formalize your attire. Don a cute chapeau, frilly gown, and make sure your camera/phone is fully charged. And if you come with your honey, bring a padlock with your initials to lock onto the chain-link fence along with hundreds of “love locks.”
As you line up, excitement builds. We met a young couple from out of town, and this was their first time on the wine train. In front of us, a huddle of gal pals stood fully coiffed with designer hair and makeup. Before boarding, a wine train staff member snaps your photo, available for you digitally after the ride.
On the Saturday we came, the lead tea manager escorted us to our train car, shading me with an umbrella. Inside, the team was gracious from beginning to end. Since the tea car seats less than 20 people, you are attended to quite nicely by two or three hosts.
Once seated, you are served a refreshing Garden Spritz, an aperitif which is the result of a partnership with Chandon, a major maker of bubbly located in Napa Valley. The drink consists of Chandon sparkling wine, plus a proprietary Chandon liqueur consisting of oranges and herbs. When I asked Grace regarding her favorites of the day, the Garden Spritz was at the top of her list.
Next, we had choices to make. Would we like rooibos, chamomile, Earl Gray, or Yunnan? Guests can try as many teas as they like, and I personally must have consumed a gallon of brew. Fresh teas accompanied by milk and sugar, if requested, were served in floral tea cups with gold-colored stirring spoons. We knew the servers were pros when they poured hot tea without spilling a drop during our chugging locomotive journey.
The menu consists of tomato soup with a gourmet cheese sandwich, a selection of bite-sized savories, and finally, a tray of sweets. During the ride, all are welcome to roam other cabins as simultaneous experiences are occurring. Others may be enjoying the three-course lunch, the wine pairing, and so forth. The layout of individual cars vary: some have booths and tables, others tout plush velvet chairs that swivel, and ours had both. The lookout area between cars features a platform where you can see vineyards in their glory and feel the wind on your face.
Tea lovers can appreciate the aesthetic beauty in food presentation. In my mind’s eye I picture a chef with long tweezers placing the chive strands and gold leaf bits perfectly atop each bite. Using a ruler or compass to ensure perfect symmetry? Perhaps.
Five pretty bites for each guest includes: a pink deviled egg topped with salmon roe, a cucumber chive sandwich, Coronation Chicken salad sandwich, a smoked salmon tartare on potato rosti, and a lobster salad on a cream puff shell.
Of these, my favorite was the chicken salad for it possessed the right texture; it rang with zesty curry with a not-too-heavy mayo base. It was not overwhelmed by the bread, either. My least favorite was the lobster salad, for my cream puff was on the dry side, and the lobster salad did not sing “lobster” to me. I hoped for distinct pieces of lobster, but I did not discern that on my palate. Meanwhile, Grace said the smoked salmon tartare spoke alerted her foodie radar. I agree the tartare packed a tasty salmon punch, and the entire piece featured a crisp bite when you reached the crunchy potato beneath.
The chef curated yet another artsy platter at dessert. Each of us received six (yes, six!) sweets. On the tray tower: lemon raspberry tart, honey pear mousse, orange cherry scone, tropical cheesecake, passionfruit marshmallow, and almond macaron. While I am not a marshmallow fan, the passionfruit treat was a welcome surprise, for the fresh fruit flavor popped, making it on my plus column. Grace said the tropical cheesecake got her attention as the best dessert on the platter.
I was partial to the lemon raspberry tart, but all were equally sensational. My main complaint, as a tea time aficionado, is that the scone should have been bigger. It was the size of the macaron. The staff should have served it with clotted cream, jam, and lemon curd as they do at other establishments serving formal afternoon tea. For me, the scone is the highlight of tea time.
The train ride is nostalgic and peaceful. Rolling past vineyards and wineries, and acquiring a bit of valley history is a bonus. Each car holds limited passengers so you can listen to one another without shouting. The locomotive noise is always subtle, in the background. Once you get to the terminus after 18 miles, the train stops, changes gears, and back tracks without turning around. The three-hour ride goes by quickly. You enjoy the tracks, food and beverages, and uninterrupted conversation just like in the old days.
Sure, you can indulge in tea time in a grand hotel or a garden setting. But consider a new tea experience on a train with exceptional service and eye-catching temptations. And snag your special someone for a special moment.
****
When You Go:
Napa Valley Wine Train
Secret Garden Experience
1275 McKinstry St.
Napa, CA
Rates: Starting at $271
See winetrain.com