Grape Train Escape - July 2019

Wine Tasting Tours

Verde Canyon Railroad has long been a venue for viticulture appreciation; since 1990 train passengers have enjoyed raising a toast to the Arizona wilderness from well-appointed rail cars, harkening back to a time when relaxing travel by train was recognized as a hallmark of sophistication and class. In 2002 raising that toast became a highly-requested event called the Grape Train Escape. Now in its 17^th year this celebration of grapes has spanned the planet – Italian, Chilean, Spanish, German and French wines have been served to thousands of awe-inspired train passengers.

Savoring wine while soaking in the scenery of the southwest is a relatively new pairing for Arizona’s Verde Valley, and it is quickly gaining renown as a fine region for grape growing, in turn, a place to enjoy a benefit of these varietals while basking in its high desert beauty.  What would be more appropriate than to make 2019’s Grape Train Escape events all about Verde Valley wines.

This summer, on select Saturday night starlight trips, Verde Canyon Railroad is pleased to feature a selection of sips from the following Verde Valley wineries.

The small batch, boutique wines of Burning Tree Cellars will be highlighted on July 20.

On August 17 the Grape Train Escape shares the award-winning wines of Sam Pillsbury and the Pillsbury Wine Company of Old Town Cottonwood.

Arizona-grown wine that express the highest quality and value our wild and fierce region has to offer will be presented by Arizona Stronghold September 14.

Departing the depot at 5:30 p.m. and returning by 9:30. The Saturday Starlight train rides serve up a spectacular blend of light and color in the canyon, ranging from bright daytime to rich sunset, from twinkly twilight to magnificent moonglow. Paired with any award-winning wine in hand, any of the 2019 Grape Train Escape runs make for a sensory adventure suitable for every palate.

Enjoy luxurious style and attentive beverage service right to your seat. Adjoining open-air cars share the lush riparian scenery of summer: canopies of green Cottonwoods , moody monsoon afternoons and deep crimson cliffs.