Super Bowl 50 Countdown: The Napa Valley Wine Train Gets In On The Action

Photo Credit: Courtesy Napa Valley Wine Train

The countdown is on for Super Bowl 50, taking place Feb. 7, 2016 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. In the days leading up to the big game, there will be a slew of haute events taking place from Napa to Carmel. We’ll tell you about at least one different event each week so you can make plans to be a part of the festivities. However, you don’t have to wait until next year to get in the Super Bowl spirit. Just hop on the Napa Valley Wine Train, which is scoring another touchdown with wine fans. The historic train recently kicked off its new Championship Wine Flight featuring wineries founded by such NFL greats as Charles Woodson, Dick Vermeil and Rick Mirer– all in anticipation of the Big Game.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers a 36-mile round-trip journey from Napa to St. Helena through beautiful Wine Country vineyards and past famous and historic wineries. Traversing on the original rail line built in 1864, guests of the Napa Valley Wine Train experience one of Napa’s most distinctive fine-dining restaurants, savoring multi-course meals while traveling in a museum-quality antique train.

“We are delighted to welcome locals and visitors to join us on the Wine Train to enjoy our Championship Wine Flight, and we are equally thrilled to welcome Super Bowl 50 to the Bay Area in 2016,” said Anthony Giaccio, Napa Valley Wine Train’s CEO. “It has been our vision since the Wine Train’s inception to offer local wines that complement our fresh cuisine and reflect the heritage of the Napa Valley.”

The Championship Wine Flight in honor of Super Bowl 50 will be offered on lunch and dinner trains to accompany the delicious menu selections now until the end of February 2016. The Championship Wine Flight is $20, with $1 of those sold donated to the NFL Hall of Fame Players Foundation.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers an award-winning wine list recognized for supporting the local wine community and featuring wines predominantly from the Napa Valley. Executive chef Kelly Macdonald suggests a wine pairing for each menu item while offering wines by the glass and by the bottle. Additional wine flights are also available so adventurous Wine Train passengers can select red, white or sweet flights while following the informative printed tasting notes.

The Championship Wine Flight is a roster of NFL greats with their spectacular wines—and is loaded with winners. All of the wines in the flight are available at the Wine Train Store located inside the Wine Train depot – the best place to shop for these NFL vintners’ wines and many others for your own Super Bowl 50 party.

Championship Wine Flight:

Mirror Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2014 by former NFL Quarterback Rick Mirer – Pale yellow color. Aromas of orange blossom lead to ripe white peach and lemon zest with a hint of melon. The palate delivers vibrant flavors of lemon zest and cantaloupe accented by refreshing nuances of peach. Bright cleansing grapefruit lingers on the finish.

Vermeil Wines Russian River Chardonnay 2014 by former NFL Coach Dick Vermeil – Brilliant, clear and straw-colored with subdued scents of citrus and oak. Creamy texture and oily viscosity balance rich flavors of baked lemon tart, vanilla and hints of toasty oak.

Vermeil Wines XXXIV Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2010 – Purple-black color which opens to black currant aromas. Extracted flavors of smoky cassis and black cherries, menthol, licorice and tobacco leaf undertones. Smooth finish accompanies ample tannins.

TwentyFour Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008 by Oakland Raider Safety Charles Woodson – Opens with an explosion of bright red fruit and a hint of pepper. Plum, blackberry and ripe cherry flavors give way to a soft vanilla oak finish. Complex structure with velvety tannins.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Napa Valley Wine Train