New Year experience celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Judgement of Paris
December 1, 2025 (Napa, CA) — The Napa Valley Wine Train is excited to welcome the return of the New Year’s Eve experience, “Midnight in Paris: A Legacy NYE Celebration,” an immersive, six-hour journey that honors Napa Valley’s past while ushering in the excitement of the year ahead. Guests are invited to ring in 2026 aboard the Legacy Train with a celebration inspired by one of the most pivotal moments in Napa’s history: the 1976 Judgement of Paris, when a Napa Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich, stunned the world and forever transformed the region’s place on the global wine stage.
“We wanted to create a celebration that reflects Napa’s remarkable heritage while also honoring the history still to be written,” said Nathan Davis, General Manager of the Napa Valley Wine Train. “This experience brings together the valley’s iconic winemaking legacy and the timeless romance of rail travel, culminating in a Paris-style midnight toast. We’re delighted to offer a New Year’s Eve journey that honors where Napa has been and looks forward to where it’s headed.”
The celebration begins the moment guests arrive, welcomed with sparkling wine and a digital boarding photo before stepping onto the beautifully restored 1915 Pullman rail cars. As the train departs, passengers are treated to a three-course gourmet breakfast and lunch, served as sweeping views of sprawling vineyards roll by outside the windows. Along the way, guests enjoy wine tastings aboard the open-air car and a memorable photo stop at the iconic Napa Valley welcome sign in Oakville, setting the scene for an afternoon immersed in Napa’s storied wine culture. To further elevate the journey, guests can purchase the Judgement of Paris 1976 Wine Flight, featuring 2oz pours of Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Stag’s Leap SLV Cabernet Sauvignon, and a bonus pour of Grgich Cabernet Sauvignon when purchased in advance – offering a rare opportunity to taste the legendary wines that put Napa Valley on the world stage.
The celebration reaches its peak at Grgich Hills Estate, founded by Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, whose 1973 Chardonnay famously triumphed at the 1976 Judgement of Paris. The Napa Valley Wine Train has proudly partnered with Grgich Hills Estate since 1993, making this stop a meaningful tribute to more than three decades of shared history. Guests disembark for a lively two-hour excursion featuring wine tastings, appetizers, music, and a Paris-time “midnight” countdown. At 3:00 p.m. Napa time, the clock strikes midnight in Paris, and guests raise a glass of Paris Commemorative Chardonnay in a jubilant toast to 2026, honoring both Napa’s legacy and the new year ahead.
As guests reboard the train, the party continues with dessert, festive New Year’s touches, and a celebratory ride back to the station, marking an unforgettable finale to a day steeped in heritage and the magic of Wine Country.
The “Midnight in Paris: A Legacy NYE Celebration” will take place on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and is open to guests 21 and older. Tickets and additional information are available atwww.winetrain.com or by calling (800) 427-4124.
About the Napa Valley Wine Train
One of the few active historic passenger railroads in the United States, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers an engaging and memorable experience that echoes the glory days of train travel, with fine dining service, multi-course meals cooked to order, Napa Valley scenery and ultimate relaxation aboard exquisitely restored antique rail cars. The Napa Valley Wine Train features vintage Pullman rail cars faithfully restored with Honduran mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched glass partitions and luxurious armchairs that evoke the spirit of luxury rail travel at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers more than a dozen distinct rail experiences—from gourmet journeys and winery tours to seasonal and specialty events—inviting guests to explore Napa Valley in unforgettable ways. Guests can also bring home a taste of the journey through the Wine Train Shop, which features curated gifts, apparel, and exclusive keepsakes.
The Napa Valley Wine Train holds a level 1 Green Key Meetings rating. It has been identified as a destination that has taken first steps to reduce environmental impacts by analyzing its meetings and conference operations and identifying opportunities for improvement. An action plan focusing on resource conservation and waste minimization has been established, and is supported by a firm commitment to continual improvement.
In 2015, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. – a collection of luxury hotels and resorts purchased the historic and iconic Napa Valley Wine Train expanding its portfolio to include attractions in the destinations its hotels call home.
About Noble House Hotels & Resorts
The Noble House Hotels & Resorts portfolio is a collection of 29 luxury and upscale hotels, resorts, and experiences across North America—all designed for discerning travelers seeking to escape the daily routine. Noble House can be trusted to unlock the most authentic experiences in the most compelling destinations. This promise is delivered through their carefully curated collection that pairs boutique local charm with consistent high service and comfort standards. All concepts within their collection offer immersive, active adventure experiences that bring out the best of their destinations. Headquartered in Seattle, their family-owned business philosophy creates value for each concept’s community, environment, ownership, staff, and guests. The portfolio includes: over 75 restaurants, bars, and lounges; the Napa Valley Wine Train; a collection of spas, marinas, and private residences throughout the U.S., and Mexico; a range of beachfront resorts from California to Florida; luxury retreats in Jackson Hole, Wyo. and award-winning urban hotels in Seattle and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.noblehousehotels.com or call 877.NOBLE.TRIP.
