By Matthew Fitzsimmons

Do you love wine? Do you love trains? Do you love sweeping views of the Virginia countryside?

If you answered “yes” to all of these, then the Virginia Scenic Railway (VSR) has the perfect trip for you.

The railway’s “Sip and Savor Express” combines the nostalgia of vintage rail travel with local wine or cider. This three-hour, nonstop journey features a curated charcuterie board and a guided tasting led by an onboard expert.

The Sip and Savor Express is one of several themed excursions offered by VSR. Other options include Ales & Rails, Murder on the Menu, and Sunday Brunch.

What is the Virginia Scenic Railway?

The VSR was founded in 2022 by the Buckingham Branch Railroad, Virginia’s largest short-line railroad. It features modernized 1940s-era passenger cars that give it a throwback vibe.

I first learned about the Sip and Savor Express when several wineries posted photos of their trips. Curious to know more, I contacted VSR media representative Kristen Decker, who gave me the lowdown during a phone interview.

“It’s been really successful! Offering a Virginia wine option was the natural extension of our ‘keep it local’ theme, and we’ve gotten a lot of interest from both our customers and local vineyards.

So far we’ve featured over a dozen wineries including Granite Heights, Fifty-Third Winery, and Afton Mountain. Other wineries such as Domaine Finot will be featured in the future.

Our guest wineries do an interactive tasting, plus offer glass and bottle sales on the way back. They pick a menu of four wines, which vary by time of year. It’s a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery.”

My Departure from Staunton

That pitch was enough for me to sign up for the next trip (I scored the last ticket).

My train rides are usually about going from Point A to Point B. This was the first time my ride was all about the journey, not the destination.

I started in Staunton, a historic town known for the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse and its proximity to Shenandoah National Park. We moved at a leisurely pace toward Waynesboro, passing through small towns and farms before heading into the Blue Ridge Tunnel.

We emerged from the tunnel in the Afton area, just outside Charlottesville. I could see Pollak Vineyards in the distance, then Chiles Peach Orchard up close.

My trip’s wine director was Jason Hayman, Director of Production for Hazy Mountain Vineyards, who walked us through their four wines.

We started with his Rosé, a dry, crisp blend of Merlot and Blaufränkisch topped off with a touch of Nebbiolo.

Next was their Grüner Veltliner. Since Grüner prefers cooler climates, this was grown at Little North Mountain, a high-elevation site in the Shenandoah Valley. It’s zingy for a white, with white pepper and a rich mouthfeel.

Then we sampled their Pinot Noir. Jason explained, “Pinot is fun to grow sometimes, and not fun to grow most of the time,” reflecting how difficult the variety can be. Their Shenandoah site is one of the few places that can even attempt it. Stylistically, the wine is very different from what you might expect from Oregon, leaning on soft fruit notes rather than earthy ones.

We concluded the tasting with their Cabernet Franc, a wine Jason clearly loved talking about: hardy in the vineyard and versatile in the cellar.

The tasting also came with a charcuterie board that doubled as my dinner. It was long gone by the time we disembarked.

Tours run from both Louisa and Staunton on Fridays and Saturdays, with new trips posted 30 to 45 days in advance.

To learn more, check out https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com.

About the Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia – most of them twice. Track his progress at https://winetrailsandwanderlust.com/.