Wine on Empire Builder?
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I've only gone from Portland to Chicago (not reverse). We did get champagne or sparkling apple cider at the beginning. There is a nice afternoon wine tasting (free for sleeping car passengers, $5 or something for coach). Quite a few bottles of wine (some unopened, some partially full) were given out as prizes. We won a bottle and took it to dinner in the dining car that evening.
[i misread the original post and have now corrected my reply.]
[i misread the original post and have now corrected my reply.]
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From Portland to Seattle, you'd either be on the Cascades (no special wine tasting, but you can probably buy a bottle from the bistro car) or the Coast Starlight (which does have wine tasting in the Pacific Parlour car).
The Empire Builder offers a slightly different service, in that the sleeper passengers get a welcome kit that includes champagne (or sparkling cider).
The Empire Builder offers a slightly different service, in that the sleeper passengers get a welcome kit that includes champagne (or sparkling cider).
Tracktwentynine
OBS Chief
Back in October, I traveled from Portland to LaCrosse, Wisconsin (it was supposed to be Chicago, but trackwork meant a bustitution). Shortly after boarding, our attendant dropped off two small bottles of champagne.
On the second day, I very much enjoyed the wine and cheese tasting in the dining car. I won a half-bottle of Pinot Grigiot, which I shared with my table mates at the tasting. The Riesling was by far my favorite. Also very nice was the "Purple Moon" cheddar, which is apparently soaked in an emulsion of red wine. Excellent stuff.
On the second day, I very much enjoyed the wine and cheese tasting in the dining car. I won a half-bottle of Pinot Grigiot, which I shared with my table mates at the tasting. The Riesling was by far my favorite. Also very nice was the "Purple Moon" cheddar, which is apparently soaked in an emulsion of red wine. Excellent stuff.
the_traveler
Engineer
As said, the Portland to Seattle run is on the Cascades, and there is no wine tasting. There is wine tasting in the Coast Starlight, but this is south of Portland, and costs $5 for sleeping car passengers and $10 for coach passengers. The wine tasting on the Empire Builder is FREE for sleeping car passengers - and not available at all for coach passengers!
oh, I read the topic title wrong... I thought this was "Whine about the Empire Builder"
We don't need a topic about that..........there are plenty of them!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Just finisheed thw wine tasting on today's #7. Had some really good wines from Washington state. No trivia today for some reason.
To the op: as others have mentioned already, you will receive a welcome drink as well as lots of mimosas throughout your journey, depending on your attendant.
To the op: as others have mentioned already, you will receive a welcome drink as well as lots of mimosas throughout your journey, depending on your attendant.
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EB_OBS
Conductor
The complimentary champagne is offered to sleeping car passengers that board at only the first few stops on day #1 out of Seattle, Portland and/or Chicago. Oftentimes there may be some extra, for passengers that board later, but not always. The Cheese & Wine tasting, for sleeping car passengers only, takes place at approximately 3:00pm on day #2, in the dining car. Must be 21+ to attend.
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the_traveler
Engineer
I'm on the + side of 21. Some on this forum are on the +++ side!
Tumbleweed
OBS Chief
I'm 21 with 50 years of experience......I'm on the + side of 21. Some on this forum are on the +++ side!(Although they sometimes act on the - side!)
R
Rider
Guest
I took the EB last fall from CHI to PDX, and had both the free champagne and the wine tasting event. The event was really fun and what I liked the best was how I got to know so many of the other sleeper passengers - a camaraderie formed which lasted through the trip. What fun!
Dont count on it , with all the the problems the EB has the wine tasting is first to
go if the train is messed up , which happens a lot!! We missed out on both a week ago
but we did get free water while stuck on a bus for 5 hours!!! :angry2:
Trainfan
go if the train is messed up , which happens a lot!! We missed out on both a week ago
but we did get free water while stuck on a bus for 5 hours!!! :angry2:
Trainfan
No cookies yesterday.
Be up on current railroad events for the trivia contests. HINT: Amtrak anniversary (years and date) same with National Train Day (years and date). I won with Train day. They do have new wines and diffent cheese from last year. Enjoy the trip.
Be up on current railroad events for the trivia contests. HINT: Amtrak anniversary (years and date) same with National Train Day (years and date). I won with Train day. They do have new wines and diffent cheese from last year. Enjoy the trip.
Shoot, you tell me the questions I'll find the answers.
When I was on the EB in February one of the questions was "How many seconds in a year?"
the_traveler
Engineer
Seconds in a year = 12 (1/2, 2/2, 3/2, etc...
Amtrak Anniversary = May 1
NTD = Saturday nearest May 9
How many gallons of gas did we take on at Minot = None (P-42's use diesel fuel
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