The Hunterdon Wine Train Express is back for the 2025 season with more dates and the same well-loved experience. Starting on Saturday, April 26, and running on select weekends through Sunday, September 7, this event brings together a scenic train ride, guided wine tasting, fresh vineyard lunch, and time to relax in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It is organized by Old York Cellars Winery and the Black River & Western Railroad.
To begin, guests arrive at the Black River & Western Railroad Station at 80 Stangl Road in Flemington, New Jersey. Check-in starts at 11:15 a.m., and the train departs at 11:30 a.m. During the 25-minute ride to Ringoes Station, a wine ambassador from Old York Cellars gives a talk about the winery’s history and the development of New Jersey’s wine industry.
After the train arrives at Ringoes at 11:55 a.m., guests transfer to a shuttle to Old York Cellars Winery at 80 Old York Road in East Amwell Township. Once at the winery, the wine tasting begins at 12:15 p.m. Guests participate in a guided Wine, Charcuterie, Cheese, and Chocolate Pairing Experience. This includes several of Old York Cellars’ award-winning wines matched with artisan meats and cheeses, along with handmade chocolates from The Fudge Shoppe, a local business in the area.
Following the tasting, guests are served lunch prepared by Chef José Diaz of Old York Cellars. Lunch is served under the vineyard tent, which features selected dishes that complement the wines. After lunch, guests have time to walk through the vineyard, enjoy live music, and visit the Wine Shop, where bottles of wine are available at a 10% discount.
At 2:45 p.m., the shuttle takes everyone back to Ringoes Station. The return train leaves shortly after and arrives at the Flemington station by 3:40 p.m. The full event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Tickets cost $99 per person. The ticket includes the train ride, shuttle service, wine tasting, lunch, and access to the vineyard. The event takes place rain or shine, and guests are advised to wear casual clothes and good walking shoes. Tickets are non-refundable unless canceled by the organizer due to weather or train issues, but they can be transferred to another person.
This experience is available on 16 dates during the 2025 season. The full list of dates includes April 26 and 27; May 3, 4, 17, and 18; June 7, 8, 21, 22, 28, and 29; July 12, 13, 26, and 27; August 23 and 24, and September 6 and 7.
Since its start in the fall of 2022, the Hunterdon Wine Train Express has sold out every season. Because of its success, it received the 2023 Tourism Initiative of the Year Award from the Hunterdon County Economic Development and Tourism Summit and the 2024 Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Award—awards that recognize the event’s role in promoting agritourism in the area.
Old York Cellars, the host winery, is located in the Sourland Mountain foothills and is known for making wines in Central New Jersey. It offers guided tastings, weekend music events, food pairings, and private cabanas. The winery is less than one hour from New York City and Philadelphia and close to major highways in New Jersey.
The train partner, Black River & Western Railroad, has been operating for over 50 years. The railroad is run by volunteers and is known for its old-fashioned train rides. Besides the wine train, it runs other seasonal rides like the Pumpkin Trail, North Pole Express, Easter Bunny Express, and the Black River Limited. The railroad also offers private event railcar rentals.
Tickets for the 2025 Hunterdon Wine Train Express can be purchased from the Old York Cellars website.
