The Grape Train Escape, a series of wine tasting events held on a luxurious travelling antique train of the Verde Canyon Railroad, will begin Friday, June 5th and take place on selection Friday evenings through to September 4, 2009.

The train departs from Clarksdale, Arizona - just 25 minutes from Sedona and 2 hours from Phoenix.

Grape Train Escape is a culinary and visual delight

The trip departs at 5:30pm in Clarksdale, Arizona for the Perkinsville ghost ranch and returns at 9:30 pm.  The first wine is savored with exotic appetizers as the train departs against a backdrop of the setting sun, red rock cliffs and the valley's lush foliage. World-renowned photographers have dubbed this the "magic hour" for capturing awe-inspiring images.

Between the delectable foods and a variety of superb wines, passengers merrily move back and forth between the climate-controlled coaches and the open-air car's refreshing breezes offering up 360-degree views. The softening light entices elk, deer, fox and many forest creatures to the water's edge as great blue heron, ducks and other waterfowl cruise the river.

The train's narrator enriches the journey with fascinating facts of the area's history, geology, archaeology, and ecology, spiced with humor-tinged folklore. On the return trip from Perkinsville, darkness falls over the canyon. It's time for a dessert wine, fruit and chocolate. Throughout the journey, favorite wines are available in full bottles or by the glass, as are cocktails, beer and specialty train drinks.

Passengers are encouraged to arrive approximately one and one-half hours prior to departure. For dates & reservations go to www.verdecayonrr.com.  For more information on Arizona happenings and to plan your visit, go to: www.arizonaguide.com.

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