Georgia -- Wine Tasting -- Train Rides In Cordele

Published: August 21, 2026

In the heart of southwest Georgia, the SAM Shortline Railroad has carved out a niche that’s part railfan outing, part small-town day trip, and part living postcard of rural Georgia.

Operating as an excursion railroad with multiple boarding points, SAM Shortline links places like Cordele (near Lake Blackshear), Americus, Plains, and Archery—communities that feel tailor-made for a relaxed ride behind vintage equipment, with enough history and local flavor at each stop to round out a full afternoon.

While the railroad offers a range of themed trips throughout the year, one of its most crowd-pleasing special events is the "Wine & Cheese Train"—a short, scenic round trip designed to feel like a tasting room on wheels.

It’s a simple concept executed well: settle into an air-conditioned historic passenger car, sample wines (often in partnership with a Georgia winery), snack on a curated cheese tray, and enjoy the easy rhythm of train travel as south Georgia’s pine flats and farmland slide by the windows.

Heart of Georgia GP40 #1540 lays over at Plains, Georgia while hosting excursions on December 12, 2008. The depot was the hometown headquarters for Jimmy Carter's Presidential campaign and a favorite hangout of his colorful brother, Billy Carter. Doug Kroll photo.

A quick look at the railroad experience

SAM Shortline markets itself as an excursion train first and foremost, with assigned seating on most trips and a calendar built around both regular runs and special events.

If you’ve ridden other heritage railroads, the vibe will feel familiar: families and couples in coach, the occasional railfan with a camera at the station, and friendly staff who understand that half the fun is simply being on the train—no rushing, no traffic, no parking hunts in a crowded downtown.

What makes SAM especially approachable is the way it ties together multiple destinations along the line. Depending on the excursion, departures may be from Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele (a convenient staging point near Lake Blackshear) or from Americus’ Jackson Street station, and the railroad’s broader route network includes stops such as Leslie, Plains, and Archery.

This variety gives the operation a “choose-your-adventure” feel: some days are about small towns and history, other days are about a seasonal event, and the Wine & Cheese Train is unapologetically about relaxation.

The Wine & Cheese Train

SAM’s Wine & Cheese Train is typically billed as an approximately 1.5-hour round trip aboard historic, air-conditioned passenger cars, built around a wine tasting and a wine-and-cheese tray served onboard.

It’s also commonly an adults-only outing—some postings specify 21+ with ID checks, which makes it feel a little more like a date night or a friends’ afternoon than a family excursion. The railroad has, at times, partnered with Paulk Vineyards for the tasting component, keeping the focus local and distinctly Georgian.

That pairing matters: on a short excursion, the experience rises or falls on the small details—how the tasting is paced, whether there’s enough time to sip and chat without feeling hurried, and whether the food component is more than an afterthought. SAM’s approach—tasting plus tray, on a comfortable vintage car—hits the sweet spot for a “special event” that doesn’t overcomplicate things.

Just as important: the train is deliberately not a marathon. You’re not committing to a multi-hour dinner-theater production or a long layover. You can do the full experience and still have time to grab supper afterward, wander a downtown, or make it part of a weekend in the region.

Where it departs and what you’ll see

Departure points can vary by date and schedule. SAM has operated Wine & Cheese trips out of Georgia Veterans State Park (Cordele) on certain dates, and it also advertises the event as departing from Americus (Jackson Street station) in its excursions listings.

In practical terms, that means you’ll want to confirm your boarding location when you book—especially if you’re planning lodging or coordinating with friends.

Scenery on the ride is classic south Georgia: stretches of woods, open fields, and the kind of wide sky that makes a train window feel like a moving frame. If your trip departs near Lake Blackshear, you may also find the broader SAM experience pairs naturally with the park setting—picnics, lakeside views, and a slower pace that fits the tasting-train concept perfectly.

Onboard atmosphere: what to expect in the cars

SAM emphasizes historic passenger equipment with modern comfort where it counts—namely air conditioning, which is non-negotiable in Georgia for much of the year. Seating is typically assigned (unless a particular event notes otherwise), so you can plan on boarding without the scramble.

The Wine & Cheese format naturally creates a mellow, social atmosphere: couples treating it like a mini-celebration, small groups catching up, and plenty of first-timers who are more interested in the novelty of tasting wine on a train than the locomotive model up front. If you are a railfan, it’s still a fun ride—just a different kind of fun, where the soundtrack is conversation and clinking glasses rather than a nonstop photo chase.

Making it a bigger day trip

One reason SAM Shortline works so well for travelers is that the region rewards lingering. Americus has a walkable downtown and makes a strong hub for exploring the area, while Plains and Archery connect the trip to the story of Jimmy Carter’s hometown landscape—an easy add-on if you’re building a themed weekend.

Even if you’re not doing a long “destination stop” excursion that day, you can still use the Wine & Cheese Train as the centerpiece of a broader itinerary: arrive late morning, explore, ride mid-afternoon, then finish with dinner.

Why the Wine & Cheese Train is a signature SAM experience

Plenty of excursion railroads offer holiday trains, general sightseeing runs, or the occasional special-event charter. The Wine & Cheese Train stands out because it’s low-effort, high-reward: short enough to feel accessible, special enough to feel like an occasion, and comfortable enough that the focus stays on the moment rather than the logistics. It also showcases what SAM does best—turning a stretch of south Georgia rail into an experience that’s as much about place as it is about transportation.

If you’re looking for a rail outing that doesn’t require a full day of planning (but still feels memorable), SAM Shortline’s wine train is one of those rare excursions that fits neatly into almost any schedule—and leaves you with that pleasant “we should do this again” feeling before you’ve even stepped off the platform. To learn more please click here to visit the railroad's website.

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