CALERA EVENTS FIELD GUIDE
Bourbon & Brisket Aboard the Heart of Dixie: A Trainside Tasting at Ozan Winery
A private Saturday afternoon event that pairs a historical train excursion with whiskey sampling, a barrel-room tour and a brisket cuisine box, departing from and returning to Ozan Winery.
Bourbon & Brisket Aboard the Heart of Dixie: A Trainside Tasting at Ozan Winery.
Select Saturday afternoons begin with chilled wine and cocktails at Ozan Winery before guests board trackside at Ozan Station for an air‑conditioned historical coach ride on the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum train. The outing returns to the winery/distillery for Yella Hound whiskey sampling, a small‑group barrel room tour and a brisket cuisine box, concluding the private event the same evening.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A short, air‑conditioned historical train excursion
Guests board trackside at Ozan Station for a coach excursion on the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum train, with air conditioning provided on the coach and a scheduled departure in the afternoon.
Whiskey sampling, barrel room tour and souvenir glass
After the train returns, guests are guided to the winery/distillery for sampling of Yella Hound whiskies and bourbon, a small group barrel room tour, and a keepsake Yella Hound tasting/nosing glass included with the event.
Brisket cuisine box and beverage options
Each ticket includes a brisket cuisine box; chilled wine and cocktails are served at check‑in and cocktails and wine by the glass are available during the event, with bottles available for purchase at a 10% event discount.
What the day feels like
What the afternoon feels like
It unfolds like a compact curated tasting: check in with a welcome glass at the Ozan Winery pavilion, slide onto a historical coach for a short excursion, then return to the distillery for guided tastings, a peek into the barrel room and a hearty brisket box—an organized, single‑departure private event that wraps up in the early evening.
THE JOURNEY
A short, air‑conditioned historical train excursion
Guests board trackside at Ozan Station for a coach excursion on the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum train, with air conditioning provided on the coach and a scheduled departure in the afternoon.
THE TASTINGS
Whiskey sampling, barrel room tour and souvenir glass
After the train returns, guests are guided to the winery/distillery for sampling of Yella Hound whiskies and bourbon, a small group barrel room tour, and a keepsake Yella Hound tasting/nosing glass included with the event.
THE FEAST
Brisket cuisine box and beverage options
Each ticket includes a brisket cuisine box; chilled wine and cocktails are served at check‑in and cocktails and wine by the glass are available during the event, with bottles available for purchase at a 10% event discount.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this event suits — and who should plan elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Dress comfortably and check the weather forecast; a limited amount of walking is required through the vineyard to reach check‑in and the boarding area.
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to train departure for check‑in and your initial cocktail or wine pour.
Wheelchair boarding will not be available in the vineyard for this event—plan accordingly.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Are tickets refundable or exchangeable?
Special event ticket sales are final; there are no exchanges or refunds for tickets purchased for any train events.
Where does the event meet and depart?
The event departs from and returns to Ozan Winery (173 Co. Ro. 301, Calera AL 35040); directions are provided by the operator.
When should I arrive for the event?
Check‑in with chilled wine and cocktails begins at 3:00 pm; please arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled train departure for check‑in.
How long does the event last?
The event duration is 3 ½ hours and the private event concludes in the early evening.
What is included in the ticket price?
Each person receives a welcome glass of wine or cocktail, whiskey sampling, a souvenir Yella Hound tasting/nosing glass, and a brisket cuisine box; cocktails and wine by the glass are available and bottles may be purchased with a 10% discount.
How are reservations sold and what about group seating?
Reservations are made by table only (tables for 2, 3, or 4); tables can be combined when purchased together to create larger group seating—for example, a table for 3 combined with a table for 2 completes a reservation for 5.
Is gratuity included?
An automatic gratuity of 18% is added for table service reservations; the listed rate per person is $69 plus gratuity and sales tax.