LAFAYETTE GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Sips of the South: Chilled Wines, Cheese Plates, and a Restored Train at Ozan Vineyard
A Saturday midday experience at Ozan Vineyard & Winery that pairs chilled Southern wines and individual cheese plates with a frozen wine slushie and a historic train-coach vineyard tour—useful for planning the two-and-a-half-hour afternoon tasting.
Sips of the South: Chilled Wines, Cheese Plates, and a Restored Train at Ozan Vineyard.
Adventure brief
Sips of the South: Chilled Wines, Cheese Plates, and a Restored Train at Ozan Vineyard
Spend a leisurely afternoon at Ozan Vineyard & Winery, sampling chilled Southern wines paired with gourmet individual cheese plates on shaded porches and a new veranda. The visit culminates with a frozen wine slushie and a tour that includes a whiskey tasting and a ride aboard a beautifully restored historic train coach—an elegant, low-key expression of Southern hospitality.
Situated in Calera, Alabama, a town just south of Birmingham, SIPS OF THE SOUTH! SELECT SATURDAYS offers an inviting blend of Southern charm and vineyard elegance. This wine tasting event is uniquely crafted to meld the rich flavors of chilled Southern wines with an authentic cultural experience, all set against the backdrop of rolling vineyard landscapes. Guests are welcomed onto scenic porches where gourmet cheeses complement their wine selections, creating a perfect pairing that highlights the region's burgeoning wine scene and hospitality. What truly sets this experience apart is the historic train coach tour that follows, providing a slow-paced journey through the vineyard grounds and surrounding countryside, allowing visitors to connect to the land and history in a relaxed, intimate way. The frozen wine slushie served beforehand adds a modern twist to traditional tasting, refreshing visitors and setting a festive tone. Calera’s location in central Alabama, known for its mild climate and agricultural diversity, offers a unique viticultural environment rare in the Deep South. The event celebrates local craftsmanship and Southern hospitality, making it a destination event for wine lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or a casual sipper, the combination of handcrafted wines, curated cheeses, and historic ambiance creates an experience that feels both warm and refined. Nearby Birmingham serves as the gateway city, offering convenient access for travelers and ample accommodations. SIPS OF THE SOUTH! SELECT SATURDAYS is more than a tasting; it’s a sensory journey into Alabama’s evolving wine country, perfect for those seeking a blend of taste, history, and hospitality in a quietly unique outdoor setting.
Route Schematic
Itinerary Route Schematic
A concise sequence of the tasting, slushie, tour, and train ride so you can plan the afternoon.
Wine Tasting & Cheese Plate
Wine tasting starts at 12 noon and is paired with an individual cheese plate.
Frozen Slushie & Orders
Conclude the tasting by choosing a frozen wine slushie and placing any wine bottle orders for pick-up.
Vineyard Tour & Whiskey Tasting
At 1:00 p.m. the group departs for a vineyard tour that includes a whiskey tasting.
Train Boarding
Boarding of the historic train coach occurs at about 1:15 p.m. for the scenic vineyard ride.
Return and Pickup
Return to Ozan by 2:30 p.m., pick up any ordered bottles, and conclude the event.
Dress casual and comfortable—this is your time to relax and enjoy Ozan.
What the day feels like
How the Afternoon Unfolds
Arrive at Ozan for a midday tasting that eases into a relaxed rhythm: a guided tasting at noon with a paired cheese plate, a frozen wine slushie to cool off, then a vineyard tour with a whiskey tasting and a short, evocative ride aboard a restored train coach before returning to collect any bottle orders.
THE FLAVOR
Chilled Southern Wines and Curated Cheese
The tasting begins at noon with Ozan’s selection of chilled Southern wines served in a keepsake glass and paired with an individual cheese plate—an approachable program built for leisurely sipping and conversation.
THE SETTING
Porches, Veranda, and Vineyard Views
Relax on shaded porches or the new veranda with photo-worthy vineyard vistas; the setting is designed for unhurried afternoons and casual comfort as you move from tasting to a frozen slushie.
THE ROUTE
A Historic Train Coach Tour
After the tasting and slushie, the experience shifts to a 1:00 p.m. vineyard tour and whiskey tasting followed by boarding a restored historic train coach—an uncommon finish that blends flavor with a touch of local history.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this afternoon at Ozan.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Saturdays at 12 noon; the experience runs approximately two and a half hours (12:00–2:30 p.m.).
Dress casual and comfortable—this is your time to relax and enjoy Ozan; tasting includes wine in a keepsake glass and an individual cheese plate.
Meet at Ozan Vineyard & Winery in Calera, Alabama for the 12 noon start.
Expect a tasting, a frozen wine slushie, a vineyard tour with whiskey tasting, train boarding, and a return to Ozan to pick up bottle orders.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
When does SIPS OF THE SOUTH run?
Saturdays at 12 noon; the experience lasts about two and a half hours.
Where do we meet?
At Ozan Vineyard & Winery in Calera, Alabama.
What is included in the price?
The program includes chilled Southern wines served in a keepsake glass, an individual cheese plate, a frozen wine slushie at the tasting’s close, a vineyard tour with a whiskey tasting, and a ride on a restored historic train coach.
How long is the event?
Approximately two and a half hours, typically from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Is there an opportunity to buy wine?
Yes—participants can place wine bottle orders for pick-up at the conclusion of the event.
What should I wear?
Dress casual and comfortable—the event is relaxed and includes time on porches and the veranda with vineyard views.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-05T19:27:03.329Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.