SAM Shortline’s wine train gets back on track

The April special will feature wines from Wray, cheese from Thomasville, and sausage from Cordele

CORDELE, GA- The SAM Shortline excursion train, in partnership with Paulk Vineyards of Wray, is bringing back the popular wine and cheese tasting train.

Again, the excursion will focus on local Southwest Georgia products in a “farm to table” styled tasting.

The April special will feature wines from Wray, cheese from Thomasville, and sausage from Cordele.

There are three trips scheduled to depart from Georgia Veterans State Park on April 2nd.

The first is set to leave at 2:30pm with an approximate 90 minute rail trek through the countryside.

Other departure times are set for 5:00pm and 7:30pm.

Passengers will be treated to tastings of four different wines from Paulk Vineyards and a cheese and sausage charcuterie board featuring cheeses from Sweet Grass Dairy and sausage from Striplings.

The Paulk family has established a legacy in the muscadine industry, growing from their first vine planting in 1970 to a farm of 600 acres.

The cheeses from Sweet Grass Dairy come from barn-free cows that graze on fresh grass to produce the creamy rich milk which is made into cheese.

The sausage comes from Striplings, a family owned and operated business in Cordele of more than 50 years.

The wine train will consist of four vintage lounge cars.

The price for the excursion package is 89.99 per person and is limited to adults 21 or older.

Additional wine tasting trains are slated for July and October.