Napa Valley Bike Tours
By Napa Valley, photo from Napa Valley Bike Tours
Napa Valley's year-round fair weather and long stretches of roadside wineries make it the ideal place to explore by bicycle. Biking is an excellent alternative to wine tasting by car because it offers the chance to slow down, revel in the fresh valley air, and truly appreciate wine country's gorgeous scenery.
If you're looking for a guided wine tasting adventure, here are our picks for the best winery bike tours in Napa Valley.
The Classic Napa Valley Bike Tour - Napa Valley Bike Tours - (707) 251-TOUR
- Single day - Meet at 6500 Washington Street in Yountville
- Perched atop your late-model Specialized Sirrus or Vita hybrid bike, you'll cruise along behind a friendly and knowledgeable guide on this signature valley wine tour. Cycling tours pass through some of the region's most notable wineries including Andretti Winery and the first winery on the Silverado Trail, Luna Vineyards. Though final itineraries are set five to six days in advance, you can contact the office before your visit to make sure that none of the wineries you have already visited will be duplicated during your ride. Enjoy a fresh catered picnic lunch at a winery, overlooking the vineyards.
Biking In the Vineyards - Napa Valley Bike Tours - (707) 251-TOUR
- Single day - Meet at 1233 Stanly Lane, just south of the stoplight intersection at Hwy 12/121
- This tour takes you right into the middle of the action, as you head off-road on your bike straight through the vineyards themselves. Travel between each vineyard is only about three to six kilometres (two to four miles), so you'll get a workout without working up a major sweat. Because this off-road tour can be a bit rugged, the fitness level required on this tour is a little higher than those that require street riding, so speak with your tour guide before pushing off if you feel like you'll be unable to keep up. The itinerary changes but others who have taken this ride have toured Markham Vineyards and Benessere Vineyards.
Velo Vino Tours from Clif Family Winery - Clif Family Winery - (707) 968-0625
- Pick up bikes at Velo Vino Napa Valley, 709 Main Street, St. Helena
- In this region, the Clif family is known for more than their delicious energy bars. They fuse their passion for wine with their passion for the outdoors with their Velo Vino tour, which features a tasting at the Velo Vino Tasting Room, located at 709 Main St. in St. Helena. Rent a cruiser at Velo Vino and take the Tour de St. Helena, an 8.4-mile self-guided tour through historic St. Helena. Learn more about the area at the St. Helena Welcome Center and stop by The Model Bakery, to sample their signature English muffins.
- For more adventure, take The White Road, a high-performance road bike rental package. The tour includes a rented bike custom fitted for you by a cycling expert, a helmet, espresso drink, one Clif Bar product, and the Clif Family's Le Maillot Jaune wine and food pairing experience. Pick up your bike by 10am and return it by 5pm. For reservations, call Calistoga Bike Shop at (707) 942-9687.
California Wine Country: Calistoga to Healdsburg - Trek Travel - (866) 464-8735
- 6 days, 5 nights
- This is the granddaddy of Napa Valley bike wine tours, stretching from Napa Valley all the way into Sonoma. Ideal for the recreational rider (which they call a "Level 2"), you'll traverse a total of 165 miles weaving your way from Calistoga to Healdsburg over the course of six days.
- Though your trip is structured for maximum fun, Trek Travel bike tours are designed to allow you lots of freedom to explore on your own or relax during an afternoon nap or trip to the spa at the at the Mount View Hotel in Calistoga.
- Tasting tours will take place at some of the smaller, special wineries in the region including Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery, a true family-owned winery nestled deep in the hills of Howell Mountain where the wines are named after the proprietor's grandchildren.
- Each day includes at least one meal, and you're free to explore the region's best restaurants for the rest. Visit Trek's website to view the entire itinerary.
Calistoga and Carneros Sip and Cycle - Getaway Adventures, 2228 Northpoint Pkwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 - 800-499 BIKE (2453)
- These are the most popular day trips, and are only run in the quietest and most friendly parts of the Napa Valley. Getaway Adventures' focus is on the quieter parts of the valley. Ride along the quiet, scenic & low traffic country lanes to smaller family owned wineries. Offering tours throughout the valley, they can help you craft the best tour of the best wine country experience. Cycle through Calistoga where you'll enjoy flatter terrain, mountains hugging your side as you pedal to some of the special, family-owned wineries in this quaint Northern Napa Valley town.
- If you're curious about exploring the southern end, check out the Napa (Carneros) Sip n Cycle. It's a Burgundian type climate where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the dominant grapes. Its proximity to San Pablo Bay makes it cooler and sometimes windy and even a bit foggy.
- A few mild climbs but the wide open views make this ride worth the extra effort. Getaway Adventures also offers four and six day cycling trips, kayaking and hidden winery van tours.
Have you biked through Napa Valley yet?