Cycling in the Vineyards
Important Details
- Children: Ages 15 and up
- Duration: Approx. 6 - 7 hours
- Operation: 7 days a week
- Customer Pickup: N
Activity Details - The inside scoop
Price
$149 per person (includes lunch and tasting fee at Bouchaine Vineyards)
Operation
7 days a week, year round. Rides start at 9:30am and last until about 4pm.
Please note: If muddy conditions exist, this tour will be converted to our Ride, Wine & Dine Tour. Also with fewer than 4 guests booked, this tour may be converted to the Ride, Wine & Dine Tour.
Ride Off-Road Through the Vineyards
If you find yourself experiencing an inexplicable urge to jump out of the car and run through the rows of planted vines, our Cycling in the Vineyards tour will give you that chance - only you'll do it on a mountain bike rather than on foot.
To date, only one Napa Valley winery allows off-road biking tours through its vineyard property - which is why this unique experience is not to be missed! Best of all, the vineyard property we'll be touring borders the northernmost stretches of the San Francisco Bay. The marshlands found here are a federally designated wildlife preserve, home to an array of wetland birds including herons, mallards and egrets.
A gourmet picnic-style lunch is also included on this tour, served alfresco overlooking the vineyards.
Sample Itinerary
9:30am
You'll arrive at our shop, where you will be outfitted with a mountain bike and helmet. You'll also meet your tour guide who will give an orientation on bike rules and safety.
10am to 10:30am
With the bikes and passengers loaded on the tour van, you will be shuttled to Bouchaine Vineyards in the Carneros wine-growing region (about 15 miles from our shop). Your guide will unload your bikes and you'll be off and rolling through the vineyards by about 10:30am.
10:30am to 12pm
We will pedal at a relaxed pace through the vineyard property at Bouchaine, with a few stops thrown in to take in the sweeping vistas, examine the vines up close and learn about their growth cycle.
12pm to 1pm
After completing our off-road bike loop through the vineyards, a gourmet picnic lunch will be served on Bouchaine's patio. A tasting of Bouchaine's wines will be featured with our lunch. And don't forget... any wine purchases made throughout the day will be picked up by our van driver and brought back to our shop.
1pm to 4pm
After lunch, the tour will get rolling again - this time on the paved country roads of the Carneros region (though we'll stick with our mountain bikes, which offer a cushy ride). We'll visit one or two more wineries this afternoon before eventually making it back to our shop in Yountville sometime between 3 and 5pm.
About the Napa Valley
The Napa Valley’s diverse microclimates have yielded equally distinct wine-growing regions; from the Carneros Region at the cool, southern end of the valley, known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to the warmer climes found farther north including the Stag’s Leap District, famed for producing bold, award-winning Cabernets.
Difficulty
This casual-paced bike ride covers about 15 miles and we usually stop at 3 wineries. You will be on a mountain bike for the entire ride (70% off-road; 30% on paved roads).
Difficulty level is easy to moderate. This tour is catered to tourists, not cyclists. Terrain is gently rolling and requires a bit more exertion than our Ride, Wine & Dine Tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't want to ride anymore?
A passenger van follows every tour we offer for three very good reasons: 1) To offer transportation for guests who do not want to cycle anymore (our van drivers love company!) ; 2) To pick up your wine purchases along the way ; and 3) To carry any of your personal belongings (i.e. extra layers of clothing) that you don't want to carry with you on the bicycle.
How much are the tasting fees?
Typically, wine tasting fees range from $10-$15. Some wineries may waive your tasting fee if you purchase wine. Some of the wineries we visit may offer tours and depending on the winery, there may be a charge for their tour. In our experience, wineries that charge for a tour have great reason to do so and are well worth the experience!
How many wineries will we visit?
Our full-day bike tours typically visit 3-4 wineries.
What's the lunch like?
Our tours include a gourmet picnic-style lunch served overlooking the vineyards. You'll enjoy a selection of deli sandwiches, fresh salad and a fruit and cheese platter.
How much should we tip the guide?
Gratuities are welcome, but never expected. You may give gratuity to your guide at your discretion. If you need a guideline, we recommend $10 per person.
Can I bring my own bike?
You are welcome to bring your own bike, however we assume no responsibility for the safety of nor any damage to your bike while on tour with us. Also while riding your own bike with us, you will be responsible for any required roadside maintenance as well as any parts or tubes as needed.
Should I bring my cycling shoes?
If anything, cycling shoes are a bit "overkill" for our leisurely bike tours, especially when it comes to walking around the wineries.
What should I wear on the bike tour?
Cool mornings make "layering" the best choice for most activities in the Napa Valley. Remember, our tour van will be following your tour along the way, making it easy to abandon unneeded pullovers as it warms up. Beyond that, your main focus should be comfort. If you'll be wearing long pants, keep in mind that the right pant leg will need to be cinched or rolled up to avoid getting caught (we have Velcro bands for rental or purchase). We have cycling-specific shorts (with strategic padding) available in our retail shop, but these aren't a necessity. Upon request, your guide can provide you with a gel seat for additional padding. We also highly recommend wearing closed-toe shoes.
What will the weather be like?
The Napa Valley enjoys a Mediterranean climate, typified by cool mornings, warm days, low humidity, and refreshing evenings. Year-round, our morning lows average 45F with afternoon highs averaging 71F. With virtually no wind in the mornings, the sun makes our average low of 45F feel warmer than it sounds. With the exception of a few months, shorts and pullovers are standard morning attire.
What happens if it's raining?
We tour rain or shine. In the rare occurence that the weather doesn't cooperate, our guides will ride in the rain if you want, but they will turn into your chaffeur for the day just as quickly! With your tasting appointments already scheduled, we'll visit the wineries as planned and should the weather clear up, your guide will take the bikes down off the roof rack, so you can get some riding in!
Some of the Wineries We Frequent Include:
Purchase activity now!
$149 per person (includes lunch and tasting fee at Bouchaine Vineyards)
Operation
7 days a week, year round. Rides start at 9:30am and last until about 4pm.
Please note: If muddy conditions exist, this tour will be converted to our Ride, Wine & Dine Tour. Also with fewer than 4 guests booked, this tour may be converted to the Ride, Wine & Dine Tour.
Ride Off-Road Through the Vineyards
If you find yourself experiencing an inexplicable urge to jump out of the car and run through the rows of planted vines, our Cycling in the Vineyards tour will give you that chance - only you'll do it on a mountain bike rather than on foot.
To date, only one Napa Valley winery allows off-road biking tours through its vineyard property - which is why this unique experience is not to be missed! Best of all, the vineyard property we'll be touring borders the northernmost stretches of the San Francisco Bay. The marshlands found here are a federally designated wildlife preserve, home to an array of wetland birds including herons, mallards and egrets.
A gourmet picnic-style lunch is also included on this tour, served alfresco overlooking the vineyards.
Sample Itinerary
9:30am
You'll arrive at our shop, where you will be outfitted with a mountain bike and helmet. You'll also meet your tour guide who will give an orientation on bike rules and safety.
10am to 10:30am
With the bikes and passengers loaded on the tour van, you will be shuttled to Bouchaine Vineyards in the Carneros wine-growing region (about 15 miles from our shop). Your guide will unload your bikes and you'll be off and rolling through the vineyards by about 10:30am.
10:30am to 12pm
We will pedal at a relaxed pace through the vineyard property at Bouchaine, with a few stops thrown in to take in the sweeping vistas, examine the vines up close and learn about their growth cycle.
12pm to 1pm
After completing our off-road bike loop through the vineyards, a gourmet picnic lunch will be served on Bouchaine's patio. A tasting of Bouchaine's wines will be featured with our lunch. And don't forget... any wine purchases made throughout the day will be picked up by our van driver and brought back to our shop.
1pm to 4pm
After lunch, the tour will get rolling again - this time on the paved country roads of the Carneros region (though we'll stick with our mountain bikes, which offer a cushy ride). We'll visit one or two more wineries this afternoon before eventually making it back to our shop in Yountville sometime between 3 and 5pm.
About the Napa Valley
The Napa Valley’s diverse microclimates have yielded equally distinct wine-growing regions; from the Carneros Region at the cool, southern end of the valley, known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to the warmer climes found farther north including the Stag’s Leap District, famed for producing bold, award-winning Cabernets.
Difficulty
This casual-paced bike ride covers about 15 miles and we usually stop at 3 wineries. You will be on a mountain bike for the entire ride (70% off-road; 30% on paved roads).
Difficulty level is easy to moderate. This tour is catered to tourists, not cyclists. Terrain is gently rolling and requires a bit more exertion than our Ride, Wine & Dine Tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't want to ride anymore?
A passenger van follows every tour we offer for three very good reasons: 1) To offer transportation for guests who do not want to cycle anymore (our van drivers love company!) ; 2) To pick up your wine purchases along the way ; and 3) To carry any of your personal belongings (i.e. extra layers of clothing) that you don't want to carry with you on the bicycle.
How much are the tasting fees?
Typically, wine tasting fees range from $10-$15. Some wineries may waive your tasting fee if you purchase wine. Some of the wineries we visit may offer tours and depending on the winery, there may be a charge for their tour. In our experience, wineries that charge for a tour have great reason to do so and are well worth the experience!
How many wineries will we visit?
Our full-day bike tours typically visit 3-4 wineries.
What's the lunch like?
Our tours include a gourmet picnic-style lunch served overlooking the vineyards. You'll enjoy a selection of deli sandwiches, fresh salad and a fruit and cheese platter.
How much should we tip the guide?
Gratuities are welcome, but never expected. You may give gratuity to your guide at your discretion. If you need a guideline, we recommend $10 per person.
Can I bring my own bike?
You are welcome to bring your own bike, however we assume no responsibility for the safety of nor any damage to your bike while on tour with us. Also while riding your own bike with us, you will be responsible for any required roadside maintenance as well as any parts or tubes as needed.
Should I bring my cycling shoes?
If anything, cycling shoes are a bit "overkill" for our leisurely bike tours, especially when it comes to walking around the wineries.
What should I wear on the bike tour?
Cool mornings make "layering" the best choice for most activities in the Napa Valley. Remember, our tour van will be following your tour along the way, making it easy to abandon unneeded pullovers as it warms up. Beyond that, your main focus should be comfort. If you'll be wearing long pants, keep in mind that the right pant leg will need to be cinched or rolled up to avoid getting caught (we have Velcro bands for rental or purchase). We have cycling-specific shorts (with strategic padding) available in our retail shop, but these aren't a necessity. Upon request, your guide can provide you with a gel seat for additional padding. We also highly recommend wearing closed-toe shoes.
What will the weather be like?
The Napa Valley enjoys a Mediterranean climate, typified by cool mornings, warm days, low humidity, and refreshing evenings. Year-round, our morning lows average 45F with afternoon highs averaging 71F. With virtually no wind in the mornings, the sun makes our average low of 45F feel warmer than it sounds. With the exception of a few months, shorts and pullovers are standard morning attire.
What happens if it's raining?
We tour rain or shine. In the rare occurence that the weather doesn't cooperate, our guides will ride in the rain if you want, but they will turn into your chaffeur for the day just as quickly! With your tasting appointments already scheduled, we'll visit the wineries as planned and should the weather clear up, your guide will take the bikes down off the roof rack, so you can get some riding in!
Some of the Wineries We Frequent Include:
- Acacia
- Bouchaine
- Domaine Carneros by Taittinger
- Ceja Vineyards
- Cuvaison Estate Wines
- McKenzie-Mueller Vineyards & Winery
Cancellation Policy, E-Ticket, and Other Information
You may cancel your reservation and receive a full refund, less a 9.9% service fee to cover administrative costs and credit card fees, with a minimum of 48 hours advance notice. This reservation is non-cancelable and non-refundable any time within 48 hours of the event date and time.
NOTE: This tour covers about 15 miles and is considered easy to moderate. We will stop at 3 wineries. Lunch is included in price.
Where is it?
What's Included?
- Bike & helmet rental
- Knowledgeable local guide
- Gourmet picnic-style lunch
- 3 to 4 wineries
- Clif bar & water
- Van support (we will pick up your wine purchases along the way!)
- Roadside assistance
- Souvenir water bottle
Things to Bring
- Comfortable shoes (covered toes are a good idea)
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Cash for wine tasting fees ($10-$15 at most wineries; some wineries accept debit cards, but don't count on it; fees are often waived when wine is purchased)
Operating Hours
- 9:30am
