5 Incredible Destinations for Wine Country Cycling Tours
Carol Wolniakowski
Some of the world’s most famous wine regions are also great cycling travel destinations, allowing you to combine two of your favorite activities into one trip. From steeply terraced vineyards to gentle rolling hills, wine regions offer a diverse – and stunning – backdrop for exploring on two wheels.
Immerse yourself in wide open vistas, explore charming villages and discover hidden castles. From lush forests to historic abbeys, adventure lies around every corner. Go at your own pace – enjoy a leisurely jaunt on an e-bike or take it up a notch for an invigorating ride. No matter your preference, there are options for all skill and interest levels.
Begin your day with a ride through a fairy tale landscape dotted with iconic chateaux. Enjoy a picnic lunch among the vines before visiting a private wine cellar with a local winemaker. Pedal through picturesque towns and indulge in decadent cuisine. There truly is no better way to experience wine country.
Here are five incredible destinations for cycling through the vineyards:
Burgundy, France
Burgundy has a remarkable history. This is the birthplace of modern day viticulture, where the Benedictine monks developed vineyard practices still followed today. With its patchwork of family vineyards, distinctive soils and charming towns, not to mention the most highly acclaimed wines on the planet, Burgundy is a must-visit for any wine enthusiast.
Known for producing the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the world, the Burgundy region of France is spectacular for exploring by bike. Cycling through legendary vineyards and storybook towns is an incomparable experience. Add in medieval abbeys, historic wine cellars and decadent meals and you have the ultimate bike trip.
The vineyards of Burgundy are quite unique in that they are comprised of a collection of small plots of land known as climats. The Climats de Bourgogne are so special that they have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The borders of each climat have been carefully selected to represent the specific soils, aspect and climate of that particular piece of land. It’s truly a magnificent site, and even better to sample the wines to decipher the differences yourself.
Discover the capital of Dijon, famous for mustard of course but also Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourgogne. Visit family owned bistros and Michelin starred restaurants across the region to experience traditional and inventive French cuisine.
Explore the Chardonnay vineyards of Saint-Aubin and Puligny-Montrachet and visit old world cellars on a private tour. Journey into the city of Beaune for a tour of the historic Hospices de Beaune and bike the Côte de Beaune’s Route des Grands Crus to the famed towns of Gevrey-Chambertin and Chassagne-Montrachet.
Pedal to the walled grand cru vineyards of Clos du Vougeot, with its impressive chateau steeped in history. Inside you can get a glimpse into medieval winemaking practices complete with a massive wine press.
A visit to Burgundy is an immersive education in history as well as terroir. You can experience the profound differences in aromas, tastes and styles of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay based on location, and will gain a new appreciation for the art of growing grapes.
The lakes, forests and farmlands in Burgundy offer a tranquil ride for a safe and enjoyable experience. The gentle slopes and country roads are accessible for all levels of cyclists. This is a breathtakingly beautiful area of France and the perfect destination for a cycling vacation.
2. Wachau Valley, Austria
The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Wachau Valley in Austria is hugely popular with cyclists – and it is easy to see why. The famed Danube Cycle Path (“Donauradweg”) stretches along the magnificent Danube River for a vista unlike any other. Along your journey you will pedal past medieval castles, steep hillside vineyards and one quaint village after the next. Every turn of the river bend offers a new discovery.
A biking trip between the charming towns of Melk and Krems is a must, as is a visit to the legendary Melk Abbey. Explore the cobblestone streets and enchanting hamlets of towns like Spitz and Durstein. The orchards of the region are delightfully picturesque and known for their delectable apricots. It will be easy to find apricots in all sorts of foods, including the delicious apricot schnapps.
Enjoy lunch on your journey in a local wine tavern, where you can try the region’s delicious food and drink offerings. The Wachau Valley’s most famous wine is Grüner Veltliner, a crisp white wine that has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. The valley also produces exquisite Rieslings, from bone dry to very sweet. Zweigelt is the region’s best known red wine while the sparkling wine Sekt continues to evolve and impress.
The Wachau Valley is ideal for single day or multi-day bike trips and is easily accessible from Vienna. Some Danube River cruise ships incorporate cycling into their offerings, whether with a chartered tour or just a leisurely solo ride. Whether visiting for the day or a week, every cyclist needs to experience the Wachau Valley.
3. Tuscany, Italy
Known for its wines from the Sangiovese grape, Tuscany is a delightful part of the world to explore by bike. With its many lovely hill towns brimming with history and tradition, most visitors opt to spend a week here cycling, either privately or on a small group tour. The idyllic olive groves and rolling hillside vineyards are straight out of a dream. What better way to immerse in the beauty of this region than out in the sunshine on a bike.
The vineyards of Chianti are a highlight of any visit to Tuscany. Taste the difference between the various classifications of Chianti wine and learn how the aging process impacts the final product. Visit the famous cellars of Montalcino where Sangiovese arguably shows its very finest expression in Brunello di Montalcino. Don’t forget to sample the white wines of Tuscany as well as the dessert wine, Vin Santo.
From olives to pecorino cheese, you will have no shortage of delectable local specialties to sample. Pedal over to a local farm to visit the sheep and learn about cheesemaking. Taste the distinct flavors of gourmet olive oils with freshly made bread. Learn the art of making fresh pasta in a cooking class with a nonna!
The hilly terrain of Tuscany is thrilling for those seeking a challenge. This may be the region to test out the e-bike for a more relaxing experience. Explore the town of Siena, with its medieval streets and grand Piazza del Campo, home to Italy’s famous horse race, Il Palio. Follow the cycling route along the Elsa River Valley before admiring the impressive architecture of the towers in San Gimignano. The hill towns of Tuscany have much to offer and add an important cultural element to the Tuscan experience.
The landscape in the Tuscany wine region is just epic. The architecture, history and cuisine on top of the stunning views make Tuscany an incredible biking destination.
4. Willamette Valley, Oregon
Often compared to Burgundy, the Willamette Valley has become renowned for its Pinot Noir as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. With stunning natural beauty and a unique Pacific Northwest sensibility, the Willamette Valley offers a cycling experience like none other.
The Willamette Valley is located just an hour outside of Portland, often called America’s most bicycle-friendly city. Its temperate climate influenced by the nearby coast makes the growing conditions ideal for cool climate grapes like Pinot Noir – as well as cycling! It is a vast region, spanning more than 100 miles along the Willamette River with majestic mountain ranges to the east and the west.
Starting in Portland, you can journey through the lush Hood River Valley dotted with farms, orchards and microbreweries. Quiet rural roads will lead you through small country towns, wheatfields and hop farms.
The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway travels from just below Portland to Eugene. This is certainly one of the more strenuous biking routes on our list today, but you’ll be rewarded with incredible scenery. Cruise down the exhilarating Rowena Loops or experience the incredible waterfalls of the Silver Falls State Park.
Biking along the historic Columbia River Highway is a highlight. Soak in the view of the 620 ft. Multnomah Falls, the second highest in the country. Enjoy the serenity of country lanes, making stops at local fruit stands along the way. Visit the local olive grove to see their state of the art Italian olive mill. Fresh farm to fork cuisine is what this region is all about. Meet with local winemakers to learn about the unique soils of the region and how the climate and topography create such extraordinary wines.
Be sure to spend some time in the charming town of McMinnville, which makes a fantastic home base when exploring the valley. Wander among its quaint shops, galleries and tasting rooms before indulging in one of their many spectacular restaurants.
With world class wines and incredible natural beauty, the Willamette Valley offers an experience that every cyclist – and wine lover – needs to put on their list.
5. Chile, South America
Head to Chile for the adventure of a lifetime, where you’ll find wines that are a fantastic value – and delicious. From quiet country roads to the spectacular rugged coast, Chile is a cyclist’s dream. Located on a narrow strip of land on South America’s south-western coast, Chile’s combination of indigenous and European influences creates a truly unique and fascinating experience. All without jet lag!
Head out from Santiago into the lush Casablanca Valley. Famous for its crisp white wines, the valley also produces impressive reds. Aromatic eucalyptus groves line the roads with vineyards and farmland in this cooler wine region.
The imposing Andes Mountains create a stunning backdrop to the San Antonio Valley. The city of Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must visit for its architecture and cultural significance.
But no visit to Chile is complete without experiencing the Pacific Coast. Leave behind the vineyards for the wild crashing waves of the ocean. Discover a black sand beach and take in the views.
The Colchagua Valley is in the heart of agricultural Chile and offers a world class oenotourism experience. Here you will find premium wineries specializing in bold red wines, many from Chile’s flagship grape, Carménère. The lush, rolling vineyards are framed by mountains on the east and west, delighting visitors with an incredible vista. Wineries here specialize in a variety of unique tasting experiences, including an exciting helicopter jaunt into the vineyards. Posh resorts and stellar dining make the Colchagua Valley a spectacular visit.
Continue your cycle adventure through the countryside of estancias, or ranches, passed down from generation to generation. Surrounded by hills and forests, the Millahue Valley is also home to avant-garde architecture and contemporary art. Some believe this region will produce South America’s finest red wines.
Chile’s wine country is wonderful to explore by bicycle. From towering mountain vistas to the rugged Pacific coast, Chile offers spectacular natural beauty with world class wines.
As you can see, these wine destinations are truly exceptional for exploring by bike. All of these trips can be enjoyed with a small group tour or as a private adventure for you and your family. Throughout your journey, you will immerse in the scenery and culture, experiencing the region with all of your senses. Combining your love of cycling and wine country will give you the trip of a lifetime and create memories that will last for years to come.
If you love cycling and wine, contact us today to start planning your next adventure!