Life moves at a different pace while cycling. Whether you’re mashing for primes in a criterium or running errands on your townie, you’re still traveling at a slower rate than cars hustling on the highway. If you want your transportation to maximize the opportunity to enjoy the journey just as much as the destination there are few vehicles as well suited as a bike. This was our mindset when we contacted Napa Valley Bike Tours to rent a pair of hybrids and set out exploring Yountville wineries by bike.
Getting Started: Napa Valley Bike Tours
Before arriving in Yountville we contacted Napa Valley Bike Tours to make our reservation. Once there, Tom provided an orientation on the bikes and discussed the route based on the wineries we wanted to visit. He also gave a brief overview of the layout and topography of the region and made a note of our lunch selections before walking us out to make some minor fit adjustments on the bikes.
Once he felt confident that the bikes fit us well and we had a good sense of where we were going, he rode us out to the Napa Valley Wine Trail that runs north and south along the west side of town and bid us safe travels.
Heading Out: The Scenic Route North
Cliff Lede Vineyards was the first winery on our schedule but I had asked Tom about a scenic route to add a few more miles to our journey so we rode out north of town down smooth, deserted backroads passing acre upon acre of vineyards. It was, in my best estimation, a typical early-summer day: warm in the sun and cool in the shade. There was ample shade from tall trees overhead and a handful of clouds. Riding past those endless rows of vines proved almost hypnotic and we stopped a few times to take pictures for the scrapbook.
We eventually came upon the highway and figured if we double-backed toward town and rode east, we should arrive right on schedule for our first wine tasting. The roads were very lightly traveled and reasonably well-marked. We stopped a coupe times to check the GPS to make sure that we hadn’t missed a turn or overshot the mark. After riding across a small bridge still heading east, we finally saw the sign for Cliff Lede Vineyards on our right. There was a good amount of parking both for cars and bikes so we used the cable lock stored in the handlebar bag to lace up our bikes to the rack and went inside.
If this post were about the wineries themselves, I would gush on with an endless string of superlatives about how gorgeous, charming, vibrant, etc. they were and even then, I would probably be understating it a bit. Needless to say, you don’t have to be a wine lover to have a good experience here but it certainly does help.
First Stop: Cliff Lede Vineyards
After we had sampled a delightful selection of wines and taken a brief tour of the grounds we set out again, this time heading west back to town. We took a slightly different route back cutting in through the east side of town before turning south and working our way toward the center of town. From there, we rode due south until we exited town and saw the sign for Bell Wine Cellars on the left. We were running a little late at that point having enjoyed ourselves longer than expected at Cliff Lede. A man was sitting at a picnic bench in front of Bell eating his lunch when we arrived. I asked him if it would be alright to leave the bikes by the front door and he said it would be fine. I later found out the man eating lunch by himself out front was Anthony Bell, the owner and winemaker of Bell Wine Cellars.
Second Stop: Bell Wine Cellars
We started with a tour of the grounds at Bell before nestling in to the tasting room for an education on all things grapes and wine. Our lessons included some botany, genetics, geology, meteorology, and chemistry before we put those lessons to use in tasting a variety of exquisite wines. Toward the conclusion of the tasting we were informed that our lunch was waiting for us on the north patio. Much to our delight, Tom had delivered lunch from Yountville Deli in a large cooler complete with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. We had our own private picnic with a view of the vineyard. This experience alone would have made the trip worthwhile but toss in a couple deluxe wine tastings and a scenic ride through the countryside and we’ll be talking about this for years to come.
The Picnic Lunch
I can’t say we finished lunch but we finally stopped eating. The food was tasty and there was more than enough in the cooler to feed three or four people. What were we eating? Tom had arranged a spread from Yountville Deli that included overstuffed sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips, and cold drinks … simple, satisfying fuel for a day of cycling and sipping. If you’re a foodie visiting Yountville, it’s also worth knowing that the town punches well above its weight for dining. Thomas Keller’s French Laundry is here, along with Bouchon Bistro and a handful of other exceptional restaurants worth building an extra day around.
Something about that perfect California weather and a view that would never get old had us grazing past the point of common sense. The sun had shifted while we sat there eating, drinking, and talking. By the time we hopped on the bikes and started back toward town we were met by Tom driving his van who was on his way to Bell to check on us and to retrieve the cooler. We laughed. We told him of the great times we had at Cliff Lede and Bell and riding out north of town to do some sightseeing. Tom smiled. I suspect this wasn’t the first time he had folks lose track of time while riding around Yountville. We chatted for a while before Tom asked if we would like a ride back. And miss a chance at riding a few more miles in Yountville? Absolutely not.
The Ride Back
By now we had a good sense of the roads and the layout of town. Something about riding a bike will do that for you; you’ll have the time to look at street signs, recognize buildings and landmarks, and even chat with pedestrians and other riders if the opportunity arises. It seemed like just a few turns of the pedals before we were back at Napa Valley Bike Tours and turning in our rentals. The bikes, a men’s Specialized Sirrus and women’s Specialized Vita, proved perfect companions for the day’s journey with an evenly spaced range of gears and a good riding position for seeing the sights while keeping a moderate pace. Kudos to the in-house bike mechanic as we experienced no major mechanical issues with either bike which is always a concern when renting. Special thanks to Tom for his patience in answering all of our questions before we set out that day and making the reservations with the wineries. If you’d like to explore Yountville and the surrounding areas, I can think of no better way to make the most of this experience than to park your car and enjoy the ride.
Plan Your Yountville Bike Tour
If this story has you ready to trade your car keys for handlebars, here’s everything you need to plan your own Yountville bike tour.
Napa Valley Bike Tours
Tom and the team at Napa Valley Bike Tours make the whole experience seamless. From bike fitting and route planning to coordinating winery reservations and delivering your picnic lunch. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so whether you want a local expert leading the way or prefer to explore at your own pace, they have an option for you.
- Website: napavalleybiketours.com
- Book in advance: Weekends and summer months fill up quickly, so reserve your bikes and winery slots as early as possible, ideally a few weeks ahead.
- What’s included: Hybrid bike rental, helmet, lock, handlebar bag, route map, and GPS. Picnic lunch delivery can be arranged for an additional fee and is absolutely worth it
- Skill level: This route is beginner-friendly. The Napa Valley Wine Trail is mostly flat and paved, making it accessible even if you haven’t been on a bike in a while
- Distance: Plan for roughly 10–15 miles depending on your route and detours. We added extra miles heading north of town and didn’t regret it for a second
The Wineries
We visited two wineries on our self-guided tour, which felt like the perfect number for a full day out. Tastings at each winery run approximately 60–90 minutes, and it’s easy to linger longer than planned … budget accordingly!
- Cliff Lede Vineyards: Known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and stunning vineyard views. The patio overlooking the vines is not to be missed. Book a tasting in advance as appointments fill up.
- Bell Wine Cellars: A more intimate, educational tasting experience where you’ll learn the science behind winemaking before ever lifting a glass. Bonus: you might just run into the owner having lunch out front.
The Picnic Lunch
Don’t skip the picnic lunch option. Tom arranged delivery from Yountville Deli that included sandwiches, snacks, and drinks packed neatly in a cooler waiting for us on the patio at Bell Wine Cellars. Eating lunch with a vineyard view on a perfect California afternoon is one of those travel memories that sticks with you. There is something about earning your meal on a bike that makes everything taste better.
Tips for Your Visit
- Start early to beat the midday heat, especially in summer
- Bring sunscreen and a light layer. It’s warm in the sun but cool in the vineyard shade
- Wear comfortable clothes you can move in; you don’t need cycling gear for this route
- Designate a driver or arrange a return shuttle if you plan to taste at more than two wineries
- Download an offline map before you go. Cell service can be spotty on some of the backroads north of town
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