Wine-themed cycling tours.
From Tuscany to Thailand, these wine-centric bicycle tours offer the perfect combination of adventure and indulgence.
1 / New Zealand BIKE THE WINERIES
This half-day romp with Queenstown-based Fork and Pedal Tours leaves the crowds of the South Island’s most popular destination far behind. The route involves an easy seven-kilometer ride through Central Otago’s vineyard-laced Gibbston Valley, taking in three distinctive wineries and a picnic lunch from a café in nearby Arrowtown. If you’re tempted to procure a few bottles of local vino en route, worry not—your guide will pick them up by car at the end of the tour. forkandpedal.co.nz; from US$174
2 / Italy TUSCANY LUXURY
What could be more satisfying than a culinary journey across the sun-kissed heartlands of Tuscany? From April through June and September through October, Europe specialist Gourmet Cycling Travel runs private six-day tours that will suit active oenophiles and foodies in search of la dolce
vita. Expect tastings of cheese, olive oil, and Montepulciano wine right at the source; an overnight stay at a familyrun winery renowned for its Brunello; authentic farmhouse breakfasts; and even a pizzamaking workshop. gourmetcyclingtravel.com; allinclusive from US$5,895
3 / Thailand KHAO YAI WINE TRAILS
For something closer to home, try this two-day excursion from Bangkok-based outfitter SpiceRoads. A two-hour drive from the Thai capital brings cyclists to the northern fringes of Khao Yai National Park, where the rolling hills of the Asoke Valley host a patchwork of dairy farms and vineyards, not to mention the occasional Buddhist wat. A visit to the 300-hectare Khao Yai Winery is one highlight; another is mouth-watering Thai meals paired with local reds or whites. spiceroads.com; all-inclusive from US$345
4 / United States CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY
Sojourn may run cycling trips all over the U.S. and Canada, but its six-day itinerary through California’s Sonoma wine region is a clear standout. The tour starts off in Dry Creek Valley—home to the world’s best zinfandel—with riders heading out to the Pacific coastline for two nights before returning inland to sip pinot noir in the Russian River Valley. Lodgings, too, are superb, ranging from the 19th-century Madrona Manor in Healdsburg to The Inn at Occidental, where each room comes equipped with a hot tub or Jacuzzi. gosojourn.com; all-inclusive from US$2,695