Unlike heavily impacted Napa and Sonoma, the Paso Robles wine country has plenty of small, friendly wineries featuring award winning red wines as well as many relatively level roads with light traffic. Our half day wine country bicycle tour begins east of Paso Robles and winds along scenic roads on it’s way to a peaceful road next to the Salinas River, where Hearst Ranch Winery beckons. A short climb away from the river brings you into the heart of Paso Robles wine country, where you have chances to taste at J. Lohr while enjoying expansive views of the surrounding vineyards.
The tour finishes with a complimentary wine tasting and gourmet picnic lunch at Le Vigne tasting room. This bicycle tour of the Paso Robles area provides a great half day of wine tasting and cycling along mostly level roads.
| Distance | 15 miles with options to add 5 additional miles. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderately Easy |
| Terrain | Mostly level with a few short hills on the 12 mile route (elevation gain/loss = 494 feet). Hillier on longer option. |
| Tour Time | 9:30 am to 2:00 pm |
| Complimentary Pick-Up | Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Paso Robles. Please call if interested in pick up fees for other locations. |
| Minimum Age | 12 years old |
| Includes | Choice of bike (hybrid or road), guide, gourmet picnic lunch, wine tasting fees at lunch winery. Wine tasting fees at other wineries not inlcuded. |
| Wineries on Route | Regular route: Hearst Ranch Winery (Daily), J. Lohr (Daily) Le Vigne (Daily), Via Vega (Fri-Sun), Riverstar (Thu-Mon). Extended option: Four Sisters Ranch (Fri-Sun), Locatelli (Fri-Mon) |
Imagine a leisurely stroll under blue skies, amidst rolling vineyards that lead to renowned wineries. If that paints a picture of your ideal getaway, then Paso Robles Wine and Bike Tours are your dream come true. Located on the Central Coast of California, Paso Robles has cemented itself as a premier wine destination, and what better way to explore its nuances and charm than on two wheels?
From the first squeeze of the grape to the pour into the glass, the Paso Robles Wine Country experience is both for the enthusiastic oenophile and the casual wine lover. Pairing this with the invigorating experience of cycling through the countryside offers a day filled with delights for all the senses.
Pedal into the Heart of Paso Robles Wine Country
Eccentric, diverse, and expansive—the Paso Robles wine region spans over 40,000 vineyard acres and is home to 200 wineries. This abundance is a treasure trove for wine connoisseur bike tours. Cyclists are treated to a kaleidoscope of landscape, from the limestone-rich hills of the west to the foothills of the Santa Lucia range in the east.
The Perfect Vineyard Trail
Pedaling at your pace, you’ll meander through oak-dotted hills and lush greenery, transitioning to valleys adorned with grapevines that stretch to meet the horizon. Companies like Wine Wrangler and Uncorked offer meticulously planned routes, ensuring riders not only witness the beauty of the land but get a taste of the area’s best reds and whites.
Saddle Up for an Adventure
The adventure begins with selecting the right kind of bike for the day. Hybrid or electric bicycles are recommended for these long rides, ensuring you conserve enough energy for both cycling and sampling. Local guides, often oenophiles themselves, accompany riders, doubling as storytellers of the region’s rich history and winemaking heritage.
Tasting Terroir: Wine and the Paso Robles Landscape
Paso Robles is characterized by distinct microclimates, soil varieties, and elevations, known as ‘terroirs’. Its wines reflect the nuances of these landscapes.
From Vine to Glass
A visit to the wineries here isn’t just about tasting—it’s a sensory exploration. At Adelaida Vineyards, for instance, you can stand among their hilltop vines, feeling the coastal breeze, and then trace the process down to their cellars. In these secluded spaces, the marriage of climate and craft manifests in every pour.
Notable Estates
Each winery has a story to tell; at Tablas Creek Vineyard, the legacy of the Perrin family and their artisanal Rhône-style wines. Closer to the heart of Paso Robles, Daou Vineyards’ perched seating presents a view that pairs perfectly with their Bordeaux-styled blends. The variety of tastings and experiences reflect the tapestry of flavors unique to each estate.
The Bountiful Venture of Bike and Sip
The synergy of cycling and wine tasting isn’t just about the physical contrast, but also a harmonious blend of active exploration and indulgence.
A Gastronomic Getaway
Lunching at a winery or at one of the many artisanal eateries along the cycling trail is a gastronomic affair. The coursework between the flight of wines complements the locally-sourced, wine-paired cuisines, making every bite as memorable as the picturesque routes.
Community and Culture
Venturing out on these tours isn’t just a personal endeavor; it’s an immersion into a community that thrives on sharing its passion for the grape. From wine festivals to the welcoming staff at every turn, Paso Robles is all about experience-sharing.
Safety and Sustainability on the Trail
With the thrill of touring comes a commitment to safety and sustainability. Paso Robles takes great pride in its eco-friendly practices and encourages visitors to experience the region with a similar ethos.
Eco-Conscious Experiences
Many wineries employ sustainable farming methods. From dry farming techniques to minimizing their carbon footprint, it’s an example of how wine tourism and eco-consciousness can harmonize.
Pedal with a Purpose
Cycling contributes to reducing the ecological impact, allowing you to engage with the land without leaving a mark. Many bike rental services in Paso Robles also share this vision and offer eco-friendly tours, ensuring every sip you take preserves the beauty you see.
Beyond Wines and Wheels in Paso Robles
A trip to Paso Robles is more than the sum of its tastings and trails—it’s about the moments you craft between these experiences.
Local Treasures
Don’t miss out on the quaint downtown Paso Robles, filled with charming local shops and farm-to-table restaurants. The weekly farmer’s market is a vibrant gathering of community and culture, offering a delightful detour from the vineyards.
The Arts and the Outdoors
The city also boasts a burgeoning arts scene, with annual festivals and galleries. For the outdoor enthusiast, the city’s proximity to the scenic coastline and its array of hiking trails only adds to the adventure.
Planning Your Paso Robles Wine and Bike Tour
Preparation is key to making the most of your wine and bike adventure in Paso Robles.
Route Reconnaissance
Research your chosen wineries and the cycling trails that lead to them. Understand the terrain and the distances between stops, ensuring you can taste at your leisure while also maintaining a schedule.
Seasonal Sensibilities
Paso Robles experiences warm summers and cool winters. Plan your tour around the seasons to take advantage of comfortable weather. Harvest season can be busy, but the vineyards in bloom add an extra layer of beauty.
Tour Packages
Consider booking a tour package—your cycling and wine tasting itineraries will be charted to the finest detail, allowing you to simply enjoy the ride.
Closing Thoughts: The Paso Robles Experience
Paso Robles offers a tapestry of experiences that celebrate the marriage of soil and cycle, grape and wheel. It’s an adventure that’s as invigorating as it is indulgent, as much a celebration of nature’s bounty as it is of human craft.
For wine enthusiasts, this is about tasting the heart of the Central Coast. For adventure seekers, it’s about discovering a new world with every turn of the pedal. And for local tourists, it’s a chance to revisit a cherished corner of California with fresh eyes and a thirst for discovery.
When in Paso Robles, the best way to take it all in is with a bike beneath you and a wine glass ahead. Here’s to savoring the ride.