Great Escape: Wine Tasting on Two Wheels

Spring is here, and as a self-respecting oenophile you might be having thoughts of day trips to Napa and Sonoma. If you like to polish off your tasting glass instead of pouring it into the spit bucket, you also might be considering winery tours by bike. But how to do it all and stay local, too? 

Jon Zalon, founder and leader of East Bay Winery Bike Tours, has the answer. A few years ago, after taking a seasonal position as a winery bike tour leader in Napa, he got the idea of trying something similar in the East Bay.

After stumbling across Periscope Cellars in Emeryville, he found out about the East Bay Vintners Alliance. He attended a couple of its meetings and began planning tours.

“I wanted to do a really green business so that people wouldn't need to drive up there,” says Zalon. “The tours also contribute to the local economy.”

A typical tour visits three or four wineries and stops for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot along the way. The routes are safe and flat and let riders see the area in a way that's impossible in a car.

Tours start at 11:30 a.m., finish about 5 p.m., and cost $89, which includes bike rental, helmet, tour guide, tasting fees and a picnic lunch. If you bring your own bike there is a $15 discount.

The spring season starts Saturday. Book your tour at East Bay Winery Bike Tours.  Happy tasting!