East Bay Wineries Offer Tastings on Two Wheels

Spring is here, and as a self-respecting oenophile you may already 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 might also be considering winery tours by bike. But how to do it all and stay local too? 

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

After stumbling across Periscope Cellars in Emeryville, he found out about the East Bay Vintners Alliance and after attending a couple of their meetings, he 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 to three or four wineries and stops for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot along the way. The chosen routes are safe, flat and give riders a chance to see the area in a way that's impossible to recreate from a car.

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

The spring season starts this Saturday, March 5 and you can book your tour at the East Bay Winery Bike Tours website. Happy tasting!