Summer
is almost here: the perfect time to grab a bike and head out to your favorite
wine trail for a bit of sipping and cycling through wine country. If you need
some ideas, here are six fantastic bike and wine trails that you can “spin the
bottle” on …
1)
Missouri Katy Trail, Missouri
 |
| Katy Trail |
The
Katy Trail www.bikekatytrail.com is
named for the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and offers bikers over 235
miles of easy trails that wend along unused rail beds, plus 20 wineries to explore. Make
plans for winery stops in three towns: Augusta has 9 wineries including, for you
Monte Python fans, the Holy Grail Winery www.holygrailwinery.com where the Belgian Dark Chocolate Cups are decadent. In Hermann, there are 5 wineries to explore including
the oldest one on the route and in the state, Stone Hill Winery www.stonehillwinery.com. The town of Defiance offers 3 more wineries on the longest rail-trail route in the country.
2)
Heart of Colorado Wine Trail, Colorado
 |
| Colorado Cellars Winery |
The
Heart of Colorado Wine Country Trail
www.coloradowine.com
has some of the world’s best mountain biking trails running through not one, but
two American Viticultural Areas (AVA). These AVAs are home to over 80% of the
state’s vineyards on what is one of the largest wine trails in the U.S. The
Grand Valley AVA runs along I-70 and the Colorado River, and includes 28
wineries and vineyards for your tasting pleasure. Check out the oldest winery
in the state, Colorado Cellars Winery www.coloradocellars.com
offering self-serve tastings. Another dozen wineries and vineyards are
scattered along the western slope of the West Elks AVA, including the highest
estate bottled winery and vineyard in the northern hemisphere – Terror Creek
Winery www.terrorcreekwinery.com.
3)
Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, Michigan
Surrounded
by water on three sides, the Leelanau Peninsula offers the perfect cool-climate
grape growing conditions. The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is home to 25
wineries but the route is broken up into three mini routes for easier navigation. The Northern Loop has 10
wineries, including 45 North Vineyard and Winery www.fortyfivenorth.com – located on
the famed 45th parallel. The Sleeping Bear Loop has 6 wineries; one not to
miss - Cherry Republic Winery www.cherryrepublic.com
where everything is coming up cherries. The Grand Traverse Bay Loop has 8
wineries and vineyards including Left Foot Charley www.leftfootcharley.com located in
the historic Northern Michigan Insane Asylum. Enjoy breathtaking views and
learn how the wines are made from local winemakers.
4)
Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, Pennsylvania
The
state of Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the country for the tonnage of grapes
grown. Of the 130+ wineries located in the Keystone state, 8 are on the
Brandywine Valley Wine Trail: all within a 50-mile radius of each other. Kick back and enjoy the gently rolling
countryside as you bike between Philadelphia and Amish country on this quiet,
scenic trail. One winery not to miss: Black Walnut Winery www.blackwalnutwinery.com located
in a 200+ year-old barn.
5)
Hike & Bike Sonoma Valley Trail, California
Sonoma
Valley is where the wine industry began in California and one of the most
popular trails is the Sonoma History and Wineries Trail. Not only will you get
to sample some exceptional wines crafted by some of the oldest wineries in the
state, you’ll also take in a little of California’s history along the way.
There are five wineries on this route, and Vella Cheese Company www.vellacheese.com, the perfect place to
pick up a hunk of award-winning cheese to enjoy with a bottle of wine.
6)
Coastal Wine Trail Bike Tour, Massachusetts and Rhode Island
New
England was made for cycling with gorgeous views, rolling hills, and peaceful
country roads. Sign up for a 5 day guided tour with Great Freedom Adventures www.greatfreedomadventures and
leave the details to someone else: have no worries as you glide along the Farm
Coast route. Estate grown wines are plentiful in this area so you won’t lack
for gorgeous vineyard views, and amazing varietals for sampling and sipping.
GFA also offers wine and bike trips that encompass three to six days of spinning through picturesque coastal New England.
And
a final note: Before heading out on a biking adventure, make sure your bike (and
you) are in optimum shape to enjoy the ride!
~
Joy
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