Napa Valley: The Cycling Paradise You Haven't Discovered

• Go on a leisurely cycle ride through and along vineyards on the car-free Vine Trail: The eight-mile section between St. Helena and Calistoga is particularly scenic, with views of Mount Saint Helena and the Mayacamas Mountains. Both Calistoga and St. Helena are charming towns with farm-to-table restaurants, tasting rooms, and spa resorts.

• Hire a guide with local knowledge of the backroads who can craft a tour route tailored to your fitness level, cycling skills, and culinary preferences. Along the way, you can experience the diverse terroirs of Napa Valley and stop for coffee or lunch at the places local cyclists frequent, such as Clif Family Winery or Oakville Grocery. Make it a 50-mile loop of the valley for an amazing and challenging day.

• Cycle past magnificent redwoods and babbling brooks in the Diamond Mountain AVA and climb a challenging 1,400 feet over 3.8 miles to witness spectacular views of the valley floor. Afterward, reward your accomplishment with a beer from Calistoga’s Napa Valley Brewing Company.

• Cycle with a winemaker to get an insider’s perspective on winemaking, viticulture, and the science and art of what makes a great bottle. Along the way, taste from the barrel and measure the sugar content of a grape with a Brix Refractometer. End your ride with an intimate tasting with the winemaker at his charming tasting room in downtown Calistoga.

• Cycle from or via Calistoga to Sonoma’s quaint towns, such as Geyserville and Healdsburg, and AVAs, such as the Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. Refuel at Diavola Pizzeria and leave wishing you could order it at home. After your ride, recover with a cold plunge and massage at Solage or hot spring–fed mineral baths at Calistoga Spa and Hot Springs.

Clif Family Winery: A must-stop winery and lunch spot for cyclists. This winery, established by Gary Erickson, the creator of the cyclist- loved Clif Bar, offers outstanding wines and an ever-changing menu of bruschette, rotisserie chicken, and salads fueled by seasonal ingredients from their organic Clif Family Farm. Inside the tasting room, you will find photos from Gary’s many cycling adventures and sponsored competitive cyclists.

Olabisi Wines: A boutique winery with a charming tasting room in downtown Calistoga. The winemaker, Ted Osborne, with nearly thirty years of winemaking expertise spanning four continents, crafts outstanding wines from one-of-a-kind vineyard sources tended by uncommonly talented farmers. With a miniscule production of under 1,000 cases per year, he’s able to pay attention to each of his wines as individual expressions of the incredible vineyards from which they’re sourced. Ted is also an avid cyclist and leads a cycling tour called “Ride With A Winemaker,” where he brings his insider knowledge and engaging stories to offer a rare, intimate glimpse into the vineyards, the terroir, viticulture, and the artistry behind winemaking.

Benessere Vineyards: When you’re looking for a change from the typical Napa wine varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Benessere is the place to go for a taste of Italy. Located next to a beautiful vineyard and the Napa River, and with beautiful views of the hills surrounding the valley, Benessere is a small family owned winery crafting Super Tuscans, Aglianicos, and Sangioveses, among other Italian wines.

Robert’s Tropical Table: When you’re ready for a cocktail and a change of vibe, go to Robert’s in downtown Calistoga for beautifully garnished and delicious cocktails and some Jamaican music and food. Robert was previously the cocktail artist at Brasswood and has really created something different and special. I highly recommend having the jerk chicken with the dumplings.

Pico Bar: Located by the pool at Solage, an Auberge Resort, this restaurant offers a sophisticated take on Mexican cuisine and crafts delicious cocktails. Make sure to try the queso, the crispy avocado tacos, and the fish tacos.

Charlie's: Top-notch California cuisine! The oysters are a must, and if you like abalone, it’s to die for. We prefer to sit at the bar, as it’s a lively scene.

Lovina: A local favorite founded by the woman behind San Francisco’s beloved brunch spot Zazie. They have something to offer for all culinary tastes, as well as a great curated selection of local wines, which are a great inspiration for wineries to visit.