Frequently Asked Questions

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Is this a group tour? Will my husband and I be combined with an existing tour?

No. All our tours are private. Just you and your husband or however many you have in your party/group. We work with you in advance to curate the day you are looking for. How far do you want to ride? How many wineries do you want to visit? Which varietals of wine would you like to taste? We set up the day the way you want. Doing private tours, paying attention to the details, and 16 years of experience is the reason most guests tell us “this was the best day of our vacation!”

Should we take the E-bikes? We want to get some exercise!

  • Our e-bikes are “pedal assist”, meaning you have to pedal, no throttle.
  • You, as the rider of the e-bike, control the level of assist, from 0 assist to level 5, lots of assist.
  • The e-bikes are heavy, roughly 50 lbs. If you want exercise, don’t use the assist, you’ll get plenty of exercise.
  • Using the e-bikes gives us the ability to ride farther, see more of our beautiful area.
  • Taking the e-bikes removes the “grind” out of the rolling hills. Adds another layer of fun!

Do you serve sandwiches for lunch? Can you accommodate vegetarian & vegan?

  • No we don’t serve sandwiches; we love food, and no better place to enjoy food than outdoors at one of our winery partners. We give you the option of chicken, salmon, beef, or vegetarian. You each can pick one.
  • In addition to these protein options, we serve local cheese, green salad, pasta salad, hummus and veggies, for the vegetarians, and my favorite dessert!
  • Yes, we can provide menu options for vegetarian and vegan.

Questions?

Call or text 707 326 0236

Email dave@adventureincycling.com

When is the Best Time to visit Napa Sonoma Wine Country

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The #1 time to come is when your schedule allows. 

November through March is our “Offseason.” Also known as our “rain season”. Napa and Sonoma are in Northern California, not sunny Southern California with beaches and surfing. We get on average 30 inches of rain, just a little less than Seattle. Winter temps are 50’s & 60’s during the day and 30’s & 40’s at night.

  • Make the most of discounted accommodations, tastings, and tours.
  • Experience a more relaxed and personal atmosphere at wineries and tasting rooms.
  • Visit smaller, family-owned wineries or join special winter tastings.
  • It’s easier to secure reservations at top restaurants

April, May, June The weather starts to get better, warmer, chance of rain decreases, the days are longer, and the vines start to grow rapidly, as the temps spike up. Once the rain stops, the beautiful green hills and grasses turn brown but the vines provide the color.  Temps are 45 to 75 in April and May, 50 to 85 in June.

As more people start to visit the area, hotel, B&B prices start to inch up, the prime restaurant reservation times get tougher to secure. I always recommend, make your dinner reservations as far out as they’ll take them. That way you can eat from 6:00 to 8:00 pm not get stuck with the 4:30 or 9:00 time.

July, August, September, no rain, no humidity, no bugs, 55 degrees overnight, 90’s during the day. We do get a few very hot days each year, where the temps get over 100.  Hottest part of the day is from 3:00 to 6:00. After 6:00 temps start going down. You’ll need a sweater at 8:00 pm. Cool mornings and hot afternoons are perfect growing conditions for grapes.

  • This is “High Season”. Hotel rates highest, tough to get a reservation for the weekends
  • Try and come during the weekdays
  • Grapes start to develop sugar and turn color, called Veraison
  • Chardonnay & Pinot grapes get picked as early as July to make Sparkling Wine
  • These grapes & Sav Blanc, Zinfandel, Malbec will get picked for still wines by the end of September

October is my favorite month. The hot days are behind us, averaging 45 to 77. After the grapes are picked, the vines to go dormant for the winter, which creates the fall colors. Cabernet Sauvignon are the last grapes to get picked. Fingers crossed that no natural disaster hits, frost or long spell of rain or unnatural disaster, fire, that prevents the grapes from getting harvested.

  • Fall colors
  • Grape picking, processing, lots of added activity going on
  • Wine making, many of our small winery partners will let you in behind the curtains to watch