15 best bike and wine tours in the world

Classic bike and wine tour destinations in Europe

I’ve cycled in all three of these bike and wine destinations. They’re beautiful and definitely worth experiencing, but don’t come expecting solitude!

Loire Valley (France)

The Loire Valley is a fantastic destination for cycling wine tours, thanks to its rich wine heritage. Known for its beautiful vineyards and picturesque châteaux, this region provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable cycling adventure.

The Loire Valley is home to some of France’s most renowned wine regions, such as Sancerre and Vouvray. Cyclists can enjoy the Loire Valley’s tranquil cycling routes while taking brief diversions to taste exceptional local wines.

More information

• French Bike Tours offer cycling tours throughout France, including their “3 Grand Chateaux in 3 days” and their 10 day “Orléans to Angers” cycling holiday. Both options take you through stunning vineyards and past famous Loire Chateaux. There’s more information in our article on 5 best easy cycling holidays in France
• Our guide to cycling the Loire Valley around Angers

Saumur castle in the Loire Valley

Burgundy (France)

Burgundy is an ideal destination for those looking for leisurely cycling wine tours.

The famous wine-growing areas of Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune boast the chance to taste some of the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The region’s quiet roads meander through charming villages and well-maintained vineyards. There’s even an 80 kilometre bike path, the Voie de Vignes, from Beaune to Dijon, which winds through famous vineyards. If award-winning wines are your thing, it’s time for a cycling trip in Burgundy!

More information

• French Bike Tours offer a 4 day “Highlights around Beaune” cycling tour. Our article on 5 best easy cycling holidays in France includes more details.
• Boat Bike Tours offer an 8 day “Northern Burgundy Boat Bike tour”. Our article on bike and barge tours in France includes more details.

View of Cote de Nuits vineyards in the Burgundy region of France

Tuscany (Italy)

Tuscany is a perennial favourite with cycling tour operators offering bike wine tours. Cyclists can explore renowned regions like Chianti, Val d’Orcia, and Montalcino, where picturesque vineyards stretch across rolling hills. There are also opportunities to visit historic towns, such as San Gimignano, and taste outstanding wines like Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

With its combination of scenery, delicious wines, rich culinary experiences and history, Tuscany is an unforgettable cycling wine tour destination.

More information

• Gusto Cycling offer tours throughout Tuscany, including through the renowned regions mentioned above. Find out more in our guide to cycling Tuscany
• Our pick of the best bike hotels in Tuscany

Admiring the Tuscan landscapes on the Via Francigena in Tuscany

Less-known bike and wine destinations in Europe

The advantage of a wine and bike tour somewhere that’s less famous amongst wine aficionados is that the wine producers are likely to have more time for you and you’re less likely to have a “conveyor belt” experience; but do check ahead that they’ll be open!

Prosecco Hills and beyond (Italy)

The northeast of Italy is a top destination for cycling wine tours.

Cyclists can explore the Prosecco Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with vine-laden slopes and pretty villages. The Prosecco Hills are close to the wider region of Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG). FVG may be tricky to pronounce, but it’s a great choice for wine lovers; the Collio wine area is known for its exceptional white wines and can be experienced on the beautiful long-distance Alpe Adria cycle route.

It’s also worth mentioning that because Friuli Venezia Giulia is much less known than many parts of Italy. As a result, practicalities like accommodation and bike tours tend to come at a more reasonable price tag than you find elsewhere. Another reason to check it out!

More information

• FunActive’s “Prosecco Hills & Venice” discovery tour is an 8 day tour through the wine growing region of Prosecco Hills. Visit the place that more than 90 million bottles of Prosecco originate from every year! Find out more in our guide to cycling Northeast Italy.
• Read our guide to cycling Friuli Venezia Giulia
• Guide to the Alpe Adria cycle route

Exploring the Prosecco Hills in northeast Italy (photo credit: ©wisthaler.com)

Puglia (Italy)

Puglia, located in the southern tip of Italy, is known for its warm climate and trulli houses – but it also provides cyclists in the know a chance to explore scenic routes through vineyards and ancient olive groves.

Puglia is famous for its wines, including Primitivo and Negroamaro, which thrive in the region’s sun-soaked hills. On a bike-wine tour, cyclists can enjoy the gorgeous riding while taking the opportunity to taste exceptional local wines.

More information

• Puglia Cycle Tours’ “Heart of Puglia” tour through some of Puglia’s most gorgeous villages and wine growing areas, including Locorotondo and Ostuni. Find out more in this guide to cycling Puglia, Italy
• Our tips for cycling in Puglia

Exploring ancient olive groves in Puglia (photo credit: Puglia Cycle Tours)

Alentejo (Portugal)

The Alentejo region of Portugal is a great choice for those looking for a cycling wine tour destination that’s a bit off the beaten track, but which is rich in winemaking traditions.

Alentejo is celebrated for its full-bodied red wines and its clay pot wines, where the fermentation process in traditional clay vessels adds a distinct flavour. Add on top of this ancient castles, and authentic local culture away from the tourist masses, and you have an exceptional cycling holiday on the cards!

More information

• Portugal Best Cycling offer an 8 day “Alentejo Castles & Wines” tour that winds through sleepy, whitewashed villages, past medieval castles and famous wineries. Find out more in or article on cycling Alentejo, Portugal

Cycling in the central Alentejo region (photo credit: Turaventur)

Rioja (Spain)

Rioja, in northern Spain, might be one of Spain’s smallest provinces but it’s known for its world-class wines, especially its exceptional red wines; Rioja’s Tempranillo grape is the standout.

The terrain is varied, with river valleys and gentle hills. It’s also quieter than many more famous destinations. So, if you’ve been drinking wine from Rioja for years, perhaps now is the time to check out where it’s made!

More information

• Get more details on tours in Rioja and beyond in our article on cycling Northern Spain

Rioja vineyards

Costa Daurada (Spain)

Costa Daurada, located along Spain’s northeastern coast, is a fantastic destination for cyclists who love Spanish wine.

The picturesque Priorat and Montsant regions are renowned for their terraced vineyards, which produce excellent wines, particularly red wines. The wine cathedrals of the region are also interesting; built in the Modernist style at the start of the 20th Century, they have a unique style.

The hills of Priorat and Monstsant are inland from the popular coastline and are typically unhurried by traffic. This is a great option for those who want to escape the crowds in more famous regions and dig into Catalonia’s winemaking traditions. Oh, and the olive oil is also excellent!

More information

• Plan your own wine focused cycling tour using our guide to cycling Costa Daurada, Spain
• This cycling route through the Priorat and Montsant region will provide a useful start!

Cycling the Costa Daurada

Alsace (France)

Get ready to cycle through one of France’s most picturesque wine regions – the Alsace Wine Road.

Stretching between Marlenheim and Thann, this 130-kilometre cycle route takes you alongside the eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains, passing through around 100 wine-growing villages. Highlights include charming towns like Bergheim, Obernai, and Eguisheim, which was voted France’s favourite village (source). Along the way, cyclists will pass through 51 “Alsace Grand Cru AOC” terroirs, offering plenty of opportunities for wine tasting a few of the exceptional wines.

The route offers a wonderful cycling experience on former railway lines, sections of the old Roman Road and peaceful country lanes. If you love combining wine and cycling, this could be one for you.

More information

• French Bike Tours’ bike tour from Strasbourg through Alsace is becoming one of their most popular cycling tours. Our article on 5 best easy cycling holidays in France has more information.

Alsace vineyards on wine route

Wachau Valley (Austria)

The Wachau Valley in Austria is an interesting destination for wine-focused cycling tours, offering a blend of stunning landscapes and exceptional wines. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its dry-stone walls and vineyard terraces along the Danube River.

The region is famous for its crisp Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines, which can be tasted at the many welcoming wineries. Visit for the annual Wine Spring Festival during the first weekend in May and you’ll have a chance to dig deeper into the culture and spend some time cycling between wineries, with more than 100 vineyards opening their cellar doors.

More information

• BikePlanet’s “Bike&Cruise Passau-Budapest-Passau” offers a relaxed cycling tour on the Danube via several well-known wine growing regions. Find out more in this article on how to plan a Danube boat and bike tour.
• Or plan your own bike tour through Austria’s wine growing regions, using ourguide to cycling Austria.

A sunny day in the UNESCO Wachau Valley

Vipava Valley (Slovenia)

The Vipava Valley in Slovenia is a hidden gem for cycling wine tours, offering a rich mix of visual beauty and winemaking heritage.

Situated between the Alps and the Adriatic, the valley is home to some of Slovenia’s best vineyards, producing a variety of exceptional wines, including the region’s famous white varieties. Vipava town is the capital of Vipava Valley wine. Other lovely towns to visit include Goče, which is well-known for its 60+ wine cellars, with vaulted ceilings and built from the local stone.

Vipava Valley is one for those who love great cycling but also great wine.

More information

• Use our guide to cycling Slovenia’s Vipava Valley to plan a cycle trip to Slovenian wine country.

Vipava Valley, Slovenia

Dealu Mare region (Romania)

The Dealu Mare region in Romania may be the least-known wine-growing region on this list. Good if you like to do something your friends haven’t?! Known for its rolling hills and picturesque vineyards, Dealu Mare is one of Romania’s top wine-producing areas, and red wines like Fetească Neagră top the must-try list.

If you’re visiting Romania, add a bike tour of the Dealu Mare region to your wish list.

More information

• Bike In Time offer a tour through the vineyards of Romania’s Dealu Mare region. Find out more in our guide to cycling Romania.
• These tips for planning bike tours in Romania should also come in handy.

Cycling in Romania through the Dealu Mare vineyards (photo credit: Bike in Time)

Bike and wine tours outside Europe

Valparaíso Region (Chile)

The Valparaíso Region in Chile is located just a short distance from the capital, Santiago.

Cyclists can explore renowned wine areas such as the Casablanca Valley, famous for its cool-climate whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The region’s combination of picturesque cycling routes, excellent wines, and vibrant culture makes it an ideal spot for wine enthusiasts and cyclists alike.

More information

• Chile Rides offers guided rides in various parts of Chile, including Valparaíso. Find out more in ourguide to cycling Chile.

Chile vineyards

Victoria (Australia)

The Victoria region of Australia is a prime destination for both wine lovers and cyclists and there are plenty of options for those looking for vineyard cycling tours.

From the cool-climate vineyards of the Yarra Valley to the warm, sun-soaked wineries of the Grampians, cyclists can explore scenic routes such as the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. There is also the Great Victorian Rail Trail and Great Southern Rail Trail.

The region is renowned for producing high-quality wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

More information

• Plan your own wine bike tour in Victoria  with the helping hand of our guide to cycling Victoria, Australia.

Yarra Valley vineyard

What’s next?

Have you been on a cycling wine tour? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

Want some more inspiration for cycling tours in Europe and beyond? Check out the below:

• In-depth guides to cycling all of the countries mentioned above
• 10 best coastal cycling routes
• 13 best cycling islands
• 7 best river cycling routes 
• 12 best cycling destinations in Europe
• 9 of the world’s most scenic bike rides
• 9 most bike-friendly cities

Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.