Oakville Grocery in St. Helena
Book a tour with an established outfitter to take advantage of preplanned logistics and knowledgeable guides. Group tours often provide a support vehicle for supplies, wine purchases, bike repairs, and transport if you do not feel like riding. Typical tours run two, four or six days. For spur-of-the-moment cycling, ask at your hotel if they rent bikes. Napa Valley Bike Tours specializes, in customized itineraries and offers a dizzying range of options.
For tight budgets or greater independence, check out local bike shops St. Helena Cyclery and Calistoga Bike Shop for rentals, cycling maps, and local advice. Campgrounds near Napa, Skyline Wilderness Park, and St. Helena, Boothé Napa Valley State Park, are ideal staging points for touring the whole Valley. Advance booking is not usually necessary, except over holidays and during harvest. The bargains continue if you restrict your food purchases to the grocery stores and delicatessens such as Dean & DeLuca( a sumptuous celebration of artisanal
The French Laundry cheeses, seasonal fruits, and sensational treats) in St. Helena or the Oakville Grocery, which offers abundant local produce and specialty foods.
Keen cyclists who want vigorous hill climbs and long distance often cycle first and taste later. More leisurely is the“ taste and spit” method, which should keep your alcohol intake low for safety and enjoyment. Don’ t worry about spitting— it’ s a sign that you take wine tasting seriously( even if you don’ t). Pace yourself and take advantage of the many picnic opportunities at wineries and along the road. Above all, as you roll along the roads, soak in the ambiance of one of the most welcoming wine regions on earth.
Visit www. banvilleandjones / cellarext. aspx for more winery tour tips and links to all our recommended hot spots! �