McLaren Vale: Bike Wine Tour with Tastings & Adelaide Pickup

Summary

Cycle McLaren Vale vineyards sample wine relax over lunch small group

You’ll pedal past McLaren Vale’s vineyards with a small group and local guide, tasting wines straight from family-run cellars and sharing lunch under gum trees. Expect laughter (sometimes at yourself), easygoing company, and moments where South Australia’s landscape sneaks up on you in quiet ways.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly bailed when I saw the bikes lined up outside our van in Adelaide — hadn’t touched one in years, but our guide Sam just grinned and said, “Don’t worry, it’s mostly downhill to the first winery.” He was right. The air smelled like eucalyptus and wet earth as we rolled into McLaren Vale, legs waking up with each turn of the pedals. I kept glancing sideways at rows of vines flashing by, some still holding onto mist from the morning. There was this moment where a kookaburra started laughing somewhere above us — honestly, it felt like the bird was mocking my wobbly steering.

We stopped at a cellar door tucked between gum trees. The winemaker poured something deep and red into my glass (I forgot the name instantly — Shiraz maybe?) and told us about how the soil here is older than most European vineyards. I could taste something earthy in the wine, or maybe that was just me still catching my breath. Lunch came out on big wooden boards — local cheese, bread that actually crackled when you tore it, olives so salty they made me squint. Someone asked if we could try another white; Sam just nodded and poured a splash from a bottle he’d stashed in his backpack.

The ride through Kuitpo Forest was quieter than I expected — all filtered green light and soft tire sounds on dirt. At one point Li from our group tried to teach me how to say “cheers” in Mandarin (I absolutely butchered it; she laughed so hard she nearly dropped her bike). By the second winery, everyone had loosened up — swapping stories about bad dates or weird jobs back home. It didn’t feel like a tour anymore, more like we’d lucked into someone’s backyard party with really good wine.

I keep thinking about that last stretch before we loaded up for Adelaide again — sun slanting through the trees, hands sticky from grapes someone handed out at the final stop. It wasn’t fancy or anything, but I left feeling lighter somehow. If you’re even half-curious about a day trip to McLaren Vale by bike, just go for it. Even if your legs protest a little.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — McLaren Vale wine and bike tour

• Pick up in Central Adelaide
• Cycle through McLaren Vale region
• Stop at wineries and breweries

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this McLaren Vale bike tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off from central Adelaide are included.

How many wineries do we visit during the tour?

You’ll stop for tastings at two wineries along the route.

Is lunch provided on this day trip to McLaren Vale?

Yes, lunch is included as part of your tour experience.

Are bikes and helmets supplied?

Yes, all cycling equipment including bikes and helmets is provided.

How many people are on each tour group?

The maximum group size is nine people for an intimate experience.

Can children join this McLaren Vale wine tour by bike?

This tour isn’t recommended for children aged 11 or under.

Do I need to be very fit to join this bike wine tour?

No, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Does this include transport between Adelaide & McLaren Vale?

Yes, transport by air-conditioned 4WD vehicle is included both ways.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Adelaide, all cycling gear (bike and helmet), guidance from a friendly local expert throughout McLaren Vale’s vineyards and Kuitpo Forest, wine tastings at two different wineries plus a relaxed lunch with regional produce before heading back to town together.