Hawke’s Bay: Self-Guided Bike Tour with Wineries

Summary

Wine Tasting by Bike in Bridge Pa & Gimblett Gravels

Pedal through Hawke’s Bay’s vineyards on an easy self-guided bike tour with stops for wine tasting and lunch at local cellar doors. You’ll get a map, helmet, and roadside support—plus they’ll collect any bottles you buy along the way—so you can relax into the rhythm of vineyard life and savor moments you might not expect to remember.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed after picking up my bike at Ash Ridge Wines was the smell — a mix of grass and something sweet from the vines. The guy at the shop handed me a map and pointed out which wineries were open that day (not all of them are during the week, so check). He grinned when I asked if it was really as flat as everyone says — “You’ll see,” he said. He wasn’t lying. It’s basically level the whole way, which is good because I hadn’t been on a bike in months.

I started pedaling toward Sileni Estates, just a couple minutes away. There was this quiet hum from the cicadas and every so often you’d catch a breeze that smelled like earth and sun-warmed leaves. At Sileni, I tried a chardonnay that tasted almost buttery — not sure if that’s the right word but it stuck with me. The staff didn’t rush anyone; people lingered over cheese platters or just stared out at the vines. I ended up chatting with a couple from Wellington who had already bought two bottles (the shop collects them for you, so you don’t have to carry anything).

After that I sort of lost track of time. The route winds through Bridge Pa Triangle and Gimblett Gravels — names I’d only seen on labels before. Some places had bigger menus for lunch (I stopped at Oak Estate for something with local goat cheese), others just did tastings. At one point my chain slipped off and I panicked a bit, but roadside support showed up within ten minutes and fixed it while making small talk about rugby scores.

By late afternoon, everything felt slower — maybe it was the wine or just the sun getting lower over those endless rows of vines. My legs were tired but in that good way where you know you’ve earned your dinner later. Returning the bike felt weirdly final; part of me wanted to keep riding until dark. Even now, sometimes when I taste sauvignon blanc back home, I remember how quiet it was out there between stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Self-Guided Bike Tour of Wineries

• Collect bike at Ash Ridge Wines
• Cycle through Hawke's Bay wine region
• Visit selected wineries for tastings
• Enjoy lunch at a winery (optional)
• Continue cycling to other wineries
• Return bike to starting point

Top questions

How long does the Hawke’s Bay self-guided bike tour take?

The tour usually takes between four and six hours depending on how many wineries you visit and how long you stay at each stop.

Is pickup included for this Hawke’s Bay winery bike tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you start from Ash Ridge Wines’ vineyard base where bikes are provided.

Are all wineries open every day on this route?

No, not all wineries are open every weekday—most are open on weekends but it’s best to check ahead or ask at pickup.

Can children join this Hawke’s Bay winery cycling tour?

Yes, child trailers and infant seats are available if requested when booking; minimum drinking age is 18 years.

What happens if I get a flat tire during the ride?

Roadside support is included—they’ll come help if you have any difficulties like a flat tire or mechanical issue.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a bicycle and helmet, a detailed winery map to guide your route through Hawke’s Bay vineyards, roadside support for any issues during your ride, plus collection of any wine purchases (in summer) so you don’t have to carry bottles yourself.