Crozet Winery Bike Tour: Cycle Virginia wine country with a sommelier

Pedal through wine country and taste what the land grows

A 6-hour bike tour through Crozet's wine country combines cycling on quiet rural roads with two winery visits, a substantial locally-sourced lunch, and a guided walk through the vineyards with sheep and cattle. Your sommelier guide covers wine production history and ecological farming practices. The tour includes bike rental (E-bike or upright), all tastings and food, photos, and return transport to downtown Charlottesville or your starting point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bike tour and winery visits

• Introduce and fit bikes
• Safety talk and start cycling
• Cycle past horse farms and Blue Ridge views
• Snack at vineyard with wine history
• Cycle through Virginia countryside roads
• Lunch with local food and ecological wine
• Guided stroll with sheep and cattle
• Return to cars or shuttle to lodging

The experience

You start the morning at the meeting point near Crozet, get fitted to either a step-through E-bike or an upright fitness bike, and head out on quiet rural roads. The first 5 miles take you past horse farms with their regal barns and open views toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park. At the first winery, you sit down to a private table overlooking the vineyards while your guide walks you through how wine was made before modern techniques took over, then eat a robust snack sourced entirely from Central Virginia producers.

The second cycling section covers 13 miles through classic Virginia countryside: historical estates and pastoral landscapes on both sides. You finish at the second winery for a substantial lunch of healthy, locally-made food (not just another charcuterie board), paired with ecologically-grown white, rosé, and red wines. Your guide shares stories about grape growing and food production in the region. After lunch, you take a guided walk through the vineyards alongside sheep and cattle while learning what ecological agriculture means in a winery setting. By 3:30 pm you're back at your car, or if you took a rideshare to the start, a complimentary shuttle returns you to downtown Charlottesville.

The support vehicle follows the group with water, electrolytes, medical and bike supplies, and space for your purchases and personal items. If you want to skip a cycling section, comfortable transportation is available. A sommelier-guide with firsthand experience in wine production, sales, and viticulture leads the whole day. Photos of you and your travel partners are included.

What’s included

• Bike rental (step-through E-bike or upright fitness bike) with helmet, phone mount, and handlebar bag.
• snacks from Charlottesville-area artisans at the first winery.
• substantial locally-sourced lunch at the second winery with ecologically-grown wines.
• second winery tasting fee.
• sommelier guide with wine production and sales expertise.
• support vehicle with water, electrolytes, medical and bike supplies.
• photos of you and your travel partners.
• return transport to your car or complimentary shuttle to downtown Charlottesville lodging.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday and WednesdayDeparts at 09:30Last departure this season: 2 Nov

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (13 to 85 years) · Youth (9 to 12 years) · Under 9: can't be booked

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Shifting Gears Travel

Is this one for you?The 6-hour timeframe fits a full morning and early afternoon, leaving you time to visit another winery or explore downtown Charlottesville afterward. Families with children ages 9 and up can join. The pace is set by the group and the support vehicle means no one gets left behind.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 12 years). Children under 9 can't be included in the booking.

How much cycling is actually involved in this tour?

You cycle two sections totaling 18 miles on quiet rural roads: 5 miles in the morning past horse farms and mountain views, then 13 miles through countryside estates in the afternoon. A support vehicle travels with the group, so you can ride at your own pace or skip a section if you need to.

What kind of food and wine will I taste?

The tour includes a robust snack at the first winery, then a substantial lunch of healthy, locally-made food at the second winery, paired with ecologically-grown white, rosé, and red wines. All food is sourced from Central Virginia producers, not generic charcuterie. The first winery's tasting fee is optional (usually $10–$15 per person or split with a friend). The second winery tasting is included.

What bikes are available, and do I need to be an experienced cyclist?

You can choose a step-through E-bike or an upright fitness bike, both fitted to you at the start. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The roads are easy to follow, and your guide provides verbal route directions on your phone. A support vehicle is always nearby if you need help.

What happens if I don't have a car at the starting point?

If you took an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare to the start, a complimentary shuttle returns you to your lodging in downtown Charlottesville at the end of the day. You can also arrange your own transport to the meeting point near Crozet.

What does the guide teach about wine and farming?

Your sommelier guide explains how wine was made before modern techniques, then shares stories about the past, present, and future of grape growing and food production in the region. During the vineyard walk after lunch, you learn what ecological agriculture means in a winery setting while walking alongside sheep and cattle.

What's included in the tour price?

Bike rental (E-bike or upright), helmet, phone mount, and handlebar bag; snacks and a substantial lunch from local producers; the second winery's tasting fee; photos of you and your group; a sommelier guide; water, electrolytes, and support vehicle; and return transport to your car or downtown Charlottesville lodging.