Monthly Archives: May 2016

Dry Creek Valley by Bike

For National Physical Fitness month – we’re celebrating Dry Creek Valley style – by bike! There’s a number of you who have had the chance to sit early morning at the Dry Creek Valley General Store – the air is crisp and the sun is burning off the valley fog. Over a century of agricultural and family history are ever present on the deck of the only commercial building in the Valley.

As you take a sip of your freshly brewed coffee and look at your Dry Creek Valley Map to plan your day, a group of bicyclers come to a rest at one of the five stop signs in the valley and you think to yourself, “what a great way to enjoy the beauty. I’ll have to do that someday.”

General Store Bikes

This article is to help you turn that someday, into this weekend or the next. With local bike companies like Wine Country Bikes & Spoke Folk Cyclery it’s simple to rent and the perfect start to your wine country adventure. You can even schedule your own guided tour! We’re highlighting the perfect winery stops along the way. Dry Creek Valley is the perfect bike ride whatever your skill level.

Suggestions for your Dry Creek Valley Bike Tour

From town you can take the short bike ride over to Dry Creek Road and the adventure begins! Slight hills give your legs the right amount of tingle and the fresh air fills your lungs as adrenaline starts to build. Your view expands as you cycle through the vineyards until all you can see are the endless rows of undisturbed beauty. Peddling past numerous wineries and the thought of tasting on your return ride makes your mouth water.

From town you can take the short bike ride over to Dry Creek Road and the adventure begins! Cycle through the vineyards until all you can see are the endless rows of undisturbed beauty.

 

Dutcher Crossing Winery

Doesn’t it make sense to start your tasting at Dutcher Crossing – whose label is adorned with an old fashioned bicycle? If you don’t start here because of the irony, do it for the beautiful wines. If you brought a picnic lunch with you, Dutcher Crossing has a beautiful Picnic Area for guests with sweeping views of estate vineyards. Proprietor Debra Mathy knows how to treat her wine club, signing up will not leave you disappointed.

Doesn’t it make sense to start your tasting at Dutcher Crossing – whose label is adorned with an old fashioned bicycle? If you don’t start here because of the irony, do it for the beautiful wines. If you brought a picnic lunch with you, Dutcher Crossing has a beautiful Picnic Area for guests with sweeping views of estate vineyards. Proprietor Debra Mathy knows how to treat her wine club, signing up will not leave you disappointed.

 

Zichichi Family Vineyard

After you’ve enjoyed your lunch at Dutcher, continue heading south to Yoakim Bridge where you’ll take the right to Zichichi for barrel tasting of their estate wines. The perfect spot for a bike ride, as all wines are sold as futures, so you won’t need to take up space in your bag and you’ll have one more reason to come back. Family owned and operated, each wine is traditionally blended delivering bold, full flavored profiles.

After you’ve enjoyed your lunch at Dutcher, continue heading south to Yoakim Bridge where you’ll take the right to Zichichi Family Vineyard for barrel tasting of their estate wines. The perfect spot for a bike ride, as all wines are sold as futures, so you won’t need to take up space in your bag and you’ll have one more reason to come back. Family owned and operated, each wine is traditionally blended delivering bold, full flavored profiles.

 

Chateau Diana

Heading back to Dry Creek Road, head south to Chateau Diana for beautiful grounds and a fun atmosphere that will lift your spirits mid-ride. With a wide variety of wines in a variety of price ranges, Chateau Diana has something for any wine lover. Not to mention their wine slushees are guaranteed to cool you down on a hot day.

Heading back to Dry Creek Road, head south to Chateau Diana for beautiful grounds and a fun atmosphere that will lift your spirits mid-ride. With a wide variety of wines in a variety of price ranges, Chateau Diana has something for any wine lover. Not to mention their wine slushees are guaranteed to cool you down on a hot day.

 

Amista Vineyards

Bubbles are the quintessential refreshment after a long day of biking don’t they? You need to stop at Dry Creek Valley’s main sparkling wine producer, Amista, for your last stop in the valley. Their Blanc de Blanc provides a refreshing and crisp libation. Not to mention you’re surrounded by their gorgeous Morningsong Vineyards. Join their wine club and get to taste their limited release Sparkling Grenache.

Bubbles are the quintessential refreshment after a long day of biking. You need to stop at Dry Creek Valley’s main sparkling wine producer, Amista Vineyards, for your last stop in the valley. Their Blanc de Blanc provides a refreshing and crisp libation. Not to mention you’re surrounded by their gorgeous Morningsong Vineyards. Join their wine club and you get to taste their limited release Sparkling Grenache.

 

Winding down your day, cycle back into town. After you return your bicycle you’ll be surrounded by many more tasting rooms or, if it’s time for dinner, world-renowned restaurants.

Winding down your day, cycle back into town. After you return your bicycle you’ll be surrounded by many more tasting rooms or, if it’s time for dinner, world-renowned restaurants.

With over 60+ wineries, each Dry Creek Valley bike ride proves to be a new adventure of meeting winemakers and tasting wines. Amazing experience guaranteed in Dry Creek Valley. Download Spoke Folk’s Bike Map and visit our Interactive Winery Map to get started!

Be sure to share with us your favorite Dry Creek Valley by Bike Itinerary by tagging us Facebook/Twitter: @drycreekvalley and Instagram @drycreekvalleywines.


Learn More About Bike Rentals and Guided Tours in Healdsburg at these Local Establishments:

www.winecountrybikes.com

www.spokefolk.com

 


Passport to Dry Creek Valley 2016 Photo Recap

We had an amazing weekend celebrating the 27th annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley with you and 48 wineries! Each year, our community of vintners and growers come together – eager to share the best of our agricultural bounty with you. We are honored to serve guests from all over the country and take pride that you share your weekend with us. We hope you had as much fun as we did.

We loved seeing all your photos using the hashtag #DCVPassport and wish we could highlight them all as we received hundreds of tags over the weekend. We’re reminiscing in pictures to tide us over until next year’s festivities. We can’t wait to see you in 2017. Here are some highlights from the event:

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We’re still craving these Sriracha Shrimp from Dutcher Crossing.

 

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Passport is the perfect occasion to catch up with friends and mingle with winemakers!

 

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Did ye follow the bagpipes to Fritz Underground Winery to party with these tartan clad lassies?

 

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Stop for a #selfie at beautiful #Fritz – Best #DCVPassport yet!

 

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Time to head over to Martorana for more Passport tradition and fun.

 

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Your’s and mine glasses filled with Dry Creek Valley Chardonnay & Zinfandel.

 

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A little rain on Friday, but other than that the weekend boasted perfect weather for all the festivities.

 

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Flamenco at Mazzocco – what a combination!

 

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This spicy Cajun jambalaya was the perfect pairing with Wilson’s award winning Zinfandel.

 

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We saw so many picture-perfect opportunities at Passport and couldn’t miss this one.

 

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A textbook photo-bomb at Wilson – we see you!

 

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And we’ll be seeing YOU next year for Passport!

 

SAVE THE DATE: PASSPORT 2017 is APRIL 29th & 30th

To view the entire gallery – visit our Passport to Dry Creek Valley page!