Rollin’ Through NC Wine Country: Bike tours offer a unique look at North Carolina vineyards and the Yadkin River Valley’s stunning natural beauty

Why tour the scenic Yadkin River Valley from behind the windshield of a car when you can experience the sights and smells of the landscape from the seat of a bicycle?

That’s the philosophy of Carolina Tailwinds, a Winston-Salem-based company that leads bicycle tours of wineries and vineyards in Forsyth, Yadkin and Davie Counties, as well as other locations across the state.

“Obviously, you can drive from vineyard to vineyard, but active people want to enjoy the journey, not just the destination,” says Greg Fleming, who owns the business with his wife, Anne. “Part of what is appealing about the Yadkin River Valley Wine Country is the beauty of the region itself. You don't fully appreciate it from behind a windshield, but you certainly do from a bicycle seat. The countryside here is beautiful, and the country roads are ideal for bicycling.”

On their North Carolina Wine Country Tour, owners Greg Fleming and Anne Halverson offer guests a 2-day, 1-night experience that includes bed & breakfast accommodations and gourmet meals, as well as an active way to travel between some of the finest wineries in the state.

Featured stops on the 2003 tour include Westbend Vineyards in Lewisville (Forsyth County); Hanover Park Vineyards in Yadkinville (Yadkin County); Rag Apple Lassie Vineyards in Boonville (Yadkin County); and RayLen Vineyards in Mocksville (Davie County).

Fleming and Halverson carefully select each winery and vineyard included on the tour. “Generally, we bike from winery to winery, so the distances must be manageable, the scenery desirable, and the roads safe,” Fleming explains. “Secondly, we like to feature diversity, so we like matching one of the larger wineries with one of the smaller ones each day, giving our tour guests a nice contrast in vineyard styles.”

At each stop, the vineyard owner/host explains what makes his or her operation unique. “We have each one focus on a different aspect of winemaking so we don't hear the same information at each stop,” Fleming says. “And, of course, we taste their products.”

Though guests will undoubtedly feel relaxed as they take in the Yadkin River Valley landscape and stroll through scenic vineyards, Carolina Tailwinds’ cycling adventures are not designed for couch potatoes. “We get in a 2 or 3 hour ride in both the morning and afternoon, with each ride ending at a vineyard,” Fleming explains “The tour and tasting at each vineyard usually lasts 30 - 45 minutes, and we break for lunch at the first vineyard of the day.”

Because of the active nature of this tour, Fleming suggests that tour participants have some cycling experience. “The Yadkin River Valley is somewhat hilly, so complete novices will find it difficult – but anyone who bikes on a regular basis will be able to enjoy it,” says Fleming. “If a guest can ride a bike for two hours or more at one time, and climb a few hills, he or she should be fine.”

If participants tire themselves out (or simply need a break from cycling), Carolina Tailwinds ensures they won’t miss a minute of the action: a shuttle van accompanies each tour to offer rides to those who need them. And everyone has a chance to relax at the end of day one, when tour participants enjoy dinner in one of Winston-Salem’s finest restaurants and spend the night in an elegant bed and breakfast.

Carolina Tailwinds will offer its N.C. Wine Country Tour throughout September, October and November 2003; dates for 2004 tours will soon be available and may include slightly different itineraries. For cost information or to book a tour, visit www.carolinatailwinds.com or call 888-251-3206.

by Beth Teague

Details:
Carolina Tailwinds N.C. Wine Country Tour

What: A 2-day, 1-night bicycle tour of vineyards across the Yadkin River Valley, including Forsyth, Yadkin and Davie Counties

When:
Various weekends in September, October and November

Cost:
$275 per person (includes meals for the duration of the tour and
one night’s lodging)

$40 bike rental fee (if applicable)

$65 Single occupancy room supplement (if applicable)

NOTE: These are the 2003 tour rates; costs may change in 2004.

More info: Call 888-251-3206 or visit www.carolinatailwinds.com.