Earth, Grapes, Bikes & Epicurean Delights
A casual, country bike ride and visit to a vineyard with the owners of the vineyard.
Tour Description:
Starla plans a BIG celebration for each new-decade birthday and for her 50th, she wanted a bike trip with her husband and friends. We settled on a bike ride to The Klenk Family Vineyard, tour of the vineyard with the owners and then lunch at the vineyard prepared by an Italian chef and served by his crew. TXBT provided transport back to the start so they could relax and enjoy a lazy afternoon off the bike.
The vineyard owners’ who are cyclists guided the bike ride through the countryside to the vineyard and there shared their stories of raising grapes, partnering with William Chris winery, and why they chose the hill country. Bottles of the wine produced by William Chris from the grapes grown in the vineyard were taken home by Starla & Shaun and their friends.
The terrain over which they cycled, being in the Texas Hill Country AVA terroir where the grapes are grown, and a scrumptious Italian lunch gave Starla the special celebration she desired and deserved for her birthday.
Tour Review
Special Experience for my 50th Birthday
I found Texas Bike Tours on Trip Advisor and reached out to Deaton over a year ago to plan a bike trip for my 50th birthday. I’m the planning type and wanted to have a great experience for my big milestone birthday. Deaton worked diligently with me to set up a bike tour for four couples through Fredericksburg to the Klenk Family Vineyard. She managed the bike rentals, even getting the bike store to open on Sunday for us.
The bike tour was led by Dave Klenk, who took us through beautiful countryside to get to the Klenk vineyard. It was a perfect length for our group – about 8 miles with stops along the way. Once there, Dave and his wife Robyn took us on an awesome tour of their property.
The tour was followed by a perfect Italian lunch at the Klenk property provided by Shaun Fewox, who owns Pastabella in Fredericksburg. The wine served with lunch was terrific, most of it from William Chris, for whom the Klenks grow Sangiovese grapes. We had someone in our group with a tree nut allergy, and Shaun went above and beyond to give her different dishes – all superb – that she could eat. He even brought her homemade cannoli because the other dessert being served had Amaretto in it.
After lunch, the Klenks and Deaton drove us back to Fredericksburg, took care of the bike rentals for us, and sent each couple home with a special bottle of William Chris Sangiovese made with Klenk vineyard grapes
The hospitality the Klenks, Shaun and Deaton showed us was unbelievable. It went well above my expectations. I had the most special birthday anyone could have – hanging out with my dear friends, eating excellent food and drinking great wine. If you’re looking for a special bike experience in TX, you will not find anyone better than Texas Bike Tours to plan it for you.
On a sad note, three days after this incredible experience, my husband and I were in a catastrophic car accident early morning on June 6th in Fredericksburg. He was killed, and I sustained major injuries that kept me at BAMC trauma center near San Antonio for almost three weeks. Deaton stayed in touch with me during that time, and she continues to check on me now that I’m back in my home state and rehabilitating. She is a great lady, and I’m so glad I met her and hope to stay in touch. I’m also grateful that I have great memories of my husband and friends from that day to help sustain me through my difficult road ahead.