FAQ
WHEN DO BIKE TOURS RUN EACH YEAR?
Bike Tours begin on the Friday of the Victoria Day Weekend and end on the Monday of the Thanksgiving Day Weekend.
WHEN CAN I BOOK MY BIKE TOUR?
You can book your Bike Tour anytime throughout the year on our on-line Booking Calendar. You can also contact us anytime throughout the year at info@thecountywinetours.com
WHAT DO YOUR TOURS INCLUDE?
Our tours include a local guide, bicycles, visits to a minimum of 4 wineries, a minimum of 12 tastings, a stop at the Chetwyn Farms alpaca farm, and multiple snacks/water.
ARE BIKES AND HELMETS PROVIDED?
Yes, bikes and helmets are provided free of charge for our tours. We strongly recommend that tour participants use their own helmets whenever possible.
CAN WE BRING OUR OWN BICYCLES?
Guests can use their own bicycles providing that they are in good mechanical condition and are operated safely.
If you use your own bicycle, The County Wine Tours and Sandbanks Vacations assume no liability for the mechanical fitness of your bicycle or issues resulting from the operation of the bicycle. Please note – Using your own bicycle for one of our tours does not alter the tour price as the bicycles are provided free of charge for our tours.
DO WE NEED TO TIP OUR TOUR GUIDES?
Gratuity is always appreciated. If you are inclined to give a tip based on excellent service, please feel free to do so.
DO YOUR TOURS INCLUDE LUNCH?
No, our tours do not include lunch. Please ensure you eat before you arrive and pack a lunch/snack (we also provide some small snacks and water for you on the tour). There may also be food/snacks available for purchase at some wineries along the way – but this is not always the case and can vary from day to day.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE ON YOUR TOURS?
Minimum 2 people required for a tour to run and up to a maximum of 14 per tour. We have public tours scheduled each day of the week. Custom private tours can be arranged upon request.
WHERE IS THE MEETING POINT FOR YOUR TOURS?
Our meeting point is at 81 Cleminson St., Wellington, ON, K0K 3L0 (Wellington Store & Lock).
Please Note: There are no washrooms on site.
DO YOU OFFER PICKUP AND DROP-OFF FOR YOUR TOURS?
We do not offer pick-up or drop-off for our cycling tours.
HOW LONG ARE YOUR TOURS?
Our tours are approximately 6 hours.
HOW MUCH CYCLING IS INVOLVED IN YOUR TOURS?
There is a total of 18–20km of cycling (about 1 hour 15 minutes) spread over the full tour. The terrain is quite flat, although there is at least one hill.
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR ON OUR TOUR?
If you’re doing a cycling tour, wear comfortable shoes (we recommend wearing closed-toe shoes or sandals that are securely strapped on your feet), and dress for the weather. Please do not wear flip flops as you will be biking 19+km. For vehicle tours with our parent company, Sandbanks Vacations, wear whatever your heart desires (but please, wear something).
WHICH WINERIES WILL WE VISIT?
On biking tours, we typically visit a mix of Trail Estate, Gravel Hill, The Grange, Broken Stone, Closson Chase, and Karlo Estates. We always try to include a mix of small wineries and larger wineries, and we always try to include wineries that have a unique story or experience.
CAN WE CHOOSE WHICH WINERIES WE VISIT ON THE TOUR?
We cannot accommodate requests to visit specific wineries, but we’re happy to provide advice on which wineries to visit before or after our tour – there are lots of great wineries to visit while you’re in the area! Check out our map of all Prince Edward County Wineries.
HOW MANY TASTINGS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOUR?
You’ll taste a minimum of 12 wines on your tour.
DO YOU OFFER BREWERY TOURS?
We do not offer brewery tours but our parent company, Sandbanks Vacations, has a wide selection of guided tours that stop at wineries, breweries, cideries and even distilleries.
You can also walk to Midtown Brewing Company which is within walking distance of our meeting spot. Grab a beer and burger after your tour. You deserve it.
WE’RE ORGANIZING A COMPANY RETREAT – CAN YOU ARRANGE A CUSTOM TOUR FOR US?
Absolutely. We love organizing both personal and corporate group tours. Please reach out to our parent company, Sandbanks Vacations, at tour@sandbanksvacations.com for assistance with bike & vehicle tours, accommodations, and shuttle services.
WE’RE CELEBRATING A BACHELORETTE/BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY OR OTHER SPECIAL EVENT – WHAT DO YOU OFFER FOR GROUPS?
We would love to help you celebrate that special day. Our Sip & Cycle Bike Tours are the perfect way to celebrate that special event and your personal guide will make it special for you too. Please contact us at info@thecountywinetours.com so that we can start planning that special day for you.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT’S RAINING AND WE’RE BOOKED ON ONE OF YOUR CYCLING TOURS?
We can’t control the weather, although we wish we could! Our cycling tours operate rain or shine, and we only cancel them if it’s pouring rain. If we do cancel, we’ll notify you on the morning of the tour. You will have the option to re-book for a later date or receive a full refund.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
Bookings cancelled within three (3) to seven (7) days of the scheduled tour date are subject to a 50% refund of the full amount paid. Booking cancelled seven (7) days or more are fully refundable. Please refer to our Cancellation Policy for further information.
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO PARTICIPATE?
You need to be 19+ to participate in our tours. We reserve the right to ask for ID before the tour starts.
IS THERE A PLACE TO LEAVE MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS DURING THE TOUR?
You are responsible for your personal belongings and wine purchased during the tour. We accept no responsibility for the theft, loss or damage to personal belongings or wine purchases at any time during the duration of your tour.
IS THERE UBER OR LYFT SERVICE IN THE COUNTY?
There is no Uber service in the County. Here are three taxi services from Picton.
The Taxi Guy 613-403-2766
Terri’s Taxi 613-476-2716
Cronkie’s Taxi 613-4766363
Uride – Download the app in the app store
DO YOU DELIVER WINE IF I WANT TO PURCHASE A CASE WHILE I’M ON THE TOUR?
Most wineries on our tours deliver anywhere in Prince Edward County if you purchase a case. While we don’t deliver wine purchased on the tour, you can carry up to 4 bottles on your bike. Participants are responsible for transportation of the wine purchased during the tour.
DO YOU ACCOMMODATE FOOD ALLERGIES?
While we provide standard snacks on the tour – which do include gluten, nuts, dairy, and in some cases meat – and we can’t accommodate allergies or intolerances.
I’M PREGNANT AND/OR I DON’T DRINK. CAN I GET A DISCOUNT ON THE TOUR?
Most wineries try to accommodate guests not participating in wine tastings with refreshing non-alcoholic alternative drinks. For this reason, there is no discount for non-drinkers.
CAN YOU RECOMMEND ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE AREA?
Absolutely! Our parent company, Sandbanks Vacations, has been providing short-term accommodations to visitors to Prince Edward County since 2009. Check out their carefully curated list of private home and cottages located throughout Prince Edward County.
You can also find great places to stay at StayPEC, Prince Edward County’s official accommodations association.
CAN YOU RECOMMEND RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA?
Absolutely! Here are a few places we love (close to our meeting spot):
East & Main (upscale bistro)
Drake Devonshire (great patio views)
Midtown Brewing Company (try the burger, it’s incredible!)
La Condesa (delicious authentic Mexican)
Koenji (Whisky bar)
Rock n Rogers (takeout or eat in)
CAN YOU RECOMMEND OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA?
Visit the town of Bloomfield and browse at the boutiques, antique stores, and galleries – and don’t forget to grab an ice cream cone from Slickers!
Visit over 25+ art galleries and studios on the Arts Trail.
Visit Sandbanks Provincial Park – bring a beach towel and relax at the beach all day. Check out “Everything You Need to Know About Sandbanks Provincial Park”
Get a great photo at Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park – a lake perched 200 feet above the Bay of Quinte. You can also grab a bite at Miller House or The Inn – great views!
Enjoy some local cider at County Cider.