Why Winemakers Love Cycling: Jane Anson’s Podcast Explores Why
As someone who splits time between tasting rooms and coastal bike paths, I’ve long suspected that winery folks and cyclists share the same DNA: obsessed with terrain, pace, and the long game. Jane Anson’s latest Wine-Searcher episode leans straight into that crossover, and I’m here for it.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just another headline—it’s a signal of where the wine news is headed. Paying attention now could save you money, introduce you to your next favorite bottle, or simply make you the most interesting person at your next dinner party.
“Winemakers and Cycling – A Shared Passion” — Wine-Searcher
That simple headline nails the vibe. Cycling and winemaking are both endurance arts, ruled by patience, precision, and a borderline geeky love of maps. Whether you’re grinding up a gravel road in the Santa Cruz Mountains or coaxing Pinot Noir through a cool vintage in Burgundy, it’s about reading the land and respecting the conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Key themes: Winemakers, Cycling, Wine Podcast—stay informed on these evolving trends.
- The takeaway? Keep exploring, keep tasting, and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Why bikes and barrels get along
Winemaking doesn’t happen in boardrooms—it happens on slopes and in microclimates that demand attention. Cyclists get that. If you ride, you know how a south-facing climb warms faster, how wind funnels through a valley, how fog hangs at certain elevations. Vineyard managers track the same cues, just swapping lycra for Carhartt.
There’s also the rhythm. Fermentation has stages—so does a good ride. Early miles (or early harvest) are all about restraint. Mid-ride, like mid-ferment, you settle into a flow state. Then it’s the finish: finesse, not force.
Regions where bikes and bottles meet
Let’s talk terroir in cycling terms, with a quick style snapshot for the wine lovers hitting play on the podcast:
- Burgundy (Pinot Noir): Classic climbs and cool, limestone-rich soils. Pinot Noir here is dry, light-bodied, red-fruited, and earthy—think precision over power.
- Napa Valley (Cabernet Sauvignon): Rolling heat and structured roads. Cab is dry, full-bodied, dark-fruited, with firm tannins—more Col du Power than gentle spin.
- Tuscany (Sangiovese): Hill towns and sunlit ridgelines. Sangiovese is dry, medium-bodied, bright acidity, cherry and herbal notes—built for long, steady miles.
- Rioja (Tempranillo): High plateaus and old vines. Tempranillo ranges dry, medium to full-bodied, with plum, spice, and a savory edge—versatile, like a do-it-all endurance bike.
Common knowledge among cyclists: terrain dictates effort. Common knowledge among wine nerds: terrain dictates flavor. The podcast’s theme celebrates that shared logic—interpret the landscape, then translate it into motion or a glass. Different outputs, same obsession.
The craft connection (and why it matters)
Cycling culture prizes incremental gains—tiny adjustments to fit, tire pressure, cadence. Winemakers do the same with canopy management, pick dates, fermentation temperatures. Both are collaborative too: you ride with a group to read wind and share pulls; you work with growers and cellar teams to make a wine that speaks clearly. Not a coincidence that a lot of winery teams schedule rides post-harvest when the cellar finally exhale-breathes.
What I appreciate in Jane’s approach—across her interviews—is the humanity behind the craft. Even her episode list hints at multidisciplinary curiosity, from legacy preservation in Saint-Émilion to culinary collaborations. Here, the bike becomes a lens for how makers think: patient, curious, disciplined, a little stubborn, and very much in love with the journey.
Style snapshot for listening and sipping
Heading into the episode? Pick your pour by terrain:
- Cool-climate Pinot Noir (Burgundy, Sonoma Coast): Dry, light-bodied, bright acidity—pairs with long, reflective spins and quiet climbs.
- Structured Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, Pauillac): Dry, full-bodied—better for bold moments and big summit energy.
- Classic Sangiovese (Chianti Classico): Dry, medium-bodied, savory—ideal for winding hill routes and balanced effort.
- Versatile Tempranillo (Rioja): Dry, medium to full—adaptable to mixed terrain, from flats to rollers.
Contrast this with the podcast’s title focus, and you get a practical takeaway: choose wines that echo your ride profile. Terrain syncs with texture, and that harmony is half the fun.
Best occasion + pairing direction
- Best occasion: Post-ride porch session or an easy Sunday listen while planning your next route.
- Best pairing direction: Keep it simple, high-vibe, and recovery-friendly—think salty snacks, grilled veggies, and lean proteins. Pinot with charred mushrooms, Cab with hanger steak, Sangiovese with tomato-basil bruschetta, Tempranillo with aged Manchego.
Bottom line: cycling and winemaking are two sides of the same hillside—read the contours, respect the elements, play the long game. Jane Anson’s episode is a nudge to view your glass the way you view your ride: not just where you’re going, but how the ground beneath you shapes the journey.