Meet Your Tour Guides
Outgoing. Passionate. Experienced. Inspiring. Knowledgeable. Well-traveled. Curious. These are just a few of the inherent traits of a Napa Valley Bike Tours Guide.
Not only are our Tour Guides exceptionally fun people to hang with, but they have a sneaky talent for teaching you stuff without making you feel like you’re in a classroom. Above all else, NVBT Tour Guides are eager to make the time you spend biking with us your favorite memory from your visit to wine country!
We’re especially proud of the fact that 16 of our Tour Guides have been guiding with us for at least five seasons – including 10 who have been guiding with us for 10+ seasons!
Carol B.
NVBT Guide Since 1987
Carol is the undisputed and universally beloved matriarch of Napa Valley Bike Tours. She has been driving van support for NVBT for 36 years!
Carol's grandmother immigrated to the valley from Italy, making her a rare second generation Napan.
Don’t miss the chance to ask Carol about the changes she's personally witnessed during her time living in Napa – or the early days of Napa Valley Bike Tours, for that matter. She can recall when our bike tour groups visited Caymus and Pine Ridge and the tastings were free!
35+ Seasons
NVBT Guide Since 1987
Carol B.
Allan F.
NVBT Guide Since 2002
Allan is one half of the dynamic “Fredericks Duo” (his wife, Cindy, drives van support). Originally from Greeley, Colorado, Allan has lived in Napa Valley since 1986.
A born tinkerer who enjoys working with his hands, Allan built his own wood-working “Dream Shop” where he designs and crafts original barrel stave furniture and one-of-a-kind commissioned pieces for wineries, restaurants and private collectors.
Retired from teaching Middle School, Allan is building a "Tear Drop" and looking forward to exploring our National Parks.
Allan has completed numerous endurance cycling events, including several centuries, a double-century and the infamous Death Ride (five times)! He's also cycled throughout Colorado, Kauai, and Sedona.
20+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2002
Allan F.
Cindy F.
NVBT Guide Since 2003
Cindy is known as the Duchess of Details. She has a talent for going out of her way to add personal, unexpected touches whenever she can.
Don’t make the mistake of letting Cindy stay behind the scenes in her van support role (or Wine Sherpa, as she prefers to say). “A little known fact is that I have expertise in the ecosystems of Napa and Sonoma Valleys and how these ecosystems make our valleys the ideal growing place for world-class wines.”
Outside of work, Cindy is an avid gardener and volunteers with LAPS (Loving Animals Provide Smiles), an organization of trained and registered animal-assisted therapy teams.
20+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2003
Cindy F.
Paul S.
NVBT Guide Since 1999
You could say that Paul keeps finding his way home to Napa Valley, having lived locally from 1952-69, 1980-89 and finally landing back here in 1995.
With a degree in history, and his firsthand experience living in Napa Valley over several decades, Paul’s tour guests enjoy hearing his personal perspective of just how radically the valley has grown and changed.
Paul’s work history includes the US Army, skydiving, and corporate training.
His retirement jobs have been guiding for Napa Valley Bike Tours as well as working for several local wineries. To further his wine knowledge, he earned the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, Level 1.
20+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 1999
Paul S.
James M.
NVBT Guide Since 2008
James has spent most of his life living in and around the Bay Area.
While growing up in Marin County in the 1970s, James hung with a circle of friends that included Gary Fischer, Joe Breeze, Tom Ritchey and Charlie Kelly. For fun, they started modifying street bikes so they could ride and race them off road on the trails of Mount Tamalpais. Their improvised “Klunkerz” were the predecessors of the modern mountain bike and are now a treasured part of mountain biking lore.
In the off-season, James enjoys escaping to Zihuatanejo, on the Pacific coast of Mexico, made famous in the movie, The Shawshank Redemption.
15+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2008
James M.
North S.
NVBT Guide Since 2008
Originally from Montreal, Vancouver, North actually got his start as an NVBT bike tour guest back in July 2007!
While spending four days biking through the vineyards with NVBT, North and his wife, who are both school teachers living in LA, thought, “We’ve got to find a way to spend more time here!” They chanced upon a quaint cottage rental and without pausing long enough to talk themselves out of it, they secured it for the following summer.
North is now retired from teaching, and is spending his time spinning (on a bike), writing for his blog, and escaping whenever he can on his Harley.
15+ Seasons
NVBT Guide Since 2008
North S.
John W.
NVBT Guide Since 2011
Struck by the beauty of the region, the high-quality wine and a climate that could melt a New Englander's heart, John made his migration from Boston to Napa in 2010.
Since his arrival, John has immersed himself in the wine culture through positions at Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Freemark Abbey, The Hess Collection and Conn Creek Winery. He was also an official wine taster for Treasure Wine Estates.
When you're on tour with John, you can expect him to point out features in the landscape that affect the soil composition to create the aromas and flavors you love in wine.
John also volunteers leading tours at The DiRosa Center for Contemporary Art and in his leisure time enjoys golfing and sailing.
10+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2011
John W.
Mike K.
NVBT Guide Since 2013
While Mike is a native Californian, he spent most of his life living out of state. He and his wife owned The Five Gables Inn on the coast of Maine for 17 years. From the moment you meet him, you'll realize that no amount of time on the East Coast could rob this California boy of his bohemian spirit!
In past incarnations, Mike owned a construction company in Atlanta, worked on a freighter hauling beer to U.S. troops in Viet Nam, lived and worked as part of a kibbutz community in Israel, and traveled with American youth groups to work on construction projects benefiting impoverished communities in Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ecuador and Peru.
After spending nearly 50 years out of state, Mike returned to Napa Valley to be close to family once again, and he couldn’t be happier!
10+ Seasons
NVBT Guide Since 2013
Mike K.
Steve S.
NVBT Guide Since 2010
As a San Francisco native, Steve has childhood memories of visiting Sonoma with his family. But, as an adult he and his wife found it harder and harder to retreat back to their city life after their weekend getaways to the wine country – so they found a way to stay!
A former competitive time trial cyclist with a Masters in Social Psychology and a degree in Culinary Arts, Steve owns a catering company that is go-to resource for local winery events, resulting in many great friendships and connections with local wine makers.
Fun fact: Steve was at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and close enough to the stage to smell the lighter fluid when Jimi Hendrix famously lit his guitar on fire!
When he’s not guiding bike tours, Steve also enjoys swimming and archery.
10+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2010
Steve S.
Tom W.
NVBT Guide Since 2011
Originally from the Hudson Valley of New York and Northern Vermont, Tom moved to Yountville in 2009 as part of his recovery from a long career as a Chemical Engineer.
In his "retirement," Tom has found roles that also make his soul happy as a carpenter, ski patroller and most recently, a wine educator at Robert Young Estate Winery. Over 20 seasons as a professional bike tour guide, Tom has cycled in 31 U.S. states and five countries. He loves how touring with visitors here in Napa Valley gives him a continual appreciation for the beautiful place he gets to call home.
Tom has been active in a variety of sports his entire life including soccer (coaching for 30 years), skiing, baseball, cycling, golf, swimming and his newest hobby, Pickleball. He's also passionate about environmental and clean energy causes.
10+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2011
Tom W.
Dave S.
NVBT Guide Since 2016
Raised in San Mateo, California, and a graduate of UC Berkeley, Dave spent his career in the ski resort industry in Lake Tahoe and New Zealand.
Since retiring, Dave splits his time between Napa and Truckee. Besides skiing, Dave is also an avid road and mountain bike cyclist.
When he's not skiing or cycling, you'll find Dave caring for his fruit trees, vegetable garden and golden retriever, Jackson.
Dave is a wine aficionado and enjoys learning about the wines of Napa and Sonoma County as well as other regions throughout the world.
5+ Seasons
NVBT GUIDE SINCE 2016
Dave S.
Dustin D.
NVBT Guide Since 2018
Dustin is a Bay Area native and has been guiding bike and kayak tours in Napa and Sonoma for 10 years.
When you tour with Dustin, be prepared to pose for at least one boomerang! Dustin loves capturing photos during his tours and will gladly AirDrop his photo cache to you at the end of the day.
When he's not guiding bike tours, Dustin also leads kayaking excursions on the Russian River, including popular evening bioluminescence tours.
Outside of guiding, you'll find Dustin playing basketball, rooting for the Lakers and the Vikings and on the constant quest to find the best plate of wings.
5+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2018
Dustin D.
Julie M.
NVBT Guide Since 2018
Julie was raised in another wine region of Northern California, Livermore.
After attending college in Southern California, Julie spent a 32-year career as an executive in the ski resort industry.
Besides skiing, Julie also enjoys both road and mountain biking. She has bike toured extensively through California, France, Italy, Croatia and Corsica.
Upon retiring from the ski industry, she moved to Napa and splits her time here and Lake Tahoe. Julie is also is an avid wine drinker, reader, gardener and dog owner (not necessarily in that order).
5+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2018
Julie M.
Mark B.
NVBT Guide Since 2007
Mark was born and raised in Napa and is a private pilot and EMT.
He admits, he wasn't a big fan of wine until his mid 20s, when a friend offered him a really good reserve Cabernet that changed everything.
When he’s not hosting bike tours, Mark is a board member and actively involved in the organization of the the Napa Valley Marathon.
Mark also hosts youth groups on educational trips to Israel and the Middle East. On his bucket list: Mountain bike the Israeli National Trail from the Lebanon border to the Red Sea (approximately 530 miles).
In addition to cycling, Mark enjoys running, sailing and playing guitars.
5+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2007
Mark B.
Ric B.
NVBT Guide Since 2015
Ric is a San Francisco native who lived in the Bay Area his entire life before retiring in Yountville in 2014.
Ric enjoys the wine-tasting experience and educating friends, family, and visitors on how to appreciate wine and the wine-making process. Ric’s past management experience in the wine industry provides a great depth of knowledge he is always eager to share with his guests.
When Ric isn’t guiding tours, you can find him recreational biking, snow skiing, playing pickleball, hiking or working-out. Besides Napa Valley, his favorite places to bike are Yosemite National Park and Coronado Island.
5+ Seasons
NVBT GUIDE SINCE 2015
Ric B.
Richard P.
NVBT Guide Since 2017
Having lived in Napa since 1976, Richard enjoys discussing the changes he has seen in the valley over the past 40+ years as well as what makes this area so special for growing grapes and producing world-class wines.
As a board member of the Napa Valley Community Foundation, Richard is in tune with many of Napa's underlying challenges that are often unapparent to casual visitors including environmental, housing, and immigration issues.
After retiring from a medical practice, Richard got into cycling, joining the local bike club. He's taken cycling trips along the Oregon coast and through the San Juan Islands, Burgundy, France, Israel and Holland.
5+ Seasons
nvbt guide since 2017
Richard P.
Dan M.
NVBT Guide Since 2022
Dan grew up in San Jose back when the future heart of Silicon Valley was better known for wide expanses of fruit and nut orchards. He has fond memories of biking adventures exploring the back roads of the eastern foothills.
After graduating from San Jose State University, Dan had a career working in Pediatric MedPsych at Stanford Medical Center. Drawn by the beauty and relaxed pace, Dan moved to Napa Valley in 2003 and pivoted into hospitality. He's worked in the tasting rooms at Artesa, Trinitas, Cakebread, Cornerstone, Merryvale and Conn Creek wineries.
New to the NVBT team in 2022, Dan is excited to share his passion for wine and the beauty of Napa Valley with visitors on two wheels. If you ask Dan, his idea of perfect evening at home includes a bottle of wine and conversation with great company and a classic blues record for a soundtrack.
nvbt guide since 2022
Dan M.
Jenifer L.
NVBT Guide Since 2023
Napa native Jenifer has lived in Yountville for the past 21 years. When she’s not guiding bike tours or teaching high school digital photography, Jenifer enjoys oil painting, photography, basketball, baseball, motorcycles, and fixing up her '72 Chevy Blazer.
Past experience working at Bouchon Bistro and Lucy restaurant at Bardessono in Yountville ignited Jenifer's passion for food and wine and deepened her appreciation for the special region she feels lucky to call home. Don’t miss the chance to ask Jenifer about her favorite restaurants and wineries! She loves sharing her local knowledge with her guests.
nvbt guide since 2023
Jenifer L.
Michael P.
NVBT Guide Since 2022
Michael is a native Californian and has lived in Napa since 2017. His love of all things outdoors, biking, wine and food makes him eager to share the beauty of Napa on two wheels with his guests at NVBT.
Retired from his full-time career, Michael continues part-time consulting in finance and IT transformation. He's also studying to speak Italian.
Michael has cycled along the Oregon coast, all over Colorado and California. He and his college sweetheart wife are basking in the joy of recently becoming grandparents.
nvbt guide since 2022
Mike P.
Paul S.
NVBT Guide Since 2023
After a 35-year career enduring the highs and lows of the mortgage industry, the recent interest rate hikes inspired Paul to pivot into a role that allows him to perfectly combine his passions for cycling and wine.
Paul is pretty much a Bay Area native, having lived in the East Bay since the age of two. As a competitive cyclist in the 1980s, Paul won the Mt. Diablo Challenge - a 12-mile climb ascending a 3800-ft peak east of San Francisco - in 1983. Since then, he's completed numerous century rides (100 miles), double centuries (200 miles) and multi-day cycling tours. To celebrate a recent birthday, Paul self-mapped and supported himself on a 100-mile mountain bike route that included more than 14,000 feet of climbing.
Over the years, he's had the opportunity to ride with cycling legends including Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Cadel Evans, Bob Roll and Christian Vande Velde.
When he's guiding tours with NVBT, Paul is happy to take it down a notch and ride at a relaxed tourist's pace. He enjoys sharing Napa's diverse geography and world-class wines with visitors from across the country and around the world.
nvbt guide since 2023
Paul S.
Santino M.
NVBT Guide Since 2021
Born and raised in San Francisco, Santino moved to Santa Rosa in 2009. Having had various jobs in fitness, luxury retail and auto sales, the move to wine country led to Santino to discover and explore his interest in wine.
Working in the tasting room and as part of the harvest season crew at Russian River Vineyards broadened his knowledge and appreciation for the wine-making process. Santino's outgoing personality made him a natural fit for leading bike and kayak tours, which he's been doing since 2018.
Santino enjoys playing tourist in his own backyard, visiting local wineries and restaurants whenever he can. Depending on the day or his mood, he has equal love for Sonoma Pinot Noirs and Napa Valley Cabernets.
Santino is a proud father of three and huge Warriors fan. This next goal on his horizon is to learn to make wine!
nvbt guide since 2021
Santino M.
Shari S.
NVBT Guide Since 2020
Shari enjoys living a bicoastal lifestyle, splitting her time between Yountville and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where she grew up.
As a flight attendant, Shari loves to travel and enjoys taking trips that include skiing, hiking, scuba diving or boating, including cruises!
When she's home, Shari enjoys putting on her favorite jazz playlist while she cooks and entertains friends - along with great wine, of course!
In her role as a Tour Guide, Shari loves connecting with guests from across the country and around the world.
