JUNEAU -- Think of winemaking, and people might envision vast vineyards in France or California. Alaska's wild berries and breathtaking peaks don't usually come to mind.

A growing number of Alaska wineries are working to change that notion. Problem is, they say, a law making it illegal to ship their bottles inside or out of the state is hindering their industry's growth. They're pushing to change that law.

Eleven licensed wineries operate in the state, typically using a grape concentrate with Alaska berries. Many say they are experiencing strong sales.

From salmonberry wine to honey-based meads, Alaska's wineries squeezed out nearly 5,000 gallons of wine in 2006, according to the state Tax Division.

And while most of the market is generated by tourists, wineries say they have a steady following of local fans and connoisseurs.

But their market base could spread substantially if they could tap into booming online sales and send their bottles to potential devotees from Anchorage to Maine looking for an alternative taste.

"It goes along with the move toward healthier living," said Steven Thomsen of Alaska Wilderness Wines in Kodiak. "Our products are all wild and essentially pretty healthy. And if you're looking for antioxidants, these northern berries are full of them."

Currently, Alaska wine may only be shipped to licensed distributors. But oddly enough, Alaskans can order bottles from out of state distributors for shipment to the state.

A bill moving through the Legislature could help if it passes. Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Kodiak, introduced legislation that she said would tweak an easily fixable problem by changing the law to allow wineries to ship not just to distributors, but to the average customer within and across state lines.

The bill has passed the House and is working its way through the Senate. A similar bill died last year, but LeDoux said this year's proposal seems to be moving without opposition.

Thomsen said passing the bill would be a good companion to a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said wines could be shipped across state lines.

Thomsen started his winery in the late 1990s, when he and his wife began searching for a small business they could retire into. Wine making topped the list, and Alaska Wilderness Winery became the first licensed winery in the state.

Alaska Wilderness Winery makes mostly berry-based wines, although the company also makes mead from Oregon honey.

Other wine makers operate in Homer, Anchorage, Haines and Wasilla.

Dorothy Fry, who owns the Bear Creek Winery in Homer, said more than anything, the state needed a clarification on the confusing laws concerning what, how much and to whom she may ship her wines.

"We get calls all the time from customers who have been here and fallen in love with one of our wines," Fry said. "But we don't have time to make sense of all the shipping regulations."

So do Alaska wines have a future in Outside markets?

"Surprise is our big word here," Fry said. "Even confirmed dry, red wine drinkers who say they don't like fruit wines can leave here saying they ended up liking the sweet ones the most."

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Daily News reporter Sabra Ayres can be reached at sayres@adn.com or 1-907-586-1531.

 

 

Alaskan Wilderness Wines

Steve & Lisa Thomsen

498 Shearwater

PO Box 3574
Kodiak, AK 99615

(907) 486-1420

Cell: (907) 539-6328

Email: alaskawildwine@gci.net