Top 5 Alaska Wine Tours: Taste the Last Frontier
Thinking of visiting Alaska and trying something unexpected? Of course, you could check out the glaciers or maybe the wildlife, that is if exploring places where vineyards meet snowy peaks sounds good too. So, there’s the exciting possibility of going on an Alaskan wine tour! In a place well known for its rugged charm, you’ll discover a wine scene that’s maybe as surprising as seeing the Northern Lights in July. The unique environment tends to give these wines surprisingly unusual tastes.
1. Bear Creek Winery: A Taste of Alaskan History
Way back when, in 2003, Bear Creek Winery got its start, almost becoming the oldest operating winery around the Kenai Peninsula. Picture this, they started in Homer, a cute town famous for its beautiful views, and that is before becoming quite known for making wine from things you wouldn’t quite expect like berries. By the way, not just grapes, they experiment with whatever local stuff they find, from raspberries to even fireweed honey, crafting interesting wines you can’t find anywhere else.
They’re known very well for their big variety, from super sweet dessert wines to very dry, very crisp blends that go really well with Alaskan seafood, seemingly offering a unique tasting adventure for all visitors. Make certain to give yourself plenty of time checking out their store, because it is packed with cute local crafts, making it a perfect spot for buying gifts that are genuinely Alaskan. Speaking of experiences, it tends to go beyond just drinking; for the reason that you’re learning about how they create those special flavors in a cooler area.
“It’s a cool place, because they’ve really captured the taste of Alaska in a bottle.”
While you’re checking them out, give their Raspberry Wine a try; it’s actually a favorite among locals and people that are visiting, arguably showing off the perfect mix between the fruit and what the Alaskan wilderness is. Then there’s the Alaskan Fireweed Honey Wine, seemingly making an especially unforgettable impression if that is your first time tasting honey wine with Alaskan flavor, kind of proving that this winery goes way beyond traditional winemaking, but in a charming way.
2. Alaska Denali Winery: Sipping with a View
If you head up past the beaten trails of Anchorage, near Denali National Park, Alaska Denali Winery might just wow you not just with their interesting wines, but the amazing sights too it’s almost guaranteed! Envision sipping local wine while soaking in stunning scenes of Denali, a place so magnificent that the wine arguably tastes better by default.
As a matter of fact, it is super neat; because they also make their wines from non-traditional fruit; however, sourcing ingredients to give visitors a truly unique local sip, and they aren’t stuck on the usual grapes. To be honest, people always comment that they are impressed that they’re doing something really special and original. Anyway, this place is really more than just another place to taste things; it also includes things from other vineyards in Washington and California, and I think, I mean, it also teaches you about winemaking.
Their tasting tours seemingly stand out because of how carefully they go over each wine, telling you the story, along with giving a detailed look at Alaskan winemaking that feels quite authentic. So, you shouldn’t miss their mixed berry wines—they usually get a ton of compliments because they taste especially great if paired up with regional treats. After you’re done with the tasting, take a walk around the area nearby, that truly brings that whole Alaskan feel.
3. Glacier Brewhouse: Brews and Wine? Yes, Please!
Located in Anchorage, Glacier Brewhouse happens to be well known for more than just the local beer—that, and they carry a great choice of wines, providing what could be the ideal stop for someone trying to make everyone in their group happy. The cool environment and cool decor also happen to make the visit worth it. What happens there is that you will see all of their big brewing vats so it seems that you’re always looking at where things get made.
So, I think this spot is super good if that is your style; they’ve also built themselves a big reputation for really yummy food to match all those interesting Alaskan drinks. Actually, give yourself plenty of time when you get there so that way you aren’t in a rush—it is seemingly always busy, suggesting it is a super popular spot, both among folks just visiting and local people.
If that is you, plan a date that has the amazing Alaskan flavors going well with your food choice. So, you need to try out some Alaskan king crab legs paired with the brewery’s own IPA or maybe even a sophisticated Pinot Noir, to be honest, it usually adds quite the kick.
4. Matanuska Brewing Company: Local Brews and Select Wines
With various spots all through Alaska, The Matanuska Brewing Company, even though better known for beer, does give a pleasing choice of wines to its local selection. What occurs with this brewery is that visitors get to drink surrounded by art displays showcasing local artists which can enhance the entire local and modern vibe.
The food there often is great; so, I think this also serves as the ideal destination when those visiting have diverse drinking preferences; this place also manages to provide for something suitable to everyone, even when visiting as a group. When planning to visit, definitely try pairing the Matanuska beer along with a light-bodied Pinot Grigio—that really tends to show just how nicely their ales mix together alongside elegant white wines, for example. That’s it: beer goes amazingly nicely together with wine in here, since it turns out.
5. Whittier Wasabi’s Bistro: Wine and Dine in Style
While primarily a dining area noted as such, Whittier Wasabi’s Bistro on occasion goes a little beyond standard with providing something as an intensive wine collection. Envision this location placed comfortably within Whittier town in an Alaskan region: Wasabi’s isn’t your regular eatery seemingly due to the town’s quaint setting.
It appears here is something especially unique if you are traveling by Alaskan cruises where the harbor looks picturesque coupled by a menu providing regional fares such as wines that just feels right together for that moment . Actually, the meals which blend wines are frequently a thing to notice during trips. Anyway, that means enjoying the environment just adds towards developing delightful experiences. While here during explorations or stop-overs, maybe trying wine accompanying nearby catch to appreciate an authentic impression regarding meals present inside Alaska definitely gets mentioned a great deal. So, it comes highly sought during leisure stops when touring by cruise boats along coastal spots or regions around this suburb’s location altogether