Visiting wineries is a popular tourist activity in Oregon and Washington.

But taking home a case of a new favorite wine on the airplane can be a problem.

Now Alaska Airlines is working with wineries, wine boards and tourism groups in the region to allow travelers to fly their wine home for free.

The Oregon Wines Fly Free program starts September 10 and will enable domestic passengers on Alaska Airlines to check one case of Oregon wine free on a return flight out of four Oregon airports – Portland, Eugene, Medford and Redmond – as well as Walla Walla, Wash, through November 20, 2013.

Passengers showing their Alaska Airlines boarding passes within a week of their arrival in Oregon will also be eligible for free wine tastings at any of more than 180 participating Oregon wineries.

In Washington state, the Taste and Tote program, already underway, allows passengers to check one case of wine free from the Yakima, Tri Cities/Pasco or Walla Walla on Alaska Airlines. Wine tastings are free at participating wineries as well for those who show their in-bound boarding pass.
In Washington, the program began in September, 2012 and was designed as a minimum two year project.
Let’s hope it continues.