Oregon Wines Fly Free on Alaska Airlines

Visiting Oregon wine country in the Fall is something every wine enthusiast should do at least once. Our green rolling hill countryside turns into an array of orange, yellow and red splashes that roll like waves up and down the hills and through the vineyards. It’s an amazing sight to see while visiting our numerous world-class wineries.

With a recent partnership between the Oregon Wine Board, Travel Oregon and Alaska Airlines, visitors can take up to a case of wine on their return flight from four different Oregon airports: Portland, Eugene, Medford and Redmond (and Walla Walla, Washington) – it’s called the Oregon Wines Fly Free program. The program begins September 10 and runs through November 20, 2013. Also, passengers that show their Alaska Airlines boarding pass will receive complimentary tastings at any of 180 participating Oregon wineries.

“Partnering with Alaska Airlines and Travel Oregon to help visitors to Oregon experience the beauty and bounty of our amazing wine country, is a no brainer,” said Tom Danowski, executive director of OWB. “Increasingly, the customers of Oregon wine are the same customers being courted by Alaska Airlines and Travel Oregon.”

Although Alaska Airlines has similar programs in place in other wine regions, Oregon is the first to offer this promotion to the entire state.

“Alaska Airlines is dedicated to the growth and development of our markets, so this program is a natural for us,” said Clint Ostler, manager of media and market strategy for Alaska Air Group. “We’re pleased to support Oregon wineries while giving our customers one more reason to visit the state’s incredible wine regions.”

“We know that Oregon’s scenic beauty not only affects the sense of place in every taste of Oregon wine, but it also inspires visitors to purchase Oregon’s artisan products,” said Todd Davidson, Travel Oregon CEO. “In fact, we know from a recent study that at least 43 percent of Oregon visitors said they are more likely to purchase Oregon products than before their trip. Now they can bring home not only memories, but Oregon’s award-winning wines, as well. ”