Taste of the Wild: Chocolate and Wine Pairings in the Alaskan

Sweet things happen after five.

This three-hour Anchorage tasting pairs five locally crafted wines with Alaskan chocolates at 61 Degree North Winery. I like the small maximum of nine people, which gives the evening a social but relaxed feel, and I like that the tasting includes stories about Alaska’s heroes and culinary traditions rather than stopping at a simple pour-and-snack routine.

The main consideration is the price: $109 per person is not cheap for wine and chocolate alone. You are also paying for the guide, the van ride, the local context, and a small-group setting. One serious booking failure has been reported, so I would confirm the pickup details before setting out, even though most of the available feedback is strongly positive.

Key points at a glance

• Five wines, one chocolate pairing session: Use the tasting cards to compare how each wine works with the chocolates.
• A small van group: The tour accepts no more than nine people, making conversation with the guide and other participants easier.
• Start at 5:00 p.m.: The evening timing fits well after sightseeing in downtown Anchorage.
• Stories are part of the tasting: Expect information about Alaska’s culinary traditions and stories about local heroes.
• Round-trip downtown transport: Meet at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, ride in an air-conditioned van, and finish at the same point.
• A good fit for solo visitors: The relaxed format makes it easier to meet people without committing to a large group outing.

Starting downtown at 5:00 p.m.

The meeting point is the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center at 555 W 5th Ave in downtown Anchorage. You meet the guide and the rest of the group there at 5:00 p.m., then board an air-conditioned van for the tasting.

That central starting point is useful if you are staying or sightseeing downtown. It also makes the tour easy to add to a day spent exploring Anchorage on foot. Since the activity ends back at the meeting point, you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from the winery.

The van matters more than it may first appear. A wine tasting is much easier when you do not need to drive afterward, and the group can move together without the awkwardness of arranging several cars. The vehicle is described as comfortable and air-conditioned, though the supplied details do not specify the exact travel time to the winery.

The maximum group size is nine people. That is small enough for the guide to answer questions and keep the tasting conversational. It also gives solo visitors a natural way to meet others. One person specifically found the experience a good way to connect socially while learning about Alaska.

Chocolate first at 61 Degree North Winery

The tasting begins with locally made Alaskan chocolates at 61 Degree North Winery. This is more than a quick candy sample. The guide explains the chocolates and points out how local ingredients are used by the artisans who make them.

The available information does not provide the exact chocolate flavors, brands, or number of pieces, so you should not arrive expecting a specific menu. What you can count on is a chocolate flight designed to be tasted alongside the wines.

Starting with chocolate gives the evening a clear rhythm. You first notice the sweetness, texture, and finish of each piece. Then the wine adds acidity, fruit, spice, or other flavors that can change the way the chocolate tastes. Even if you are familiar with wine tastings, this format gives you something practical to compare instead of simply sampling one glass after another.

I especially like the local focus. Alaska is not usually the first place people name when talking about wine or artisan chocolate. That makes the tasting more interesting than a generic pairing event built around familiar European products. The point is not to pretend Alaska has the same growing conditions as a classic wine region. It is to see what local makers are doing and how a small producer presents its work.

Five wines and a useful pairing exercise

After the chocolate sampling, you take part in a guided tasting of five locally crafted wines. Tasting cards are provided so you can match the wines with the chocolates and record your impressions.

That small piece of structure is valuable. Wine and chocolate pairings can easily become vague, with people simply deciding that everything tastes good. The cards encourage you to compare the combinations one by one. You can ask yourself which wine makes the chocolate taste smoother, which brings out a sharper note, and which pairing you would choose again.

The wines are served as samples rather than full glasses. That lets you try all five without turning the evening into a heavy drinking session. Alcoholic beverages are included in the price, and the tasting is presented as a guided experience rather than an open bar.

The exact wine styles are not listed, so I would not book this expecting a particular grape or a selection designed around your usual favorites. If you enjoy learning by tasting, the mystery is part of the appeal. If you want a highly technical wine class with detailed production data, vintage information, or a formal certification-style lesson, this may feel more casual than you want.

The tone appears to be relaxed. One particularly positive account described the evening as chill and fun, with stories about Alaska’s everyday heroes alongside the wine and chocolate. That combination tells you what kind of event this is: social, local, and informative, but not stiff.

Alaska stories between the samples

The guide adds context about Alaska’s culinary heritage throughout the tasting. Stories about Alaska heroes are also part of the experience, giving the evening a human side that a standard winery visit may lack.

I like this approach because food and drink become a way to understand place. You are not simply tasting products labeled Alaskan. You are hearing about the people and traditions connected with the state. The storytelling also helps pace the tasting, giving you time to discuss each pairing instead of rushing through the samples.

The guide can also offer suggestions for what to do after the tour. That is useful if this is your first evening in Anchorage or if you have not planned the rest of your night. You may want to ask for restaurant ideas, more local food stops, or recommendations for other activities, since the tour specifically invites questions and tips.

Guide quality will shape the evening. Chris received especially warm praise for being friendly, informative, and willing to go beyond the basics. That does not guarantee that Chris will lead every departure, but it gives you a sense of the service standard the operator aims for.

Why the nine-person limit matters

A nine-person maximum is one of the best features of this activity. Small groups allow the guide to explain the wines and chocolates without speaking over a crowd. You can also ask a question without turning it into a formal presentation.

The size works well for solo visitors. You can join the group without feeling as if you are intruding on a private party, and the tasting itself provides easy conversation starters. Wine preferences, favorite chocolates, and Alaska stories do much of the social work for you.

Couples and friends should also find the setup comfortable. You can focus on one another while still having a chance to talk with the guide and other people. Larger groups should note the limit, however. If you are arranging a family reunion or a big office outing, this experience may not fit everyone in one departure.

The small group does not mean the tour is private. You share the van and tasting with other people, and the atmosphere will depend partly on who books that evening. The available feedback includes both solo visitors and people who enjoyed ending up with a friendly group, so the social side is clearly part of the appeal.

Is $109 a fair price?

At $109 per person, this is a premium tasting. If you judge the cost only by the amount of chocolate and wine in front of you, it may seem high. The better comparison is with a three-hour guided outing that includes transportation, five wine samples, chocolate samples, a guide, stories, and a small group.

The van ride adds convenience. You do not need to find the winery on your own or decide who will drive afterward. The guide also gives the tasting a shape and context that you would not get by buying separate drinks at a shop or restaurant.

The price makes the most sense for people who value local interpretation and a relaxed evening. It is less appealing if you mainly want a large quantity of wine or a full meal. The listed food component is a chocolate flight, and the wine is served as samples, so you should plan another meal if you expect dinner-sized portions.

The experience is also a good value for people who want something different from Anchorage’s usual sightseeing. It offers a focused look at local makers and gives you a way to spend an evening indoors, away from weather concerns. You can also purchase your favorite wines and chocolates at the end, though the available details do not state the prices or shipping options.

Who will enjoy this Anchorage tasting?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Solo visitors who want an easy social activity
• Couples looking for a low-key evening outing
• People who enjoy trying local food and drink
• Wine drinkers who like comparing pairings
• Visitors who appreciate storytelling along with tasting
• Anyone who wants transportation included after drinking

It may be less suitable for people who do not drink alcohol or who dislike chocolate. Alcoholic beverages and chocolate samples are central to the experience, not minor extras.

It may also disappoint anyone seeking a full dinner, a long winery tour, or a highly technical lesson in wine production. The format is friendly and accessible, with the emphasis on tasting, conversation, and Alaska-focused stories.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. The provided details do not list specific dietary substitutions, so if you have allergies or food restrictions, ask before booking rather than assuming alternatives are available.

What to know before you book

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is sent when you book. It is typically reserved about 48 days ahead, which suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your Anchorage dates are fixed.

The activity requires a minimum number of people. If that minimum is not reached and the tour is canceled, you will be offered another date or experience, or you will receive a full refund.

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours before the 5:00 p.m. start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

One booking problem deserves mention. A group once arrived without a guide because a software error failed to notify the operator of the reservation. The operator apologized, offered a replacement experience with extra sightseeing and a meal, and issued a full refund when the group could not wait. That appears to have been an isolated failure, but I would still keep the confirmation handy and verify the meeting arrangements before the day of the tour.

Should you book Taste of the Wild?

Book it if you want a small, social Anchorage evening built around local chocolate, five wines, and stories about Alaska. The strongest reasons are the nine-person limit, the included van, the pairing cards, and the guide-led storytelling. Chris, when leading the tour, has been singled out for friendly and generous service.

Skip it if $109 feels too high for samples, or if you want a substantial meal or a serious wine lecture. For everyone else, this is a pleasant way to meet people, taste something distinctly local, and let someone else handle the driving. Ask the guide for recommendations before you leave, then buy the chocolate or wine that earned your top pairing.

FAQ

Where does the chocolate and wine tour start?

It starts at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, 555 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 5:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour finish?

It ends back at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, the starting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of nine participants.

What is included in the price?

The price includes alcoholic beverages, chocolate samples, and transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

How many wines are included?

The guided tasting includes five locally crafted wines.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.