Bear Creek Winery and Lodge offers tasteful getaway: scenic views and wine to boot.

• Author: Ellis-Knapp, Jody
• Position: EXECUTIVE GETAWAY

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Ah, wine country--Napa Valley, Sonoma, the hills of France, Italy and ... Homer, Alaska. Yes, Alaska. The small coastal town of Homer might sound like an unlikely spot for a winery, but longtime Alaskans Bill and Dorothy Fry have managed to carve out a successful niche for themselves. A four- to five-hour drive south of Anchorage, the Bear Creek Winery and Lodge offers resort-style relaxation coupled with tastings of fine country wines that come from Alaska's own wildflowers and berries.

The Frys made their way to Alaska in 1975, when a school friend who lived in Anchorage as a child and later returned persuaded them to try life in the Last Frontier. They arrived in Homer a year out of high school and never left. Five years ago, Bill Fry created wines in his garage that were immensely popular and people started asking about buying them. That led to the couple's decision to build a winery.

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"We knew obtaining the proper permits would be a daunting task," says Bill "But we forged ahead. Dorothy always said, 'If we build it, people will come.'"

The lodge and suites were completed in July of 2003 and the winery opened the following July, in 2004.

The lodge consists of two suites, the Cowboy Suite, which sleeps three, and the Arctic Suite that sleeps two. Both have custom log beds, tiled baths, satellite television and robes and slippers for guests to enjoy. The covered deck overlooks a Koi pond and has excellent views of the Grewink Glacier and Kachemak Bay. Guests also can relax in the landscaped gardens, play horseshoe in one of two horseshoe pits, or soak in the 7-foot cedar hot tub or steam bath. A deluxe continental breakfast is served each morning, consisting of oatmeal, fruit, muffins, hot cocoa, cider, fresh roasted organic K-Bay coffee and a complimentary split of a special wine that is created exclusively for lodge guests.

The...