Pouring themselves into their work Port Chilkoot Distillery thrives in Haines Inspired by the rustic setting of Southeast Alaska, Port Chilkoot Distillery is a labor of love for owners Heather Shade and Sean Copeland. From the building, to the recipes, to the bottle designs, Shade and Copeland have built the business themselves from a shared passion. Located in Haines, Port Chilkoot is Southeast Alaska’s first distillery and primarily produces whiskey, gin and vodka. The most-popular brews include Icy Strait Vodka, “a smooth, sipping vodka with a hint of salty Southeast Alaska air” and 12 Volts Moonshine, “an un-aged, raw corn whiskey distilled and rested for a smooth, drinkable spirit.” Still in their first year of business, Shade and Copeland frequently work long distance with the Alaska Small Business Development Center in Juneau. Before launching, AKSBDC Assistant State Director Ian Grant, worked with Shade and Copeland on their business plan and financial projections. They were able to use this information to obtain a grant from the Alaska Historical Society. They used the funds to restore the former Fort Seward Bakery, built in 1904 and a perfect location for their new business. Copeland did much of the handiwork himself, putting his 20-plus years of experience in carpentry and woodworking to good use. Shade and Copeland were also able to use the plan to obtain additional financing from First National Bank Alaska to cover the costs of the equipment. “The guidance and support we received from SBDC kept us on the right path when there were so many decisions to make for our new business,”
PORT CHILKOOT DISTILLERY 34 Blacksmith Street Haines, Alaska 99827 907-314-0838 portchilkootdistillery.com Shade said. “Ian worked with us throughout our start-up and helped us plan for the unique challenges of building a small-scale manufacturing business in rural Southeast Alaska.” Port Chilkoot Distillery is now up and running and a hot spot for tourists who come to Haines via the cruise ships. Not only are they producing spirits, but offering tours of their facility and operations. Not in the Haines area? You can find their wares statewide in a number of different liquor retail locations and restaurants. You can also follow Port Chilkoot Distillery on Facebook at facebook.com/Portchilkootdistillery.
2014 Alaska Business Resource Guide Page 33