The newly created Pacific Northwest Wine Group, of Seattle, has pulled together wines from Washington and Oregon wineries that are now available for the first time by mail to Hawaii.

It is the first time that Washington's wines have been allowed to be purchased by mail order in addition to retail stores.

Washington liquor laws have prevented mail order wine businesses, treating wines as a controlled substance. Only wineries, gift companies, and retail stores are allowed to export wine. Pacific Northwest Wine Group has become an employee of several wineries to abide by the Washington law.

For the most part these wines have been virtually unavailable outside the Pacific Northwest because they're made in small quantities, and distribution is spotty.

Washington wines are considered a bargain by aficionados and often sell for half the price of similar California wine like complex vineyard-designated Cabernet, $15, delicate and floral Sauvignon Blanc, $9, and a world class Merlot for $12.

Wineries now providing vintages to Pacific Northwest Wine Group include Badger Mountain, Powers, Indian Creek, Bookwalter, Barnard Griffin, Yakima River, DiStefano and Hedges. For a complete listing and prices, call Pacific Northwest Wine Group at 1-800-513-WINE, or fax to 1-206-872-7573. There's a three-bottle minimum order. Shipping and handling costs $11 for three bottles; $19 for six; and $30 for 12.