I live in California and work in the wine industry. I have shipped wine home from both France and Spain. But, I live in California and the state allows residents to receive shipments of wine. Alabama does not. It is a "prohibited state". TMcA is correct about the taxes. It's up to each individual state as to whether or not they want all wine received through distributors, where they are assured of receiving their tax dollars on those shipments. You could buy the wine, ship it yourself, and take a chance that your friends will receive it. But wineries will not ship to prohibited states. I would buy it at the end of your trip, packing it well, check it and carry it home with you, as Falcon suggested.