It should not be surprising that the Nephites had wine to give to the Lamanites as Noah had made winepresses to make wine in abundance (Mosiah 11:15). The Word of Wisdom was not in force under the Law of Moses, and wine was not expressly forbidden. However, there were proscriptions against the excessive use of alcohol, Be not among winebibbers…For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty (Prov 23:20-21), and Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink (Isa 5:22). Fortunately, for the Nephites, the Lamanites had no laws against the comsumption of alcohol and Gideon’s plan worked brilliantly. From this time onward, the Nephites intermittently use this trick of Gideon to their advantage (Alma 55:6-14). The Lamanites used the ploy against the Nephites to no avail, many times did they attempt to administer of their wine to the Nephites, that they might destroy them with poison or with drunkenness. But behold, the Nephites…would not partake of their wine, save they had first given to some of the Lamanite prisoners. And they were thus cautious that no poison should be administered among them (Alma 55:30-32).
Limhi’s people hereby escape the bondage of the Nephites. Their departure is interesting in contrast to the people of Alma who are placed in the same predicament. In their case, they rely on the Lord not on a gift of wine. The Lord responds by placing a deep sleep upon the Lamanite task-masters so that Alma’s people can escape (Mos 24:19).