Grapes of Galilee, Using Jesus To Sell Wine
Using a cute rabbit or a kangaroo to sell wine is old news. Last week I mentioned wines with Hitler on the label; this week comes news of a wine importer going in a completely opposite direction -- it has Jesus on the label. The Grapes of Galilee is a new Israeli wine label aimed at American Christians. The grapes are grown in the region where Jesus Christ is said to have lived, and they are irrigated with water from the Jordan River, where he was baptized. Wine from Israel is nothing new, but most of the Israeli wine sold in the U.S. has previously been to Jewish consumers. In fact, the Grapes of Galilee wine comes from an existing Israeli winery, only the Jesus-themed label is new. As Ad Age reports, the importer, Pini Haroz, sees the chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon wines as being perfect for holidays and he is marketing it in areas with high concentrations of Catholics. The wine sells for $13.99 a bottle online.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
Richard Mar 5th 2008 8:54AM
Know what's in the hearts of the vintners, do you? Sorry, that ability is reserved to God alone! Judge not! Lest ye be judged!
If they were selling "Jesus soap," made in Jersey (No offense to my brothers and sisters in Jersey) that would be one thing. This is an item, similar to items used in Christian worship services throughout the world, with a tangible geographic basis in the Holy Land.
Is it wrong to sell crosses and crucifixes? How about Bibles? People OBVIOUSLY "use" Jesus to sell Bibles--the whole Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 is all about Jesus. Is the selling of Bibles wrong?
There are some valid reasons for selling religious articles. Using them to remind one of their Faith and increase the practice of their Faith is one. Increasing the time and attention you spend to matters of Faith brings you closer to Jesus, and that is, my brothers, what "it" is all about.
I for one, WANT and LIKE the idea of drinking wine watered by the Jordan, Grown by the Sea of Galilee. It warms my heart and comforts me to think of the vines growing in the same region where Jesus said "I am the vine, you are the branches."
Cuddling up in a warm blanket with a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winter's day doesn't save you from the winter, but it sure does feel nice for a while.
Will drinking this wine save you? Obviously not. One has to accept the free gift of God's saving Grace. One accepts this Grace by Faith working through Love, just as the Bible says.
However, that doesn't mean that things which bring you closer to the Saviour turn evil, just because somebody makes a buck on it somewhere along the line. I don't know of anywhere that the Bible says money is evil.*
Please, my brethren, don't be quick to condemn! Self-righteous indignation may feel good temporarily, but it is not the stuff of which Salvation is made!
Richard
Alabama, USA
*(It does, however say that the LOVE OF money is the root of evil.)
Shawnda Hansen Aug 4th 2008 7:27PM
I sell premium private label wine with custom label design in Napa.
Although I do a good amount of business for corporate gifting, I also create labels for personal gifting. I have received many requests for custom wine labels with Saints, Dieties, Heroe's and Heroines.
People enjoy and give wine for many reasons: to say thank you, to celebrate, to commemorate, to commune. But the result is cultivating relationships through sharing one of life’s greatest pleasures, wine!
Why not drink or give a wine that represents something that you believe in or a message that you want to share?
"From wine, what sudden friendship springs." - John Gay.
mad christian Oct 9th 2007 6:17AM
this is just wrong. you dont USE Jesus to SELL something!! i dont care if it IS a wine that is being made WHERE he was alive and so on. this is nothing but a marketing sceem and a terrible one at that. they could of still sold the wine with a christian name and said it was made there and all that and STILL sold it WITHOUT using Jesus to sell it. i am discusted.
Mark Main Apr 6th 2009 8:38PM
I agree, here are two websites that show why the wine that Jesus miraculously produced was not fermented wine.
http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/books/wine_in_the_bible/4.html
http://www.learnthebible.org/doctrine_jesus_and_wine.htm
Jaime Oct 9th 2007 6:29AM
what a great idea.. I'm sure Jesus is getting some needed and deserved comic relief from this.. i liked the pics on the bottles too.. im going to try some definitely.. i still love manischewitz though.. its good kosher wine..
Peace and love and prosper to all..
The Mad Hatter Oct 9th 2007 6:33AM
This doesn't really make sense as they refuse to acknowledge Christ as the Son of God. They are simply compromising their beliefs for a quick buck.
honor1211 Oct 9th 2007 6:38AM
We have a winery in Virginia called Tarara. When the owner had first bought the land and was naming his vineyard he was on his deck looking out over the Potomac River which had flooded his property after a very heavy rain. It reminded him of the flood in the Holy Bible when Noah had landed on Mount Ararat. Knowing he couldn't have the word "RAT" in in his wine name, he spelled it backwards. Great wine too. Their Meritage is wonderful and their Red River dessert wine is scrumptious especially with a chocolate dessert. Let's hear it for Virginia wines!!! http://www.tarara.com. I know it's not the same as using Jesus on the label (I don't think it's sacregligious, but tastefully done) but wanted to share the story of wineries named after Biblical events.
Action96DWG Oct 9th 2007 6:54AM
If you don't like it, don't buy it.
Belle Starr Oct 9th 2007 6:54AM
Well the lables are tastefull . I fail to to see the harm . They might make for a good gag gift . But like in all foods and drinks , the proof is in the taste of the user .
Gary Trahan Oct 9th 2007 6:55AM
Mad Christian - Don't you think churches are using Jesus to sell something? By the way, use spell check next time and people might take your rant more seriously.
Ina Loss Oct 9th 2007 7:08AM
My first reaction is no it is wrong. After some thought it is a very tasteful label and we do believe the Eucharist is the blood of Christ so why not? I guess the outrage and sin is in how the wine is used.
melissa Oct 9th 2007 7:08AM
#7, You are right!
ROBIN Oct 9th 2007 7:11AM
AND WE CAN'T HAVE PRAYER OR THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS, THIS IS REALLY SAD, THIS IS WRONG, AND I DO NOT THINK JESUS WOULD GET A KICK OUT OF IT. PEOPLE SHOULD GROW UP!!!!!!
Dbarnett Oct 9th 2007 7:12AM
Jesus's name gets used wrong all the time. But if I were drinking that wine, I would be convicted of my sin, so maybe it's not a bad idea. Only God knows for sure....
Bill in NY Oct 9th 2007 7:23AM
Ya just don't get it! If a Christian or any American for that matter were to use something the Israeli's held sacred to their relegious beliefs to market a product, they would be going national and wanting an apology after they sued you. They don't believe Jesus was the Son of God and don't celebrate Christmas so this really infuriates me. Now it can't be called a Christmas tree and you better not wish them a Merry Christmas but there better be a menorah on display during our Christian holiday.
I think I'll start marketing a new holiday beer this year during the Jewish holiday season and call it "Israeli Jew Juice"......made from the cheapest stuff on earth.
stingray Oct 11th 2007 7:42AM
A proper church isn't using Jesus to sell something. A proper church is used by Jesus to sell something -- He sells truth, love, peace and all the things that give one a happy life. I guess we'll have to consult Him about how He feels about having His name used to sell wine.
brad Oct 9th 2007 8:04AM
Maybe this is a way to get people to look at what is happen in jerusalem and the middle east. After all the first mircal jesus did was change water into wine so his mother could have a party and the people said it was the best wine thay had ever drink so you know it wasn't grape juice. I hope jesus come soon just remember the real one will be on white horse number 7 not white horse number 6 and you know that 6 come before 7 so keep your eyes open.
Kristie in Ohio Oct 9th 2007 7:43AM
Anyone with a brain and a tiny amount of common sense would know when choosing this labeling it was going to offend many people in the Christian faith. My question is why offend people deliberately? I personally find it in very poor taste and can only imagine the contents of the bottle would be the same!
Gary Trahan Oct 9th 2007 7:57AM
Then why not label it so as not to offend: "Not Really The Blood Of You Know Who As, While Appetizing To Some, Isn't To Others And In Reality Can Only Be Digested As A Metaphor".
"Proper churches" do not make one feel less than part of God's family and do not preach about the exclusion of others whether or not they are "proper".
NB Horne Oct 9th 2007 8:04AM
What next? I feel it is wrong to use Jesus Christ in ads. Just like Christmas, which retailers start hyping mid-year - last year here in Houston Macy's had an ad in the paper the day after Christmas - "Only 364 shopping days til Christmas" - it is sacrilegious.