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New wine targets Christian consumers
Grapes of Galilee wine labelsIt comes from the land of Galilee, its vines nurtured by the waters of the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized. Crafted “with the modern Christian in mind,” it’s “ideal for celebrations such as wedding receptions and communions, or any festive occasions when Christians seek a physical connection to their spiritual homeland.” So sayeth Haroz Vintners, makers of The Grapes of Galilee wines. Here’s what the winemakers had to say about their product in a news release:
“The history of this wine is something that we can all share together,” says UC San Diego student Adam Haroz, who founded import company Haroz Vintners with his father, Pini, after being inspired by a trip to Israel. “I hope to provide a way to strengthen the bond between Israel and many other people through bringing wine from Galilee to the houses of the Christian community.”
Israeli wines have made great strides in recent decades, and the Galilee region is best suited for viticulture. The high elevation, cool breezes, marked day and night temperature changes and rich, well-drained soils make the area ideal for The Grapes of Galilee’s cabernet, merlot and chardonnay varietals. All three Grapes of Galilee wines are currently available in the United States.
—Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - Deep royal purple, showing herbal and black olive flavors backed up nicely by currants and wild berries. Soft tannins and good balance make the wine fun to drink. — Merlot 2005 - Medium bodied, with soft tannins and generous berry and black cherry fruits; very pleasant. — Chardonnay 2006 - Light gold, medium bodied, with citrus and tropical fruits on a lightly earthy background. Good balancing acidity keeps the wine lively and fruity.
The wines are currently available in retail stores in Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York — and wholesale distributors in several other states are in the works. “This is a completely unique venture,” says president Pini Haroz. “No one else is doing anything like this.”
So there you have it. A wine born in Israel, marketed to Christians in America.
I wonder what the son’s major is at UC San Diego?
Cheers!
Mark Fisher
Comments
By MJ
October 1, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
If Ann is correct about label laws in Ohio, and I have no reason to doubt her, it may be a little difficult to convince the state that it is just a “man” from Galilee” when prints of the art work shown on the label are by the artist Morgan Weistling are for sale via the internet. The image on the right hand side of the wine is entitled “The Reflection of God”. The artist describes the image thusly: “I chose to depict a quiet moment while Jesus was in the Jordan River to be baptized by John. I wanted to focus on Christ alone, looking to His Father in Heaven; the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior.” The image on the left of the label is entitled “Our Refuge and Our Strength” and the painter describes it as: “This painting depicts one of my favorite passages from the life of Christ. I wanted to give the viewer Peter’s point of view, as though we were struggling in the water with him. And like Peter, we come to the realization that Christ is there to save us, as He always is, suggested by the light breaking through the turbulent clouds above the rest of the disciples.” In case you want to take a look, cut and paste the following: http://www.christcenteredmall.com/stores/art/weistling/morgan_weistling.htmBy Greg
October 1, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Wow, a history lesson, a legal opinion on labeling, and fun comments, all out of one daily blog. How did you manage that Mark.By Red bean
October 1, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Mark, you’ve opened a Diet of Worms…..sorry, I meant a can of worms with this one, good luckBy spratt
September 30, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
BTW—There’s an absolutely wonderful Moscato from Galilee that is out and about in the Dayton market. No religious associations affixed.By JAR
September 30, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Regardless of religious enthusiasm, I must say this whole campaign is disingenuous. Are you aware that Israel has systematically “cleansed” the Galilee of its Palestinian Christian residents over the past several decades? That the dwindling numbers of Palestinians in the Galilee - many of them Christians - are systematically discriminated against in Israel when it comes to public services, education, access to health care, the simple right to build a house on one’s own land, a restriction that does not apply to Jewish Israelis? Are you aware of dozens of churches Israel destroyed in the Galilee since 1948 and, after 1967, in Jerusalem? Are you aware that they killed or expelled by threat of violence hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, Christians and Muslims who honor Jesus and Mary with the same respect as they do Muhammed, as they conquered and colonized the lands that Jesus once walked. Do you know stories like that of my mother, a Palestinian Christian, whose family was expelled from their Jerusalem home by the barrel of a Hagganah (the forerunner of the Israeli military) gun in 1948, to be driven to poverty as refugees? Do you know that the grapes used to grow this “Israeli” wine for Christians were grown on lands Israel confiscated by force of war once owned by the Palestinian descendants of the prophets of old? Christian enthusiasm for Israel is myopic at best and in the end immoral, given the crimes Israel has committed against Palestinians, Christian, Muslim, and Jew (yes, there were a number of Palestinian Jews who suffered, too).By Dawn
September 30, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this
I like the concept and appreciate the history connected with this wine, but not so sure I like the idea of a picture of Christ Jesus on the label.By Ann
September 29, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
If I am remembering correctly, Ohio Liquor Control does not allow religious figures on wine or beer labels. They would have to explain their label as just depicting “a” man from Galilee, not “the” man, in order to get the wine in Ohio.By MJ
September 29, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
If I buy a bottle of this wine, do you think that it is best to drink it out of a “stained glass?