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)
10-09-2007 @ 6:17AM
mad christian said...
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.
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10-09-2007 @ 6:29AM
Jaime said...
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..
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10-09-2007 @ 6:33AM
The Mad Hatter said...
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.
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10-09-2007 @ 6:38AM
honor1211 said...
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.
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10-09-2007 @ 6:54AM
Belle Starr said...
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 .
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10-09-2007 @ 6:54AM
Action96DWG said...
If you don't like it, don't buy it.
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10-09-2007 @ 6:55AM
Gary Trahan said...
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.
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10-09-2007 @ 7:08AM
Ina Loss said...
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.
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10-09-2007 @ 7:08AM
melissa said...
#7, You are right!
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10-09-2007 @ 7:11AM
ROBIN said...
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!!!!!!
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10-09-2007 @ 7:12AM
Dbarnett said...
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....
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10-09-2007 @ 7:23AM
Bill in NY said...
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.
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10-09-2007 @ 7:43AM
Kristie in Ohio said...
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!
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10-09-2007 @ 7:57AM
Gary Trahan said...
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".
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10-09-2007 @ 8:04AM
brad said...
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.
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10-09-2007 @ 8:04AM
NB Horne said...
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.
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10-09-2007 @ 8:21AM
GWR said...
Why not? Bush uses Jesus to sell a war.
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10-09-2007 @ 8:25AM
Marc said...
Makes me want to buy it, plus they have a valid reason to use his image. I have no doubt that it will sell well, considering the region and history-I imagine many Christians especially will want the opportunity to drink from the area where JC lived and was baptized.
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10-09-2007 @ 8:25AM
GWR said...
Why not? Bush uses Jesus to sell a war/invasion.
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10-09-2007 @ 8:25AM
Gary Trahan said...
Excellent point, GWR!
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