Grapes of Galilee, Using Jesus To Sell Wine

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Oct 2nd 2007 at 11:03AM

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.

Tags: catholic, christian, grapes of gailee, GrapesOfGailee, israeli wine, IsraeliWine, wine

Filed under: Wine

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Reader Comments (Page 8 of 11)

karen Oct 9th 2007 12:43PM

I have such a headache. I personally found this label offensive. I think #12 says it all. That's how I feel. And then I read the rest of the comments. [I see stupid people]. Does anyone use a spell checker? [Jesus was a profit?] And I have some questions - since when did Chanukah become a major holiday? [hint: since Christmas seemed appealing to Jewish Children] When did Jesus abstain from alcohol? [Never] When did Santa and the Easter Bunny become "living or dead" [perhaps "fictional?] Why bother to post a comment that says "who cares?" [Bet there was some deep thinking on that one!] And the Christians {Of which I am one] Do you really think Jesus wants you to spend your days mis-quoting the bible, mis-remembering Sunday School stories and abusing non-believers on the internet. I have a headache. I'm going back to work. Maybe some of you should get a job!

Paula Oct 9th 2007 12:46PM

I just find it silly for the Jew's to be selling wine with Jesus on it when they don't believe in Jesus. Dah Maybe their fixing to change their mind's, you think?

wolf Oct 9th 2007 12:48PM

Anything that adds a little humor to religion would be fine. It seesm from the Bible that Jesus always took everything too seriously, including HIMSELF. Didn't he ever crack a joke or make fun of himself a little bit?

Jonathan Facey Oct 9th 2007 12:58PM

Let us remember that Jesus turned water into wine but he never abused his authority in this matter. many people abuse alcohol and in that regard pay little respect to the sanctity of Jesus. We can drink wine but let us try to separate the entities.
Jonface
jonmay.stemtechbiz.com

A-Yo Leroy! Oct 9th 2007 12:55PM

Hey, why not? I wish i'd thought of it. I mean, let's be real. We're talking about a group of people who would pray to a piece of toast if thought they saw an image of the Virgin Mary buttered onto it. Why wouldn't you sell them actual Jesus juice?

SavedByGrace Oct 9th 2007 1:02PM

For all those who "think" that churches use Jesus to sell something, last time I checked SALVATION was a free gift that we don't even deserve...

Larry Oct 9th 2007 1:03PM

#1, 3, 12, Take a look at the various WWJD, Jesus Saves, and other items that Christians buy that are made in China. Do you want all these Chinese factory workers to convert to Christianity in order to produce these items for Christains to use?

alida Oct 10th 2007 4:05PM

JESUS IS THE LIGHT THE TRUTH AND THE WAY. IF YOU DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAID I WILL PRAY FOR YOU. EVEN IF YOU ARE A JEW YOU HAVE TO ADMIT WHAT HE SAID WAS TRUE. LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL. SO GIVE JESUS THE RESPECT.

Mira Oct 9th 2007 1:02PM

I know a lot of Christians by the help of Jesus Holy Spirit they are healed and don't drink this kind of beverage anymore.. and this is really offensive to the true Christian that follow the word of God.. but then again nothing can separate us from the love of God.. no matter what; true christians will not even buy this wine, is just really sad what the world is ending up.. that's why God is coming very soon to punish the unbelievers.. so be it do what you want, that is your choice.. Jesus is not mocked for veagance belong to Him...

Richard Blackford Oct 9th 2007 1:10PM

"Wine" is a generic word in the Bible & doesn't tell whether it is intoxication or not. Intoxicating wine is a curse and nonintoxicating is a blessing (Prov-erbs 20:1; Isaiah 65:8). It was called "wine" when it was still in the cluster. The scriptures for-bade "looking" on intoxicating wine (Prov.23:31,32). Yet the wine Jesus made is called "good." But it wasn't if he violated the scriptures. It was at the end of the feast after men had well drunk.Men who have "well drunk" hardly know where they are, to say nothing of other matters requiring keener discern-ment. This would have Jesus condoning drunkenness. Would Mary request Jesus to make something that would make men drunk when the scriptures prohibit it? Did Jesus really intend to begin his mighty works & miracles by violating the scriptures?

ian Oct 9th 2007 1:03PM

Obviously people like Karen in Texas are just so blind she will not see. My people did not produce the wine, a wine company in Israel did. The beliefs of the company are Christian, not Israeli nor Jewish. They are not representative of a race, or a Nation, or a religion. Read all of the comments before you restate your prejudicial stereotipical rhetoric against Jews and Israelis.

Mark Oct 9th 2007 1:04PM

How about Virgin Mary Beer that would be big on Colleges across the land.

Mira Oct 9th 2007 1:08PM

138. I know a lot of Christians by the help of Jesus Holy Spirit they are healed and don't drink this kind of beverage anymore.. and this is really offensive to the true Christian that follow the word of God.. but then again nothing can separate us from the love of God.. no matter what; true christians will not even buy this wine, is just really sad what the world is ending up.. that's why God is coming very soon to punish the unbelievers.. so be it do what you want, that is your choice.. Jesus is not mocked for veagance belong to Him... heartblong2God@aol.com

Heike Oct 9th 2007 1:06PM

Gary Trahan - I like your comment.
There's that little saying "what goes around, comes around", and I believe, when the time comes, we'll all have to answer for who we are and what we've done here. I'm opinionated and get mad, but, in the long run, I try not to judge or get angry about trivial things such as this. There are so many more important matters concerning our way of life, beliefs, and the human condition in general that need our anger and concern.

mark Oct 9th 2007 1:09PM

Jesus does not belong on a bottle of wine. Jesus belongs in the hearts of people, Jesus belongs in the words of people and what they say, Jesus belongs in the actions and life of people. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Good news of salvation and new life in Jesus , by accepting Jesus as your saviour into your heart [ sincerly ]and by following what Jesus did and how he lived. Jesus is still a giver of salvation and life and so much more. Come to God and Jesus on Gods terms ,on Jesus terms instead what you think or believe is the right way. Find your relationship with God and Christ by coming to Jesus on his terms not yours. Jesus does not belong on a bottle of wine, he belongs in our hearts our words, hearts, actions and life. Since the Picture of Jesus is already on the label, my prayer is that everyone who sees and drinks this wine will will be converted and believe that Jesus is the Son of God and come to salvation, In Jesus name I pray and thank you Father for answering these prayers, amen

d.d. Oct 9th 2007 1:09PM

LOVE THE PICTURE. I'M NOT A DRINKER BUT, JESUS WAS.
HIS PICTURES STATUES ARE USED EVERYWHERE TO ADVERTISE HIM AND HIS BELIEFS. THIS DOES NOT SEEM DIFFERENT. WHERE DOES ANY OF IT FIT IN TO "IDOL WORSHIP" OR "NO GRAVEN IMAGES"?

funzer Oct 9th 2007 1:13PM

Jewish Capitalists, Christian Capitalists, whatever the Fricken Capitalist you are.......Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vane.........
goofball asswipes sinverguensas

itsmesjg Oct 9th 2007 1:14PM

Look at the label. It contains the words Galilee and River Jordan. There are two images of a man. He is not identified. How can so many people assume it is a picture of Jesus when there exist no known pictures of the actual Jesus? Lighten up!

ann Oct 9th 2007 1:30PM

DO THESE PEOPLE NO THE BIBLE? JESUS NEVER DRANK ANYTHING ROTTEN, OR INPURE. HE ONLY DRANK NEW WINE, WHICH IS PURE GRAPE JUICE. TO MAKE WINE WITH ALCOHOL IT HAS TO BE FERMENTED ROTTED. JESUS WAS PURE AND WOULD NEVER PUT ANYTHING ROTTEN INTO HIS BODY. THIS ADVERTIZEMENT CHEAPENS MY LORD AND SAVIOR SHAME ON THEM AND SHAME ON ANYONE WHO APPROVES OF IT.

Chris Oct 9th 2007 2:27PM

With all the 'good' the religious right is doing us these days I personally would NOT purchase anything that uses religion or religious figures in their advertising.

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