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 9 of 11)

Veronyka Oct 9th 2007 1:20PM

Jason Crisp!!!! OMG!!! They are all going to burn with Satanas in hell!

Dick Swift Oct 9th 2007 1:26PM

Since Jesus is a fictional character (there is no evidence for the existance of Jesus) I don't see why the character should not be used commercially. I doubt a trademark exists on the name, but that's not a bad idea.

ttttterry Oct 9th 2007 1:27PM

I'm guessing most people are offended because of who is using Jesus rather than that Jesus is used. Heck, Jesus is used to sell jewelry all the time. Any Christians out there with cross necklaces? (Come to think of it, very likely these are made by Jews...and hey!...is that why there's a "jew" in "jewelry?") So, there's plenty of precedent for a product like this...just one more way to show your support for the Big Guy. Don't see why anyone would be upset with who makes the stuff...I mean, Barbra Streisand seems to sell lots of Chistmas albums and no one seems to have a problem with that. But, maybe it's about time someone turned the tables...perhaps the Vatican should start a dreidle manufacturing business.

Rick Oct 9th 2007 1:34PM

Is Jesus supposed to be USED? Of course not. To tout The Saviour as a spokesman for anything is crude and sinful. The Bible has this to say about this sort of thing: "2 Peter 2:3, And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." Why? "Exodus 20:4, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:" and following in Exodus 20:7,
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord God in vain; for The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain."

Gayla Oct 9th 2007 1:33PM

I think it is lovely....and maybe it will help to break down the taboo that it is wrong to have a glass of wine. Wine was a very staple product in Jesus day, and was considered as normal, because of the abuse of it, it is now considered taboo, in many Christian circles. But, we need to realize and understand that the overuse of it is what is wrong, and it is actually healthy when used in moderation. The pictures are very inviting, and they just very well may be used greatly to bring sinners into the kingdom, by, helping them to understand that Jesus was a real man, and not some religious icon. This may help them to understand that they can have a place in his kingdom, after all.

Connie Oct 9th 2007 1:43PM

Disgusting!

Connie Oct 9th 2007 1:42PM

Disgusting!

jimmyb Oct 9th 2007 1:43PM

I say anything that makes someone curious about Christ, more power to 'em!

Elaine Oct 9th 2007 1:46PM

I think it's wrong. It doesn't glorify Jesus; it just tries to make money off of his name.

LUIS QUINONES Oct 9th 2007 1:53PM

JESUS CHRIST,WAS A MAN MADE GOD ,,THE CATHOLIC CHURCH USE HIM AS A GOD.HE WAS BORN IN THE YEAR7 AND DIED IN THE YEAR42 . HE WAS MARRIED HAD BOYS ,AND 1 DAUGHTER.HE WAS A BELIEVER IN PAGASIM,WHICH HE DID NOT WANT TO GIVE UP. THAT'S WHY THEY KILLED HIM. HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BIBLE. PEOPLE HAVEN'T CAUGHT ON YET . THE CLOTHOF TURIN WAS DONE BY AN ARTIST IN THE YEAR 486,AND IT TOOK 9 YEARS TO COMPLETE. THE CHURCH HAS HIS REMAINS IN VATICAN. ONLY ,LORD THY GOD ,IS THE TRUE GOD.

P. Schaffer Oct 9th 2007 1:59PM

It saddens me to see that once again, we fail to understand the relationship between Holy God and man. Jesus name is sacred, the only name by which we can come to Father God and be saved. Whether this company's intentions were good or sacrireligious is not the issue. The issue is: Jesus is God Almighty and King of kings and He to be reverenced.

frank s. triana Oct 9th 2007 1:59PM

Jewish Capitalists, Christian Capitalists, whatever Fricken Capitalists,..........Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vain............
Goofballs, Asswipes, sinverguensas

diane Oct 9th 2007 3:25PM

It's defintely wrong for a company to exploit Jesus in order to make a quick buck; Jesus is about love not $$$. Seems like these marketers are being led astray when they can be used to mock Jesus Crist.

Gena Oct 9th 2007 2:03PM

In response to stingray. The church should be used by Jesus' disciples to "Give" (not sell)truth, love, peace and all things that make God happy not us. Just as Jesus always gives freely he never charges for anything the wine should be free.

carol ferran Oct 9th 2007 2:06PM

Well, images of Jesus and/or the cruxifix have been used in worse scenarios (remember the nude model "playing" with the cross?), so it all goes back to this: nothing and no one can ever do damage to the glory that He was. The label is beautiful, so I may just order it through the internet.

Jet Oct 9th 2007 2:17PM

Why not? And I suppose they'll soon have a communion wafer called Moses Matzoh? Nu?!?!?

Debbie Oct 9th 2007 2:18PM

Maybe this is a good way to bring Jesus back into our lives. Alot of people have forgotten religion. I do not see the harm in this label. Just think how many people will now have Jesus on the dinner table. Lots of luck to this new label and god bless us all.
The problem with this country is too much negativitity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be postive for once and dont be jealous!!!

Josie Oct 9th 2007 2:20PM

Im a Catholic Christian woman who is NOT AT ALL offended by the wine with Jesus on the label. The thought process behind WHY they use Jesus makes sense...coming from Galilie (did I spell that wrong? remember I AM Catholic after all) and using water from the Jordan.....
They're actual thoughts and intentions? Only God knows for sure....... K, time for my Novena.... :-)

StayAlert Oct 9th 2007 2:41PM

I've read many comments. I'd like to make this crucial point. It is.. the Second Commandment..in which we are not to make graven images or likeness of
anything in Heaven or on earth regarding true worship
reserved for, the Lord,and Our Heavenly Father. None of us living now knows just what he his face looks
like. You have to go to the Holy Scriptures (Revelations) to get an idea from John, the apostle.
I find nothing wrong with wine from Galilee but, could not partake of it based on the label image.

Ron Oct 9th 2007 2:54PM

AOl is a secular company and they have no Christ in them to post something like this. Why don't they post what we think of JOHN 3:16 where GOD says : For GOD so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have ever lasting life.

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