Only the best... Biblical wine history part 1

It's amazing to me how much delicious historical detail there is about wine and ancient wine history in the Bible. There are over 500 references to wine and other viticultural descriptions throughout the old and new testaments. Most references refer to either wine itself or the vineyards where wine begins. However, there are discussions of the use of a wine-press, wine-skins, "fermented drinks." The Bible discusses wine-vats, wine jars (Jer40), grapes, and wine that is "well-refined" or aged long on the "lees" (Isaiah25) or wine that is young "left on it's dregs" (Jer48). It's clear that the 1st thing Noah cultivated when he and his family came out of the ark was a vineyard (Gen9). In future posts I will show that vineyards in biblical times were harvested for wine grapes & to a lesser degree vinegar made from sour wine. God even commanded his covenant people to observe special feast days (i.e. Deut 16:13-17) where grain was to be gathered and wine "from your winepress," that involved a great feast w/rejoicing that included men, women, widows, and foreigners as well. The biblical account of Jesus at the wedding of Cana in John's gospel (chap2) is a beautiful record of just how important wine was

in ancient & biblical times. It records for us today that over 2 millinia ago it was the practice

of an ancient palastine wedding to first, serve a large quantity of wine (120-180 gallons) and 2nd, to serve the quality or best wine first and after the tastes have become sufficiently dulled "cheaper wine" would be served. In this case Jesus' grand miracle turned water into quality wine or "choice wine" at the start of the wedding in order to demonstrate His divinity and provide a glorious blessing to all the guests. Later on in John's gospel (chap15) Jesus would relate ones true relationship to Him in viticultural terms when he declared, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit... As the Father loved Me, I also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love..." Abiding in Jesus is compared to the process by which a vine transfers nutrients to the fruit of the vine. In the vineyard this is called translocution. Perhaps we could abide in Him by enjoying the BEST wine?

How wine got me.

In 2004 I fell in love with a little region in California called the "Central Coast." My wife and I were mesmorized by the beautiful rolling hills, quaint cafes and old ranch houses. We purchased a lil beach cottage in Pismo Beach so we could enjoy the area more often. Little did I know know that just 5-min down our road was a wine appellation called the Edna Valley. At the time it was kind of our little secret place, there were no signs along the hwy, it became our little haven. I really found the Pinot Noir their to be beautifully delicate, complex and delicious. At the time I had no idea what Burgundy was or any other major wine region for that matter. I eventually branched out and discovered other amazing regions surrounding the central coast namely Santa Inez, Sta. Rita Hills, Monterey, and of course Napa and Sonoma. I had always been a beer and spirits connousieur from the time I was 19. Oops! sorry mom... I made my own home brew and tried every style in the world. Wine always seemed a bit complicated, snobish and expensive. Not to mention I never had tried much that appealed to me until I drove down that road in Pismo Beach. Since then the world of wine has opened up it's blessed doors to me.