Taste and See: A Prophetic Invitation from the Vineyards of Israel
It Starts With a Tension
For some, wine brings tension. Maybe it was abused in your family growing up. Maybe it was completely off-limits in your church tradition. Maybe it still is. Others treat it casually, even carelessly. Still others raise a glass on Friday night and whisper a prayer of thanks over it.
Wine is in the Bible. But what do we do with that?
This is not an article about drinking or not drinking. It’s about something deeper. It’s about a story God is still telling - a story that runs from the first vineyard in Genesis to the wedding feast in Revelation. A story told in prophecy, in covenant, and in every crushed grape that pours red in the land of Israel.
With our friends at Israeli Good Wine, we want to invite you to do something different. To taste with spiritual eyes. To trace the story of wine in the Bible - not to glamorize alcohol, but to recognize how deeply rooted it is in the biblical imagination.
Wine, in Scripture, is not a vice. It’s a sign.
It’s a sign of covenant, joy, blessing, abundance, and restoration. And right now, in our generation, something remarkable is happening: the vineyards of ancient prophecy are blooming again on the hills of Samaria, the slopes of Galilee, and the volcanic soil of the Golan.
And we get to taste it.
A Biblical Vineyard
Wine appears early in the Bible. After the flood, we read:
“Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard.”
— Genesis 9:20 (ESV)
It’s no accident that this moment - after catastrophe, after cleansing - leads to a vineyard. Planting a vine is slow. Patient. Prophetic. You don’t plant a vineyard unless you believe there’s a future.
From there, wine becomes one of the central symbols of Israel’s blessing. When Isaac blesses Jacob, he prays:
“May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine.”
— Genesis 27:28 (ESV)
When Moses describes the bounty of the Promised Land, he speaks of:
“A land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates…”
— Deuteronomy 8:8 (ESV)
The vine becomes shorthand for joy, peace, and God’s favor. In Hebrew, the word for wine - יַיִן (yayin) - comes from a root that also means to ferment or bubble, suggesting vitality and life. Another word, תִּירוֹשׁ (tirosh), often translated “new wine,” refers to freshly pressed juice - a picture of promise and potential.
A Symbol of Joy and Covenant
Wine is not just agricultural. It’s relational.
In Psalm 104, the psalmist praises God for His creation:
“You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man...”
— Psalm 104:14–15 (ESV)
In Ecclesiastes, the teacher writes:
“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:7 (ESV)
Wine was used in worship. Poured out in offerings. Shared at covenant meals. It became part of weekly Shabbat blessings. It was lifted during Passover and other feast days.
It was also used at weddings.
So when Jesus turns water into wine in John 2, it’s not just a party trick. It’s a sign. It’s a revelation of His glory—the One who brings joy, fulfillment, and covenant abundance. And He does it in Galilee, a region now producing award-winning wines once again.
This isn't just spiritual poetry. It’s prophetic reality.
When the Vines Went Silent
But like Israel itself, the vineyards suffered exile.
After the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, Jewish presence in the land was diminished. Over the next 1,800 years, Israel’s fields lay largely dormant. Desolate. Barren.
But God had not forgotten His promises.
The prophets foresaw a time when the land would once again bear fruit:
“Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit.”
— Jeremiah 31:5 (ESV)
“They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.”
— Isaiah 65:21 (ESV)
“I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel... they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine.”
— Amos 9:14 (ESV)
Today, that’s exactly what’s happening.
On the very hills once covered in prophecy - and conflict - Israeli winemakers are planting, pruning, harvesting, and bottling the fulfillment of God’s Word.
It’s not just wine. It’s witness.
For Those Who Abstain
Now, a word to those who don’t drink - for personal, spiritual, or health reasons. We honor your convictions.
Scripture is filled with both celebration and caution. Noah’s vineyard story ends in tragedy. Proverbs warns against lingering too long over wine (Proverbs 23:29–35). Paul urges moderation and self-control (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Timothy 3:8). Leaders are held to a higher standard.
If wine is a stumbling block in your life, family, or community, this is not a call to compromise - it’s an invitation to understand.
To see how God uses the image of the vine to speak about Himself, His people, and His promises. And maybe, even without sipping a drop, you can still raise a metaphorical glass to the goodness of a God who keeps His word.
A Taste of Prophecy in Your Hands
This is where the vision and our friendship with Israeli Good Wine comes in.
Founded by Daniel and Alana Elliott - both followers of Jesus and certified sommeliers - this unique subscription service offers believers the opportunity to taste wine from Israel, paired with biblical insight and prophetic story.
Every bottle is hand-selected. Every shipment includes tasting notes and Scripture references. And every vintage tells a story - not just of good grapes, but of a good God.
As Daniel puts it: “We’re not just sending wine. We’re sending liquid prophecy.”
They’ve tasted from the Judean Hills, the Golan Heights, the Negev Desert, the vineyards near Nazareth and Galilee. And they’ve brought it back - not just for consumption, but for conversation.
For connection. For covenant reflection.
The Final Cup
At the Last Supper, Jesus lifted a cup of wine and said:
“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
— Luke 22:20 (ESV)
He used wine - the fruit of crushed grapes - to point to His own sacrifice, and the joy of what was to come.
And one day, He will raise another glass.
“I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
— Luke 22:18 (ESV)
Wine is a thread in the full revelation of Scripture. It points backward to Eden, forward to the Kingdom, and right now - to a land being restored, a people being regathered, and a promise being kept.
Will you taste and see?
Learn More & Order
We invite you to explore and order curated Israeli wines at israeligoodwine.com. Use the promo code for a discount, and our friends sow into the ministry of The Jewish Road for every order that uses the code: THEJEWISHROAD.
TIME SENSITIVE: To participate in our Israel Wine Night on August 23, 2025, click here to find more details.
To hear our podcast episode with Daniel and Alana, listen below.
About The Jewish Road
At the heart of The Jewish Road lies a passion ignited by a father-son duo, Ron and Matt Davis. Our journey began with a simple yet profound desire: to bridge the gap in understanding that has kept two faith communities apart for too long. We're here to help Christians connect with the roots of their faith and for Jews to explore the life and teachings of Jesus with an open heart.
Imagine a world where every believer, be they Jewish or Christian, not only knows their faith but truly understands its origins and interconnectedness. We strive to restore the Jewish essence of the Gospel, offering insights that deepen knowledge, bolster faith, and propel the growth of the Kingdom. The narrative of faith, we believe, is a two-act play where both acts are essential for a comprehensive grasp of the story. By uniting these acts, we're presenting a more holistic and enriching perspective.
Life is too short to wander without knowing the full essence of your beliefs. Whether you're attending a synagogue or a church, there's so much more to discover. The Jewish Road is here to guide, enlighten, and, most importantly, bring both halves of the story together. Join us on this journey; together
