A blessed winery tradition continues
The annual Blessing of the Grapes is a tradition at Van Ruiten Family Winery, and this year’s harvest was welcomed in last Sunday with a ceremony.
Van Ruiten Family Winery celebrated this year’s harvest last Sunday with its 12th annual Blessing of the Grapes.
Father Bill Kraft of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Linden, formerly of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Lodi, read passages from the Bible and said prayers over the grapes, according to Angie Rogan, who owns the winery along with her husband, Bill.
“It’s an important tradition to welcome the harvest. Many people participate, and we want to recognize God’s hand in the harvest. It’s a celebration of God’s work and the fruits of our labor,” said Angie.
Kraft’s sermon included blessing the laborers, growers, winemakers and other employees of the winery whose collaborative efforts led to a successful harvest. Kraft has blessed grapes for Van Ruiten Family winery in years past, as he is a friend of the family, according to Bill, the winery’s president and general manager. The family’s faith helps motivate them to continue the tradition started by their parents years ago.
“We’re a local family winery with a Catholic upbringing, and we want to give thanks for a good harvest,” said Bill.
“It’s a tradition started by our parents that we want to continue for years to recognize God’s work and the people involved,” said Angie.