The Catholic Church in Kenya will soon be introduced to a new ‘holy wine’ crafted in the vineyards of South Africa’s West Coast.
The wine produced here, by Lutzville Vineyards, has been chosen as the altar wine for Holy Mass in Kenya.
The announcement was made by Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, the KCCB Chairman, during the 2025 National Prayer Day held on October 4 at the Subukia National Marian Shrine in Nakuru Diocese.
Archbishop Muhatia stated that only wine bearing the official insignia will henceforth be recognized for use during Mass.
“Everyone should know this,” he said.
“The wine that has now been approved by the Bishops’ Conference for use during Mass is the one bearing the coat of arms of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, together with the signature of the Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference.”
The Archbishop also urged clergy and parishioners to familiarize themselves with their respective diocesan procedures for accessing the approved altar wine, noting that distribution systems may vary across dioceses.
What Does This ‘New’ Catholic Wine Entail?
The ‘new’ wine approved for use during Holy Mass will be required to bear the “coat of arms” of the country’s Local Ordinaries.
According to the Nation newspaper, the wine has an alcohol content of 17 percent and is packaged in 750ml bottles, compared to the previous altar wine, which contained 18 percent alcohol.
Additionally, the old wine was supplied by Wine Agencies Limited, but the ‘new’ is imported and distributed by Wow Beverages.
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Why Wine is Taken For Communion
Wine holds deep symbolic meaning in Christian tradition. As the common table drink in biblical times, it represented fellowship and unity — values that the Lord’s Supper continues to embody today.
During Passover, wine symbolized God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, a theme carried into the Last Supper.
This connects wine to the future celebration of salvation in God’s kingdom— a reminder of Christ’s triumph on the cross and the promise of eternal communion with Him.
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About Lutzville Vineyards
Lutzville Vineyards traces its origins to the 1700s, when French explorer François Le Vaillant documented purchasing liquor from a widow named Van Zeijl in the valley.
The winery was formally established in 1961 and is now a private company owned by local producers, forming part of the West Coast Wine Route, which runs from Durbanville to Koekenaap.
It is known for producing the Classic Lutzville, Diamond, and François Le Vaillant collections. The vineyards benefit from their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, where cool morning breezes and warm, sunny days followed by crisp evenings create favorable conditions for grape growing.
Combined with the region’s fertile soils and distinct microclimates, these natural factors contribute to the vineyard’s consistent production of high-quality South African wines.
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