Father Greg blesses vineyard in annual ceremony

On at least one Saturday in the spring, you’ll find Father Greg Adolf at a winery in Sonoita. The pastor of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in Sierra Vista has blessed the vines at Sonoita Vineyards, the oldest commercial vineyard in Arizona.  

Father Greg says the tradition began in 1978 when Dr. Gordon Dutt, a retired soil scientist at the University of Arizona, invited local clergy to celebrate the Blessing of the Vines.   

Much like the vines, the relationship between the church and the winery has flourished. For decades, Saint Andrew the Apostle has served Angel Wings wine in its Chalice. The semi-sweet blush is an original favorite at Sonoita Vineyards.  Father Greg said, “The Dutt family have been friends for many years, and now the third generation of the family is managing the vineyard. We also like to support local producers and artisans from the area.”  

And the nod to Southern Arizona continues with the Communion hosts provided at Mass in Sierra Vista. Father Greg said for years his parish has purchased Communion hosts made by the Cistercian Sisters at Santa Rita Abbey, also located in Sonoita.  He said, “While the diocese does not mandate suppliers and providers, there is something special in knowing the Sisters who bake the hosts, and the winegrowers and workers who provide the wine for the Eucharist.” The longtime priest said, “When we pray the ‘fruit of the earth and work of human hands’ in the Offertory, it is a special blessing to know those ‘human hands’ that actually produced the wine and hosts!”  

Father Greg said he fondly remembers the first blessing nearly 50 years ago for its “monsoon clouds and a double rainbow!”