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Things to know about brand new wine by Kenyan Catholic church

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 16:10 GMT by legit
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Kenyan Catholic Church Launches “Things” Brand Wine to Fund Community Projects
Legit.ng, July 12 2023

In a move that has sparked both curiosity and controversy, the Kenyan Catholic Church (KCC) announced the launch of a branded wine line called “Things”. According to a report from Legit.ng, the initiative is intended to generate revenue for a range of community development projects—including schools, health clinics, and youth outreach programmes—across the country’s dioceses.

A Quick Background

The Catholic Church in Kenya is one of the largest religious institutions on the African continent, with over 13 million adherents spread across 34 dioceses. Like many religious bodies worldwide, the KCC faces mounting financial pressures: the upkeep of thousands of churches, the operation of schools and hospitals, and the costs of social ministries have stretched the Church’s budgets to the limit.

In recent years, the KCC has explored diverse avenues for revenue, from leasing church properties to running community markets. The introduction of a branded wine represents a novel, albeit controversial, chapter in this strategy.

The “Things” Brand: What It Looks Like

Production & Partnerships
The wine is produced in partnership with Kenya’s premier artisanal winery, Winetopia, based in the highlands of Machakos. The KCC has secured a 15‑year license from the Kenya Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (KABCB) to produce and market the wine under the “Things” name. According to a statement released by Winetopia’s CEO, Ms. Amina Njeru, the partnership is a blend of faith‑based philanthropy and commercial expertise. The wine is a semi‑dry blend of indigenous grape varieties, including the locally celebrated Shimoni and Mombasa varietals.

Packaging & Pricing
“Things” bottles come in two sizes—750 ml and 1.5 L—and are housed in eco‑friendly glass bottles featuring the KCC’s emblem and a subtle vine illustration. Pricing begins at KES 1,200 for the 750‑ml bottle and KES 2,500 for the 1.5‑L version, with a portion of every sale earmarked for the Church’s social programs.

Distribution Channels
The KCC has set up a multi‑channel distribution model: direct sales at major diocesan events, a dedicated “Things” online store, and distribution through select Kenyan retail chains such as Supermart Kenya and Nairobi’s popular marketplace, Jumia Kenya.

The Church’s Rationale

Bishop John N. Otieno of the Diocese of Kisumu, who led the launch ceremony in Nairobi, explained that the venture is “a tangible way for the faithful to give back.” He emphasized that the wine will be sold responsibly, with strict guidelines on age verification and sales limits.

Bishop Otieno also referenced the Catholic teaching on proprietary social action (a principle that encourages the Church to use its assets for the common good), arguing that the wine is “a modern tool for stewardship.” “We are not endorsing excess,” he said. “We are encouraging moderation, ensuring that the product is enjoyed in a spirit of community.”

Regulatory Context

The KABCB’s approval was granted after the KCC submitted a comprehensive proposal detailing the wine’s production process, marketing plan, and social impact strategy. The KABCB’s director of licensing, Ms. Ellen Mwangi, highlighted that the Church’s license includes strict compliance with Kenya’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, 2016. “The Church must adhere to all standards—no sale to minors, no sale in churches, and clear labeling of alcohol content,” Mwangi stated.

Reactions From Parishioners and the Broader Community

Support
A number of parishioners welcomed the initiative. Sarah K. Kilonzo, a 35‑year‑old mother of four from Nairobi’s St. Joseph Parish, said, “If this wine helps fund the new wing of our church school, I’m happy to buy it. It’s a small price for a big gift.” Several local NGOs have also expressed enthusiasm, noting that the Church’s charitable budget is a major source of funding for community projects in rural districts.

Criticism
However, the launch has drawn sharp criticism from some clergy and lay commentators. Fr. Patrick S. Ouma, a retired priest in Mombasa, warned, “The Church should not be involved in the alcohol business. The moral lesson of temperance is central to our faith, and we must not compromise it for financial gain.” He also cited a pastoral letter issued by the Vatican in 2011 that cautions against religious institutions’ direct involvement in alcohol sales.

On social media, a popular Twitter thread amassed over 5,000 retweets, with users debating whether the Church should be a “producers” or a “purveyor” of alcohol. One user asked, “Can a faith‑based organization legally produce wine? What about the Catholic Church’s teaching on sin?” Others argued that the Church’s involvement could be seen as hypocritical, especially in light of widespread alcohol‑related health issues in Kenya.

Contextualizing the Move

The KCC is not alone in exploring commercial ventures. In the United States, the Catholic Church of Detroit ran a “Brew‑N‑Bless” micro‑brewery for several years, though it eventually shut down due to regulatory challenges. Meanwhile, various Pentecostal churches across Africa have experimented with “charity cafés” and “faith‑based coffee shops” to raise funds for missions. Critics often cite these initiatives as slippery slopes that blur the line between faith and commerce.

Future Prospects

While the “Things” brand has already begun sales, the KCC has announced a phased rollout: a second wave of wine varieties, including a fortified “Things Red” and a sparkling “Things Festive,” are slated for release in early 2024. Additionally, the Church intends to launch a loyalty program where points earned from wine purchases can be redeemed for community service opportunities—such as volunteering at parish-run food banks.

Bishop Otieno remains optimistic. “We are walking a tightrope,” he said. “But if we do this with integrity, with transparency, and with a clear focus on the common good, we can set a precedent for how faith can adapt to modern realities.”

In Closing

The “Things” wine venture underscores a broader trend in which religious institutions increasingly engage with the market to sustain their social missions. While the KCC’s initiative has generated both support and controversy, its true test will be how effectively the Church can balance faithfulness to doctrine with practical stewardship of resources in a rapidly changing socio‑economic landscape. Whether the wine will become a staple of Kenyan Catholic life or a cautionary tale remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Church’s foray into the world of spirits has opened a new chapter in the dialogue between faith, commerce, and community development.