Page 86 - Western Diocese Annual 2023

DIOCESE OF WESTERN AMERICA
Offering the Finest Harvest in God’s Vineyard
Sebastian Wine continues a tradition of high-quality liturgical and table wines
Wine that makes glad the heart of man... and bread which strengthens man’s heart.
Psalm 104, verse 15
With the blessing of Bishop Maxim, the Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church has established a tradition of producing high-quality liturgical wine. The first batch of wine was produced in 2006 by Tumbas Vineyards in the Sierra Nevada Foothills (Shenandoah Valley, North- ern California). Fr. Steven Tumbas, with love and obedience to his Church and Bishop Maxim, undertook this labor of love—producing liturgical wine named after St. Sebastian Dabovich, the missionary saint and found- ing priest of several parishes in North America. Sebastian Wine, a full-bodied wine, was a combination of Zinfandel and Black Muscat grapes, then Syrah and Black Muscat. It was truly an offering of the best fruits unto the Lord. Three vintages have been produced by Tumbas Vineyards.
This amazing tradition of high-quality liturgical wines now continues with the Opolo winery and its pro- prietor, Rick Bozidar Quinn. Opolo Vineyards is located in Paso Robles, in San Luis Obispo County. The vineyard includes over three hundred acres on the Eastside and Westside of Paso Robles. This location provides an ideal microclimate for growing Bordeaux varietals.
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