How Christian Brothers Brandy Became Our Tradition and More

I asked the question to the old Bulls (pledge years 1958 to 1970), “How did the fraternity come up with using Christian Brothers Brandy for the Induction Dinner?”

One answer (and the only one) was supplied by Brother Stan Martin “… Christian Brothers was a very inexpensive (cheap) brandy. And it was named BROTHERS.”

So there you have it Brothers, it was cheap and it had “Brothers” in the title. Who knew that we would be consuming massive quantities over the decades? Only the 900+ who pledged Sigma Beta Tau. C

The History of Christian Brothers Brandy

Christian Brothers Brandy was originally produced by The Christians Brothers, the largest religious community of men devoted entirely to education worldwide. 

The Brothers are not priests, but laymen who dedicated themselves to living and working in a teaching congregation. The Brothers founded several schools in the United States, including Saint Mary’s College in Oakland and Manhattan College in New York. To this day, they continue to live their calling through teaching and educational administration. 

So, how did The Christian Brothers find themselves in the Brandy business?

Now that’s one for the history books…

1882

The Christian Brothers founded their first community in Martinez, CA. In their new land, they found a vineyard full of premium California grapes, which the Brothers used to make their sacramental wine.

1883 – 1929

As word spread of the wine’s excellent quality, the Brothers expanded their production to include table wine which they sold to profit their schools.

1930

The Brothers became among the first vintners to identify the prime vineyard land of California’s Napa Valley as a location where grapes could receive just the right amount of sunlight to ripen to their full potential.

1940

Seeking to build on their strong wine tradition, Brother Timothy, the cellar master, began working to utilize the fine Napa Valley grape varietals to create a new product…and the Christian Brothers Brandy was born.

1950

As the Brothers’ vineyards continued to grow, they became one of the top suppliers of table wine in the U.S.

1958 (editor’s comment)

The Brotherhood of Sigma Beta Tau discovers another use for Christian Brothers Brandy … The Induction Dinner … because it is cheap and has the word “Brothers” in the name!

1986

Brother Timothy retired, and the Brothers decide to sell the Brandy & Winery operations. The Brothers retained the property in Napa Valley on which they have a retreat center where many of the Brothers still reside today.

TODAY

Christian Brothers Brandy continues to thrive, creating Endlessly Smooth Brandy with the same time-honored copper pot still production method used for fine Cognacs, just as the Brothers first made it over 75 years ago.

And now you know the history of Christian Brothers Brandy.

UPDATE