Poland has a history of wine production, which was introduced along with the Christian religion, in the Middle Ages. Today, however, little remains of that legacy: only 150 hectares are officially dedicated to the cultivation of vineyards; they produce 65,000 bottles of wine a year, the equivalent of a medium-sized private Italian winery. The production of beer and vodka is much more widespread in this country. Vodka has been produced in Poland since at least the 15th century, although it was opposed by the Orthodox Church. Initially it was distilled from beer, then from potatoes. Only more recently, the finest Polish vodka started being produced from the distillation of rye.