As it had been several years since I had been out there, I was interested to see what all had changed and Paul accommodated our group with a tour. In addition to being a fully operating vineyard and winery, there is also a four suite bed and breakfast resort for overnight stays, a locovore restaurant called the Vintage House and their Winemaster's Wine Bar pouring numerous selections by the glass.
I had not seen the resort so I was curious to check it out as I have stayed in some questionably decorated Texas bed and breakfasts in the past. The resort has an eclectic mix of furnishings from the Bonarrigo's travels starting with the front door which came from Louis Pasteur's home. Inside, there are Bavarian chandeliers and Spanish stained glass mixed with family heirlooms creating a comfortable atmosphere of understated elegance. In addition to the regular winery guests, they also host weddings which can be officiated by winemaker/owner Paul showing the Bonarrigo's commitment to full service Texas hospitality at their property.
After the tour, we were given our pruning knives and let loose in the vineyard to harvest some rows of Lenoir grapes. The Bonarrigo's were kind enough to include my husband in the group and it turned out that he is quite the competitive harvester. I think we may have found him a new career after his retirement from his real job.
After harvesting, we cleaned up and I, along with some others, jumped into the vat to stomp some grapes. It was interesting to actually feel the temperature began to rise as the fermentation began. Stompers then got to make a souvenir t-shirt with their purple grape-stained footprints. After another cleanup, we headed up to a dinner buffet with an array of Messina Hof wines.
Messina Hof makes eighteen different varietal wines. They have another winery in the Texas Hill Country and, in addition to their on site vineyards, they also source grapes from the Texas High Plains AVA.
Harvest activities at Messina Hof continue through the Black Tie Gala on August 18. The complete event schedule along with event prices is online at www.messinahof.com.
Thank you so much for coming! We appreciate you being part of vintage 2012.
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