Messina Hof Winery, the most award-winning winery in Texas, is showcasing its culinary program and a selection of its lauded wines at the famed James Beard House in New York City. Taking place on Tuesday, June 19, two generations of the Bonarrigo family winemakers, Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo alongside Paul Mitchell and Karen Bonarrigo, will be joined by chefs Chris Shepley and Glenn Huggins from the Estate Winery for “40 Years of Vineyard Life,” a very special five-course dinner featuring Vineyard Cuisine™ and Messina Hof wine pairings.
One of the oldest wineries in the state, Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo founded Messina Hof Estate Winery in Bryan in 1977. Over the years, they expanded their vineyards and onsite gardens by opening The Villa, an award-winning AAA 4-Diamond rated bed and breakfast, and the Vintage House Restaurant, which serves their signature Vineyard Cuisine™ incorporating Messina Hof wine into each dish and highlighting food and wine pairing affinities. Forty years later, they’ve expanded across Texas, becoming the largest producer of Texas wine with additional locations in the Texas Hill Country’s town of Fredericksburg as well as Grapevine, near Dallas-Fort Worth.
Taking the helm of the family operation in 2013, Paul Mitchell and wife Karen now infuse the same level of passion for the process of winemaking and dedication to Messina Hof’s signature hospitality. Under Paul Mitchell’s leadership, Messina Hof ended an exceptional anniversary year with numerous achievements in international wine competitions, including a Gold Medal at AWC Vienna 2017, a Double Gold Medal and two Gold Medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, as well as a Gold Medal at TEXSOM International Wine Awards 2018. 2019 is poised to be an exceptional year of growth for the family owned business with expansion plans underway.
“It is amazing that what began 40 years ago as an experimental vineyard and 50 varietals of grapes, is now the Messina Hof of today offering more than 90 varietals with thousands of awards,” remarked Paul Mitchell Bonarrigo. “But to receive an invitation from the prestigious James Beard Foundation to cook for their guests at the James Beard House in New York City, is beyond an honor. It really cements for us just how far and blessed Texas wines and our family business has come over the years. We are equally grateful and excited to showcase at our pairing dinner in June.”
Tickets for Messina Hof’s James Beard House dinner are $175 and are now available for purchase by calling (212) 627-2308 or by going to jamesbeard.org/events. The menu for Messina Hof’s “40 Years of Vineyard Life” dinner will include:
Hors d’Oeuvre Sparkling Brut–Poached Texas Gulf Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Butter and Parsley
Estate Herbed–Lone Star Chèvre with Sauvignon Blanc–Braised Local Beets and Candied Apricots
Mesquite-Smoked Broken Arrow Ranch Axis Venison with Navy Beans, Estate Herbs, and
Messina Hof Private Reserve Chardonnay on Grilled Baguettes
Messina Hof Artist Series Dry Grenache Rosé 2017 Messina Hof Artist Series Primitivo 2016
Dinner Roasted Local Scallops with Rendered Pancetta, Pea–Mint Pureé, Crispy Parmesan, and Mama Rosa Rosé–Red Bell Pepper Coulis Messina Hof Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Arugula with Candied Royalty Pecans, Texas Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Shaved Parmesan, and White Balsamic–Riesling Vinaigrette Messina Hof Father and Son Riesling 2017
Cabernet Sauvignon–Roasted Monterey Mushroom Medley > Oyster, Shitake, and Cremini Mushrooms with Truffle Oil Messina Hof Sagrantino Reserva 2016
Grilled Broken Arrow Ranch South Texas Antelope with Sémillon, Hill Country Peaches, Roasted Polenta Cake, and Sautéed Baby Zucchini Messina Hof Private Reserve Merlot 2015
Tawny Port–Macerated Local Blackberries and Dark Sweet Cherries with Whipped Mascarpone and Estate Mint Messina Hof Exclusive Paulo Port 2011
For more information on where to find Messina Hof’s new canned wine, events and happenings at the winery locations, or about any of the various products, visit www.messinahof.com.
