How it Started

Undulating hills of green velvet checkered with a corduroy texture olive groves and vineyards are the canvas of the Montefalco experience. The horizon is only broken by stately Italian Cypress trees, mountains or periodic villages. Narrow roads wind aimlessly from hillside house to hillside house. Some are paved and others not. GPS does not know all of the roads but they connect one village to another so you never feel lost. Every hilltop is capped by an ancient town or monastery. Many are mint condition living museums. Montefalco is one of many but it boasts a unique heritage of wine whose roots are now connected to Texas.

A native grape of Montefalco called Sagrantino “sacred wine”, was used to make a sweet wine called Passito. Records show the wine as early as the 1500’s. In the mid 70’s winemakers began experimenting with dry styles. The Sagrantino grape has very bold tannins requiring many years of aging to soften. Today most producers make a Montefalco Sagrantino which is 100% of the grape; a Rosso which is blend; and a Passito.

Having been introduced to Sagrantino in 2012 when Paul and I were teaching Wine Tourism for Wine Pleasures in Perugia, we were impressed by the boldness of the grape and the resultant wine. It was hearty like Texans and seemed to thrive on heat and soils similar to ours.

Once back in the states Paul found Sagrantino rootstock available in California. In 2013 we planted vineyards in Lamesa and Brownfield, Texas. We began planting in 2014 at Messina Hof Estate Vineyard Brazos Valley. Our first vintage of Sagrantino was 2016.

Sagrantino Portfolio

Sagrantino Reserva

Sagrantino is a grape with incredible structure, tannin, and flavor. Our Sagrantino Reserva is a dark red wine with intense tannins and rich, jammy fruit flavors. Oak aging adds hints of vanilla and cinnamon with earthy undertones.

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Notable Awards

• Gold Medal 2025 TEXSOM International Wine Competition
• Double Gold Medal 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition
• Double Gold Medal 2018 Lone Star International Wine Competition

Paulo Sagrantino

An exquisite bold wine with flavors of black plum and dark, jammy fruits. As this wine undergoes extensive oak aging in brand new Fusion oak barrels delicate hints of spice and earth begin to develop.

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Notable Awards

• Silver Medal 2024 TEXSOM International Wine Competition
• Double Gold Medal 2023 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
• Double Gold Medal 2021 San Francisco International Wine Competition

Sparkling Sagrantino Rosé, Bonarrigo Family Wines

This Sparkling Sagrantino offers a delightful twist on this unique grape. The bubbles soften its structured character and present notes of red plum and black tea, culminating in a crisp, clean, and refreshingly dry finish.

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Notable Awards

• Silver Medal 2025 Lonestar International Wine Competition (Label Design)
• 86 Points, Silver Medal 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards

Heritage Reserve, Bonarrigo Family Wines

A bold blend of Sagrantino, Sangiovese, and Primitivo, this wine has savory nuances of herbs and spice. Beautiful dark fruit flavors and tannins coat the palate with elegant complexity.

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Notable Awards

• 87 Points, Silver Medal 2025 Wine Enthusiast
• Gold Medal 2022 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Silver Medal 2021 Rodeo Uncorked! Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition

Estate Sagrantino

Messina Hof’s Estate Sagrantino has beautiful deep ruby color and bold tannins. Light aromas of bell peppers are complemented with jammy red fruit flavors. Extensive oak aging adds complexity and soft leather notes.

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