The First Family of Texas Wine
The Bonarrigos
With one-acre, six generations of winemaking history, and steadfast commitment, Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo established the fourth oldest winery in Texas.
Now a second-generation family business, with a seventh-generation winemaker in place, Paul Mitchell and his wife, Karen, lead the most awarded winery in Texas.
Anything is Possible
Paul and Merrill were approached for a study on grape feasibility in Texas from a Texas A&M graduate student. Armed with that data, the Bonarrigos planted the first Messina Hof vineyard at their home in Bryan, TX. The one-acre experimental location consisted of varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Lenoir.
The Bonarrigos didn’t intend to open a tasting room initially. However, after their neighbors kept knocking on the door and asking to try and then buy the wine, it quickly became obvious that Messina Hof needed a hospitality program.
For the first four years, the Bonarrigos dedicated themselves to the vineyard lifestyle by honing the time-tested methods and practices of the winemaking trade. In 1981, Messina Hof began its award-winning legacy with a medal in the Texas State Fair for a Black Spanish-Cabernet blend. With this first victory, the Messina Hof mantra came to life: “Anything is Possible.”
Progress & Growth
As the 1980s progressed, Messina Hof and the Bonarrigo Family experienced rapid growth. Paul Vincent and Merrill welcomed their son, Paul Mitchell Bonarrigo, into the world in 1982.
The planting of two additional vineyards allowed Paul Vincent and Merrill to produce 1,300 gallons of wine in 1983. This increase in production enabled the release of Messina Hof’s first commercial vintage, including Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Papa Paulo Port.
Expansion continued when Messina Hof wines entered Texas distribution in 1987 and Japan in 1989.
For the next two decades, Paul Vincent and Merrill continued to pave the way for Texas winemakers. Their string of successes began in 1990 when Angel Late Harvest Riesling became the first Texas wine to score a 90 in the Wine Spectator – still one of the only three Texas wines to earn this score. It continued through 2013 when Messina Hof became the first Texas winery to win Top Overall at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
What began as a young couple’s pet project was now Texas winemaking history. By following the “Anything is Possible” mantra, Messina Hof had solidified its status as a pioneer in the industry.
A Generational transition
After serving five years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, Paul Mitchell and his wife Karen returned home to Bryan in 2010 to continue his parent’s legacy. Paul Mitchell’s experience growing up in the vineyard prepared him for the next significant steps in Messina Hof’s history.
Officially taking over in 2012, winery operations passed to the next generation when Paul Mitchell became the Chief Executive Officer and Head Winemaker, while Karen took on the role of Director of Administration.
Today, more than 45 years later, production has expanded to over 200,000 gallons per year and Messina Hof expanded into four locations across Texas. Messina Hof continues its diligent pursuit of international recognition while also remaining at the forefront of the Texas wine industry.
