2005 Press Releases

Messina Hof Winery’s 2004 Private Reserve Shiraz Awarded a Double Gold in the 10th Annual Tasters Guild Consumer’s Wine Judging!
Summary: Messina Hof Winery’s 2004 Private Reserve Shiraz Awarded a Double Gold in the 10th Annual Tasters Guild Consumer’s Wine Judging! The prestigious Double Gold Medal at the Tasters Guild 10th Annual Consumer’s Wine Judging, in Washington, D.C., was awarded to Messina Hof’s 2004 Private Reserve Shiraz. Of the nearly 700 wines entered from all over the world, only 33 wines were designated Double Gold by the panel of 60 consumer judges.

MESSINA HOF WINEMAKER & CEO APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF STATE COMMITTEE - New Advisory Board to Guide Future Development of Texas Wine Industry
Summary: Messina Hof Chairman & CEO Paul Bonarrigo was appointed to, and elected as chairman of the newly created Texas Wine Industry Development Advisory Committee. The 19-member committee, appointed by State Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs, was designated by Senate Bill 1137 which was approved in the Legislation’s last session.

Messina Hof Comes Out Ahead for the Tenth Year Running at Grapefest 2005!
Summary: Tens of thousands of people cast their vote for their favorite wines at the 2005 People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the nation, and once again Messina Hof came out on top as the most awarded winery chosen by the masses.

Messina Hof won medals in all four of the categories in which it entered wines

Messina Hof Winery and Resort Named Most Romantic Place in the Brazos Valley for the Fourth Year in a Row!
Summary: Imagine… Your wedding in the natural beauty of a vineyard...or near a spring-fed lake on a private estate...or graced by a 19th Century chateau. Imagine… dining at this perfect venue...complete with hand-prepared gourmet cuisine.
Messina Hof’s winemaking heritage dates back more than 200 years. The art of winemaking has been handed down from one Bonarrigo generation to the next for seven generations.
This centuries-old passion for excellence is evident in our award-winning wines; our Vintage House Restaurant, awarded Sante Magazine’s Certificate of Achievement for Wine Hospitality/Fine Dining and named One of Texas Top Three Restaurants; and our luxurious Villa named "Most Romantic Hideaway in the USA" and "Best Near College or University" by Arrington’s Book of Lists.

THE VILLA ANNOUNCED WINNER IN THE ARRINGTON’S 2006 BOOK OF LISTS as the One of the Best Bed and Breakfast throughout North America!
Summary: The Villa at Messina Hof has been voted as the best Bed and Breakfast near a College or University by inngoers, hereby making it one of the Best Bed and Breakfast throughout North America!

Messina Hof Wines Take Top International Honors Winning Medals Earn Spot as Most-Awarded Texas Winery
Summary: Messina Hof wines continue to reap coveted awards, most recently taking home six from the Indy International Wine Competition held in Indianapolis. Messina Hof’s gold and bronze winnings make it Texas’ most awarded winery of the competition, which is hosted by the Indiana State Fair.

2005 Blessing of the Vine Scheduled!
Summary: Every year at Harvest time, wineries ask for a blessing on the vineyard. This is a tradition dating back over 1,000 years ago from Europe!
"This is a time when we can give thanks for the year past and ask for protection during Harvest, the next season and all those who work for a fruitful year," says Winemaker Paul Bonarrigo. "Who knows what the year has in store for us? All we can ask is for a safe and bountiful Harvest and for guidance."

The Wonderful Pairing of Wine and Mushrooms
Summary: Messina Hof Winery and Resort, Texas’ Most Awarded Winery and Monterey Mushroom have partnered together with the Texas Department of Agriculture to bring the WONDERFUL PAIRING OF MUSHROOMS AND WINE!
"This is the first educational pairing of Mushrooms and Wine and we are thrilled to bring it to the consumer," Merrill Bonarrigo, owner of Messina Hof states. "With the wide variety of mushrooms in the marketplace that are fabulous for cooking, many of them are unknown."

2005 Harvest Charity Announced!
Summary: Messina Hof Winery and Resort announces mysoldier.com as the 2005 Beneficiary of the Harvest Celebration!
The first clink in the donation can will happen on July 23rd for a Library Wine Specialty Tasting with the Winemaker in our Tasting Room at 3:30 p.m. Party goers will enjoy fabulous hors doeuvres from The Vintage House Restaurant and, of course, Messina Hof’s award winning Library Wines.

Harvest of the Decade 2005
Summary: This year’s harvest will prove to be the best ever! With the fabulous weather Messina Hof and the surrounding area has enjoyed, Messina Hof is looking at the Harvest of the decade!
So join Messina Hof for stomping, squishing and laughing each Saturday and Sunday from July 23rd - August 21st. The day’s events begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. with orientation, picking of the grapes in the vineyard, stomping the fruit with your feet and signing your souvenir t-shirt with your footprints, a delicious Harvest Feast featuring Vineyard Cuisine prepared by the Executive Chef of the Vintage House Restaurant, a complete winery tour and wine tasting and a Wine and Food Seminar.

Tasters Guild Double Gold
Summary: Remember the Double Gold our Paulo Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded at the Tasters Guild International in Miami? One of the largest competitions in the world and Messina Hof won Double Gold for Paulo Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold for Paulo Meritage and Best of Class for Paulo Port.

Lonestar 2005
Summary: The Steering Committee for the Lone Star International Wine Competition hosted by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association announced this year’s medal winning wines and the Grand Star Winners...And Messina Hof won a Grand Star for our Private Reserve Shiraz AND a medal for every wine we entered! That is 15 total medals! WOW!

Check Out Messina Hof's NEW Look!
Summary: Messina Hof has now released bottles in the market place"not an uncommon occurrence you say" You are right! But these bottles are displaying the new label! The new design incorporates the more known elements of the brand, the cherubs and the Private Reserve artwork, into a glossed elegant and classic double-sided look. We are excited about the new design because it signifies the growth and success of Messina Hof’s wines and the Texas Wine Industry.

Messina Hof Introduces A New Line of Premium Wines - The Paulo Collector Series!
Summary: Messina Hof’s signature wine, Paulo, is certainly a presence in itself - well-known in the wine industry and with consumers and impressive from the outset. Paulo 2001 won Texas’ Top Wine in the first year of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo taking home a hand tooled custom leather saddle.
"Paulo is my signature wine and is only made when I feel I have the perfect blend," says Winemaker Paul Bonarrigo. "Because of the huge success of the Paulo Meritage blend and the amazing wine being produced here at Messina Hof, I am privileged to announce the Paulo Collector Series."

Messina Hof Winery Will Reach A Major Milestone With Production Of 6 Millionth Bottle Of Wine!
Summary: Messina Hof Winery and Resort, the most awarded winery in the state of Texas, announces that on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30th, the 6 millionth bottle of Messina Hof Wine will roll off the bottling line.
Messina Hof’s winemaking heritage dates back more than 200 years. The art of winemaking has been handed down from one Bonarrigo generation to the next for seven generations. This Centuries-old passion for excellence is evident...the award winning wines, the Vintage House Restaurant, and the luxurious Villa all reflect this passion for quality.

Messina Hof Awarded Texas' Grand Champion at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for the Second Year in a Row!
Summary: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced the Grand Champion of this year’s second annual International Wine Competition, held on November 6 & 7, 2004, featured over 1300 wines from all over the world. And guess what?
MESSINA HOF WON GRAND CHAMPION AGAIN!
Messina Hof’s Johannisberg Riesling - previously voted Texas’ Best White Wine - was crowned Texas’ Grand Champion by the esteemed judges of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition! Other Rodeo winners are: Private Reserve Merlot - Champion and "Angel" Late Harvest Johannisberg Riesling.

Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo Invited to The Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC!
Summary: We're sending them off! Messina Hof's own Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo and son, paul Mitchell Bonarrigo, will be making the trek to Washington, D.C. to join President George W. Bush as he celebrates an incumbent victoru at the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball!

Messina Hof Winery Makes History Once Again...With The Wharton County Courthouse!
Summary: Messina Hof Winery and Resort, already steeped with history and tradition, has become a more tangible part of Texas history! A bottle of Papa Paulo Port has been encased in the cornerstone of the Wharton County Courthouse!

Join Us for Dinner and Dancing on Sunday February 13, 2005!
Summary: Move Over Fred Astaire! Messina Hof is in the House! Join us for Dinner and Dancing Sunday, February 13, 2004 in The Vintage House Restaurant!

Messina Hof Introduces the First Ever MH Father and Son Cuvee!
Summary: Messina Hof Winery and Resort is the marriage of two family heritages. The rich heritage of Winemaker Paul Bonarrigo dates back six generations to Messina, Sicily. Merrill Bonarrigo’s family originates from Hof, Germany. Together they have pioneered the Texas Wine Industry, created a landmark wine country destination and produced wines of distinction.
In a continuation of the Messina Hof story, Paul Bonarrigo, 6th generation winemaker and his son, Paul Mitchell Bonarrigo, 7th generation winemaker, joined generations to create a Father and Son Cuvee, the first of its kind from Messina Hof.

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