Messina Hof Winery Owners Inducted into Knights of the Vine

Paul Mitchell Bonarrigo and Karen Bonarrigo received a surprise induction into the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine at Messina Hof’s 40^th Anniversary Celebration. During the ceremony, which was secretly organized by Messina Hof’s founders Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo, Paul and Karen received Master Knight of the Vine and Master Lady of the Vine recognition for the work they have done in promoting the Texas wine industry.

“We were incredibly surprised and honored to receive this recognition,” said Paul Mitchell Bonarrigo, Messina Hof Winery’s Chief Executive Officer, “Thank you to my parents and the Knights of the Vine for their consistent support.”

Also recognized were Paul and Karen’s children. Sophia was inducted as the first ever Lady in Waiting and Paul Anthony, following in father’s footsteps, became the second Squire of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine.

“It was a real pleasure to induct Paul Mitchell as the first ever KOV Squire at age 7.  No other chapter in the US had a Squire.” Said Gaye Platt, the first Lady Master Commander in Texas, “Then, to be able to participate in his Master Knight ceremony by giving him my tastevin that I received at my knighting in 1978 was such a thrill!”

With these recent inductions, each member of the Bonarrigo family is now a member of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine. Messina Hof’s history with Knights of the Vine dates to the late 1980s with Paul Vincent and Merrill being honored with the highest recognition of Supreme Knight of the Vine and Supreme Lady of the Vine. These titles in Knights of the Vine are extremely coveted and given with honor alongside Andre Tschelistcheff, Julio Gallo, Robert Mondavi and others. Only ten women are recognized nationally as Supreme Ladies of the Vine.

“The Knights of the Vine is an organization we’ve cherished throughout the years and sharing it with the next generation is something we will always remember,” said Messina Hof founder Paul Vincent Bonarrigo.

The Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine is a national organization that exists to promote the American wine industry and is part of a larger international organization, The Federation Internationale des Confreries Bachiques. For more information visit www.kov.org.