Messina Hof Grapevine Winery Media Preview

Good things come to those who wait—an adage that is true for both me and the Bonarrigos of Messina Hof Winery. The Bonarrigos waited 20 years for the just-right opportunity to establish a presence in Grapevine, Texas, and on Wednesday evening, I got a sneak peek at the brand new Messina Hof Grapevine Winery, which holds its Grand Opening this Friday through Sunday, December 12th through 14th.

My wait was mercifully shorter than the Bonarrigos because I only had to wait since last August when Paul M. Bonarrigo made the announcement about the Grapevine location at the Harvest Festival in Bryan. I learned then that Messina Hof’s Grapevine location would open just in time for the holidays, drawing even more visitors and revelers to Grapevine’s many shopping, dining, and entertainment attractions. I had been full of anticipation ever since!

Luckily for me, members of the media were given the opportunity to preview the facility and meet with the Bonarrigo family and the Grapevine Visitor and Convention Bureau, and so I donned my gay apparel and headed over early Wednesday evening with my husband Ben. We were some of the first to arrive, and I plunged in with both high heels and video camera in hand.

We were immediately and warmly greeted by Paul V. Bonarrigo, who gave us the lowdown on the wine-on-tap technology featured at the Grapevine location. It’s a concept whose time has come because it keeps the wine fresh and eliminates the waste of approximately 6,500 bottles, corks, foils, and labels going into landfills every year.

Later, talking with wife Merrill, I also learned that the wine-on-tap concept was actually the brain child of Paul M. Bonarrigo and wife Karen, who led all aspects of the Grapevine facility planning, design, and execution.

“I’m something of a traditionalist,” said Merrill. “So when they said ‘wine on tap,’ my first response was ‘No.’ But then I learned about the advantages, and I also thought about what I’d seen in Paris, where every day, Parisians pick up a loaf of fresh bread and then take their bottles over to the winery for refilling from kegs. I could see the advantages, and so I was won over. The new generation thinks outside the box, and Paul and Karen could see how people, especially millennials, would embrace a better product at a good price while helping with sustainability.”

After we all had the chance to sip some delicious wines and partake of the delectable hors d’oeuvres, Paul M. addressed us and gave us a few more insights into the vision for the Grapevine location.

Here are some features of Messina Hof Grapevine:

• 2,000 gallons of wine production space
• Wine bar with nine wines on tap and light/gourmet food options
• Relaxing atmosphere with a view of beautiful Freedom Park
• Event space for up to 200 people

Ben and I can hardly wait to get back, and we are already thinking about heading over this weekend to enjoy more Blanc du Bois and Mourvèdre—those are two of our personal favorites, but with many wines to choose from, there’s something for everyone. We look forward to enjoying the Christmas grandeur all up and down Main Street, visiting the wineries, and generally getting our fill of holiday cheer.

And you can do the same! The Messina Hof Urban Winery is located at 201 South Main in the historic Wallis Hotel in the middle of downtown Grapevine, which is currently in full holiday bloom. Hours at the winery are Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm.