Messina Hof takes over James Beard House in New York City

This Tuesday, June 19th, award-winning Messina Hof Winery will be showcasing its culinary program and a selection of its wines at the famed James Beard House in New York City. The event will feature two generations of the Bonarrigo family winemakers, Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo alongside Paul Mitchell and Karen Bonarrigo. They will be joined by chefs Chris Shepley and Glenn Huggins from the estate winery’s Vintage Houston Restaurant for 40 Years of Vineyard Life, a special five course dinner featuring Vineyard Cuisine™ and Messina Hof wine pairings.

Messina Hof Winery & Resort is one of the oldest wineries in the state. Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo founded Messina Hof in Bryan, Texas in 1977. Over the years they expanded their vineyards and onsite gardens, opening The Villa, an award-winning AAA 4-Diamond rated bed and breakfast, and the Vintage House Restaurant, which serves their signature Vineyard Cuisine™ incorporating Messina Hof wine into each dish, and highlighting food and wine pairing affinities. Forty years later, they have now expanded across Texas, becoming the largest producer of 100% Texas wine with additional locations in the Texas Hill Country’s town of Fredericksburg as well as Grapevine.

Paul Mitchell and wife Karen took the helm of the family operation in 2013 and showcase the same level of passion with the winemaking and dedication to Messina Hof’s signature hospitality. Under Paul Mitchell’s leadership, Messina Hof ended an exceptional 40th anniversary year with numerous achievements in international wine competitions, including a Gold Medal at AWC Vienna 2017, a Double Gold Medal and two Gold Medals at the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, as well as a Gold Medal at the 2018 TEXSOM International Wine Awards. Expansion plans are underway for an exception 2019 year of growth for the family owned business.

“It is amazing that what began 40 years ago as an experimental vineyard and fifty varietals of grapes, is now the Messina Hof of today offering more than 90 varietals with thousands of awards,” remarked Paul Mitchell Bonarrigo. “But to receive an invitation from the prestigious James Beard Foundation to cook for their guests at the James Beard House in New York City, is beyond an honor. It really cements for us just how far and blessed Texas wines, and our family business have come over the years. We are equally grateful and excited to showcase at our pairing dinner in June.”

Tickets for Messina Hof’s James Beard House dinner are $175 and are now available for purchase by calling 212-627-2308 or by going to jamesbeard.org/events.

If you are unable to attend the dinner, the James Beard House has a kitchen webcam where you can watch the dinner prep in the kitchen.

The menu for Messina Hof’s “40 Years of Vineyard Life” dinner will include:

Hors d’Oeuvre

Sparkling Brut–Poached Texas Gulf Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Butter and Parsley

Estate Herbed–Lone Star Chèvre with Sauvignon Blanc–Braised Local Beets and Candied Apricots

Mesquite-Smoked Broken Arrow Ranch Axis Venison with Navy Beans, Estate Herbs, and

Messina Hof Private Reserve Chardonnay on Grilled Baguettes

Messina Hof Artist Series Dry Grenache Rosé 2017

Messina Hof Artist Series Primitivo 2016

Dinner

Roasted Local Scallops with Rendered Pancetta, Pea–Mint Pureé, Crispy Parmesan, and Mama Rosa Rosé–Red Bell Pepper Coulis

Messina Hof Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Arugula with Candied Royalty Pecans, Texas Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Shaved Parmesan, and White Balsamic–Riesling Vinaigrette

Messina Hof Father and Son Riesling 2017

Cabernet Sauvignon–Roasted Monterey Mushroom Medley > Oyster, Shitake, and Cremini Mushrooms with Truffle Oil

Messina Hof Sagrantino Reserva 2016

Grilled Broken Arrow Ranch South Texas Antelope with Sémillon, Hill Country Peaches, Roasted Polenta Cake, and Sautéed Baby Zucchini

Messina Hof Private Reserve Merlot 2015

Tawny Port–Macerated Local Blackberries and Dark Sweet Cherries with Whipped Mascarpone and Estate Mint

Messina Hof Exclusive Paulo Port 2011