Messina Hof Wine Cellars Careers in Grapevine, TX

In 1977 neither Paul Vincent nor Merrill Bonarrigo anticipated becoming the power couple that would help pioneer a growing Texas wine industry. At that time, there were few commercial vineyards in Texas and the idea that it would become the 5th largest grape producing state was nothing short of a dream.With the encouragement of a Texas A&M graduate student studying grape feasibility in Texas, Paul and Merrill planted Messina Hof’s first vineyard in Bryan, Texas. The one-acre experimental vineyard consisted of fifty varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Lenoir. Over the next few years the Bonarrigos dedicated themselves to the vineyard lifestyle practicing the tricks of the winemaking trade.