Messina Hof Winery co-founders Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo have spent nearly five decades growing Texas wine from a one-acre experiment into a nationally awarded industry.

Their story runs through the heart of GrapeFest, which returns to Historic Main Street in Grapevine for its 40th year Sept. 17–20.

The couple's journey includes a moment that still defines their ambitions.

At a 1993 blind tasting in the Bordeaux region of France, Paul Bonarrigo sat next to a French winemaker who warned him not to expect much from an American entry.

When Bonarrigo's wine won, he had a reply ready.

"Monsieur, you have been making wine in France for many centuries, but we in Texas learn very quickly," Bonarrigo recalled telling the Frenchman, as 360West Magazine reported in a Friday, Sept. 4, feature on the festival's history.

One acre in Bryan

The Bonarrigos started in 1977 with a one-acre experimental plot at their Bryan estate, partnering with a Texas A&M University graduate student to test whether wine grapes could grow in Texas.

They planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Lenoir. By 1983, the vineyard had expanded enough to produce 1,300 gallons, and Messina Hof released its first commercial vintage, according to the winery's history.

Messina Hof now produces more than 200,000 gallons a year across four locations: the original Bryan estate, Fredericksburg, Grapevine and Richmond.

The winery carries more than 90 wines made from over 30 grape varietals sourced exclusively from Texas growers and has collected more than 2,000 competition awards.

Competing with the world

The international wins stacked up early. In 1991, Texas A&M took 25 winemakers to Burgundy, France, where Messina Hof's 1989 reserve Chardonnay beat French Burgundies in competition, 360West reported.

Two years later came the Bordeaux blind tasting that left Paul Bonarrigo, known for wearing a red beret, grinning at his French neighbor.

Bonarrigo told 360West that GrapeFest brings people to taste Texas wines who otherwise would never try them.

Merrill Bonarrigo called it the single best event showcasing Texas wines, the magazine reported.

A festival that outgrew the park

The festival has grown alongside the industry. When the first GrapeFest was held in 1987, 700 people attended and Texas had just over a dozen wineries, according to the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Only six wineries poured at the inaugural People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic. Paul Bonarrigo remembers it as a simple collection of booths circling the city's Liberty Park, with wines purchased by the city.

GrapeFest now draws more than 225,000 visitors. The 2026 People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic features 40 Texas wineries pouring more than 100 wines across 10 ticketed sessions, with winners announced Sunday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m.

Next generation, new grapes

In 2012, the winery passed to the founders' son, Paul Mitchell Bonarrigo, who became CEO and head winemaker. His wife, Karen, serves as chief administrative officer.

That same year, Messina Hof planted Sagrantino, a rare Italian grape varietal, at the Bryan vineyard. The winery released the first Texas Sagrantino wine in 2015 and says it is the largest U.S. producer of the varietal.

At GrapeFest 2025, Messina Hof took home four People's Choice awards, including first-place wins for its Sagrantino Reserva 2021, GSM 2023 and Late Harvest Angel Riesling.

GrapeFest 2026 at a glance

  • When: Thursday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 20
  • Where: Historic Main Street, Grapevine
  • Admission: Free all day Thursday, Sept. 17; free Friday, Sept. 18, until 5 p.m.; $12 adults, $6 seniors (62+) and children (6–12), free under 5; Weekend Pass Pin $25
  • Parking: Free parking and shuttle from Grapevine Convention Center (1209 S. Main St.) and Gaylord Texan Lot R. Trinity Metro TEXRail and DART Silver Line also serve the festival.
  • Harvest Wine Train: Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7:40 p.m. from 705 S. Main St.; $56 per person (21+), includes a $10 discount toward People's Choice tickets

Coming up in Northeast Tarrant

  • Southlake pop-up history museum opens Wednesday, Sept. 16, marking the city's 70th anniversary.
  • Hudson House opens in Southlake on Friday, Sept. 11.