We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Paul and Karen Bonarrigo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Paul and Karen, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Our mission at Messina Hof is simple. We are a family-owned business that focuses on three primary pillars: family, tradition, and romance. We work every day to share these wines through experiences of hospitality, food, and customer service so we can successfully bring people into our family and inspire them to share our wines with their own.
The winery, its mission, and everything it encompasses, comes from the power couple that is Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo. What started out as a one-acre vineyard has completely expanded into four winery locations throughout the Texas landscape. Messina Hof is now a second generation business with Paul and Merrill’s son, Paul Mitchell Bonarrigo and his wife, Karen Bonarrigo, at the helm.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Since 1977, Messina Hof has concentrated on creating high quality Texas wines while also providing our customers with exceptional hospitality and educational experiences that they are sure to enjoy with their loved ones. It is a business founded on love and passion for family and winemaking.
More than 45 years later, Messina Hof’s wine production has expanded from 1,300 gallons to over 200,000 gallons of all Texas wine produced each year. Messina Hof continues its diligent pursuit of international recognition while also remaining at the forefront of the Texas wine industry.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Messina Hof started as an experimental vineyard in Bryan, Texas in 1977 and it quickly became apparent that there was a desire from consumers to explore and learn more about Texas wine. Paul and Merrill opened their living room to be the start of the winery tour, and in 1989 they built the Tasting Room to mimic a living room-feel where wine lovers could enjoy Messina Hof wine in comfort. Their high-level of personal customer service naturally transitioned into offering more hospitality elements such as The Vintage House Restaurant, Designer Events, and The Villa Bed and Breakfast over the 1980s through 2000s. The Messina Hof Estate Winery in Bryan evolved into a resort-feel with the wines being well-known worldwide.
When Paul Mitchell and Karen Bonarrigo returned to the business in 2010 after Paul Mitchell’s active-duty U.S. Marine Corps service, the Bonarrigo Family decided to take Messina Hof’s world-class hospitality and internationally awarded wine and pivot it to other locations across Texas to reach more wine enthusiasts face-to-face. Messina Hof Hill Country Winery and Manor Haus Bed and Breakfast in Fredericksburg opened in 2011, Messina Hof Grapevine Winery in Grapevine (outside Dallas-Fort Worth) opened in 2014, and Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery and Kitchen in Richmond (outside Houston) opened in 2021. The strategic expansions required the business to become more complex and dynamic while also requiring consistency in processes for continuity at all locations.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
Messina Hof’s motto is “Join the Family,” and it really is a mantra for how staff see each other within the company, as well as how Messina Hof opens its arms to its customers. There is joy and celebration in each wine glass, and the Messina Hof Winery locations are designed to encourage guests to come together to learn about Texas wine and grape growing, as well as truly enjoy each other’s company around the table. Messina Hof strives to meet consumers on their wine journey and help guide guests to explore new wines and food combinations, and our extensive and diverse Texas wine portfolio means that there is always a wine for everyone, and every occasion. We want guests to fall in love with wine and become passionate advocates for Messina Hof and Texas wine. Messina Hof has a VIP Club program, as well as, a Wine Club that pulls like-minded wine lovers together to enjoy events and wines throughout the year at all the winery locations. The relationships built along the way over 45 years have been and continue to be truly a blessing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.messinahof.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messina_hof/?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/messinahof/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messina-hof-winery-and-resort/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/messina_hof?s=21
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrmf3KIQzSJfIkQLW-hTzrA
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/qRJvijnFrob
Image Credits
Image Credits to Messina Hof Winery.