Meet Karen A. Bonarrigo | Co-Owner and Chief Administrative Officer of Messina Hof Winery

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karen A. Bonarrigo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen A., is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Messina Hof Winery is based on the three cornerstones of family, tradition, and romance. It truly embodies the personal passion of our family for winemaking in Texas, and we showcase our family’s heritage in every bottle and every hospitality interaction. The sense of personal connection that we have with our guests has created an amazing bond and sense of advocacy that carries on through word of mouth and has built a stellar reputation over our 45+ year history.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Messina Hof Winery started as an experimental vineyard in 1977 in conjunction with a student from Texas A&M University that was studying wine grape feasibility in the state of Texas. The vineyard continued to be stewarded and grown by Paul V. and Merrill Bonarrigo, and they quickly built relationships in the Texas High Plains to expand grape growing in the state. Their first few vintages of wine were enjoyed by family and friends, but by 1983 they started selling wine to the general public. After retrofitting their original home and welcoming guests that knocked on their door, it was a natural transition to have a tasting room by 1986. Interest in the Texas wine industry expanded, events at the winery grew, and the winemaking portfolio diversified. Accommodating additional hospitality services became the next step to help teach and take care of our guests, which heralded in the opening of The Vintage House Restaurant in 1995, The Villa Bed and Breakfast in 1998, and the Wine Bar in 2006. After the return home of their son, Paul M. Bonarrigo from the United States Marine Corps with his wife, Karen Bonarrigo in 2010, the Bonarrigo Family looked to strategic expansion in order to reach customers across the state. Messina Hof Hill Country Winery and Manor Haus Bed and Breakfast opened in 2011 in Fredericksburg, Messina Hof Grapevine Winery opened in 2014 in Grapevine, and Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery and Kitchen opened in 2021 in Richmond (outside of Houston).n Messina Hof is the largest Texas winery to produce wines solely from Texas grapes. Our wine portfolio is extraordinarily diverse with over 85 wines covering over 30 varieties of grapes. Our hospitality services are one of the most elaborate in the state compared to other wineries in Texas, and we are constantly striving to expand our services and offerings to fully embody our motto with our guests – Join the Family™. Messina Hof is also the most awarded winery in Texas.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, Messina Hof Grapevine Winery of course! It is a quick drive or train ride from Dallas / Fort Worth, and it is located on the quaint Main Street right in the middle of Grapevine surrounded by history, shops, restaurants, and more to explore. We host fantastic wine events regularly – spanning from food and wine pairing classes, murder mystery dinners, member events, and more!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Messina Hof’s founders – Paul Vincent Bonarrigo and Merrill Bonarrigo – are the epitome of the entrepreneurial spirit, and it was their determination, hard work, and genuine enthusiasm about Texas wine and Messina Hof that shaped the Texas wine industry into what it is today. They pioneered through many trials over the decades, and their steadfast focus on positive promotion and growth helped set the stage for the current second generation to come forward in the modern Texas wine industry and lead us to even greater growth in the coming years.

Website: https://www.messinahof.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messina_hof/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messina-hof-winery-and-resort/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/messina_hof

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/messinahof/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/messina-hof-grapevine-winery-grapevine-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrmf3KIQzSJfIkQLW-hTzrA

Image Credits
Messina Hof Winery