Messina Hof Winery – Bryan Texas

If you’re looking for a romantic European theme in your Texas winery visits, you have to stop at Messina Hof Winery. With a blend of Italian and German styles to the buildings’ architecture, you’ll feel like you’ve found that restful respite from the hectic Houston work week.  With a blend of two family heritages, Sicilian and German, they have brought an excellent style of winemaking to Texas since the winery was first established in 1977 by Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo.  The Bonarrigos were part of the early vineyard agriculture pioneers in Texas during the late 1970’s.  They helped pioneer and played an important role in establishing the Texas wine industry.  As Texas’s first and likely the only winery in Texas to have a proprietary bottle, you’ll surely find something that you’ll like in their vast wine collection.  If you’re doing a tasting, you’ll have some choices of “Flights” and you can’t go wrong with their standard dry and semi dry whites or red wines.  Their dessert and sparkling wines can be quite addictive.  If you want to take it up a notch, the private reserve flights are worth the extra tasting fees.  Go for the single vineyard reserve wines as you compare the same grape with different estates to distinguish nuances of terroir.  If you’ve been around the wine rack a few times, then make sure to taste the Paulo signature series.  The Paulo wines put the “Q” in quality and “P” in premium wines.  You just can’t go wrong with any selection. Ask about taking a look at their library collection of wines.  You might find some 1980s vintages that you’ll want to show off to friends and add to your own wine cellar.  If you don’t walk out of this place without at least a case of wine, then you’re not finished with wine tasting. Try another flight or two.  Afterwards, feel free to dine at their Vintage House Restaurant.  You’ll enjoy fine food paired with your Messina Hof wine as you enjoy the estate vineyard view.  The Villa at Messina Hof is also a great place to spend a romantic weekend get-a-way.  The Villa is located on the estate next to the winery. With so much to offer at this estate, why would you want to leave??? Stop by for a relaxing visit and stay for a while to sample and enjoy all they have to offer.

http://www.messinahof.com/

Spring Wine – 2006; Chaddsford Winery; Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

Made from Vignoles, Vidal , and Seyval Blanc grapes, the flavors and aromas of this wine will range from apples to peaches to pineapples and even grapes.  The 4% residual sugar doesn’t overpower. There is an initial semi-sweet taste, but then it quickly dissipates to a crisp, yet very smooth tasting white wine.  It makes an enjoyable wine suitable for any time of day. For its age as a white, nothing seems to have been lost in the flavor.  It comes on both crisp and fresh, just like the season it’s named after.  Spring has come early for most of the country, so drink up!

www.chaddsford.com

Christoval Vineyards and Winery - Christoval, Texas

Seeing miles and miles of Texas while traveling out to West Texas can be an understatement.  However, located south of San Angelo is a fantastic boutique 25 acre vineyard and winery.  Having been opened just under a year, the owner and his winemaker sons are on their way to producing some note worthy wines.  The owner took over an already established vineyard that just needed some “TLC”.  Some of the estate vines are even 28 years old!  Having cleared out and replaced some of the vines that were no longer producing, the entire estate now looks green and lush.  The current selection of wines includes Viognier, old vine Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Blush, sweet Cabernet Sauvignon and more.  In the works is also a Mourvèdre that you might want to make a return visit to try.  The spring-fed Concho River and surrounding oak and pecan trees provide fantastic shade and help make this a pleasant oasis in the middle of seemingly nowhere.  The tasting room has covered and heated outdoor seating, as well as sufficient indoor seating providing both tables for groups and some comfortable leather couches for you to really relax and make yourself right at home. Take your time when you visit, there’s no place else to really go around here, so sit and sip.  Don’t worry, they even have food, like cheese trays and homemade pizza. They’ll feed you as you enjoy the day along with a glass or two of Christoval wine! It’s a win-win.

www.christovalvineyards.com

Riesling – NV; Weinhof Winery; Forestburg, Texas

This is certainly a sweetened up Riesling.  Don’t be surprised if it may be a bit bubbly when first opened.  You might think it’s a sparkling wine from appearance, but that just adds more of surprise as you drink this tasty wine.  It has most of the traditional flavors of a Riesling.  The signature aroma of this varietal is evident, plus a bit of CO2 from the effervescence.  The color tends to be clearer than most wines of this type.  The uniquely styled cork is a keeper!  For most parts of Texas, summer has come early.  So, enjoy this wine early.

www.weinhofwinery.com

White House Winery – White Hall, Texas

This upstart winery located south of Navasota shares some unique Texas history with the winemaker’s family, Gary Hahne.  With original plans to open in Conroe (didn’t quite work out), Gary found the right piece of property to fulfill his vineyard estate dreams.  Some of the first things that you’ll notice on the walls are some photos and articles of President Lyndon Johnson (aka LBJ).  It turns out that the Hahnes have a shared history with the LBJ clan in Stonewall.  They even helped in the restoration and construction of LBJ’s “White House”.  There is untapped history within their LBJ collection that would make any major university jealous and envious and should incite history buffs to stop in for a visit. Their wines have some unique blends that give the winery a personal stamp on Texas wines. The Chardonnay has just a bit of peach wine added to it which helps reduce the “strong” taste that some Chardonnays have.  The Sangiovese is mixed with some Lenoir (Black Spanish) and gives a typical Sangiovese more bold and full flavor.  He couldn’t quite get away with labeling this one Chianti because of those darn wine naming rules, but it does have similar characteristics. Some Blanc-du-Bois is added to the Riesling that just enhances the flavor and aroma that you’d expect from a Riesling. The Zinfandel is the other wine that is currently offered.  Plans are to grow some estate Blanc-du-Bois and Black Spanish grapes.  Take a look at the grand master plan that the winemaker has hung on the wall and you’ll see the future of a grande entrance complete with large event building, stages, chapel and more.  This will be a jewel to return and visit when all is complete!  If you get a chance, plan some time to visit and chat with the winemaker a bit.  You might learn some important Texas history while tasting some good Texas wine! He has thought of all of the details, right down to the perfect rooster on the labels (if you know German, you will understand the reference; otherwise, ask about it when you stop by).  We’re looking forward to watching this one continue to develop and flourish and wish the winery our best!

www.whitehousewinery.net