“This year’s Harvest crop will be the greatest vintage produced in Texas since 1980,” according to according to Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo, Messina Hof Winery co-founders.
According to Paul Bonarrigo, the early intense heat, combined with the lack of precipitation lead to the production of sweeter grapes. Typically rain dilutes the sugar produced in grapes after undergoing photosynthesis. However, with little to no rain and direct sunlight, the sugar levels were at an all time high.
Messina Hof set a record by crushing 400 tons of grapes in 2009. To ensure that the wine produced by these grapes will have adequate oxygen and the best flavoring possible, Messina Hof ordered 250 65-gallon custom-made oak barrels. This is the largest purchase of new oak barrels made to date.
“We are so pleased to be a part of one of the greatest Texas vintages in the last 25 years. While other Texas industries may have experienced difficulties due to the hot summer temperatures, Messina Hof flourished. We are especially proud of our ports from this vintage. Due to the high temperatures, the grapes thrived, creating the best ports Messina Hof will have ever produced. Messina Hof wine enthusiasts will taste the difference in this full-bodied, rich vintage as well as with all our wines produced from this crop,” said Bonarrigo. Visit their website.
