*Note: This article also ran on Texas Wine and Trail.
Spring is in full bloom, especially at Messina Hof in Bryan.
On Friday, April 25th they will celebrate with their Spring Release
Dinner and 30th Wine & Roses Festival on Saturday, April 26.
These events are a highlight to the beginning of a new year in Texas wine. This year will be my first time attending as well as visiting the Bryan location.
A Taste of the Season:
Spring Release Dinner
The Spring Release Dinner starts the weekend. An evening of
fine dining will be paired with new vintages of Messina Hof wines. The four
course meal includes a wine infused salad course, a ragu cooked with Merlot,
veal, and a chocolate dessert. Part of the entertainment for the evening will
include an auction, whose proceeds will benefit the Brazos Valley Museum of
Natural History.
Interested parties can join the fun by purchasing individual
seats or reserving a table. For more information on the dinner, visit the events page
at Messina Hof.
Everything in Bloom:
The 30th Annual Wine & Roses Festival
The major event for the weekend is the 30th Annual
Wine and Roses Festival on the winery grounds, Saturday, April 26. This
tradition marks the recent budding of the vines, as well as the blooming of the
roses. During the festivities, the mayor of Bryan will also proclaim Messina
Hof Day. Like the dinner the night before, proceeds from the festival will be
donated to the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History.
The festival starts at 2pm and runs until 8 that evening.
During the day, festival goers can enjoy live music – including artists Joe
Teichman, Haley Cole, and The Rock-A-Fellas – throughout the day. During the
day, visitors can watch the competitive grape stomps (include a celebratory
stomp with area businesses and organizations), visit with local artisans and
vendors, and vote on the new Messina Hof wine labels during the 24th
annual competition. All of this fun is free and family friendly.
For a little extra, guests can enjoy even more of the
festival. There are ticket packages available at the Messina Hof website
(and by phone at 1-800-736-WINE ext. 234) that include tickets for food (from
the available food trucks) and drinks, as well as other goodies like a tasting
glass, lanyard, and t-shirt. Tickets for the food and wine will also be
available at the festival.
For extra fun, guests can take part in the various
entertainments. Small groups can take part in the grape stomps. Groups are
between 2-4 people and cost an additional $50; to reserve, guests need to class
the reservation line. There will also be other entertainments like a Pinot Noir
Painting Class hosted by the Artists Screen Cooperative from Austin, TX. And
for those with a sweet tooth or in need of some decadence, there will also a
Wine & Chocolate Pairing Class.
And while at the festival, visitors will be encouraged to
share their fun via social networks. The winery will be hosting a special Tweet
Spot. Those who are lucky enough to acquire a pass to the Tweet Spot will get a
chance to taste and tweet about the new releases from Friday’s dinner (a great
opportunity for those not above to attend the dinner the night before). Guests
will need to complete their passport and for a one-time entrance to the area.
I will live tweet and post on facebook throughout the day (since I have all-day access to the tweet spot as a member of the media). Check site for more info.
This weekend in Bryan promises lots of great food, great
wine, and great fun. I can't wait till Friday. No matter what you prefer, there is something waiting for
you at the 30th Annual Wine & Roses Festival at Messina Hof. I'll see you there.
Messina
Hof Bryan is located 4545 Old Reliance Road, Bryan, Texas 77808.
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