For many wine enthusiasts, it may come as a surprise that Texas can boast that it ranks 5^th in the nation for wine production. Texas has come a long way since vineyards were re-established in the late 20^th century. In the book Vineyard Cuisine: Meals & Memories from Messina Hof by Merrill & Paul Bonarrigo?founders of Messina Hof Winery & Resort in Bryan, Texas, Merrill writes about planting their first acre vineyard that was experimental. “Day after day, kindly farmers would drive by and stop to ask me what I was doing. Inevitably they’d say something like, ‘Honey, don’t you know that grapes don’t grow in Texas?’” Today Messina Hof has 42 acres of grapes and produces award winning wines.

When Messina Hof started there were only three wineries in Texas. Today Texas has 177 wineries with more being added every year. A new website for Texas wineries has been started. To discover more about wine trails, wineries and events visit the new website. Reviews of several Texas wineries are available on the Wine Trail Traveler website.

Cheers, Kathy