Harvest is a time when guests can experience the century-old tradition of making wine by picking and stomping of the grapes. Wine lovers, including special guests and local celebrities, will roll up their sleeves and pants and partake in the first phase of winemaking with the Messina Hof Family.

After guests hand-pick the grapes straight from the vine, the fun of squashing begins. Not only will they get their feet wet, they will be rewarded for their hard work with a Harvest Cuisine Dinner prepared by the award-winning culinary team of Messina Hof’s The Vintage House restaurant.

“Harvest is our favorite time of year here at Messina Hof Winery,” said Paul Bonarrigo. “It gives us a chance to share our love of making award-winning wine with people who not only love wine, but love having a good time!”

This year, Messina Hof will host not one, but two enchanting annual Moonlit Harvests, not to be forgotten! The romantic evening will kick off the first harvesting of the grapes as guests pick grapes from the vineyards, then stomp them under a beautiful sunset on Friday, July 17, 2009. Guests also receive a Messina Hof Harvest souvenir t-shirt to imprint with their purple feet after stomping. After the grapes have been crushed, they will enjoy a multiple-course special dinner at The Vintage House Restaurant.

Harvest is an exciting five-week celebration featuring a wide variety of food and wine events including the Moonlit Harvest, Harvest, Harvest Murder Mystery Dinners, and the Harvest Vintner’s Dinner each weekend.

Harvest events in chronological order:

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Moonlit Harvest

Friday, July 17, 2009 and Friday, August 7, 2009

The third annual “Moonlit Harvest” includes picking and stomping the grapes, a souvenir t-shirt, and a Vineyard Cuisine dinner at 6:00 p.m. in The Vintage House Restaurant for $82.00 plus tax and gratuity.

Harvest Daytime

Saturday, July 18, 2009 – Sunday, August 16, 2009 (Saturday and Sunday only)

Option 1: All day activities: including picking, stomping, t-shirt, lunch, food and wine pairing seminar.

8 a.m.

Cost - $72.00 plus tax and gratuity on Saturdays

$62.00 plus tax and gratuity on Sundays

Option 2: Picking, stomping plus t-shirt

8 a.m.

Cost - $45.00 plus tax and gratuity

Option 3: Picking, stomping and lunch

8 a.m.

Cost - $45.00 plus tax and gratuity

Option 4: Food and wine pairing seminar

1:30pm

Cost - $25.00 plus tax and gratuity

Extra t-shirt: $20.00 plus tax

Murder Mystery Dinners

Saturday, July 18th, 2009 – Friday, August 14, 2009

All Murder Mystery Dinners begin at 6:30 PM and cost $75.00 plus tax and gratuity.

Mystery Dinner theme’s are as follows:

July 18 - “Celebrity Celebrations”

July 25 - “Murder on the mound”

July 31- “Murder of the Mateys”

August 8 –“Murder on the Prairie “

August 14- “1950s Themed “

Harvest Vintner’s Dinners

Friday, July 24, 2009 – Saturday, August 1, 2009

All Vintners’ Dinners begin at 6:30 PM. Cost of the dinners range from $90.00 to $140 plus tax and gratuity.

Harvest Vintner’s Dinner’s are as follows:

July 24 –Toad Hollow

August 1 -TBD

August 15 – Grande Finale- Palm Bay Imports

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Messina Hof Winery is located at 4545 Old Reliance Rd. in Bryan, TX.

For more information or to register to be a part of this unforgettable experience, please call (800) 736-9463 ext. 234.

To choose your Harvest Festival package now, please visit http://www.messinahof.com/harvest09.html

For information or reservations for the Villa Bed & Breakfast at Messina Hof, please call (800) 736-9463 ext. 222.

Harvest 2008 sponsors include: Tops Printing, Clear Channel Outdoor, George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau, Slovacek Sausage, The Eagle, Nestle Water, and Brazos Valley Travel Guide.

About Messina Hof Winery and Resort

Messina Hof Winery and Resort was established in 1977 by Co-Founders Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo. Messina Hof was founded on family values, romance and tradition. Messina Hof is the leader in the establishment of the Texas wine industry and ranks as one of the fastest growing, most award-winning wineries in the state.

Four time winner of the “Top Texas Wine” at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and winner of the “Best in Show” at the 2008 San Antonio International Wine Competition, Messina Hof wines are handcrafted at the winery, located in Bryan, Texas. Messina Hof Winery and Resort also boast on their 100 acre property the Vintage House Restaurant, origin of Vineyard Cuisine, the Villa, which was voted “Most Romantic Bed and Breakfast in the USA” and the Wine Master’s Room Wine Bar, voted best wine by the glass in the Brazos Valley.