Messina Hof and Sagrantino
It’s 48 years and more love is on the way. When a New Jersey physical therapist by the name of Paul Bonarrigo met Merrill from Bryan, a long passionate relationship began. By accident, this newly married couple discovered grape-growing and winemaking can be done in Texas. As pioneers in the Texas wine industry, they moved forward with a passion in planting and tending their vineyards. While growing their fledgling winery into one of the largest in Texas, they also grew a Family with son Paul born in 1982. Paul and Merrill were one of the dynamos in the early Texas wine industry and continue to this day to promote Texas wines. Their son Paul served two tours of duty in the Middle East, returning in 2010 and then taking over the winery from Mom and Dad in 2012. This allowed Paul and Merrill to travel on a regular basis internationally to introduce Texas wines to the world. We Texans are becoming known as an area that produces wines of substance as a direct result of Paul and Merrill.
While attending a conference in central Italy, this dynamic duo made an interesting discovery. Paul told me, “Merrill and I taught Wine Club Development and Direct to Consumer Sales and Marketing in Perugia Umbria in 2012. That was when we discovered Sagrantino. This deep dark and wonderful grape was used as a dessert wine until 1976 . In 1977 Sagrantino was fermented as a full bodied red wine. In 2012 I fell in love with Sagrantino and saw its potential in Texas. Sagrantino was introduced into the US in 2012. I contacted the only three Nurseries that had Sagrantino plants and purchased every plant. I planted an estate Sagrantino Vineyard in Bryan, Texas and gave plants to three of my growers.”
This early experiment with an almost unknown grape varietal from central Italy made an everlasting impression. Paul informed me, “In 2015 Messina Hof Paulo Sagrantino was born. I entered the wine in the Vienna International Wine Competition, the World’s Largest Wine Competition and Paulo Sagrantino 2015 was awarded the Gold Medal and the Best Sagrantino in the World. Messina Hof now produces
• Sagrantino Sparkling Rose
• Paulo Sagrantino
• Sagrantino Reserva

The Bonarrigo Family has expanded their growth of Sagrantino grapes in Texas, becoming the largest producer of Sagrantino wine in the United States. When asked about their source of Sagrantino grapes, Paul said, “We have six acres of Sagrantino at the Estate Vineyard. We have 20 acres of Sagrantino in the High Plains.
Sagrantino is a vigorous plant. We get 2-3 tons per acre. It is not susceptible to many diseases. We grow it on SO4 Rootstock on a quadrilateral cordon training system. In the High Plains they grow it on a bilateral training system.”
What are Sagrantino grapes? Sagrantino is a densely colored red wine grape variety which is grown mainly in the Umbria region in central Italy. This grape varietal is known for being Italy’s most tannic variety, even exceeding Nebbiolo as to tannins. This grape has almost twice as much tannins as Cabernet Sauvignon. Sagrantino produces full-bodied, tannic red wines. It has a darker fruit profile and contains one of the highest amounts of antioxidants of any grape variety. This grape varietal creates wines that are inky purple with an almost-black center. The bouquet is one of dark, brooding red fruits with hints of plum, cinnamon, and earthiness.