Get ready to roll up your sleeves and stomp your way into one of wine making’s most beloved traditions! Messina Hof Estate Winery and Resort in Bryan, Texas, invites you to participate in their 47th Annual Harvest Festival.

Wine lovers and fun-seekers alike have the chance to experience the magic of the grape harvest. From grape picking and stomping to exclusive dinners and tastings, this festival promises a series of unforgettable family-friendly events. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a first-time visitor, there’s no better way to celebrate Texas winemaking than at Messina Hof, the most awarded winery in the state.

Messina Hof Winery is a family-owned and operated business with four locations in Texas. The winery began in 1977 with a one-acre vineyard in Bryan and grew to be an award-winning producer of Texas wines. The Bryan location offers tours, a farm-fresh restaurant, and a B&B for overnight guests. It is also available to rent for weddings and other private events. 

With three other locations in Texas, there is one within driving distance for many Texans. The tasting room in Fredericksburg sits on 10 acres in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. You can reserve one of four cottages on the property and stay overnight. The other two locations are found in Grapevine and Richmond. They each have a tasting room, and Richmond has a full-service restaurant, too. All of these locations are available to rent for private events.

For the 47th Annual Harvest Festival, locals and tourists are invited to immerse themselves in family-friendly activities every weekend in August at the Estate location in Bryan. “Messina Hof’s Harvest Festival has been honoring the ancient tradition of grape stomping for over 45 years. Harvest guests pick grapes in the vineyard, stomp the grapes in our Estate Barrel House, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour with wine tastings. Harvest Festival brings together the community and lets them have a hand in our Texas winemaking process,” said Gina Graves, Messina Hof’s Marketing Manager.

Harvest Festival Activities

Moonlit Harvests

Stroll the vineyard at sunset and spend a night among the vines, where guests can pick and stomp the grapes that will go into the award-winning Ports at the Estate Vineyard. Attendees will receive a souvenir “Harvest Crew” t-shirt signed with their own purple footprints and are invited to dinner at the vineyard from the delicious Vineyard Cuisine buffet and selection from the wine bar, with a dessert and Port pairing to complete the evening.

Moonlit Harvest dates: Fridays, August 16 and August 23 from 7:30-10 p.m.

Daytime Harvests

Friends and family can spend a day at the Estate Vineyard to pick and stomp the grapes that will go into creating Messina Hofs’ well-known award-winning Ports. Attendees will receive a souvenir “Harvest Crew” t-shirt signed with their own purple footprints. Following the stomp is a behind the scenes tour and tasting experience led by the winemaker and owners to learn more about the award-winning Messina Hof wines. Guests can upgrade their experience with the Harvest Plus Pass, including a build-your-own brunch box and craft your own mimosa or sangria station. 

Daytime Harvest dates: Saturdays, August 10 and August 17 and August 24 from 9-11:30 a.m.

Steak & Wine Pairing

The ultimate pairing for meat and wine lovers alike will come together on Saturday, August 10 from 6:30-8 p.m. Enjoy four delectable cuts of steak matched with Messina Hof wines to learn how flavor elements can be paired to create a delectable tasting experience. Tickets available HERE.

Papa Paulo Port Party

Enjoy an evening of cocktails, light bites and barrel tastings on Saturday, August 17 from 4-6 p.m. Guests are invited to an exclusive tasting of Messina Hof’s 2021 Papa Paulo Port, from grapes that were picked and stomped at the 2021 Harvest Festival. Tickets available HERE.

Cooking Party: Mediterranean

Join the Chef at Messina Hof on a culinary journey of the Mediterranean on Sunday, August 18 from 12:30-3 p.m. Learn how to recreate the natural flavors from the coasts of southern Europe to the aromatic spices of North Africa and the Middle East with expertly paired wines. Each guest will receive their own cookbook with the recipes from the meal included and the chance to win door prizes. Tickets available HERE.

Grand Finale Gala

To celebrate another successful Harvest Festival at the Estate Winery, this elegant evening invites guests to indulge in a decadent menu created by the Vintage House Restaurant Chef and sip on newly released wines on Saturday, August 24 from 7-9:30 p.m. The team at Messina Hof will unveil the winning artwork from the Texas Artist Wine Label Competition that was voted on earlier in the year at the Wine & Roses Festival. Attendees are encouraged to dawn cocktail attire in shades of purple for this year’s theme, “The Grape of it All.” Tickets available HERE.

Fredericksburg Harvest Festival

Messina Hof Hill Country’s 11th Annual Harvest Festival

Guests are invited to attend the 11th annual Harvest Festival in Fredericksburg the last weekend of August! Events include a sunset and daytime harvest as Messina Hof continues the tradition of grape stomping while raising a glass to its award-winning Texas wines.

Sunset Harvest: Friday, August 30 from 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets available HERE.

Daytime Harvest: Saturday, August 31 from 9-11:30 a.m. Tickets available HERE.

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Cover photo courtesy Messina Hof.

Wendi Baird is the Editor in Chief for Texas Lifestyle Magazine. As a fifth generation Texan, her roots run deep in the Lone Star State. She loves traveling and writing about her experiences.