Annual Events

The wineries along the Bluebonnet Wine Trail are a group of family owned and operated wineries offering unique wines and wine tasting experiences. Throughout the year, each winery offers numerous activities and events including wine tastings, grape crushing, mystery dinners, music concerts, wine pairing dinners, vineyard tours, grape stomp, and much more. You can visit each winery’s web site for detailed information regarding their specific activities and hours.

Wine & Chocolate Trail
The Wine and Chocolate Trail will feature wine and chocolates at each winery, February 6-7 and 13-14, 2010.



Click the button above to purchase your tickets online. Just print your receipt at the time of purchase and use your receipt as your single ticket or ticket-for-two.

The Wine & Chocolate Trail is a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's Day. For four days on the first two weekends in February 2010, your trail ticket allows you to sample two wine pairings and two chocolate pairings at each participating winery along The Bluebonnet Wine Trail. All of the wineries along the trail remind you to drink responsibly and designate a driver.

The wine and chocolate pairings are shown below:

Bernhardt Winery: The first pairing is a one ounce pour of Crimson, a soft, red, full-bodied wine with a rich, warm smoky oak finish paired with an imported dark European chocolate. The second pairing is a one ounce pour of their award-winning, velvety smooth Port Reserve along with an exquisite Port filled chocolate praline.

Colony Cellars: Their tasting experience is different from most in that they offer a course of twelve wines. As such, a duet fondue dish with both dark and light dipping chocolate and butter cookies will be paired with all twelve wines.

Cork This! Winery: Seven – Tawny Port paired with Quintessential liquid center chocolates and Heaven – White Chocolate Port paired with chocolate truffles.

Messina Hof Winery & Resort: Gooey Milk Chocolate Brownie paired with Barrel Reserve Port and Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart paired with Private Reserve Merlot

Pleasant Hill Winery: Offering two port wines, Rosso Forte and Tawny Rosso Fort, will be perfectly paired with Port Truffles and Caramel Walnut Chews by Chocolate Harmony - Chocolatier: Heidemarie Vukovic.

Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard: Enjoy our hand-crafted chocolate truffle infused with Lehm Berg Harvest Sherry, paired with the Lehm Berg Sherry and our hand-crafted chocolate truffle infused with Retreat Hill Syrah, paired with our newly released Retreat Hill Syrah.

Holiday Wine Trail
Get a jump start on your holiday gift giving by touring the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail, Holiday Trail on December 5-6, 2009 and December 12-13, 2009. You have four days on two consecutive weekends to use your ticket. Purchase a single trail ticket or a ticket-for-two and for each ticket, you can each enjoy a glass of specially-selected wine, paired with a terrific holiday food sample at each winery on the trail. As an added bonus, have your ticket stamped at four participating trail wineries and receive the first commemorative holiday keepsake crystal wine glass. These 24-ounce Pinot Noir glasses feature the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail logo. This holiday trail package, worth almost $70 per person, is yours for the low single ticket price of $30 or ticket-for-two price of $45, plus tax. Click Here to purchase your tickets online.

Bernhardt Winery:

Colony Cellars: Sausage Kolache with Smooth Texas Red

Cork This! Winery: Cold boiled shrimp, with cream cheese and peach jelly, paired with 2009 Blonde, a December release Sauvignon Blanc.

Messina Hof Winery & Resort: Gewurztraminer Raspberry Chipotle Cream Cheese Ball served with crackers & paired with Merrill's Vineyard Riesling

Pleasant Hill Winery: Ceviche, paired with 2008 Sauvignon Blanc.

Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard: Slow-smoked pork tenderloin, rubbed with Sandy Oaks Orchards Extra Virgin Arbequina & Arbosana Olive Oil, Spiceburst Gourmet Garlic Saltburst and rosemary, paired with 2009 Retreat Hill Blazin' Blush, a Texas White Zinfandel.

Windy Winery: Italian, Mexican and Christmas Wine Cookies, paired with Independence, a Pinot Noir/Merlot blend.

» Buy Tickets

Spring Bluebonnet Wine Trail
Beginning the middle weekend of March thru the last weekend of April, get out for a spectacular drive thru the Texas Bluebonnets. Visit 7 of the 8 wineries along the trail and qualify for three grand prizes and numerous other prizes offered by each of the wineries including packages of Bluebonnet seeds! The grand prizes include and overnight stay at the “Loft Above the Winery” at Bernhardt Winery, an overnight stay at Texas’s most romantic B&B “The Villa” at Messina Hof Winery and a “Trough of Texas Wines & Goodies” collected from each of the wineries along the trail.

Fall Grape Crush Trail
August thru October, the wine makers are busy crushing grapes and making the new wines. The pressure is on because as Paul Bonarrigo of Messina Hof states “you are only as good as your last vintage.” This is a great time to get out and visit the wineries and see firsthand the real operations. Visit 7 of the 8 wineries along the trail between September 1 and October 15 and qualify for one of three grand prizes and numerous other prizes offered by each of the wineries. The grand prize includes a pair of tickets to the Fall Harvest Celebration, an overnight stay at the “Loft Above the Winery” at Bernhardt Winery, and a “Trough of Texas Wines & Goodies” collected from each of the wineries along the trail.

Fall Harvest Celebration
In the fall, the winemakers again will gather for their 2nd vintner’s dinner celebrating the end of the grape harvest. This is a very special time for winemakers as their past year’s harvest is bottled and the casks are filled with new wine. The wine makers again will share a special wine during dinner as well as samplings of their new wines during a “meet and greet time” prior to dinner. The dinner will be hosted by Messina Hof Winery in Bryan. This night includes a special tour through the magnificent barrel room at the Messina Hof Winery guided by owners, Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo.

Please check the wine trail's web site or Messina Hof's web site late summer for the date and to make reservations.

Texas Wine Month Trail
The Texas Department of Agriculture has designated October as, “Texas Wine Month.” To celebrate, each of the wineries along the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail will offer something unique to wine trail ticket holders. Tickets for the wine trail are on sale at any of your favorite wineries. With a retail value of over $65.00, this is a deal you can’t beat. With tickets priced at $15.00 each or two for $25.00, here is what you get!

Bernhardt Winery
4 oz pour & concert ticket on Oct. 4th or 11th

Colony Cellars
Wine Smoothie & Tour ticket

Cork This!
4 oz pour & Keepsake Glass

Messina Hof Winery & Resort
Two 4 oz pours in The Wine Bar

Pleasant Hill Winery
4 tastes (Tasting of the Day)

Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard
BBQ Plate & concert ticket on Oct. 3rd or 10th

Windy Winery
4 oz pour & keepsake glass

Come check out the Southeast Texas wineries. Take a tour around the wineries or just come to have a glass of wine. They all have something different to offer so there’s an experience for everyone to enjoy. Texas Wine Month is a great time to come visit, along with our upcoming Holiday Wine Trail Paired with Holiday Foods in December. Don’t miss these exciting occasions!

» More Info

Event Calendar

The Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail offers two Vintners Dinners throughout the course of the year — one in the fall and another in the spring — and they are detailed down the left side of the page. Each winery has its own events, respectively, which are listed by the month below. This is a general listing, so please visit the individual winery sites for more detailed information.

February 2010

Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail - Wine & Chocolate Kickoff Dinner
Celebrate a Season of Romance
Friday, February 5th - 6:30pm

Wine and Chocolate Trail Tickets On Sale, ONLINE ONLY.

The Wine and Chocolate Trail will feature wine and chocolates at each winery, February 6-7 and 13-14, 2010.

Buy Your Trail Tickets Here!

Just print your receipt at the time of purchase and use your receipt as your single ticket or ticket-for-two.

The Wine & Chocolate Trail is a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's Day. For four days on the first two weekends in February 2010, your trail ticket allows you to sample two wine pairings and two chocolate pairings at each participating winery along The Bluebonnet Wine Trail. All of the wineries along the trail remind you to drink responsibly and designate a driver.

The wine and chocolate pairings are shown below:

Just print your receipt at the time of purchase and use your receipt as your single ticket.

Windy Winery:  Enjoy our delicious Chocolate Cobbler and our Tejas Port Chocolate truffles each paired with our Tejas Port.

Feb. 11: Cooking Party with Chef: "Aphrodisiacs" & "Oysters to Chocolate"

Put on your apron and head on over to Messina Hof Winery and Resort for all the lessons and how-to's you'll ever need for cooking. If you're a beginner, we've got you covered with beginner lessons and, if you're already quite the chef, you'll appreciate the huge selection of tips, tricks, recipes, techniques, as well as information on spices, temperature, tools, cuts of meat and lot's more! Gourmet Food paired with World Class Wines!

Attendees will receive a tote bag filled with goodies! You will also receive a recipe booklet to take home with you so you can try out what you learned! AND, you register to win some awesome door prizes that will help YOU in the kitchen!

The party begins at 6 p.m. For reservations or for information call 800-736-9463 ext. 238 or visit www.messinahof.com.

Celebrate Valentine's Day at The Vintage House Restaurant

Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14 from 4-9 p.m.

Guests will choose one item from each course:

Appetizer
Tempura Lobster Medallions
with Estate Grown Meyer Lemon & Sauvignon Blanc Dipping Sauce

Texas Goat Cheese & Spinach Quiche

Salad
Strawberry Salad
with Bleu Cheese tossed with a Strawberry Rhubarb Vinaigrette

Marinated Artichoke Hearts served
with a White Zinfandel Vinaigrette

Entrée
Nolan Ryan Beef Filet topped
with a Cabernet Sauvignon Demi Glaze

Gulf Coast Flounder
with an Estate Grown Meyer Lemon Cabernet Sauce

Roast Duck
with Orange Muscat Sauce

Dessert
Chocolate Marquis served
with sorbet

Swedish Cream
with Fresh Berries in a Riesling Marinade

For reservations or for information call 800-736-9463 ext. 238 or visit www.messinahof.com.

March 2010

Bluebonnet Trail: Tickets Available starting March 01, 2010

Follow the blooming bluebonnets along the trail to each winery for a special treat!

April 2010

Bluebonnet Trail: Tickets Available ONLINE ONLY.

Follow the blooming bluebonnets along the trail to each winery for a special treat, April 3-4 and 10-11, 2010.

Experience the best Texas has to offer as guests cruise with Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo from the award-winning Messina Hof Winery and Resort on Royal Caribbeans Voyager of the Seas from April 11-18,  2010.
Prices start at $809 per person, and a deposit of $150 per person is due by credit card no later than August 30, 2009 with final payment due February 7, 2010. 

Please call Debbie or Vicki for additional information and to book at 281-990-8362 or 832-563-6077 or e-mail atdebbies@supertravel.com,  vivitex@yahoo.com

Royal Caribbean Voyager departing from Galveston, Texas
22nd Street & Harborside Drive
Galveston, TX 

Inside Cabin: $809pp
Outside Cabin: $919pp
Balcony: $1049pp

April 24 - Wine and Roses Festival

One day festival -  (Messina Hof, Bryan)

May 2010

On the Porch Concert Series

Each Sunday from 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Bernhardt Winery, Plantersville)

June 2010

Harvest Trail: Tickets available starting June 14, 2010

Enjoy each of the vineyards as the grapes gain their rich color. Even take part in some picking and stomping at particular wineries, July 23-24 and 30-31, 2010.

On the Porch Concert Series

Each Sunday from 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Bernhardt Winery, Plantersville)

July 2010

Harvest Trail: Tickets available ONLINE ONLY.

Enjoy each of the vineyards as the grapes gain their rich color. Even take part in some picking and stomping at particular wineries, July 23-24 and 30-31, 2010.

Crush For Fun Weekend (2 weekends in July)

July 24-25, July 31-August 1  (Pleasant Hill Winery, Brenham)

August 2010

On the Porch Concert Series

Each Sunday from 6:30 - 8:30 pm (Bernhardt Winery, Plantersville)

Crush For Fun Weekend (2 weekends in August)

August 7-8, 14-15 (Pleasant Hill Winery, Brenham)

Harvest Grape Stomp (2 weekends in August)

September 2010

On the Porch Concert Series

Each Sunday from 6:30 - 8:30 pm (Bernhardt Winery, Plantersville)

January 2010

Wine and Chocolate Trail Tickets On Sale starting January 04, 2010

The Wine and Chocolate Trail will feature wine and chocolates at each winery, February 6-7 and 13-14, 2010.

Buy Your Trail Tickets Here!

Just print your receipt at the time of purchase and use your receipt as your single ticket or ticket-for-two.

The Wine & Chocolate Trail is a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's Day. For four days on the first two weekends in February 2010, your trail ticket allows you to sample two wine pairings and two chocolate pairings at each participating winery along The Bluebonnet Wine Trail. All of the wineries along the trail remind you to drink responsibly and designate a driver.

The wine and chocolate pairings are shown below:

Just print your receipt at the time of purchase and use your receipt as your single ticket.

Bernhardt Winery: The first pairing is a one ounce pour of Crimson, a soft, red, full-bodied wine with a rich, warm smoky oak finish paired with an imported dark European chocolate. The second pairing is a one ounce pour of their award-winning, velvety smooth Port Reserve along with an exquisite Port filled chocolate praline.

Colony Cellars: Their tasting experience is different from most in that they offer a course of twelve wines. As such, a duet fondue dish with both dark and light dipping chocolate and butter cookies will be paired with all twelve wines.

Cork This! Winery: Seven – Tawny Port paired with Quintessential liquid center chocolates and Heaven – White Chocolate Port paired with chocolate truffles.

Messina Hof Winery & Resort: Gooey Milk Chocolate Brownie paired with Barrel Reserve Port and Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart paired with Private Reserve Merlot

Pleasant Hill Winery: Offering two port wines, Rosso Forte and Tawny Rosso Fort, will be perfectly paired with Port Truffles and Caramel Walnut Chews by Chocolate Harmony - Chocolatier: Heidemarie Vukovic.

Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard: Enjoy our hand-crafted chocolate truffle infused with Lehm Berg Harvest Sherry, paired with the Lehm Berg Sherry and our hand-crafted chocolate truffle infused with Retreat Hill Syrah, paired with our newly released Retreat Hill Syrah.

Windy Winery:Enjoy our delicious Chocolate Cobbler and our Tejas Port Chocolate truffles, each paired with our Tejas Port.

January 16-17, 2010

Beef 'N Cab Food and Wine Pairing @ Pleasant Hill Winery 

We've matched our 2003 Texas Davis Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon with a hearty beef brisket sandwich (BBQ sauce on the side).  Our superb Cab is getting better in the bottle!  The fantastic Fort Davis fruit is there with mellow oak aging.  Enjoy the pairing:  beef sandwich and a glass of Cab for $15 during regular hours.  See you Saturday 11:00-6:00 or Sunday noon - 5:00.

January 30-31, 2010

Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard

We closed the first few weekends in January to do some maintenance and bottling. We will reopen for the year on January 30, 2010 with three new releases. We have a dry Riesling, a semi-sweet Gurwerztraminer and a yummy Syrah. In February, we should release our new dry Rose' from our 2009 Texas Zinfandel and we are working with some Texas Lenior, so a port may be just around the corner. Our hours are Saturday 11:00-6:00 or Sunday noon - 5:00.