Moon over Bryan

No rain ain't all bad: Drought makes for richer wine at Messina Hof's 2011Moonlit Harvest

As part of the Messina Fall harvest, participants pick grapes that are laterused to make the award-winning Port.
After picking the grapes, participants stomp them in a big vat (reminds us ofthe old "I Love Lucy" episode).
After stomping grapes in a vat, Caroline Gallay, left, and Mitch May, displaytheir T-shirts emblazoned with their footprints.
Photo by Caroline Gallay

The summer drought might be plaguing some Texas farmers, but it's had its benefits for the Messina Hof Winery and Resort in Bryan.

The winery is most recognized for its Papa Paulo Port, which Messina Hof patriarch Paul Bonarrigo expects to be especially good from this summer's crop of grapes. He told participants who made the trek for the 2011 Moonlit Harvest over the weekend that the diminished yield of grapes used in making the Port lends to richer, more condensed flavors.

Coming out for the Harvest is a truly participatory event. Attendees pluck or cut rows of Lenoir grapes before stomping them for use in the winery's 2013 vintage of Papa Paulo Port and stamping their wine-soaked footprint on a keepsake T-shirt.

Our favorite was the Sophia Marie, a dry rosé that draws its name from the Bonarrigo's third-generation winemaker-to-be, granddaughter Sophie.

If you happen upon a particulary interesting or enormous cluster, participants are encouraged to enter it into the traditional Big Kahuna competition, which includes a talent competition. The frivolity is made a touch more formal by the presence of a priest, on-hand to bless the grapes each harvest.

Throughout the nearly six-hour affair (which includes a sit-down dinner and tour), the hard work is rewarded with tastings of the winery's offerings.

Our favorite was the Sophia Marie, a dry rosé that draws its name from the Bonarrigo's third-generation winemaker-to-be, granddaughter Sophie.

Also a special treat on our visit was the informal launch of Chip Hight's Messina Hof port-infused cigars, prototypes of which were available on the lakeside patio after dinner.

The 2011 harvest will continue through August 20. Visit the Messina Hof website for more information and special events.

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two days of bbq

2 Michelin-rated barbecue joints holding can't-miss pop ups in Houston

Courtesy of KG BBQ

KG BBQ is bringing its Egyptian-influenced barbecue to Houston.

Two of the Texas barbecue joints to earn Bib Gourmand recognition in the Michelin Guide will be holding pop ups in Houston this week. One is visiting from Austin, while another is a Spring favorite with a one-day-only menu.

On Saturday, December 14, Austin’s celebrated KG BBQ will be serving at Axelrad in Midtown. Part of Texas Monthly’s 2023 list of the Top 25 New and Improved BBQ Joints in Texas, KG BBQ has earned wide acclaim for pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh’s Egyptian-influenced take on Texas barbecue.

The menu will include many of KG’s most popular dishes, including brisket rice bowls with smoked Mediterranean rice; smoked lamb chops; sumac-and-cinnamon-rubbed lamb shoulder, and sides such as pink buttermilk potato salad and Baladi salad.

Service begins at 10:30 am. Preorders are available online with a minimum order of $60.

In a statement, Axelrad co-owners Adam Brackman and Monte Large say that KG will make more visits to Houston in 2025. El-Ghayesh adds that he’s a fan of the Houston bar that’s known for its spacious backyard with hammocks, a stage, and a wide-ranging menu of beer and cocktails.

“Since the moment I stepped foot in Axelrad, I loved their culture, their vibrant colors and artistic flare, their attention to detail and hospitality and love for entertainment makes this place perfect for bringing back my nostalgic memories of hosting pop-ups like how I started in Austin,” he said. “I’m proud to bring what I have created to Houston. From how diverse the city is, its beautiful variety of ethnic foods, and large Egyptian community, it has so much to offer. We are excited to serve up some Egyptian BBQ to the Houston community through our pop ups over the next year at Axelrad.”

On Sunday, Spring’s Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q will trade its usual offerings for a special menu of dishes made with smoked whole hog. The menu will include whole hog plates, whole hog sandwiches, whole hog-and-parmesan polenta cakes, and whole hog served over cheese grits with a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce as well as sides and desserts. Service will run from 11 am until everything sells out, likely sometime between 2 and 3 pm.

“The whole menu is filled with specials and cool items we don’t do everyday at the stand,” co-owner Jordan Rosemeyer writes in an email. The motive, beyond exercising some creative muscles, is to raise money for Hogs for the Cause, an annual event that raises money for pediatric brain cancer research and the families who are fighting it.

Like KG, Rosemeyer is also a member of Texas Monthly’s 2023 new and improved list. Located at 2111 Riley Fuzzel Rd., the humble trailer has earned acclaim for its weekly specials, housemade ice cream, and well executed barbecue staples.

news-you-can-eat barbecue pop ups kg bbq rosemeyer bar-b-q