NEW STATE ADVISORY BOARD TO GUIDE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY

NEW STATE ADVISORY BOARD TO GUIDE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY

Messina Hof Winemaker & CEO Appointed as Chairman

AUSTIN — ( September 22, 2005 ) Messina Hof Chairman & CEO Paul Bonarrigo was appointed to, and elected as chairman of the newly created Texas Wine Industry Development Advisory Committee. The 19-member committee, appointed by State Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs, was designated by Senate Bill 1137 which was approved in the Legislation’s last session.

As chairman the tenured Messina Hof winemaker will oversee the committee’s role to develop a long-term vision and marketable identity for the Texas wine industry. Specific committee focus and discussion will include future industry development, funding, research, educational programming and marketing.

“ Texas wineries, such as Messina Hof, are producing nationally recognized wines and embarking on the next stage of the Texas wine industry. By bringing these leaders together we are taking a great step toward further advancement,” said Paul Bonarrigo, owner of Messina Hof Winery & Resort in Bryan , Texas . “I applaud the state’s concentrated support that is and will be so imperative to enhancing our success and achieving the market potential of this maturing industry.”

Texas is the 5^th largest wine-producing state in the U.S. , and now has 106 wineries, up from 40 wineries just five years ago. In 2004 seventy wineries produced more than 1.5 million gallons of wine. Since 1998 the overall economic impact has doubled, reaching $200,526,733 in 2004, much of which is due to substantial expenditures in tourism and hospitality. Per capita wine consumption in Texas is up 27% from 10 years ago.

“The burgeoning Texas wine industry is a significant force in the state’s economy, and Texas lawmakers have recognized its importance by passing legislation to form the Texas Wine Industry Development Advisory Committee,” said Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs. “In addition to their ability to craft excellent wines, Texas wineries provide growing amounts of tax revenue and employ an ever-increasing share of the state’s residents. Texas wines have a lot to celebrate when it comes to the state’s growing industry.”

The advisory board held its first meeting on September 19 in Austin and will continue to meet on a quarterly basis. For more information on Texas wines and the Texas wine industry please visit Messina Hof at www.messinahof.com or the Texas Department of Agriculture at www.agr.state.tx.us/wine.

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Messina Hof Winery and Resort, www.messinahof.com, established in 1977, is founded on family values, romance and tradition. From its initial production in 1983, Messina Hof has led the establishment of the Texas wine industry and ranks as one of the fastest growing, most award-winning wineries in the state. Fifty-four types of wine are produced at Messina Hof Winery, located in Bryan , Texas . Sharing the Estate with the Winery are The Vintage House Restaurant and The Villa, voted “most romantic hideaway in the USA .”

Paul Bonarrigo , Messina Hof Winemaker & CEO and Chairman of the Texas Wine Industry Development Advisory Committee can be made available for an interview about the committee and the appointment . We are very enthused about the appointment and the funding (potentially millions of dollars) that will be dedicated to development, research and marketing of both wine in general as well as the Texas wine industry. Paul can give you more details.

Thank you for your time.

Best,

Elizabeth G. Nuño

Public Relations & Marketing Assistant

Messina Hof Winery & Resort

979-778-9463 xt. 30

979-778-1729 Fax

nuno@messinahof.com

4545 Old Reliance Rd.

Bryan, Texas 77808