lone star port - View this location on map  over the last three decades, the sandy soil of the brazos river valley has proved to be well suited for grapes, as youll find at the mediterranean-style messina hof winery & resort (4800-736-9463; www.messinahof.com). messina hof was started in 1977 by the aggie alumna merrill bonarrigo and her husband, paul, who worked with a&ms viniculture experts to create some of the most-honored wines in texas. grab a light lunch in the winerys vintage house restaurant, stroll the vineyards and sample the wines. messina hofs chardonnay is fruity and refreshing, but the biggest surprise is the port, which is almost as smooth as the brazos river on a summer afternoon ($39.99 for a bottle of 2002 paulo port ). New York Times 4545 old reliance road, Bryan, TX Restaurant |