November is officially upon us, which means the festive season has arrived. Whether you’re looking forward to cooking up a storm with family on Thanksgiving or hosting the ultimate Friendsgiving party, delectable wine is necessary. Thankfully, there are wineries like Murphy-Goode. With a motto like “We at Murphy-Goode make our wines for the important people in our lives…our friends,” they make it easy to host a #GoodeFriendsgiving.
Personally, I love getting down with a Friendsgiving celebration to set the holidays off right. After all, friends and wine are two things in life for which I’m most grateful! Here are my Friendsgiving must-haves to guarantee an evening to remember:
- Diverse wine selection to carry through the evening. Preferably everyone brings two bottles. One for a round of blind tasting and another for the meal or later in the evening.
- A show-stopping cheese and/or charcuterie board.
- Enough different appetizers to keep things interesting, yet not so many that guests fill up too soon.
- A Thanksgiving themed or inspired dinner, but not with all the traditional dishes. We’re definitely having those on the last Thursday of the month. Why not mix it up with flavors from different cultures or modern spins on classic Thanksgiving recipes.
- Great music.
- Some games!
Having your friends chip in with a bottle of wine and a Thanksgiving dish or easy appetizer will make the evening a breeze. Bonus – you’ll have more time for fun!
If you need assistance with your Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving wine list, check out this article: Your Guide to the Best Wines for Thanksgiving.
Or download my Fall Food & Wine Pairing Guide or The Ultimate Guide to Wine & Cheese Pairing.
Murphy-Goode Winery
Believe it or not, Murphy-Goode Winery was founded on friendship. In 1985, Dave Murphy, Tim Goode, and Dave Ready decided to start a winery. Fittingly, the inspiration struck while having fun playing their weekly game of liar’s dice. I’m not quite sure how you play, but I must admit I’m curious to find out. The trio began their venture into the wine business with a Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay.
Murphy and Goode, the original growers of the team, helped evolve viticulture in Alexander Valley. They introduced wire trellising, drip irrigation on a larger scale, and leaf pulling. Marine air pulled into Alexander Valley through the Petaluma Gap logically has a cooling influencer on the wine region. Viticultural practices like leaf pulling help to thin the vine’s canopy, allowing more sunlight through to aid in ripening grapes to full maturation.
Giveaway Alert
In the spirit of friendship and great wine, Murphy-Goode is giving away a hosting kit with everything you need to host the ultimate #GoodeFriendsgiving. Here’s how to enter:
Share your favorite photos on Instagram or Twitter—from October 15 to November 30 (2022)—for a chance to win a really #GoodeFriendsgiving from Murphy-Goode.
One winner every week will receive a Murphy-Goode hosting kit with everything needed to throw the ultimate #GoodeFriendsgiving. One grand prize winner and five friends will get their next hometown Friendsgiving hosted by winemaker Dave Ready Jr.
Murphy-Goode Wines
2020 Murphy-Goode California Chardonnay ($18)
A versatile California Chardonnay made to accompany you as you kick back and relax. Fruit-forward with classic flavors of apple and pear, this Chardonnay was made using both oak barrels (67%) and stainless steel (33%). The result is an easy-drinking California Chardonnay with a refreshing, well-rounded palate.
Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
The Murphy-Goode California Chardonnay is a great match for the white bean, roasted garlic, and pumpkin flatbread included below. The fruit flavors of the Chardonnay really complement the buttery beans and subtly sweet flavors of the pumpkin. For a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, this Chardonnay is perfect to serve alongside a cheeseboard to begin the evening, especially where creamy cheeses are involved. It’s also a nice pairing for roasted Thanksgiving turkey with fluffy mashed potatoes.
2020 Murphy-Goode California Rosé ($18)
Made with 89% Pinot Noir and 11% Syrah, the 2020 Murphy-Goode California Rosé will make your mouth water with vibrant acidity and red fruit flavors. It’s fresh enough for warm days and has enough body to serve through fall.
Friendsgiving Wine Pairings
Pair the Murphy-Goode Rosé with spicy charcuterie, baked brie with a thyme infused cranberry sauce, or green side dishes like green bean casserole or an autumn-inspired kale salad.
2020 Murphy-Goode California Pinot Noir ($18)
The Murphy-Goode California Pinot Noir is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser at your Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving get-togethers. The grapes for this wine are sourced from marine-influenced vineyards from Sonoma County to Santa Barbara. It ages 8 months in mostly neutral French and American oak barrels for a super inviting texture and smooth palate with elegant red fruit flavors.
Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
Honestly, this Pinot Noir could pair with just about anything. For Thanksgiving, try it with stuffed mushroom starters, sweet potato dishes, sausage and herb stuffing, and anything else you’re serving up with family and friends.
2019 Murphy-Goode California Cabernet Sauvignon ($18)
It’s easy to see why the California Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Murphy-Goode’s best-selling wines. With flavors of dark cherry, chocolate, and vanilla with a hint of toast on the finish, this Cabernet goes down smoothly.
Friendsgiving Wine Pairings
If your friends and family love a grilled or fried turkey for Thanksgiving, be sure to grab a few bottles of this Cabernet Sauvignon, too. This wine would also be an ideal match for roasted duck or a more casual evening with grilled steaks, burgers, or carne asada tacos.
Shop Murphy-Goode wines here.
An Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer or Friendsgiving Nibble
My favorite kind of appetizer is one that’s simple to prepare but so flavor-packed your guests will be immediately wowed. Not to mention coming back for seconds. This grilled flatbread with white bean, roasted garlic, and pumpkin purée hits all the right notes. I paired the flatbread with a glass of the 2020 Murphy-Goode Pinot Noir. The wine’s red fruit flavors and fresh acidity were a delicious match for the roasted garlic and savory flavors of the flatbread.
Plus, you can serve this tasty seasonal white bean purée as a dip with fresh crudité.
An easy, flavorful autumn appetizer or a tasty starter for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving.
- 1 can can (15.5oz) cannellini beans, rinsed – approx. 2cups
- 4-5 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 garlic cloves, roasted
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 tbsp tablespoons fresh lemon juice (approx. juice of1 lemon)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée (from can ok)
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp dried chives
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of Pepper
- 4 pieces of pita bread or naan
- Pinch of Sonoma Sonoma Spice Queen Herb & GarlicSeasoning to garnish (or spice of choice)
- Crumbled feta cheese to taste
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Peel 3 cloves of garlic. Place them in a piece of aluminum foil with 1 tablespoon of olives oil. Wrap loosely to close and bake in a toaster oven for 8-10 minutes on 400°F.
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Drain and rinse the cannellini beans. In a food processor, blend the beans, 4 tablespoons EVOO, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic cloves, pumpkin purée, and spices. Blend until smooth. Check seasoning to taste. Cover and set aside until ready to use.
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Brush breads with olive oil and bake for 3-5minutes or until lightly browned and toasted. Alternatively, toast them on the grill.
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Wilt the washed spinach in a pan with a bit of olive oil over low heat.
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Cut each piece of bread into quarters. Top with white bean purée, wilted spinach, crumbled feta, a drizzle of olive oil, and Sonoma Spice Queen Herb & Garlic Seasoning.
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You could also keep the flatbreads whole, assemble with other ingredients, and pop them in the oven for a few minutes to warm. Cut into quarters before serving.
This blog post is sponsored by Murphy-Goode.
