On a recent visit to Murphy-Goode Winery’s tasting room in Healdsburg, CA (Sonoma County), I felt a wave of relaxation come over me, and I easily slipped into the vibe of the winery’s mantra: “Don’t take life too seriously.” It’s exactly what I needed after a year of hunkering down, taking life a bit too seriously. As I sat down at Murphy-Goode, and the wines were poured in front of me, I felt a bit of ‘normal’ creeping back in.
Moving through the whites, a sense of ease came back and we jumped into a discussion of flavors notes and desires when it came to food pairings. We lingered on the North Coast Sauvignon Blanc, with its citrus notes of lemon, pear and orange blossom. For a fleeting moment I felt that I was once again in the tropics. But alas, I’ll have to enjoy this poolside or at the local beach – or maybe, just out on the deck. Another notable white we sipped was the Minnesota Cuvee Chardonnay, a wine that was born from a conversation between father and son. Dave Jr. mentioned to his father that a new local cooper that was making wine barrels from Minnesota oak. Dave Sr. immediately declared that they should acquire some of those barrels and develop a wine called “Minnesota Cuvée.” The result is a wine that marries the tropical fruit notes of the Chardonnay with the toasty vanilla and coconut notes from the barrel.
After a few more whites, we took the leap to the reds, starting with the California Red Wine, noted as being a soft, but complex, blend comprised of different varietals that shows off the great fruit flavors that their California grapes contribute. The nose kicks in with dark aromas of black cherries and blueberries while the first taste mixes things up with raspberries and Bing Cherries. The mouthfeel is rich yet soft and has a nice long finish that invites you to take a second sip. I have to admit, I took a second sip (OK – I took several more sips).
Another awesome red was the Petit Verdot. With its deep flavors of dark berries, blueberry jam, anise and notes of toasty vanilla, this unique wine allows the Petit Verdot varietal the opportunity to shine.
The tasting room experience proved to be just what I needed to get myself out of my Pandemic Funk. I was quickly reminded that there are so many great tasting wines available, and that I had to reaquaint myself with my palate so I could once again enjoy my food and wine experiences. What made it even more enjoyable is that the Murphy-Goode vibe evokes a low-key, unpretentious and fun vibe — Just exactly what I craved.
If you’re in the neighborhood and looking for a relaxing fun afternoon, head on over to the Murphy-Goode Winery Tasting Room in Healdsburg. And, if you’ve ever dreamed of working in the wine industry, here’s your. Murphy-Goode is giving you an opportunity to pursue your passion and pitch them your dream job – Not only will you work for them, doing exactly what you want to do, you’ll get free rent for a year while living in Sonoma wine country – Go ahead and Pitch them your dream job!
For more information on the tasting room, wines, and the Job Opportunity visit Murphy-Goode Winery
