Alexander Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Murphy-Goode with a Private Chauffeur
A game of liar's dice in 1985 that became one of Alexander Valley's best-known names. Murphy-Goode does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Murphy-Goode was born in 1985 during the weekly game of liar's dice played by three friends: Tim Murphy, Dale Goode and Dave Ready. Murphy and Goode were the growers. Goode had studied at UC Davis and managed vineyards in Alexander Valley, and the two helped pioneer the valley by bringing in wire trellising, broad-scale drip irrigation and leaf pulling; the winery calls Tim Murphy the father of Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc. Ready was the marketer, and his sense of fun became the brand's personality.
The first wines were Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay from the Murphy Ranch and the Murphy-Goode Vineyard. By 2006 the winery was making about 140,000 cases a year, and that June Jess Jackson bought the Murphy-Goode brand and its inventory; the vineyards stayed with the Murphy family, who kept about 300 acres. Dave Ready Jr., the founder's son, stayed on as winemaker and still blends the wines barrel by barrel.
Murphy-Goode is now a widely distributed brand, sold in stores and online across most of the country, and its website lists no tasting room, tours or visitor hours. For a day in the same corner of Alexander Valley, we take guests to small estates nearby that do open their doors.
Tasting Fees
Murphy-Goode does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Alexander Valley, Geyserville
AVA
Alexander Valley
Visiting
Murphy-Goode does not offer tours or tastings; its website lists no tasting room or visitor hours, and the wines are sold through retailers and online.
Known For
Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay, and its "second glass" Sonoma County Zinfandel
Founded
1985
Good to Know
There is no tasting room or visitor program. The winery's website has a store locator and online ordering, and ships to most states.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:30 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or h2hotel.
9:30 · Pickup at Hotel Healdsburg or h2hotel
Hotel Healdsburg, on the town plaza, and h2hotel, just off the Healdsburg plaza, are each about 30 minutes from Vérité. Since Murphy-Goode does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Vérité
About 30 minutes away. Jess Jackson's dream of a wine to rival the world's best, where vigneron Pierre Seillan builds three Bordeaux-style blends, La Muse, La Joie and Le Désir, from small blocks across Sonoma County. The Estate Tasting of the three current wines and one library vintage, with curated accoutrements, is $250 and takes about 2 hours. By prior appointment only.
12:15 · Lunch at Jimtown and Then Sum
About 15 minutes away. A café on Highway 128 in the middle of Alexander Valley, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, with tables inside and out. Open every day except Wednesday, until 4 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:35 · Bannister Wines
About 15 minutes away. A tasting room and art gallery in a former bank that opened in 1919 in downtown Geyserville, rebuilt with furniture the winemaker made himself; the old vault is now a vinyl listening room. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel are poured beside skin-fermented Riesling, Scheurebe and Sagrantino. The general tasting of 6 to 7 wines, 60 to 90 minutes, has no fee with a wine purchase; the private tasting with charcuterie and library Pinot Noir is $50. Open Thursday to Sunday from noon.
2:45 · Munselle Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. The Munselle family has farmed in Alexander Valley since 1876; an ancestor ran Lone Pine Cellars, the valley's first winery. Today they make up to 1,000 cases a year from their own ranches, and a visit is a walk through the vineyards with the family, arranged ahead. The fee is confirmed when we book.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 4:05 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Bannister opens Thursday to Sunday and Jimtown closes on Wednesday, so this day works Thursday to Sunday. Vérité's Estate Tasting takes about two hours, and the day ends around 4:05.
About $250 to $300 per person for Vérité and Bannister (Bannister's general tasting has no fee with a wine purchase); Munselle's fee is to be verified upon reservation.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Can you visit Murphy-Goode?
No. Murphy-Goode's website lists no tasting room, tours or visitor hours, so it is not open to visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at estates nearby that do host.
How can I buy Murphy-Goode wine?
Murphy-Goode wines are sold in stores and online across most of the United States; the winery's website has a store locator.
Who owns Murphy-Goode?
Jess Jackson, founder of Kendall-Jackson, bought the Murphy-Goode brand and its inventory in 2006; the Murphy family kept its vineyards.
Where is Murphy-Goode from?
Alexander Valley, near Geyserville, where Tim Murphy and Dale Goode farmed and helped pioneer modern grape growing.
What is Murphy-Goode known for?
Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay, the wines it started with in 1985, and a lighthearted spirit that goes back to the game of liar's dice that started it all.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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