Unplug and Uncork: A Night In with Homestead Pinot Noir

Roast Chicken with Cornbread & Mushroom Dressing paired with 2021 Homestead Pinot Noir

This Friday, March 7th, is Digital Detox Day – a perfect opportunity to step away from screens and reconnect with what matters. There’s something special about gathering around a table, sharing a homecooked meal, and enjoying conversation without digital interruptions. Unplug and uncork a perfect night in.

Our 2021 Homestead Pinot Noir makes an excellent companion to this simple yet satisfying roast chicken. The wine’s bright cherry notes and earthy undertones complement the savory mushroom dressing, while its natural acidity cuts through the richness of the chicken.

Unplug and Uncork with our Latest Recipe: Part One – Savory Cornbread (Prepare Day Before)

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 cup milk
• 3/4 cup medium or fine cornmeal
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons baking powder

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F with a 9×9 baking pan.
2. Mix eggs, sugar and oil in a medium bowl.
3. Stir in milk, cornmeal, flour, salt and baking powder.
4. Let rest for 15 minutes.
5. Pour into baking pan and bake 20-25 minutes.
6. When cool, coarsely crumble and set aside.

Cornbread and Mushroom Dressing

Ingredients:

• 8 oz crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 stick butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 2 cups chicken stock

Method:

1. Sauté mushrooms, onion and celery in butter until soft.
2. Add salt, pepper, sage, thyme and chicken stock.
3. Pour over the crumbled cornbread and set aside.

Roast Chicken

1. Season a whole chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme.
2. Place breast side down in a baking pan and roast at 400°F for 40 minutes.
3. Remove from oven, flip breast side up.
4. Arrange cornbread dressing around and inside the chicken.
5. Reduce to 375°F and roast another 35-45 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 175°F at the thigh.
6. Rest 10-15 minutes before serving.

Roasted Vegetables

Toss carrots, onion and fennel in olive oil with salt, pepper and juice of half a lemon. Roast alongside the chicken until brown and tender.

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Unplug and Uncork a Night In

The 2021 Homestead Pinot Noir brings this meal together with its balanced structure and versatile character. Grown on our estate’s hillside blocks, this wine shows the unique character of our soil and climate. Its red fruit flavors and subtle spice notes make it a natural partner for the earthy mushrooms and herb-seasoned chicken.

Pour a glass, put your phone away, and savor the moment. Sometimes the simplest pleasures – good food, honest wine, and uninterrupted conversation – are what we need most. Unplug and uncork with a night in!