Napa Cellars Launches a First-Ever Friendsgiving Registry with Chef-Curated Menus to Combat the Financial Burden of Hosting

Napa Cellars’s 2026 Friendsgiving Trends Report finds 65% are looking to lower financial responsibility, revealing a clear need for solutions that ease holiday gathering costs

Oakville, Calif. – Nov. 5, 2026 – Napa Cellars, the heritage winery established in 1976, that focuses on bringing the spirit of Napa Valley to everyday experiences, today announced the launch of a Friendsgiving Registry, an online platform that takes the guesswork out of the Friendsgiving event. The Registry is designed to make hosting and cooking approachable, cost-friendly, and delicious, without the added stress of expert menu planning and wine pairing. 

The Registry was born out of the Napa Cellars 2026 Friendsgiving Trends Report, which identified managing rising food costs as the number one hosting challenge this year. The Friendsgiving Registry gives guests a clear answer to the questions every host hears before the holiday: What should I bring and how much should I spend?

The Napa Cellars Friendsgiving Registry offers three themed menus, inspired by the Trends Report, curated by Chef James Houghton. The host chooses a menu and claims the main dish and wine to pair, then shares the registry so that guests can claim a side, salad, appetizer, or dessert and wine to bring to their gathering. The goal is for everyone to arrive with something different while the meal comes together without one person carrying the full burden of hosting and costs. 

"Friendsgiving should feel like a celebration, not a chore," says Chef James Houghton, director of culinary for Napa Cellars. "Our recipes focus on high-reward, big-flavor dishes, like our Truffle and Charred Onion Mac and Cheese, that let your guests shine by bringing a killer side dish while keeping your prep super easy."

Kelli Calkins, hosting and entertaining expert, recipe developer and creator of Cooking with Kelli, shares, "Friendsgiving is one of my personal favorite times of year because it creates a chance to bring your friends and family together around the table to share great food and wine.  It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to make it special, which is why I wanted to be a part of the Napa Cellars Friendsgiving Registry.  We’ve created approachable recipes and wine pairings that taste amazing, and make it easy to get everyone involved. When friends ask what they can bring, you’ll have plenty of ideas to share, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the company.”

2026 Friendsgiving Trends Report

Friendsgiving is moving to the daytime, centering on comfort-style foods and letting the dishes do the decorating. Napa Cellars’ survey showed that 67.2% of respondents prefer a daytime celebration, led by "brunch-giving" at 35.6% and late-afternoon "sip and graze" gatherings at 31.6%. Elevated mac and cheese ranked as the number one must-have side at 40%, while other sides such as mashed potatoes (25.2%) and traditional stuffing (10.4%) ranked less favorably. While 76.4% are at least somewhat likely to share their gathering on social media, fewer than 10% will spend extra on decor, compared with 79.6% who will spend extra on food. When choosing wine, respondents put food versatility first (48.4%), followed by value in the $20 to $35 range (31.2%). 

Napa Cellars Friendsgiving Registry Menus Include:

• Pass the Mac: A Friendsgiving Elevated Mac and Cheese Bar: Customized for the survey's must-have side, this menu turns mac and cheese into a six-dish tasting bar.  Chef Houghton created a Truffle and Charred Onion Mac and Cheese to be enjoyed alongside five Thanksgiving favorites reimagined as mac and cheese: Sweet Potato, Meet Mac; Gobble 'Til You Wobble; Stuffing Goals; The Green Bean Glow-Up; and Cran You Believe It? Calkins suggests pairing the menu with “Napa Cellars Chardonnay, particularly for the Truffle and Charred Onion Mac and cheese as the toasty pastry notes complement the crispy breadcrumb toppings, while bright lemon and ripe pear help balance the creamy, rich cheese sauces across the menu.”

• Y2K Throwback Thanksgiving: Built for the almost 50% of people who still want traditional holiday staples and the 16.8% drawn to a 2000s nostalgia-themed event, this menu serves the holiday plate everyone remembers, with a little Napa Valley polish. The Throwback menu features signature Roast Turkey, classic stuffing, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows and pecans, cranberry-orange sauce, and pumpkin and apple pies. Calkins suggests “pairing the menu with Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, a natural complement to roasted turkey, dark meat, and savory roasted vegetables. Its fruit-forward character and softer tannins complement the herbs and savory flavors, while its acidity helps cut through the richer sides.” She additionally mentions that, “The 2023 Napa Cellars Pinot Noir brings lovely notes of spiced cranberry and herbs that feel right at home in a Thanksgiving spread.”

• Brunch-Giving: Designed for the survey's top timing preference, brunch (35.6%), this menu moves Friendsgiving to late morning with shareable plates and small bites that look as good as they taste. Sweet Corn Blini with Creme Fraiche and Chives is the hero dish accompanied by turkey, cheddar and cranberry biscuit sliders; a spinach, roasted pepper and cheddar egg bake; maple-roasted sweet potatoes with rosemary; a cream cheese-swirled pumpkin loaf; and a seasonal fruit platter. Calkins suggests pairing the menu with Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, “Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing choice for a daytime brunch-giving, pairing beautifully with the fresh, savory flavors of this brunch menu. Its bright acidity and citrus complement the sweet corn blinis, seasonal fruit, and turkey biscuit sliders, while balancing richer dishes like the spinach, roasted pepper, and cheddar egg bake.” Additionally, she shares that, “The Sauvignon Blanc also pairs well with a roasted red pepper and spinach egg bake because its fresh, fruity flavors balance the savory eggs and cheese.”

Each menu is planned for 20 adults with buffet-style quantities, and hosts can start a registry now, ahead of Friendsgiving celebrations this November.

###

About Napa Cellars:

Since 1976, Napa Cellars has made Napa Valley wines with a simple point of view: that they are meant to be opened and shared. The winery crafts its wines from select estate vineyards and trusted, long-standing grower partners across Napa Valley. The portfolio includes award-winning Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. Napa Cellars welcomes guests to its winery and tasting room at 7481 St. Helena Highway South in historic Oakville, California. For more information, visit Napa Cellars' website or follow @napacellarswine on Instagram.