From Wine Shop to Producer: Gavin Newsom and the PlumpJack Winery

Since Trump first became president, we have written several blogs about Trump Winery, focusing on its acquisition out of bankruptcy and its current stewardship under the name of his second son, Eric Trump. Instead of writing yet another blog about Trump Winery—and in the interest of keeping this wine blog hip—I decided to write about a winery connected to a presidential hopeful, specifically Gavin Newsom.

Long before Gavin Newsom was California’s governor, he was a young San Francisco entrepreneur with an interest in wine and hospitality. His early professional career — often overshadowed by politics — is actually one of Napa Valley’s most intriguing stories in that it resulted in the rise of PlumpJack Winery.  Not to mention Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon is currently one of our bestselling luxury cabs.  

A Wine Shop on Fillmore Street

In 1992, a 28-year-old Gavin Newsom teamed up with San Francisco philanthropist and composer Gordon Getty to open a small but ambitious wine shop called PlumpJack Wines in the Fillmore District of San Francisco. The idea was simple: make wine buying friendly, fun, and approachable — not intimidating or exclusive. 

The name "PlumpJack" itself comes from Shakespeare — referencing the rollicking Sir John “Plump Jack,” a character known for his love of life and good drink — perfectly fitting for a wine business. 

Growing the Vision

The wine shop’s success didn’t stop at retail. Over the 1990s, PlumpJack obtained distribution and expanded into restaurants, boutique hotels, cafes, and other bottle shops. 

In 1995, Newsom and Getty acquired a historic estate in Oakville — part of Napa’s world-renowned wine country — and PlumpJack Estate Winery was born. Their commitment was more than commercial; it was a passion project that married Napa terroir with thoughtful winemaking and a bold spirit of innovation.  The Trump Winery was instilled with similar qualities but not by Trump.  Patricia Kluge, winemaker and heiress to industrialist John Kluge, who founded the winery filled it with passion.  

A Napa Player with a Reputation for Quality

PlumpJack Winery quickly became known for premium Cabernet Sauvignon and a willingness to push boundaries. One early example was their decision to bottle part of their 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon in a screw-top — a controversial move at the time among Napa's elite wineries. 

Over the years, PlumpJack has remained a respected producer in Napa, maintaining a focus on quality varietals and a hospitality experience that compliments Newsom’s original mission of approachability. 

When Politics Enters the Vineyard

As Newsom’s political star rose — first as Mayor of San Francisco, then Lieutenant Governor, and now Governor of California — his business interests drew attention too. In 2018, he placed his ownership stakes in the PlumpJack Group into a blind trust to avoid conflicts of interest while serving in public office. 

That trust includes multiple wineries and hospitality businesses under the PlumpJack umbrella, meaning Newsom isn’t involved in day-to-day decisions, but the legacy remains part of his story — a rare example of a U.S. governor who once ran a very serious wine enterprise akin to some of the biggest producers in the business.   

Whether you love PlumpJack for its approachable beginnings or respect its evolution into a Napa Valley powerhouse, there’s no denying that Gavin Newsom is a serious player in the world of wine.