1992
Our story begins in 1992 with the opening of a humble wine store in the Cow Hollow/Marina neighborhood of San Francisco called PlumpJack Wine & Spirits. Founded by Gavin Newsom, this store provided an inviting space for people to explore and discover the world of wines in a friendly, approachable atmosphere.
The inspiration behind the name came from one of Shakespeare’s most unforgettable characters, Sir John “PlumpJack” Falstaff. This down-to-earth, fun-loving, and irreverent character shared an unbreakable bond of loyalty with Prince Hal (Henry V) over many goblets of sack (wine) at the local tavern.
1995
Embracing the spirit of camaraderie and enjoyment, Newsom and acclaimed composer and philanthropist Gordon Getty decided to open a winery that would embody the essence of PlumpJack’s character. Their vision took shape when they acquired a historic 42-acre Estate in the heart of Napa Valley, renowned for producing dynamic, long-lived wines that captured the essence of Oakville, dating back to 1881.
Over the years, the property changed hands and found its way to different owners, including James and Anne McWilliams, in 1974. Then, in 1995, the McWilliams received a proposal to revive winemaking at the historic Estate. Thus, PlumpJack Estate Winery was born with a commitment to crafting high-quality wines that celebrated the land and remained approachable.
1997
A pivotal moment arrived in the 1990s when the wine industry faced a growing problem—cork taint or trichloroanisole (TCA)—resulting in undesirable flavors in bottled wines. Not willing to compromise on quality, Getty and General Manager John Conover took a bold step toward innovation. PlumpJack Estate Winery pioneered alternative closures on luxury wines, introducing screw caps with our flagship 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, eliminating the risk of TCA while ensuring bottle consistency and longevity. Still, to this day, we bottle our Estate and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons 50% under screw cap and 50% under cork as part of our long-term experiment.
2012-present
In 2012, Winemaker Aaron Miller joined the team, and continues carrying on the legacy of producing elegant wines that pay homage to our Oakville Estate Vineyard, garnering widespread critical acclaim. Miller and his team achieved notable milestones when the 2013, 2015, and 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons earned perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate—a testament to their dedication to quality and approachability.
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