PlumpJack Winery

PlumpJack Winery made national headlines in 1997 when it became the first premium Napa Valley producer to bottle a portion of its Reserve Cabernet under screwcap, a move that scandalized wine traditionalists and delighted pragmatists. Founded in 1995 by Gavin Newsom (now Governor of California) and Gordon Getty (heir to the Getty oil fortune), PlumpJack was named after Shakespeare's nickname for Sir John Falstaff and has maintained that spirit of irreverence throughout its history. The winery's willingness to challenge conventions has made it one of the most interesting producers in Oakville.

The estate occupies 50 acres of prime Oakville benchland, surrounded by neighbors whose wines sell for three and four times PlumpJack's price. The vineyard sits on the gravelly, well-drained soils that define the Oakville appellation, producing Cabernet of classic structure and depth. The site benefits from warm afternoon temperatures moderated by the fog that creeps up the valley floor in the evenings, creating the wide diurnal temperature swings that allow grapes to ripen fully while retaining natural acidity.

Winemaker Aaron Miller crafts the Estate Cabernet and Reserve Cabernet from the Oakville vineyard, producing wines that compete with the appellation's most expensive bottlings at a fraction of the price. The house style emphasizes purity of fruit and seamless texture, avoiding the heavy extraction and excessive oak that can mask Oakville's natural character. The screwcap experiment, now decades old, has proven conclusively that the closure does not compromise aging potential, vindicating the winery's early gamble. PlumpJack also owns Cade Estate on Howell Mountain and Odette Estate in the Stags Leap District, creating a family of wines that spans three of Napa's finest appellations.

The tasting room on Oakville Cross Road is intimate and unpretentious, a small stone building that feels more like a neighborhood wine shop than a luxury estate. Tastings include the Estate and Reserve Cabernets alongside wines from the sister properties, allowing visitors to compare Oakville, Howell Mountain, and Stags Leap District terroir in a single visit. The staff are knowledgeable and relaxed, and the overall experience feels more like hanging out with wine-savvy friends than attending a formal tasting.

PlumpJack's legacy extends beyond the screwcap controversy. By demonstrating that a winery could be both innovative and traditional, playful and serious, the estate helped redefine what a Napa Valley winery could be. The connection to Gavin Newsom adds a political dimension that is unusual in the wine world, though the winery wisely keeps its focus on what happens in the vineyard and the cellar. For visitors seeking excellent Oakville Cabernet without the typical Oakville price tag or attitude, PlumpJack is one of the best values in the appellation.