Foodie Chap With Hon. Gavin Newsom & Hilary Newsom Callan of 'Plumpjack'

KCBS radio "Foodie Chap" and KPIX 5 television "Eye On The Bay" host Liam Mayclem introduces us to the culinary stars behind the food and wine loved by so many in the Bay Area.

KCBS Foodie Chap Podcast:

Meet one of San Francisco's most powerful teams - brother and sister Hilary Newsom Callan and Gavin Newsom.

Gavin we know as the former Mayor of San Francisco, now California's Lt. Governor but he is also the founding partner of Plumpjack Group. His sister Hilary Newsom Callan is the President and as he refers to her "the brains."

Their start was a humble one when in 1992 Gavin, a fourth generation San Franciscan opened his first business: a boutique wine store Plumpjack Wines in the Marina. He recruited Hilary soon after to work with him and she quickly became the boss.

Gavin stepped aside to enter public life and begin a career in politics. His foray into politics was born out of frustration when city permits and red tape stood in his way as a small business owner in the city. He went into office so he could change things and cut through the red tape.

Hilary joined her older brother as marketing director in 1999.

She has been President since 2006 and now oversees seventeen businesses including; MatriX Fillmore, Plumpjack Cafe and Inn Squaw Valley, Carneros Inn, Farm, and Boon Fly Cafe in Napa, The Orchard Residences at the Carneros Inn and Cade and Plumpjack wineries, an impressive little empire to say the least.

"She is the boss and the brains and I just do what I am told."
- Gavin on sister Hilary

I had the joy of sharing lunch with Hilary and Gavin and twenty others recently at Balboa Cafe as they celebrating 100 years of the restaurant...it had a long life before they came along.

What is most impressive about Hilary and Gavin, not only the building of their family business, but also the work they do for the community. Hilary and her husband Geoff Callan founded the Plumpjack Golf Classic 14 years ago and have raised more than $2.8 million dollars for the fight against breast cancer.

I have been honored to serve as emcee and/or auctioneer for 8 years. It is a fun, friends and family affair where money and awareness is raised and Hilary and Gavin's Mom Tess is not forgotten.

Gavin also serves as honorary chair of Best Buddies International an organization dedicated to helping those with learning and developmental disabilities. I will be alongside him for the final stretch of the ride from Carmel to Hearts Castle this weekend. (BestBuddies.org).

Gavin Newsom is married to Jennifer Siebel-Newsom and they have two beautiful daughters and a son. Hilary and husband Geoff have two lovely daughters and also live in Marin County.

Enjoy my foodie chap chat - it's one of a kind - with brother and sister, Hilary Newsom Callan and Gavin Newsom.

And check out the wine notes below on the big Cab Hilary and I enjoyed for our conversation.....and please listen to the very end where Gavin agrees to officiate someone's wedding!!

Cheers!

WINE NOTES: Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon

PRODUCTION:
175 Barrels
November 2012
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

PLUMPJACK ESTATE VINEYARD

The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the forty-two-acre vineyard that surrounds the winery on the valley floor in the heart of Oakville. The east side of the estate lies along the foothills of the Vaca mountain range, where well-draining hillside soils yield grapes of bold fruit character. To the west, the estate reaches the Napa River flood zone, where vines take root in rich, deep clay soils, for grapes with soft, supple varietal character. Thanks to this expressive range, their estate wines have become known for their intriguing complexity.

HARVEST

During the 2010 growing season, Oakville enjoyed mild, sunny days with below-normal temperatures. This allowed estate vines to ripen slowly and evenly, with rich color and classic PlumpJack expression. Grapes reached full maturity well before the fall rains.

FERMENTATION & AGING

Fruit for the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon underwent pre-fermentation maceration (a "cold soak") then fermented between 12 and 21 days, depending on each small vineyard lot. Malolactic fermentation was completed in barrel. The wine received 18 months of aging in 100% French oak (80% new). The wine was stirred on its lees for the first four months of aging, racked three times during the first year of aging, and racked twice during the second year. We selected oak barrels from a variety of cooperages, including Taransaud, Sylvain, Demptos, Seguin Moreau and others. The wine aged an additional eight months in bottle prior to release.

BOTTLED
June 25, 2012

IMPRESSIONS

The 2010 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense, opulent wine that honors its Oakville terroir with great structure and balance. Notes of blackberry and cherry on the nose carry over onto the palate, and intriguing threads of black pepper, mint, vanilla and spice throughout the aromas and flavors enhance the wine's complexity.

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