Gavin Newsoms winery revealed as only one to get state payout for wildfires as vineyard bosses explode

Gov.Gavin Newsom’s wine connections are raising eyebrows as his winery group becomes the only Napa operation to score a settlement after a devastating wildfire ravaged wine country.California wineries have been scrambling to recover from the 2025 Pickett Fire, which caused an estimated $56 million in winegrape losses across Napa Valley.More than 30 winery and vineyard owners are seeking up to $90 million from Hundred Acre Winery and its owner, Jayson Woodbridge — but so far, only Newsom’s PlumpJack Group has reached a settlement.PlumpJack was co-founded by Newsom, who built his wine and hospitality empire in part through connections to California’s wealthy Getty family.The development comes as criminal charges were filed Thursday against Juan Luis Gutierrez Marfil, an independent contractor for Hundred Acre Winery, who is accused of starting the Pickett Fire.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story In the criminal complaint, Marfil “admitted to Cal Fire Law Enforcement of the disposing of hot ashes into a burn pile, which caused the Pickett Fire.”The blaze left wineries and vineyards facing massive losses, much of it from smoke taint — when wildfire smoke penetrates grapes and ruins the resulting wine.While other winery owners have struggled to reach settlements with Hundred Acre, PlumpJack managed to strike a deal for an undisclosed amount.About 60 acres of PlumpJack’s Oso Vineyard burned, with many of its grapes also suffering smoke taint.The settlement has left other Napa growers still fighting to recover millions in losses.“We are grateful to put this matter behind us,” the PlumpJack Group said in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle.

“As the only vineyard involved in this case to experience burn damage, we were not surpr...