Meet the Winemakers at PlumpJack Cafe
PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn’s Summer Winemaker Series

May 20, 2010, Olympic Valley- The highly celebrated PlumpJack Cafe Winemaker Dinners will launch its Summer Series on June 24 with Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines. Guests at PlumpJack Cafe experience one-on-one interaction with the winemakers as they mingle in the bar and dining room, pouring sips by the glass, flight or paired with cuisine. Reservations are not needed. "The wine series is a fun, intimate and casual get together," notes PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn Food and Beverage Director, Steve Lamb. "It's like having a guest sommelier working the floor of the restaurant. These winemakers have great stories to tell."

New to this Summer's Winemaker Series is a special $145 room rate at Squaw Valley Inn for those with reservations to the Winemaker event. Call 800.323.7666 to book your room or reservation for the Winemaker Dinner Series.

June 24- Mauritson Wines, Clay Mauritson
July 15- Flowers Vineyard & Winer, Tom Hinde
July 29- Peay Vineyards, Andy Peay
August 12- Skinner Vineyards, Chris Pittenger
August 26- Phil and Arden Coturri, Organic Farmers Wine and Olive Oil
September 10- Truchard Wines, Anthony Truchard

About PlumpJack Cafe
The PlumpJack Cafe is located in the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, 1920 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, California. PlumpJack Cafe Bar is open from 11:30 am-2am daily, serving the Bar Menu from 11:30 am-10:00pm. The PlumpJack Cafe Dining Room is open from 6:00pm-9:00pm Sunday- Thursday and 6:00pm-9:30pm Friday and Saturday. Please call 530.583.1578 for reservations or go to plumpjackcafe.com.

Pets Get Pampered at PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn

PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn would like to welcome you and your pet to North Lake Tahoe and to your home away from home. Your pet will be treated with the following resort amenities during your stay:

• A Comfy Bed
• Doggie Treats
• Bowls for Food and Water
• Doggie Bags for Cleaning Up

Please let us know if you have other needs to make your pet’s stay more comfortable.

Pet Etiquette Program
While we want to assure you that your pet is welcome to stay, we do ask that you follow a few guidelines:

• Please keep your dog on a leash at all times when you are not inside your room. Even if your pet is extremely well behaved, other guests will be put at ease if your dog is on his or her leash.
• Your dog is welcome on a leash on the upper pool patio.
• Cleaning up after your pet on the grounds is required. Bags are located at the Front Desk.
• Pets are not allowed in the fitness center, pool area, cafe or bar.
• Please let Housekeeping know when it is a good time to clean your room, either when you are there with your pet or, preferable, when both you and your pet are going to be away from your room.
• Pet bowls are provided in your room for water and food.
• As it is our responsibility to ensure the enjoyment of all guests, we ask that you be responsible for controlling your dog and prevent them from barking or causing any other disturbance to our other guests.
• *A $150 fee per room/per reservation will be assessed when bringing your pet.

Resources for You and Your Pet

• Local Veterinarians
  
• Local Pet Groomers
  
• Pet Sitters
  
• Local Pet Stores
  
• Emergency Pet Care
  
• Area Pet Activities

Dog Friendly Trails in Lake Tahoe

• Shirley Lake Trail
  
• Five Lakes Trail
  
• Page Meadows/Ward Creek Trail
  
• North Lake Tahoe Bike Path

Leashed Dog Friendly Beaches

• Commons Beach
• Lake Forest Beach Park
• Kings Beach Recreation Area
• Elizabeth Williams Park

Dog Friendly N. Lake Tahoe Restaurants with Outdoor Dining Areas

• PlumpJack Bar
• Blue Coyote Sports Bar & Grill
• Fire Side Pizza
• Mamasake Sushi
• River Ranch

Menu Announced for Winemaker Dinner
Mauritson Wines at PlumpJack Cafe on June 24

June 15, 2010, Olympic Valley- The highly celebrated PlumpJack Cafe Winemaker Series will begin with Mauritson Wines on June 24. Guests at PlumpJack Cafe experience one-on-one interaction with the winemakers as they mingle in the bar and dining room, pouring sips by the glass, flight or paired with cuisine. Chef Ben "Wyatt" Dufresne has created a one-of-a-kind pairing for those guests enjoying the tasting in the dining room. Call 530.583.1578 for reservations.

MAURITSON WINES
JUNE 24, 2010

AMUSE
Chilled Sausalito Watercress Soup
Prosecco, Frozen Grapes

FIRST COURSE
Chesapeake Bay Soft Shell Crab
Stone Fruit, Sorrel

Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Dry Creek

SECOND COURSE
Smoked Angus Short Ribs
Porcini, Marble Potatoes

Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Sonoma

DESSERT
Chocolate & Cherries
Rockpile Ridge Zinfandel 2007 Rockpile

The PlumpJack Cafe is located in the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, 1920 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, California. PlumpJack Cafe Bar is open from 11:30-2am daily, serving the Bar Menu from 11:30-10:00pm. The PlumpJack Cafe Dining Room is open from 6:00pm-9:00pm Sunday- Thursday and 6:00pm-9:30pm Friday and Saturday. Please call 530.583.1578 for reservations or go to plumpjackcafe.com.

EarlyBird at MatrixFillmore

Summer Cocktailing Starts Early at Matrix with Launch of 6-9pm Beer, Wine and Cocktail Specials

June 2, 2010, San Francisco, CA- Summer has begun at MatrixFillmore with the launch of the EarlyBird, an early evening cocktail program featuring $5 beers, $5 well cocktails and $6 house wine from 6-9 pm seven days a week. Along with these deals, stop in to enjoy the fresh specialty cocktails from the new seasonal cocktail list, including favorites like the Chasing Aces and Cucumber Gimlet. Enjoy the new look of MatrixFillmore during the daylight hours this Summer.

ABOUT MATRIXFILLMORE
The Matrix was opened by Marty Balin in 1965 as a place for his new band to play. On opening night the band finally chose their name, Jefferson Airplane. From that moment on, The Matrix was the place in San Francisco for the famous 1960s bands bridging folk and psychedelic rock. Everyone played there: The Grateful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company (with Janis Joplin), Steve Miller Band (and later Boz Scaggs solo), New Riders of the Purple Sage, Bruce Springsteen (in his San Francisco debut with Steel Mill) and many, many more. Shows were promoted by weekly handbills that sparked an era of rock art made famous by artists such as Victor Moscoso.

PLUMPJACK GROUP ANNOUNCES 11th ANNUAL LINK GOLF CLASSIC

Charity Golf Tournament to Benefit the Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC)

WHAT:
The PlumpJack/LINK (Learning, Information, Networking, Knowledge) Golf Classic includes a golf tournament, celebratory dinner, live and silent auctions. An annual charity event, the LINK Golf Classic has raised nearly $2 million to benefit the Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC), formerly the Northern California Cancer Center. Salesforce will be the presenting sponsor for the tournament.

As family members of breast cancer survivors and victims, LINK founders PlumpJack President Hilary Newsom Callan and her husband, Geoff Callan, have both been touched by the assistance of CPIC. One hundred percent of LINK proceeds go directly to CPIC.

Members of the public may donate $150 for a Dinner and Auction ticket. A $400 Golf ticket includes a single round of golf, a gift bag, lunch, drinks and snacks on the course, and a seat at the dinner and auction. Those interested in sponsoring LINK may contact Jen Chism, PlumpJack Marketing Director, at 415.346.7119 or visit www.plumpjack.com/golf for more information.

WHO
Notable attendees at the event have included Mayor Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom; “Sex in the City” actor Jason Lewis; Gordon Getty; and Jim Steele, President and Chief Customer Officer of Salesforce.com.

WHEN
Monday, May 3, 2010
10 a.m. check In, 11:30 a.m. shot-gun start,
5:30 p.m. cocktails and silent auction, 6:45 p.m. dinner, live auction and awards ceremony.

WHERE
Lake Merced Golf and Country Club
2300 Junipero Serra Blvd, Daly City, CA 94015

PlumpJack Group Announces Burger for a Pint

Blood Donors Receive Complimentary Burger at Balboa Cafe Locations in San Francisco and Mill Valley

WHAT:
The PlumpJack Group’s semi-annual “Burger for a Pint” community blood drive rewards blood donors with one complimentary Balboa Burger compliments of Balboa Cafe. Those who donate blood at the Blood Centers of the Pacific mobile donation center outside the restaurant receive a certificate for a complimentary burger, which can be redeemed over the next week. This marks the eighth “Burger for a Pint” blood drive at Balboa Cafe San Francisco and the third at Balboa Cafe Mill Valley. The Mill Valley event is co-sponsored by the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce. To make an appointment, interested donors must visit www.bloodheroes.com and enter the sponsor code “Balboa-SF” or “Balboa-MV” depending on the location where they would like to make the donation.

WHEN
San Francisco- Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 1-7pm
Mill Valley- Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 1-7pm

WHERE
Balboa Cafe San Francisco
3199 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
415.921.3944

Balboa Cafe Mill Valley
38 Miller Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415.381.7321

www.balboacafe.com

MatrixFillmore Refresh

Nighttime Hot Spot ReOpens with New Look, Earlier Hours and Artisan Seasonal Cocktail List

April 1, 2010, San Francisco, CA- After a brief one-week closure, the historic MatrixFillmore space is moving into the second decade of the new century by taking cues from the past and giving them an updated twist. MatrixFillmore has a new look, earlier hours and a seasonal cocktail list focusing on only the freshest ingredients.

"The new Matrix is a more modern, adult version of the old Matrix," says Dan Worden of Shopworks, the design company who worked with PlumpJack on the new look. "We’ve kept the iconic fireplace and installed new banquettes and cocktail tables, as well as romantic lighting. One of the key changes is making the backroom much more accessible and integrated with the rest of the space. A tongue-in cheek reference to an old club with a modern twist, the club chairs and englenook seating sets off the stunning photography and "library.'"

The new MatrixFillmore cocktail list reflects General Manager and award-winning mixologist Ken Luciano's dedication to using only the freshest seasonal ingredients. In addition to the extensive list of diverse specialty cocktails, MatrixFillmore will feature the "Six Dollar Cocktail" on a regular basis. The price will remain the same, but the cocktail will change as frequently as fresh ingredients are available.

Now opening at 6:00pm every day of the week, MatrixFillmore is the perfect post-work cocktail hour venue. At 10:00pm the space transitions into a music-focused atmosphere featuring well- known DJs from around the Bay Area.

---

ABOUT MATRIXFILLMORE
The Matrix was opened by Marty Balin in 1965 as a place for his new band to play. On opening night the band finally chose their name, Jefferson Airplane. From that moment on, The Matrix was the place in San Francisco for the famous 1960s bands bridging folk and psychedelic rock. Everyone played there: The Grateful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company (with Janis Joplin), Steve Miller Band (and later Boz Scaggs solo), New Riders of the Purple Sage, Bruce Springsteen (in his San Francisco debut with Steel Mill) and many, many more. Shows were promoted by weekly handbills that sparked an era of rock art made famous by artists such as Victor Moscoso.

Summer Events in Squaw Valley

PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn Launches Summer Calendar Packed with Events

May 26, 2009, Mill Valley, California- Balboa Cafe, situated in the heart of Mill Valley, launches its first summer calendar. Call 415.381.7321 to make reservations or visit balboacafe.com.

Balboa and Squaw Valley Inn Partner with Kiddo! for a Summer of Support Bring your family in to dine at Balboa Cafe Mill Valley from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2009 and all proceeds from children's meals go straight to Kiddo!, the not for profit organization in Mill Valley that funds art programs for the district's K-8 schools. www.kiddo.org. Offer available Monday-Sunday for brunch, lunch and dinner. And book from now through Labor Day at PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn and 10% of your room rate will go straight to Kiddo! Call 800.323.7666 for more information or to make a reservation.

Live Music on Thursday Nights In response to hundreds of requests for a return to live music in Mill Valley, Balboa Cafe introduces Thursday Night Music Nights. Enjoy a performance by Tim Hockenberry (www.timhockenberry.com) on May 28 and the music of Audrey Shimkas (www.audreyshimkas.com) on June 11 and 18. Check www.balboacafe.com for updates on the latest artists.

Bottomless Brunch Mimosas The party continues every Saturday and Sunday at Balboa Cafe Mill Valley. From 10 am-5 pm enjoy Bottomless Mimosas for only $9 per person with purchase of an appetizer or entrée. Come try our Huevos Rancheros, French Toast or Corned Beef Hash and bring your friends and family to enjoy the sunshine.

Happy Hour at Balboa Cafe Savor our Happy Hour menu with items like "Buck and Burger" Balboa Sliders, Veggie and Chicken Quesadillas, Calamari Fritti and Buttermilk Chicken Lollipops from 3 pm- 6pm Monday- Friday. Sip $6 Speare Merlot and Chardonnay, enjoy $1 off all draft beers, $5 Bloody Mary's and $5 well cocktails. The perfect ending to you day.

Summer Events in Squaw Valley

PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn Launches Summer Calendar Packed with Events

May 14, 2009, Olympic Valley, California- PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn launches its Summer Calendar full of events for wine lovers, music lovers, families and friends. Along with the calendar launch, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn offers "Stay 2 Nights and Get the 3rd Night Free" through December 15, 2009 with rates as low as $189 per night. To book call 530.583.1576. More information can be found at www.plumpjack.com.

PlumpJack Pool Parties- Sunday Series Featuring live DJ's, great food, drink, lodging and shopping specials, PlumpJack Pool Parties on the Inn's Patio are the perfect way to begin the week. July 5, 7 and August 2, 23

Winemaker Dinners at PlumpJack Cafe Featured wines will be offered by the flight, glass or paired with cuisine and can be experienced in the intimate dining room, or in PlumpJack's fire-lit bar with friends. Special lodging rates are available for attendees. Scheduled dinners include Dave Phinney with Orin Swift Cellars (June 25), John Fetzer with Saracina and Atrea (July 2), Jamey Whetstone with Whetstone Wine Cellars (July 9), Gary Pisoni with Pisoni Vineyards (July 16), Dede Turnbull and Bill Nancarrow with Duckhorn (July 23), Tim Hinde with Flowers Winery (August 6), Marta and Scott Rich with Talisman (August 20) and Tony Biagi with PlumpJack and CADE (August 27). Call PlumpJack Cafe for reservations. 530.583.1578

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Packages Available July 11- August 23, packages include two nights lodging, two tickets to the Shakespeare on the Lake show of your choice, and dinner or lunch for two at PlumpJack Cafe. Shuttle transportation can be arranged for groups of 6-8.

Links By the Lake This incredible golf package includes accommodations, breakfast for two, a welcome basket and a round of golf at Squaw Creek's Par-71 championship course. Available May 1- September 9, 2009. Midweek rates begin at $289. Weekend rates begin at $319.

Wine Lover's Retreat PlumpJack has partnered with Uncorked, the Wine Bar in the Village at Squaw Valley, in this spectacular package. Enjoy a bottle of PlumpJack 2002 Estate Cabernet, flight tasting at Uncorked for two, the current issue of Wine Spectator and $50 off any purchase of $200 or more at PlumpJackSport. Midweek rates begin at $279, weekend rates at $299.

Summer Outdoor Movie Series Snuggle up under the stars with your friends and family. All movies start at Dusk in the Village Events Plaza, weather permitting. The party includes a 3-course family style dinner with popcorn to go from $14-19 from 5-10pm in the PJBar. Features include Open Season 2, Kung Fu Panda, The Tale of Despereaux, Egor, Escape 2 Africa, Bolt and more. June 2, July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13, 20

Happy Jack Hour at PlumpJack Cafe Every Sunday- Thursday from 6-9 pm enjoy Balboa Burgers and select draught beer for $14, cobb salads and select glasses of wine for $16, specialty cocktails for $8, draught beers and our house wine, Speare, for $4. From 5:30-9 pm enjoy the Chef's 3 course Tasting Menu for $40.

Timbers Resorts and PlumpJack Group Form New Alliance

First Project Will Be The Orchard at The Carneros Inn in Napa Valley

CARBONDALE, CO (April 22, 2008) - As part of a new venture, Timbers Resorts and PlumpJack Group have reached an agreement to work in partnership on several current and future projects. Serving complementary roles, Timbers Resorts is a leader in the development of private boutique resorts in the U.S. and internationally, currently numbering six properties, while PlumpJack is renowned for its wines, restaurants, boutiques and inns in the Northern California market.

Timbers Resorts has taken over management of the real estate operations at The Orchard, a private residence club located within PlumpJack's renowned boutique resort, The Carneros Inn overlooking the beautiful Carneros winegrowing region in Napa Valley, California. Now a part of the Timbers Collection, The Orchard comprises 17 luxury cottages set within the resort and offering owners full access to The Carneros Inn's premium lifestyle, services and amenities.

Additionally PlumpJack will manage the overall hospitality operations, spa and Truffle Pig restaurant for Timbers Resorts at One Steamboat Place in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Future collaborations will include the residences at the new PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn following its spring 2010 renovation, located at the base of the Squaw Valley USA. And a Timbers Resorts oceanfront private resort in Mexico -- featuring an upscale beach club, dining venue, spa, a residence club and full residential component -- that PlumpJack will manage.

"Timbers Resorts and PlumpJack are like-minded companies that provide only the finest properties and services for our guests," remarked Timbers Resorts Founder and CEO David Burden. "This alliance will result in a series of Timbers Resorts/PlumpJack ventures that will add to the Timbers Collection as well as to the PlumpJack family of wonderful offerings."

"Combining Timbers Resorts' ability to create prime real estate opportunities and PlumpJack's expertise in approachable luxury, we will be able to provide our guests and residents with unforgettable experiences at our highly sought-after destinations," said PlumpJack Group President, CEO and Partner Rick Riess.

Timbers Resorts will work to create great real estate opportunities in highly sought after resort venues and PlumpJack will provide the ongoing personal attention and relaxed yet luxurious dining, lodging, spa and other amenity experiences for which it is renowned.

About Timbers Resorts Founded in 1998 by developer David Burden, Timbers Resorts has surpassed its competitors by offering a unique combination of equity ownership, vacation-home lifestyle and high-end resort amenities at each of their Timbers Collection properties. Designed for vacationers who want the best in luxury leisure, these properties provide personalized surroundings and services tailored to each resident's tastes and preferences.

Timbers Collection properties include The Timbers Club at Snowmass in Aspen, Colorado; Esperanza Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; The Rocks Luxury Residence Club, in prestigious North Scottsdale, Arizona; Castello di Casole in Tuscany, Italy; One Steamboat Place in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and The Preserve at Botany Bay in St. Thomas, USVI.

Further information on each of the properties can be found online at www.timbersclub.com, www.esperanzaresort.com, www.therocksclub.com, www.castellodicasole.com, www.onesteamboatplace.com www.thepreserveatbotanybay.com or please visit Timbers Resorts at www.timbersresorts.com

About PlumpJack Group:

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom founded San Francisco's popular PlumpJack Wines on Fillmore Street in 1992 on the principle of providing high quality products and helpful information in a friendly, non-intimidating manner with the goal of transforming the wine purchasing experience into one of fun and discovery.

PlumpJack Group is now under the leadership of Rick Riess, CEO, president and partner, bringing over 30 years of luxury hospitality leadership experience to the group, and Hilary Newsom, executive vice-president and partner, who launched the retail enterprise of PlumpJackSport for the Group in 2002 and leads the management group's overall vision and commitment to philanthropy and local communities.

The PlumpJack Group portfolio has since grown to include the PlumpJack Cafe (San Francisco and Squaw Valley), the PlumpJack Balboa Cafe (San Francisco and Mill Valley), PlumpJack Winery, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, MATRIXFILLMORE, two PlumpJackSport retail clothing stores, a second PlumpJack Wines in San Francisco's Noe Valley, the innovative Jack Falstaff restaurant in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, The Carneros Inn, The Orchard at The Carneros Inn, The Boon Fly Cafe and FARM in Napa Valley, CADE Winery and the PlumpJack Development Fund.

The Spa at Carneros Inn Unveils New Menu of Rejuvenating Custom Treatments

Luxury Resort Now Features Organic Scalp Therapy Treatments, Pre- and Post-Natal Packages, Custom Scented Spa Services and Fitness Programs for the Body and Soul

NAPA, Calif. (March 25, 2008) - Rated by the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Poll as one of the top spas in North America, The Spa at The Carneros Inn today unveiled a new menu of rejuvenating treatments. Nestled amid the beautiful vineyards in the heart of the Carneros winegrowing region, the luxury resort will now offer a wide range of new restorative experiences, including holistic scalp therapy, a complete offering of pre- and post-natal services, custom Carneros scented spa services created with Red Flower organic products, and updated mind and body fitness programs.

"We believe that spa therapies and mind and body activities are essential in dealing with the stresses of every day life," said Jeannie Jarnot, spa director for The Carneros Inn. "Our programs are designed to restore energy and enhance health and happiness. We also believe that being in harmony with your surroundings is important for achieving ultimate relaxation, which is why all of our programs encompass ingredients indigenous to the Carneros region."

From the local harvests, surrounding farms and fresh flowers to the celebrated Carneros varietals and the gently flowing Huichica Creek, the region's natural beauty has inspired completely unique treatments and tranquil spaces, all aimed at drawing upon the healing properties of the earth.

Partnering with Leonor Greyl, specialists in hair treatments using only high-grade natural ingredients free from harmful chemicals and silicones, the spa has launched several scalp treatments featuring Leonor Greyl's holistic products. Guests can benefit from the Holistic Hair and Scalp Therapy treatment, in which specialists analyze hair and scalp for nutritive deficiencies and then apply a customized, hand-mixed mask of wheat germ oil, dehydrated carrots, celery, ginseng, seaweed or proteins and other natural ingredients. A soothing neck massage is followed by a cleansing with hair specific shampoos and deep conditioners. Guests can also enjoy the Wild Magnolia Hair and Scalp Therapy, a three-part scalp treatment to stimulate and balance the scalp using rose and jasmine oils to protect and soften the hair, followed by a relaxing neck massage.

Another sumptuous service added to the spa's overall wellness menu is the exclusive Red Flower Carneros Wine Blossom Tribute two hour full body treatment. In 2006 The Carneros Inn partnered with Red Flower products and reached out to the local community to create an exclusive, regionally-inspired scent. Community members received mason jars with a note asking them to fill it with elements that reminded them of their much-loved region. The outpouring of stories and scents was extraordinary and the result was the Red Flower Carneros Wine Blossom scent. The two-hour scented treatment begins with a detoxifying and relaxing Huichica Bath infused with blossom-scented salts followed by a full-body exfoliation with wine blossom scrub and full-body massage using warm wine blossom scented oil targeting every muscle point in the body.

The spa is also proud to include a host of nurturing pre- and post-natal services featuring Mama Mio "Mama's Touch" products and services. Mama Mio emphasizes ingredients with high levels of Omega 3, 6 and 9, which boost skin strength and elasticity and are all free from parabens, petrolatum, synthetic fragrances and other harmful chemicals. Pre-natal mommy-friendly services include the Mellow Mama, a complete body massage using specific pre-natal techniques to relax, renew and rejuvenate the expectant mother, and the Mama's Skin Smoothie, a gentle exfoliation and massage treatment that smoothes uneven skin and increases skin strength and elasticity. Some of the post-natal treatments include the Shrink to Fit, especially designed to restore elasticity, reduce water retention, and reverse spongy skin and the appearance of cellulite, and the 4th Trimester Healing Hour, a massage designed to help alleviate the physical and mental stress associated with new motherhood. All of The Inn's therapists are qualified in pre-natal massage techniques.

By popular demand, additional treatments were created as part of The Inn's famous warm goat butter services. The spa will now offer a vitamin rich goat milk body scrub and a goat milk and honey extreme moisture facial using milk and honey from the surrounding farms. As part of the mind/body experiences guests can also enjoy a wide range of activities at The Inn's recently expanded state-of-the-art fitness center and Motion Studio. The spa can reserve private yoga classes for moms-to-be, couples or families as well as boot camp endurance training classes and personal training sessions. For mind enhancement, guests can sign-up for one of the spa's customized individual or family writing retreats.

These new exclusive services vary in price and will begin on April 15, 2008. For reservations please call (707) 299-4900. The Carneros Inn is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts World Wide. The Carneros Inn (www.thecarnerosinn.com) is located at 4048 Sonoma Highway, Napa, CA 94559.

About The Carneros Inn The Carneros Inn is the first full-service resort to be built in Napa in 20 years, and the first ever in the world-renowned Carneros wine region. The resort features 86 charming, private guest cottages and suites and nightly private luxury Home rentals, each furnished with casual elegance and nestled in a lush garden courtyard with private deck. Innovative dining options at The Carneros Inn, under the direction of Chef Jeffery Jake, include the architecturally dramatic Hilltop Dining Room, FARM, and The Boon Fly Cafe, a roadhouse-style public eatery. The property also offers outdoor terrace dining and an infinity pool, both with panoramic vineyard views; bar and award-winning spa facilities; and, most importantly, first-class service delivered with warmth and ease. The Carneros Inn was named "one of the 25 most romantic getaways in the world" by Travel + Leisure magazine. In addition to the hotel accommodations, 24 stylish resort homes are located on the grounds, allowing homeowners access to all the services and conveniences of the luxury hotel, including concierge and event planning.

San Francisco Chronicle Names Chef Jonnatan Leiva
a 2008 Rising Star

Jack Falstaff's Executive Chef Distinguished as a Young Talent to Watch

SAN FRANCISCO (March 12, 2008) - PlumpJack Group is thrilled to announce that Jonnatan Leiva, executive chef at Jack Falstaff in San Francisco's vibrant SOMA neighborhood, has been selected as one of the San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chefs of 2008. The prestigious accolade, bestowed on just six chefs this year, is awarded annually to young Bay Area chefs that the San Francisco Chronicle believes will have national influence and inject new energy into the local culinary scene. Leiva, 29, has been distinguished as one of these prodigious young talents for his innovative Modern American cuisine at Jack Falstaff.

"To be a San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star chef is an extraordinary honor. We are extremely proud of Jonnatan for his achievement," said Rick Riess, president and CEO of PlumpJack Group. "He has worked very hard to create a winning cuisine for Jack Falstaff that reflects his personal style and culinary passions. It's extremely gratifying to watch him grow professionally and know that his talent is recognized by the esteemed food writers at the Chronicle."

Since 1993, the San Francisco Chronicle has been identifying chef prodigies through its Rising Star chef accolades. Past Rising Stars have included acclaimed chefs Michael Mina, Richard Reddington, Traci Des Jardins and Loretta Keller, all of whom have affirmed the Chronicle's judgment by going on to international culinary glory.

The San Francisco Chronicle praised Leiva for his use of "modern techniques to add a touch of surprise and whimsy to classic ingredients," citing as examples dishes such as his "steak with confit butterball potatoes and bone marrow" and his creative preparation of seared diver scallops with sweet kuri squash dumplings.

El Salvadorian-born Leiva became interested in cooking as a boy while watching his grandmother prepare her authentic Spanish recipes. His style focuses on clean, crisp, balanced flavors and keeping the purity and integrity of each ingredient. He enjoys creating a balance of salty, sour, sweet and bitter and equates each dish to a canvas upon which he can let the flavors speak for themselves.

A veteran of such esteemed restaurants as La Palme D'Or at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, Apicious and Les Elyssees Hotel Vernet in Paris, Union Pacific in New York, the Ruby Room in Boston, as well as Fifth Floor and Redwood Park in San Francisco, Leiva learned the art of cooking from some of the culinary world's masters. Influenced by his travels but rooted in his formal training at San Francisco's California Culinary Academy, Leiva brings a blend of refined, modern technique and worldly perspective to Jack Falstaff.

Jack Falstaff was designed by acclaimed local designer Stanlee Gatti, famed for his event designs for the likes of Elton John and for the interior design of PlumpJack's own MATRIXFILLMORE. Gatti artfully combined the historical and dramatic elements of the brick building in which the restaurant is situated with the modern look and feel of the South of Market area. The restaurant comfortably seats 70 in the main dining room and 20 in the bar. In addition, for those who prefer an outdoor dining experience, a spacious, enclosed outdoor patio seats an additional 50 guests and is available for private events.

Jack Falstaff is located at 598 Second Street (at Brannan) in the SOMA district of San Francisco. Jack Falstaff is open for dinner Monday through Saturday, from 5 to 10:30 p.m., and Monday through Friday for lunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended. All major credit cards are accepted. For more details, please visit the Web site at www.plumpjack.com.

About PlumpJack Group:
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom founded San Francisco's popular PlumpJack Wines on Fillmore Street in 1992 on the principle of providing high quality products and helpful information in a friendly, non-intimidating manner with the goal of transforming the wine purchasing experience into one of fun and discovery. The PlumpJack Group portfolio has since grown to include the PlumpJack Cafe (San Francisco and Squaw Valley), the PlumpJack Balboa Cafe (San Francisco and Mill Valley), PlumpJack Winery, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, MATRIXFILLMORE, two PlumpJackSport retail clothing stores, a second PlumpJack Wines in San Francisco's Noe Valley, the innovative Jack Falstaff restaurant in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, The Carneros Inn, The Boon Fly Cafe and FARM in Napa Valley, CADE Winery and the PlumpJack Development Fund.

PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn Named One of Top 50 Ski Resorts in North America

Conde Nast Traveler Magazine Awards High Honors to the Tahoe Resort in its 2007 Ski Poll

OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. (January 14, 2008) - For the fifth consecutive year, Conde Nast Traveler magazine has awarded PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn in Lake Tahoe exceptional ratings in its annual listing of the Top 50 ski resorts in North America. The luxury retreat, nestled in Olympic Valley at the foot of Squaw Valley Ski Resort, boasts incredible views, ski-in/ski-out access, world-class cuisine, a bustling nightlife and shopping at the boutique, PlumpJackSport.

PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn received high rankings in individual categories with honors in service, location, and dining/food. A luxury resort with the charm of a mountain lodge, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn's listing places it among the ranks of esteemed colleagues such as Four Seasons Jackson Hole, Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Little Nell Aspen and St. Regis Aspen.

"Conde Nast Traveler's top resort listings is one of the most respected honors in the hospitality industry," said Mike Murphy, general manager at PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn. "We have worked very hard to create a property notable for both its high standards and outstanding service, and to have our efforts recognized by such a prestigious publication leader is enormously rewarding."

Located in the North Lake Tahoe basin of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn offers 61 luxury guest rooms surrounded by magnificent peaks and is located just steps from the ski lift at Squaw Valley USA, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. The wood-shingled Inn was completely renovated in 1995 to create a special ambiance of comfort and style, the tradition of entertaining guests as dignitaries continues. The main building includes a restaurant, bar/lounge, ski rental shop and fitness center, and is just steps away from the bustling pedestrian village and PlumpJack's retail boutique, PlumpJackSport.

Design amenities include stylish, whimsical interiors created by the design firm of Leavitt-Weaver, Inc. Details include taupe-hued walls, copper and burnished metal accents, plush lounge chairs and banquettes in olive and stone-colored woven fabrics. A distinctive shield motif, the characteristic "PlumpJack" insignia, is echoed throughout the Inn.

PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn's fully landscaped patio, featuring a swimming pool and two Jacuzzi tubs, is an ideal site for outdoor weddings, dining and gathering. A 6,000-square- foot, two-level conference facility adjacent to the main building offers flexible space for meetings and other catered events. Full banquet and catering services are available.

The Inn's acclaimed PlumpJack Cafe, an off-shoot of the San Francisco restaurant, features a California-Mediterranean style cuisine highlighting organic, seasonally-driven ingredients, with wine pricing just above retail.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom founded San Francisco's popular PlumpJack Wines on Fillmore Street in 1992 on the principle of providing high quality products and helpful information in a friendly, non-intimidating manner with the goal of transforming the wine purchasing experience into one of fun and discovery. The PlumpJack Group portfolio has since grown to include the PlumpJack Cafe (San Francisco and Squaw Valley), the PlumpJack Balboa Cafe (San Francisco and Mill Valley), PlumpJack Winery, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, MATRIXFILLMORE, two PlumpJackSport retail clothing stores, a second PlumpJack Wines in San Francisco's Noe Valley, the innovative Jack Falstaff restaurant in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, The Carneros Inn, the Boon Fly Cafe and FARM in Napa Valley, CADE Winery and the PlumpJack Development Fund.

PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn is located at 1920 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, California. It lies just off Highway 89 between Tahoe City and Truckee on Lake Tahoe's North Shore, approximately three hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, two hours from Sacramento and a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport. For more information, please visit www.plumpjack.com or call 800.323.7666.

CADE Winery in Napa Valley Announces Spring 2008 Opening

PlumpJack's New Howell Mountain Property Will Be the Appellation's First LEED Certified, Solar Powered Winery

NAPA, California (October 31st, 2007) - PlumpJack Group is delighted to announce the company's newest enterprise, CADE Winery, expected to open in spring 2008. Located on a dramatic hillside of manzanita trees high on Napa Valley's Howell Mountain, CADE will be LEED certified and dedicated to the production of world-class wines through environmentally conscious innovation. CADE will also take its place as one of the architectural showplaces of Northern California's wine country.

Production will take place under the direction of award-winning winemaker Anthony Biagi, renowned for crafting critically acclaimed estate cabernets as the winemaker for PlumpJack Winery. The winery will produce four wines: CADE Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, CADE Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, CADE Napa Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon, and CADE Sauvignon Blanc, the latter three sourced from local artisan vineyards. The first estate harvest will take place this year, and the inaugural 2007 CADE Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will be available in fall 2009. The 2006 CADE Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon will be available in spring 2009 and the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc in spring 2008. Plans call for the overall production of 12,500 cases over the next 10 years.

"PlumpJack Group was presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase a world-class vineyard in this remarkable growing region," said John Conover, general manager of PlumpJack Winery and a partner in CADE Winery. "We are extremely excited to pursue our goal of producing world-class estate wines that fully express the extraordinary terroir of the CADE acreage, and to do so using strictly organic, sustainable farming practices."

Aiming to set a new benchmark for elegance and boldness of design in wine country, CADE represents a stunning architectural achievement by Juan Carlos Fernandez of Lail Design Group. The concept encompasses a beautiful 14,500-square-foot network of wine caves built into the hillside in a shape that replicates the PlumpJack shield. The caves will be used primarily for wine storage and barreling, but will also be available for tours and private events.

The hospitality building, also designed by Fernandez, has been positioned to take full advantage of its magnificent ridge-top location, presenting picturesque views of the Mayacamas Mountain Range across the valley floor to the southwest, and equally breathtaking vistas of the Vaca Mountain Range on which the winery is perched. Shopworks Design will create the interior spaces, which will include a lounge area with an exhibition kitchen, ideally suited for intimate tastings, food and wine demonstrations or elegant dinners.

CADE is being constructed to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified -- and when completed will be the first winery on Howell Mountain to achieve that distinction and the second in Napa Valley. As part of the state-of-the-art innovations with which the winery will grow, harvest and ferment its grapes, CADE will utilize solar power, organic farming methods and other "green" elements in both wine production and daily operations. The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted standard for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

CADE's innovations extend from architecture to viticulture and winemaking. Each of the seven blocks is planted 6 x 4 for a total of 1,900 vines per acre, which is almost double the average vine density per acre in Napa Valley. This increased density will enhance vine competition for nutrients and result in lower yields but more intense fruit. After exhaustive mapping and traversing of the vineyard, winemaker Biagi and his team have broken the seven main blocks into 16 sub-blocks, each with a dedicated fermentation tank to allow harvesting when each block is at its peak physiological maturity. The fermentation tanks, built in Missouri to CADE's specifications, are designed with a ratio of cap to juice of 1:1 or greater to allow for more of the cap to be exposed during fermentation, and in turn allow for a full extraction of color and flavor compounds. The tanks were also designed with full jackets that are split into two areas to provide cooling of the cap while heating of the juice and vice versa.

The name CADE is derived from a Shakespearean-era term for an oak cask or barrel. The CADE Winery estate comprises more than 60 acres, 20 of which were planted as vineyards in 2003. Of the remaining land, approximately 28 acres will be protected to ensure that they will always remain open space.

CADE Winery (www.cadewinery.com) is located at 360 Howell Mountain Road, Angwin, California 94508. The winery will be open for tastings and tours by appointment only.

About PlumpJack Group
The PlumpJack Group portfolio includes the PlumpJack Cafe (San Francisco and Squaw Valley), the PlumpJack Balboa Cafe (San Francisco), PlumpJack Winery, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, MATRIXFILLMORE, PlumpJackSport retail clothing stores in Squaw Valley and at The Carneros Inn, PlumpJack Wines stores in San Francisco's Cow Hollow and Noe Valley neighborhoods, the innovative Jack Falstaff restaurant in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, The Carneros Inn, The Orchard -- Carneros Living, the Boon Fly Cafe and FARM in Napa Valley, CADE Winery and the PlumpJack Development Fund.

The Orchard at The Carneros Inn -Enchanting Vineyard Residences in a Unique Wine Country Setting

Unprecedented Opportunity for Fractional Ownership In The Heart of the Historic Carneros Appellation

NAPA, Calif. (October 14, 2007) - PlumpJack Group and Carneros Holdings LLC are pleased to announce The Orchard, an exclusive private residence community nestled in the gentle rolling hills of the Carneros appellation among some of the most celebrated vineyards in the world.

Located less than an hour from San Francisco, The Orchard offers owners a unique approach to resort living, presenting unparalleled services, amenities and dining within an elegantly rustic community rich in wine country traditions and culture.

"The Orchard is an unprecedented opportunity to own an escape from the ordinary," said Nick Monroe, chief financial officer and general manager of the ownership group, Carneros Holdings LLC. "The Orchard is a casual, serene and luxurious Napa retreat in the heart of the Carneros region with close proximity to San Francisco and yet a world apart. It is a place for indulgence and rejuvenation, and a place to enjoy the stimulation and companionship of a community of like-minded individuals."

The Orchard, offering fractional interests in 17 private cottages, is the newest residential component to The Carneros Inn, a PlumpJack resort, named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the most romantic getaways in the world and the first full-service resort ever in the Carneros region. The Orchard is the first and only fractional offering available in the Carneros wine growing region which is comprised of 36,000 acres of land between Napa and Sonoma counties. The Carneros Inn owns 27 of the 30 acres zoned for commercial use.

"The Orchard offers owners the opportunity to immerse themselves in the pleasures of wine country living," said Hilary Newsom, vice president and partner of PlumpJack Group. "Residents can gather in the Town Square, indulge in innovative spa treatments, engage in a myriad of activities including scenic hiking, bicycling and canoeing or just relax poolside with a superb glass of wine. The Orchard is a place to create new friendships, nurture old ones and connect with a local culture and natural beauty that is celebrated and admired around the world."

Featuring 1,700 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, the luxurious two-bedroom private residences are ideally suited for both relaxation and entertaining. The Orchard carries on and refines the acclaimed Carneros Inn design elements and the characteristic style that has come to define the property. Design amenities include classic contemporary furniture, abundant natural light, cherry wood floors, wood-burning fireplaces and slate and limestone bathroom finishes.

Appointments and services include modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances, bathrooms with soaking tubs, private outdoor spa tubs, large-screen flat-panel TVs, high-speed Internet access, DVD/CD players, Frette linens, outdoor showers, private decks and courtyards, indoor/outdoor fireplaces and dedicated concierge service and full-time housekeeping service.

Ownership at The Orchard includes exclusive access to the award-winning restaurants, spa, pools, amenities and services of The Carneros Inn. Three gourmet restaurants, under the direction of Executive Chef Jeffrey Jake, are just a leisurely stroll away. The Carneros Inn's Hilltop Dining Room offers stunning, panoramic views and sumptuous local cuisine. The Boon Fly Cafe is a rustic roadside eatery that celebrates the agricultural heritage of the region. FARM is a locally inspired, elegant wine country restaurant in the heart of the Town Square.

Owners also have full access to the array of The Carneros Inn's many special features, including the infinity-edged pool that overlooks the vineyards, lap pool with cabanas, Jacuzzi™ spa, children's pool, 2,000-square-foot fitness center, yoga/pilates studio, and world-class spa with lavish treatment rooms.

The Orchard is located at 4048 Sonoma Highway, Napa, California 94559. Ideally located between the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, The Orchard is the perfect location to experience two of the world's most celebrated wine country destinations.

Private residence living at The Orchard begins under $300,000. For inquiries, please contact Reed Anderson, director of sales by phone at (707) 226-3441 or toll free at (888) 400-9831 or via email at randerson@theorchardatcarneros.com.

About PlumpJack Group
San Francisco Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom founded San Francisco's popular PlumpJack Wines on Fillmore Street in 1992 on the principle of providing high quality products and helpful information in a friendly, non-intimidating manner with the goal of transforming the wine purchasing experience into one of fun and discovery. The PlumpJack Group portfolio has since grown to include the PlumpJack Cafe (San Francisco and Squaw Valley), the PlumpJack Balboa Cafe (San Francisco and Squaw Valley), PlumpJack Winery, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, MATRIXFILLMORE, two PlumpJackSport retail clothing stores, a second PlumpJack Wines in San Francisco's Noe Valley, the innovative Jack Falstaff restaurant in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, The Carneros Inn, the Boon Fly Cafe and FARM in Napa, CADE Winery and the PlumpJack Development Fund.

Elaborate Changes Take Place at The Carneros Inn, Napa Valley's Luxury Resort, as Phase Two Construction Is Underway

$35 Million Upgrade Includes 17 Fractional Units, Full-Service Restaurant, Town Square and Retail Space

NAPA, Calif. (June 24, 2006) - PlumpJack Group and Carneros Holdings are pleased to announce that the $35 million Phase Two construction is well underway at The Carneros Inn, Napa Valley's newest luxury resort located amid the vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley's beautiful Carneros winegrowing district. Phase Two construction will conclude in Fall of 2006.

"The original vision for The Carneros Inn called for successfully establishing the first phase of the project before initiating the second phase of construction," said Hilary Newsom, vice president of the PlumpJack Group, the management company for the Inn. "We feel we have achieved our goal of consistently providing the highest level of service amid exemplary luxury facilities and amenities, and we are certain these incomparable services and amenities will be notable in our Phase Two expansion as well."

Phase Two includes the re-establishment of a long-absent civic space for the Carneros community through the creation of a small town square which will feature Carneros' first post office, a general store, retail space and a 100-seat restaurant which will be open to the public. The town square will be a welcome addition to the Carneros region, providing an ideal venue for community gatherings. Phase Two will also feature a lap pool lined with fully-wired cabanas, Jacuzzi spa, kids pool, 3,000 square foot fitness center and yoga studio.

Phase Two boasts 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. From dining rooms with panoramic views, lush courtyards and a vineyard-edged apple orchard, to state-of-the-art meeting facilities and ballrooms, the wide range of inspiring event and meeting facilities create a unique choice for any occasion. Professional catering and conference services staff are able to assist guests throughout the planning process.

Several of the Homes at The Carneros Inn will also be available for guests to rent. Ideal for family vacations or extended business trips, the Homes comprise of two master suites, 3 1/2-bath floor plans which provide approximately 3,800 square feet of total living space, including a spacious great room with vaulted ceilings, wood-burning fireplace, luxurious bathrooms with alfresco showers, observation tower and rooftop deck overlooking the vineyards and private outdoor courtyard.

"Guest reaction to The Carneros Inn has been overwhelmingly laudatory," noted Paul Horner, general manager. "From our panoramic vineyard views to the unique architecture, the diversity of our foliage, the terrace dining, the infinity pool overlooking the vineyards, the unparalleled spa facilities, the Inn's ability to strike just the right balance between luxury and unpretentiousness -- every aspect has elicited rave reviews, brought guests back again and again, and convinces us that it's time to put the second phase of the vision into motion."

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom founded San Francisco's popular PlumpJack Wines on Fillmore Street in 1992 on the principle of providing high quality products and helpful information in a friendly, non-intimidating manner to transform the wine purchasing experience into one of fun and discovery. The PlumpJack Group portfolio has since grown to include the PlumpJack Cafe (San Francisco and Squaw Valley), the PlumpJack Balboa Cafe, PlumpJack Winery, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, MATRIXFILLMORE, two PlumpJackSport retail clothing stores, a second PlumpJack Wines in San Francisco's Noe Valley, the innovative Jack Falstaff restaurant in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, The Carneros Inn and the Boon Fly Cafe in Napa Valley and the PlumpJack Development Fund.

Carneros Partners, a small, privately funded group with wide experience in environmentally and socially responsible land planning, hotel and residential development, and hotel and restaurant operations, are long-term investor-owners.

About The Carneros Inn
The Carneros Inn is the first full-service resort to be built in Napa in 20 years, and the first ever in the world-renowned Carneros wine region. The resort features 86 charming, private guest cottages, each furnished with casual elegance and nestled in a lush garden courtyard with private deck. Innovative dining options at The Carneros Inn, under the direction of Chef Kimball Jones, include the architecturally dramatic Hilltop Dining Room and The Boon Fly Cafe, a roadhouse-style public eatery. The property also offers outdoor terrace dining and an infinity pool, both with panoramic vineyard views; bar and award-winning spa facilities; and, most importantly, first-class service delivered with warmth and ease. The Carneros Inn was named "one of the 25 most romantic getaways in the world" by Travel + Leisure magazine. In addition to the hotel accommodations, 24 stylish resort homes will be located on the grounds, allowing homeowners access to all the services and conveniences of the luxury hotel including concierge and event planning.

PlumpJack Wine Rated #1 in the World

2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Awarded the Premier Spot in Wine Enthusiast Magazine's List of Top 100 Wines of 2004

NAPA, California (December 21, 2004) - Wine Enthusiast magazine in its December 31 "Best of the Year" issue has selected PlumpJack's 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon as the top wine in the world for 2004. The "first rate, fat, fleshy, flashy and sensual" PlumpJack 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon eclipsed more than 6,000 wines reviewed throughout the year. Price, availability, newsworthiness and excitement were among the criteria that shaped the "must-have" Top 100.

The Wine Enthusiast editors write: "Hard to exaggerate the beauty of the currant and cherry fruit, so ripe, polished and pure, and the sweet finesse of the tannins. In a few years the inherent structure will kick in, tightening the wine and guaranteeing it a long life." The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is priced at $58.

In its short history, PlumpJack Winery has had a significant impact on the wine industry. The winery made international headlines in 2000 when it became the first producer to release a luxury wine, its 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, with a screw cap closure. The winery's first release, the 1995 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, created a stir when Robert Parker, Jr. assigned it a rating of 95+, an extraordinary achievement for an inaugural release. (Consulting winemaker Nils Venge was already a historical figure in winemaking circles, having been the first American to receive a rating of 100 from Parker for a 1985 release.)

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom founded San Francisco's popular PlumpJack Wines on Fillmore Street in 1992 on the principle of providing high quality products and helpful information in a friendly, non-intimidating manner to transform the wine purchasing experience into one of fun and discovery. The PlumpJack Group portfolio has since grown to include the PlumpJack Cafe (San Francisco and Squaw Valley), the PlumpJack Balboa Cafe, PlumpJack Winery, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, MATRIXFILLMORE, two PlumpJackSport retail clothing stores, PlumpJack Wines in Noe Valley, the restaurant Jack Falstaff, and now The Carneros Inn in Napa.

PlumpJack Winery is located at 620 Oakville Cross Road, Napa, California 94558. Telephone: (707) 945-1220. The winery is open daily for tastings and retail sales.

PlumpJack Winery Owners Gordon Getty, Bill Getty and Gavin Newsom Announce First Screw Cap Closures for Luxury Wine

SAN FRANCISCO (June 01, 2000) - Gordon Getty, Bill Getty and Gavin Newsom, co-owners of PlumpJack Winery, announced today that PlumpJack Winery's 1997 Reserve Cabernet, scheduled for September release, will be the first luxury wine to go to market with a screw cap closure. The release will comprise a total of 12 barrels, or approximately 300 cases, including 133 cases with screw caps, priced at $135 per bottle, and the remainder with traditional cork closures, priced at $125 per bottle. The PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet is in the luxury category, which includes such world-class Cabernets as Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Dalla Valle and Araujo, among others.

"This has been a long time coming, as anyone who follows the wine industry knows," said Gordon Getty, an internationally renowned wine expert. "The technology is in place, we believe the market is prepared, and all that remains is for someone to break the barrier of tradition."

With large segments of the wine industry firm in the belief that only natural cork is suitable for long term wine storage, the Gettys and Newsom aim to present the screw cap as a viable closure method for even the highest quality wines. This spirit of adventure is entirely consistent with the philosophy on which they built the PlumpJack brand.

Getty and Newsom founded San Francisco's popular PlumpJack wine store in 1992 on the principle of providing high quality products and helpful information in a friendly, non-intimidating manner with the goal of infusing the wine purchasing experience with a sense of fun and discovery.

The odds are very good that releasing PlumpJack Winery's hallmark luxury Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon in screw cap bottles will generate controversy. But as Newsom stated at his appointment to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1997, "If I don't produce controversy, I'm not doing my job." Knowing that the wine industry may well balk at their initiative leaves

Getty and Newsom unfazed. As Newsom is fond of pointing out, "Failure is only the precursor to success." He and Getty continue to take pride in their efforts to "out-innovate the competition."

The Gettys and Newsom are among many in the wine industry who have realized the need to look past traditional cork closures. According to a recent study conducted at the University of California at Davis, the chief problem of natural cork is the resulting appearance of 2, 4, 6-Trichloroanisol (TCA) in the wine. Even a miniscule amount of TCA creates the potent, musty character that affects an estimated two to seven percent of wine bottles, resulting in an annual loss to the worldwide wine industry of hundreds of millions of dollars. And the experience of watching little bits of cork bob in a wine glass is all too familiar.

"Although 'cork taint' is by no means an extensive problem, it is nonetheless one element of cork-related difficulties -- including environmental concerns -- that we are continuing to study," said Gordon Getty. Getty noted that synthetic corks, though they have been on the market since the early 1990s, only account for two percent of the world market of 14 billion corks. It is generally accepted in the wine industry that the screw cap is more reliable, particularly for wines that are going to be consumed within two to three years.

The decision to release the '97 Cab with screw caps also received the endorsement of PlumpJack Winery's world-renowned consulting winemaker Nils Venge, whose ongoing goal is to produce the finest Cabernet Sauvignon possible. A lifelong veteran of the wine trade and a legendary figure in California's wine valleys, Venge's expertise as a winemaker became known worldwide when Robert Parker Jr. gave his Groth Vineyards & Winery 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon a score of 100, making Venge the first American winemaker ever to receive such a distinction.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom founded San Francisco's popular PlumpJack Wines on Fillmore Street in 1992 on the principle of providing high quality products and helpful information in a friendly, non-intimidating manner to transform the wine purchasing experience into one of fun and discovery. The PlumpJack Group portfolio has since grown to include the PlumpJack Cafe (San Francisco and Squaw Valley), the PlumpJack Balboa Cafe, PlumpJack Winery, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, MATRIXFILLMORE, two PlumpJackSport retail clothing stores, PlumpJack Wines in Noe Valley, the restaurant Jack Falstaff, and now The Carneros Inn in Napa.

PlumpJack Winery is located at 620 Oakville Cross Road, Napa, California 94558. Telephone: (707) 945-1220. The winery is open daily for tastings and retail sales.