A champion of philanthropy and the heartbeat of PlumpJack’s culture, Hilary leads with an unwavering commitment to people—whether it’s her team, her community, or the causes she supports.
Wine + Philanthropy with Hilary Newsom
1. The PlumpJack Foundation has made a meaningful impact over the years. What inspired its creation, and how does it continue to evolve?
“Philanthropy was always a part of my life, thanks to my parents’ example, but turning my volunteer efforts into a formal nonprofit was still a leap. Asking for support came naturally, but creating the PlumpJack Foundation in 2016 was the culmination of years of fundraising for cancer research and education. My husband and I hosted the first annual PlumpJack Golf Classic in 2000, shortly after my mother was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. That event raised funds for the Northern California Cancer Center, later called the Cancer Prevention Institute of California. Over time, our efforts grew, and my business partner Jeremy Scherer helped formalize our efforts by establishing our own 501(c)(3), which allowed us to expand our impact even further."
2. Can you share a defining moment when you knew the foundation was making a real difference?
"From the very first event, I knew we were making a difference. Hearing from people who took our message to heart—encouraging loved ones to get checked, seeking early detection, and supporting cancer research—reinforced why this work matters.”
3. Adaptation Cabernet Sauvignon supports the foundation—how did that connection come to be, and what does it mean to you personally?
“What I love most about PlumpJack is the deep sense of commitment—not just to our craft but to each other and the communities we serve. We are a unique group of individuals who genuinely want to make an impact. It only made sense that an extraordinary wine would represent our dedication to the good work we’re doing in cancer research and education.”
4. If you could open a bottle of the 2021 Adaptation Cabernet Sauvignon with any two women, who would they be and what would you want to talk about?
"If I could open a bottle of Adaptation Cabernet with anyone, it would be my mother, Tessa Newsom, who passed away from breast cancer 22 years ago. I would love to introduce her to my children and ask her the thousand questions I never had the chance to, since she died so young at just 55. I think she would be proud of the life my husband, Geoff, and I have built—proud of the way we raised our daughters, honored her legacy, and kept her spirit alive in everything we do. Her work ethic, commitment to philanthropy, devotion to her children, and humble nature have guided me throughout my life.
I’d also invite Tina Fey to join us. She is an extraordinary writer, producer, director, actor, and comedian—brilliant, fearless, and seemingly warm and welcoming. My mom was very shy, and I just have a feeling that Tina would make her feel at ease. I think the two of them would be an inspiration to both myself and my daughters."
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