As violent riots erupted across Los Angeles, featuring widespread vandalism, arson, and attacks on law enforcement, California Governor Gavin Newsom attended an exclusive wine-tasting event in Napa Valley.
The gathering took place on the afternoon of June 7, 2025, at Odette Estate Winery, a vineyard co-founded by Newsom in 2011. The fundraiser, named “Vineyard Vibes,” supported the PlumpJack Foundation—established by Newsom’s sister—and showcased contemporary wines, live jazz performances, and locally sourced food offerings. Promotional materials described the event as “the perfect kick-off to summer fun” held at the winery’s Crushpad.
A source present at the event expressed disbelief at the governor’s attendance given the ongoing unrest in Los Angeles. The source reported that Newsom remained at the event for approximately 90 minutes, appearing detached from the crisis unfolding hundreds of miles away.
The timing of the event is notable. The Los Angeles riots ignited on June 6, triggered by backlash against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. By the afternoon of June 7, rioters had escalated their actions, vandalizing public infrastructure, barricading streets, setting vehicles ablaze, and violently confronting police. Later that evening, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to California to restore order amid the chaos.
Governor Newsom’s spokesperson defended his presence, stating that the governor “proudly attended” the fundraiser, which aimed to support the UCSF Cancer Center in memory of his late mother, who died from breast cancer.
This is not the first occasion on which Newsom’s lifestyle choices have drawn criticism. In November 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom faced widespread condemnation after attending a dinner at the Michelin-starred French Laundry, contravening his own public health orders advising Californians to avoid gatherings. He later issued an apology acknowledging the discrepancy between his actions and public messaging.
In this latest controversy, the governor’s indulgence in wine amid a state in crisis has reignited debate over his priorities and leadership during turbulent times.
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