California Gov. Newsom defends 'wine caves' after debate mention

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California Gov. Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomCoachella, Stagecoach canceled for 2020 Here’s where your state stands on mail-in voting Urgency mounts for a contact tracing army MORE (D), a winery owner himself, defended “wine caves” after Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) and other Democratic presidential candidates attacked them during Thursday’s debates.

Warren’s critiques focused on South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE’s fundraiser. The two are battling ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

“It’s my business. It’s how I started,” Newsom told HuffPost after the onstage clash between the candidates.

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Newsom built a large-scale enterprise that includes wineries and a San Francisco wine shop, which was placed into a blind trust when he was elected governor in 2018, the outlet noted.

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Newsom added that he owned a wine cave himself and touted California’s wine industry.

“It’s a point of pride. It’s one of America’s great exports,” the Democratic governor said. “I don’t know that it’s helpful to have those kinds of debates.”

The wine caves have became a point of contention among White House contenders because of the debate over money in politics.

Warren took a swipe at traditional high-dollar political fundraising, referencing a closed-door fundraiser for Buttigieg held “in a wine cave full of crystals and served $900-a-bottle wine.” 

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“We made the decision many years ago that rich people in smoke-filled rooms would not pick the next president of the United States,” she said. “Billionaires in wine caves should not pick the president of the United States.”

The fundraiser was held in a Napa Valley wine cave that features a chandelier with 1,500 Swarvoski crystals, HuffPost noted. It was hosted by former U.S. Ambassador to Austria Kathryn Hall, the wealthy co-owner of the winery. Hall was appointed by former President Clinton after being a prolific donor to the Democratic Party.

Buttigieg fired back by noting that he was the only candidate on the debate stage who was neither a millionaire nor a billionaire. He also noted that Warren raised money from wealthy donors for her Senate campaign, which was transferred to her presidential campaign account earlier this year.

“Senator, your presidential campaign right now as we speak is funded in part by money you transferred having raised it at those exact same big ticket fundraisers you denounce,” he said, addressing Warren. “Did it corrupt you, senator? Of course not.”

A website called peteswinecave.com surfaced shortly after the debate but it leads to to the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue and options for donating to Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.).