Pangloss Cellars moves to downtown Sonoma

Optimism abounds as tasting lounge settles in Hotz building|

The long-watched restoration of the old Hotz building at Napa Street and First Street East is complete, and Pangloss Cellars has opened its exquisite downtown tasting lounge and wine bar. While Dick and Mary Ann Cuneo own the building, Jim Momtazee owns Pangloss and Repris wineries, using fruit from the historic Moon Mountain Vineyard. Christian Borcher serves as CEO, while Erich Bradley makes their wines, as he does for Sojourn Cellars.

Borger promised me a year ago that all the work would be done as environmentally soundly and with the greatest historic accuracy possible, and it certainly was. The large room is absolutely stunning with revealed stone walls, as are the two smaller, private tasting rooms, complete with red velvet curtains.

The name Pangloss comes from Voltaire’s “Candide” in which Dr. Pangloss is the eternal optimist. Hence, besides wines named pinot noir and zinfandel, they also offer a blend called Tenacity, and a pure cab called Optimism.

Moon Mountain was sold in 1981 to the Chalone Wine Group, 70 percent of Moon Mountain Vineyard burned in the Cavedale fire in 1996, Phil Coturri replanted the vineyard with his famed organic farming, Chalone sold it to Diageo in 2005, and Momtazee bought it from Diageo in 2011. Tasting Bar tastes: 5 wines $20, Tasting Lounge: $10 to $18 per glass, flights with small-plate food: $25 to $50. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, until 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 35 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Private tasting reservations at 933-8565.

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