In an age when business casual is the new formal, wine bars have been given a mandate: pair sophistication and approachability as nimbly as champagne and caviar. Le Plonc, the 18-month-old wine bar on Castro Street in Mountain View, has heeded this call, creating a stylish space and accessible menu that attracts both casual sippers and discerning oenophiles.
The name is the first hint that Le Plonc aims for inclusiveness. According to the bar’s Instagram, the term “plonk” originated during World War I, when Australian soldiers stationed in France had difficulty pronouncing “vin blanc” (white wine). The term eventually morphed into an Aussie slang term for cheap wine. Le Plonc’s owners, who set affordability as a founding principle, adopted the word as the official business moniker and put a cheeky French spin on it.
Le Plonc’s design integrates contemporary furnishings — think clear acrylic bar stools and black z-shaped chairs — with lived-in elements like the comfy couches that dot the rectangular room. Large-scale abstract paintings by actor/artist Gregory Scott Bedford add vivid strokes of color to the walls, while a front-facing outdoor seating area fills up this time of year, despite the fall chill.
Just because Le Plonc’s wines are reasonably priced — most glasses run between $10 and $12 and several bottles in the $40 range are featured — does not mean that the wine list plays it safe. The “wines by the glass” menu bypasses popular labels in favor of intriguing, lesser known vintages. During my initial visit, I searched in vain for a bold — and predictable — cabernet sauvignon. I was instead offered a choice between a dense, tannic 2015 petite syrah from Vinum Cellars ($12) or a full-bodied 2018 Merlot blend from Veneto’s Gran Passione Rosso ($12). I savored the spicy blend and was glad to have ventured outside of my California comfort zone.
My companions filled their glasses with a bright, fruity 2018 Aerena rosé ($14), an herbaceous 2017 Tohu sauvignon blanc from New Zealand ($10) and a crisp, grainy Rebel pilsner from the Czech Republic ($8), one of five beers on the menu. A handful of cocktails made from low-alcohol gin or vermouth — approved for beer and wine licensees — are also offered. The gin and jasmine spritz ($12) was light, bubbly and refreshing.
Though the bar veers from the everyday for its wine offerings, there’s a more populist approach to food. Recognizing that few culinary experiences are as satisfying as the luscious pairing of fermented grape juice with salty, fatty meats and cheeses, Le Plonc highlights charcuterie and cheese boards.
My dining companions and I indulged in the charcuterie daily selection ($24) which contained copious amounts of prosciutto, peppery saucisson sec and soppressata, an Italian dry sausage. The meats were accompanied by chewy levain bread, marcona almonds and a dollop of Dijon mustard. The sumptuous cheese daily selection ($24) showcased rich servings of velvety ch
Most Popular
Herbicide identified as likely culprit of mass tree die-off near Mountain View librarySeptember 23, 2026 6:09 pm
A legal settlement protects RV residents in Mountain View – it's expiring soonSeptember 22, 2026 1:48 pm
Mountain View's Cinemark Century 16 theater won't close for good after allSeptember 16, 2026 8:02 pm