Update: This story was updated on Tuesday, March 11 to correct information that has now been updated on the Cellar 8 Wine bar website.
On Saturday, a ribbon cutting was held in downtown Carson City to celebrate the opening of Cellar 8 Wine Bar, formerly Mayer Family Wines.
Cellar 8, located at 408 N. Carson St., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Proclaiming the number eight to be her lucky number, owner Maxine “Max” Holland held the ribbon cutting on March 8, officially International Women’s Day, to open Cellar 8 Wine Bar.
Most of her most memorable events, including her marriage to husband Chris and the birth of her now 12-year-old son, occurred during the eighth month of the year, hence the emphasis on the number 8. Mayor Lori Bagwell officiated, and many wine aficionados were on hand to join in the celebration.
The wine bar was transitioned to Cellar 8 as a “rebranding,” and is now run by two women: Owner Max Holland and Chief Wine Officer Jessica Brooks, according to their website.
However, Holland said she would be remiss not to mention her husband Chris, who is a silent partner in Cellar 8 and owns multiple local companies including Carson City Towing and Carson Truck and Auto.
“He is a silent partner in the bar, but [he’s] my biggest cheerleader, and none of this would be possible without him,” Holland said.
Similarly to Mayer Family Wines, which opened up shop in May 2023 after a year of remodeling the location, Cellar 8 offers a variety of small-batch artisan wine, cured meats and artisanal cheeses to pair with their wines.
Holland is originally from Cape Town, South Africa, where she grew up surrounded by vineyards. She holds a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 certification.
Initially, her background was in graphic design, but she said she has “always felt a strong pull toward the food and beverage industry, inspiring her to create a welcoming space where people can enjoy good company, great meals, and of course, fantastic wine.”
Chief Wine Officer Jessica Brooks is passionate about cultivating relationships through food, beverage, and hospitality, according to Holland. Brooks holds a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Nevada, Reno and has a background in design, marketing, and photography. Her career began in the food and beverage industry before shifting to the design world. However, in February 2018 she returned to the food and beverage life, “driven by a deep appreciation for how food and drink bring people together,” Holland said.
Brooks believes wine is more than a beverage, Holland said; it’s a bottled history, a reflection of culture and tradition. She is fascinated with wine due to its complexity: how food changes its flavors, the influence of climate and terroir, and the decisions winemakers make to shape each bottle.
Brooks completed her first level with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2019, and earned her Level 3 certification with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in 2022.
You can learn more about Cellar 8 Wine Bar at their website or on Facebook.
— Carson City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ronni Hannaman contributed information and photos to this story.
