Walk into High Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, and you’ll immediately realize it’s not just a store. It’s a labyrinth. If you’re looking for a generic bottle of grocery store Chardonnay, sure, they’ve got it somewhere, but that’s not why people drive from San Diego or fly in from out of state. They come because High Time is a legitimate institution that has somehow survived the era of big-box retail and online giants by being obsessively, almost aggressively, curated.
It’s family-owned. Since 1957. Think about that for a second.
Most businesses in Orange County don't last ten years, let alone nearly seventy. The O’Connor family has managed to turn a 5,000-square-foot cellar into a massive 24,000-square-foot destination that feels like a temple to fermentation. Honestly, it’s the kind of place where you go in for a "quick bottle" and come out three hours later with a case of obscure Mezcal and a vintage Port you didn’t know you needed.
The Physicality of High Time Wine Cellars
The first thing you notice is the temperature change. It’s cool. Properly cool. Most liquor stores keep their wine on shelves under buzzing fluorescent lights, which is basically a slow death sentence for a delicate Pinot Noir. High Time Wine Cellars handles this differently. They have a massive, climate-controlled underground cellar that maintains a steady 56 degrees.
It’s dark. It’s quiet. It smells like damp earth and old corks.
When you’re standing in that cellar, surrounded by thousands of bottles of Bordeaux and Napa Cabernet, you realize you're looking at a living library. They don't just stock the current vintage; they keep "back-fill" stock. This is a big deal for collectors. If you want a 2012 Rioja that’s actually ready to drink right now, they likely have it sitting there, perfectly aged, while other shops only have the 2021 that needs another five years in your closet.
More Than Just Grapes
While the name says "wine," the reality is that the spirit selection is arguably just as legendary. The "Wall of Whiskey" is a real thing. It’s a vertical climb of Bourbon, Rye, and Scotch that covers everything from $20 bottles for your Friday night Old Fashioned to $30,000 bottles of Macallan that stay locked behind thick glass.
💡 You might also like: January 14, 2026: Why This Wednesday Actually Matters More Than You Think
They do this thing where they buy "Private Barrels." Basically, the buyers from High Time go to Kentucky or Scotland, taste through individual barrels of Buffalo Trace or Four Roses, and pick the exact one they want. Then the distillery bottles it specifically for the shop. You can't get that specific flavor profile anywhere else on the planet. It's a "High Time Pick," and in the whiskey world, those stickers carry a lot of weight.
Why the Tech Matters in a 70-Year-Old Shop
You might think a place this old-school would be stuck in the past, but their shipping game is actually top-tier. They’ve built an infrastructure that allows them to ship temperature-sensitive wine across the country without it "cooking" in the back of a delivery truck. They use specialized packaging and actually monitor weather patterns before sending out high-value crates.
- Shipping Windows: They won't ship to Arizona in July. Period. It's too hot. They'll hold your wine in their climate-controlled warehouse until the weather breaks.
- Inventory Accuracy: Their website actually reflects what’s on the shelf. If you’ve ever tried to buy a rare bottle online only to get a "sorry, out of stock" email three days later, you know how annoying that is. High Time's system is remarkably tight.
- The Newsletter: It’s famous. Or infamous, depending on your bank account. It’s a massive digital catalog that reads more like a magazine, filled with staff picks and deep-dive histories of small Italian vineyards.
The "Anti-Big-Box" Philosophy
If you go to a Total Wine or a BevMo, you’re getting a corporate experience. It’s fine. It’s predictable. But the staff are often just employees moving boxes. At High Time Wine Cellars, the people working the floor are often the same people who spent three weeks trekking through the Rhone Valley to meet winemakers.
They have "Departments." There’s a guy for French wine. There’s a person who only cares about Craft Beer. There’s a specialist for Tequila.
If you ask a question about a specific grower Champagne, you aren't going to get a blank stare. You’re going to get a fifteen-minute masterclass on soil composition and why the 2018 harvest was particularly difficult. Kinda nerdy? Absolutely. But if you're spending $100 on a bottle, you want that level of expertise.
The Cigar Humidor
We have to talk about the humidor. It’s one of the largest in Southern California. Walking into it is like stepping into a cedar-lined sanctuary. They carry the staples—Arturo Fuente, Padrón, Davidoff—but they also source small-batch rollers that you usually only find in boutique lounges in Miami or Havana.
📖 Related: Black Red Wing Shoes: Why the Heritage Flex Still Wins in 2026
It’s this intersection of vices—wine, spirits, and tobacco—that makes the place a "third space" for enthusiasts. Even though it’s a retail store, there’s a community vibe. You’ll see guys in suits standing next to surfers in flip-flops, both of them arguing over which vintage of Opus One was the most overrated.
Facing the Realities of the Modern Market
Is it perfect? Nothing is. The parking lot is a nightmare. It’s small, cramped, and located on a busy corner of 17th Street in Costa Mesa. If you go on a Saturday afternoon in December, good luck. You'll likely be circling the block three times or parking at the shopping center next door and walking over.
Also, the sheer volume of choices can be paralyzing. If you don't know what you’re looking for, the "wall of options" can feel like a test you didn't study for. They have thousands of labels. It is literally impossible for one person to know them all.
Prices are generally fair, but they aren't always the "cheapest." You’re paying for the storage conditions and the expertise. If you want the absolute lowest price on a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, Costco might beat them by two dollars. But Costco didn't keep that bottle in a 56-degree cellar away from vibrating machinery and light. For serious collectors, that $2 difference is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
How to Navigate High Time Like a Pro
If you're planning a visit or ordering online, don't just wing it. To get the most out of the High Time Wine Cellars experience, you need a bit of a strategy.
- Talk to the "Whites." Not the color of the wine, but the staff. They usually wear white shirts or branded gear. They are there to help, not just to stock shelves. Tell them your budget. Be honest. Say, "I want something weird for $25 that tastes like a campfire." They will find it.
- Check the "Web Specials." Their website often has deals that aren't highlighted on the floor.
- Use the Locker Service. If you buy a lot but don't have a wine cellar at home, they offer climate-controlled lockers for rent. It’s a great way to start a collection without turning your guest bedroom into a refrigerator.
- Join the Wine Clubs. They have different tiers—some for everyday drinkers and some for the "baller" bottles. It’s a solid way to get exposed to things you’d never pick off the shelf yourself.
The Cultural Impact of 17th Street
High Time has anchored the 17th Street corridor for decades. It’s part of the reason that area has become a foodie hub. You grab your steaks at the local butcher, your sourdough at the bakery, and your wine at High Time. It represents a "buy local" ethos that predates the actual movement.
👉 See also: Finding the Right Word That Starts With AJ for Games and Everyday Writing
The store has seen the rise and fall of wine trends. They were there for the "Sideways" effect when Merlot sales plummeted. They were there for the Moscato boom. They were there for the current obsession with "Natural Wine" and Orange wine. Because they’ve seen the cycles, they don’t tend to chase fads. They stick to quality producers who have a track record of consistency.
Actionable Steps for Enthusiasts
If you are serious about building a wine or spirit collection through High Time, here is what you should actually do:
- Download their mobile app. It sounds basic, but it’s the fastest way to track your past purchases so you remember that one Spanish red you loved three months ago.
- Attend the tastings. They host events (when regulations allow) where you can taste through 20+ wines for a fraction of what a glass would cost at a bar. It’s the best education you can get.
- Ask about "Case Discounts." Usually, if you buy 12 bottles—even if they are mixed and matched—you get a significant percentage off.
- Sign up for the "Allocation" list. If you want the rarest stuff (Pappy Van Winkle, Screaming Eagle), you have to be a regular. They reward loyalty. Don't expect to walk in off the street and find a unicorn bottle on your first day.
The reality is that High Time Wine Cellars is a survivor. In an age where everything is becoming more digital and less personal, they’ve doubled down on being a physical destination that rewards curiosity. Whether you’re a novice or a sommelier, it’s the kind of place that reminds you that wine and spirits are about more than just a buzz—they’re about history, geography, and a lot of hard work in a vineyard.
Go for the wine. Stay for the smell of the cellar. Just make sure you leave enough time to find your car in that parking lot.
To make the most of your first order, create a digital profile on their site and tag your favorite regions. This triggers their automated system to alert you when specific "small-lot" containers arrive from those areas, often before they hit the general newsletter. If you're local, use the "In-Store Pickup" option to skip the shipping fees while still securing limited-release bottles before they sell out to the foot traffic. Check the "Best Sellers" list once a month; it’s a surprisingly accurate barometer of what’s actually drinking well in the current season according to the local enthusiast community.