About Us
Open Daily:
Monday through Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Bacchus’ concept was a dream for proprietors Cary and Brian Malone that started in 2004. As avid wine enthusiasts and collectors for 15 years, they were disappointed with the limited choices of local wine bars as well as the lack of a full-time wine tasting establishment. Through domestic and international travel, Cary and Brian researched various wine bar concepts and put their vision into motion by focusing and opening a store & wine bar from a consumer’s point of view:
* Education
* Large & Unique Tasting Selection
* Economical/Affordable
* “Try-before-you-Buy”
* Ambiance & Atmosphere
While Bacchus’ is designed to cater to the devoted and passionate wine connoisseur/collector, it is also intended for the novice and average wine consumer. “With wine sales and market growth at an all-time high, there is still a large population that is inexperienced when it comes to shopping for wine,” claims Cary Malone. “With our experience and knowledgeable staff, we hope to take the confusion out of purchasing wine and educate those that choose their wines by which label looks the best or the eenie-meenie-minie-mo approach!”
Another area Cary and Brian felt lacking were the narrow selections of wine by the glass. A typical wine tasting was usually limited to less than 10 choices and made the experience just what it was – limited! The Bacchus tasting bar consists of over 60 unique wines available at the bar at all times! The retail portion of the store boasts over 600 various types of wines and continues to grow. In addition to the large assortment of California and traditional French and Italian wines, Bacchus’ also features an array of exceptional wines from around the world including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain as well as domestic wines from Oregon and Washington just to list a few. You might say that the “secret” to Bacchus’ Secret Cellar is its world-class selection of wine!
Tied to the limited selections were the confined choices of low-end wines and over-priced cost. These were usually only available by the glass and it wasn’t uncommon for a simple glass to cost as much as an entire bottle from your local supermarket! This also left consumers out-of-luck if they didn’t like the wine. Bacchus’, on the other hand, offers a multi-tier tasting menu in which consumers may choose from a taste, half-glass, glass or flights (2 oz. pours of several wines for a set price) menu.
Bacchus’ try-before-you-buy model incorporates all of the above advantages by promoting the education of a large variety of wines from around the world for a small investment. “Customers (novice to expert) can sample any wine on our menu and this encourages them to try new wines,” states Brian Malone. “By tasting their selections first, they know whether or not they’re making the right choice before ordering a full glass or purchasing a bottle.”
The finishing touch to Bacchus’ was the environment in which it was to be set in. Time after time, Cary and Brian’s local wine tasting experiences were restricted to portable setups in warehouse surroundings or backrooms of restaurants with little or no character. “We felt it was time for something different,” explained the Malones. “We wanted to create a warm and inviting atmosphere where people felt relaxed, comfortable and could truly enjoy the wine tasting and shopping experience.” Named after the infamous Roman God of wine, Bacchus’ was built around a beautiful Roman decor theme, creating the perfect mood, tone and ambiance for its 500-sq. ft. wine bar/lounge and 2000 sq. ft. shopping area.
With the dream now complete, Bacchus’ Secret Cellar opened its doors in December, 2005 to a wonderful reception! Having already completed successful weekly tasting events and offering live music from jazz to blues, Bacchus’ has quickly become one of the premiere Orange County wine spots! With gourmet foods & appetizers, pre-made & custom gift baskets and its newly launched wine club, Bacchus’ continues to grow and expand its offerings to broaden the ideal wine experience!
Bordering beautiful Newport Coast in Irvine off of the 405 Freeway and the Sand Canyon/Shady Canyon exit in the charming Quail Hill Village Center, Bacchus’ Secret Cellar boasts a talented staff that is knowledgeable and ready to serve. So please join us any day/night of the week with friends and fellow wine enthusiasts in a relaxing and elegant atmosphere for a wine encounter that’s educational, unique and affordable!
