Solid island list, no surprises, no regrets
Kuakini Highway / Inland Kona · Kailua-Kona · Contemporary American and Island-inspired seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 24, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Jackie Rey's is short and familiar — 22 labels of California and French greatest hits wrapped in a warm, neighborhood-grill package. It's not trying to impress wine nerds, and it doesn't pretend to. What you get is a tidy, approachable list that won't embarrass anyone at the table.
California dominates, which isn't surprising for a spot catering to tourists and Kona locals who want something comfortable. You've got Rombauer and Kistler holding down the Chardonnay corner, Failla and Foxen representing Pinot Noir reasonably well, and Joseph Phelps flying the Napa Cab flag. There's a nod to France via Henri Bourgeois Sancerre and Veuve Clicquot, and a lone Italian showing up in the Zenato Ripassa — which honestly earns its spot. The gaps are real: no Rosé to speak of, minimal Old World depth beyond the token French picks, and nothing that's going to make a serious wine drinker lean forward.
We estimate 6-10 glass pours, likely anchored by the Rombauer Chardonnay and something bubbly, which is a perfectly fine if predictable lineup for this kind of room. Don't expect a rotating program — this list reads like it gets refreshed maybe once a year. What's there will be drinkable; just don't arrive expecting anything off the beaten path.
Failla Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast — Not listed
Failla is a legitimately serious producer making restrained, site-driven Pinot that punches well above its weight class. In a list full of crowd-pleasers, this one actually earns its place — and it's the kind of wine that works beautifully with fresh local fish preparations, which is exactly what Jackie Rey's does best.
Zenato Ripassa 'Baby Amarone' Valpolicella D.O.C.
Nobody walks into a Hawaii seafood grill expecting Italian. That's exactly why this one is interesting. The Ripassa's dried-grape richness and savory depth make it a left-field choice that actually works if you're going steak or the heartier menu options — and most people scroll right past it.
Kistler 'Les Noisetiers' Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
At $130 on the list, you're paying a steep premium for a wine that retails around $55–$60. Kistler is excellent, no argument there, but a 2x-plus markup in a casual grill context is a tough ask. The Rombauer gets you most of the way there for a lot less pain.
Henri Bourgeois 'Les Baronnes' Sancerre + Fresh catch of the day
Sancerre and fresh local Hawaiian fish is about as clean and correct as it gets — the Loire's bright acidity and grassy citrus cut right through the ocean-fresh flavors without stepping on them. It's the most classically sound pairing on this entire list.
The Bottom Line
Jackie Rey's is a reliable neighborhood spot with a wine list that matches its vibe: comfortable, familiar, and a little pricey for what it is. Send a friend here for a great meal — just tell them to go Sancerre on the wine and not stare too long at the Kistler price tag.
Waikoloa · Kailua-Kona · Hawaii Regional Cuisine / Asian Fusion Seafood Grill
Roy's Waikoloa is a reliable night out with food that outpaces the wine list by a full length. Drink the Sonoma-Cutrer with the butterfish, skip the markups on the obvious stuff, and let the view do the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waikoloa · Kailua-Kona · Italian osteria with locally sourced Hawaiian ingredients
Pueo's isn't building a destination wine program, but it's doing something harder — keeping prices honest in a market that rarely does. Send your friends here for dinner; just know the list is a supporting character, not the headliner.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waikoloa · Kailua-Kona · Beachside Hawaiian and Pacific Rim
Come for the sand, the sunset, and the Huli Huli chicken — just don't come expecting the wine list to match the view. Order the best white they have cold, tip your server well, and make peace with it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Alii Drive · Kailua-Kona · Hawaiian-style barbecue / plate lunches
We would never send someone to TJ's for the wine list — we'd send them for the smoked brisket and the ocean view. But if you want something in a glass while you eat, the list does just enough to keep you covered, and $12 a pour is fair by Hawaii standards.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kailua-Kona · Kailua-Kona · Hawaiian-inspired and pan-Pacific fare with a classic tiki bar
Don the Beachcomber is a genuinely fun place to spend an evening in Kona, and the cocktail program absolutely earns its reputation — so get the mai tai and leave the wine list alone. If you insist on a bottle, grab the La Crema, accept your losses, and watch the sunset.
Crowd Pleasers
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kailua-Kona · Kailua-Kona · Contemporary American and Seafood
Come for the manta rays and the sunset, order a cocktail, and make your peace with it. The wine list is a hotel afterthought dressed in markup we can't recommend with a straight face.
Crowd Pleasers
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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