Great Beer, Wine List Phoning It In
Kailua Industrial / Pawai Place · Kailua-Kona · American pub fare, brewery, pizza bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 24, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Kona Brewing Co. Pub Kailua-Kona’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You're at a legendary Hawaii brewpub with ocean breezes, live music, and some of the best craft beer in the Pacific — the wine list feels like it was assembled by someone who grabbed whatever was on sale at Costco. Seven wines total, all by the glass, and every label is a face you've seen at an airport Hudson News. This list exists because restaurants have to have wine, not because anyone here cares about it.
The entire list fits on a cocktail napkin: Proverb Cab, Canyon Road Pinot Noir, Line39 Sauv Blanc, Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, Chandon Rosé, Freixenet Cava, and a bottle of Moët that costs $120 and has no business being here. These are mid-shelf grocery store brands marketed to people who just want 'a red' or 'a white' — there's no story, no regional curiosity, no effort to match the adventurous spirit the brewery itself brings to craft beer. The California-heavy tilt makes sense geographically, but none of these producers are doing anything interesting with California fruit. The Moët at $120 is a pure impulse-buy upsell, sitting on this list like a tuxedo at a cookout.
All seven wines are available by the glass, which at least means you're not locked into a bottle of something mediocre. Prices run $12–$14 a pour, which sounds reasonable until you realize Canyon Road Pinot Noir retails around $7–$8 a bottle — you do the math. There's no rotation, no seasonal swap, no sign that anyone has touched this list since it was first printed.
Freixenet Blanc de Blancs Cava — $12/glass
Freixenet Cava is what it is — cheap, cheerful, and bubbly — but at $12 it's the lowest-priced pour on the list and the most honest option here. Sip it cold on the lanai and pretend you're drinking something more exciting than you are. At least it's fizzy.
Chandon Rose Sparkling Wine California
It's not hidden so much as overlooked — most people ordering wine here default to red or white out of habit. Chandon's California Rosé sparkling is a reliable, crowd-pleasing pour with enough freshness to actually work in the heat of Kona. On a warm afternoon with a view of the harbor, it's the closest thing to a good call on this list.
Moet Chandon Imperial Champagne
One hundred and twenty dollars for a bottle of Moët Imperial at a brewpub. We respect the audacity, but we can't recommend it. Moët Imperial retails around $45–$55; at $120 this is a straight gouge dressed up in brand recognition. If you want bubbles, grab the Freixenet or the Chandon and put the difference toward another round of Big Wave.
Chandon Rose Sparkling Wine California + Fish Tacos
Fish tacos need acid and lightness, and sparkling rosé delivers both without competing with the citrus and slaw. The Chandon Rosé is the only wine on this list with enough energy to hold up to food that actually has some personality. It won't blow your mind, but it'll survive the meal.
The Bottom Line
Come to Kona Brewing for the beer — seriously, the beer is the point — and if you must have wine, grab a glass of Cava or the sparkling rosé and enjoy the breeze. The wine list is an afterthought, and you should treat it like one.
· Kailua-Kona · Pop-up Wine Bar / Events
Kona Wine Nights earns its Wild Card badge precisely because it defies the normal restaurant wine calculus — you're buying into an experience led by a sommelier, scored by local musicians, and framed by a Hawaiian sunset. We can't verify the specific bottles or pricing, so we're not going to pretend otherwise, but the concept is genuinely compelling for anyone who wants something more than a Caymus pour at a hotel bar. If you're in Kailua-Kona and want a wine night that feels like it was designed with intention, this is worth the ticket.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Acceptable
· Kailua-Kona · Modern Hawaiian / Tasting-Style
CanoeHouse is a beautiful place to drink wine — the setting, the seafood, and the overall experience justify the splurge on a special night. But the wine program itself appears to be resort-standard: solid, Champagne-and-Burgundy-leaning, and priced for the zip code rather than the quality in the glass. Come for the view and the lobster tempura; don't come expecting a list that surprises you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hilton Waikoloa Village · Kailua-Kona · Steak & Seafood
Kamuela Provision Company has a stunning setting and almost certainly a strong kitchen, but its documented wine program is barely a program at all. If you're here for the view and the fresh catch, order something off the cocktail menu instead — one Chardonnay at a 3x markup isn't worth building a dinner around.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Kailua-Kona · New American / Hawaiian
Magics Beach Grill earns its reputation on atmosphere, not its wine program — and there's nothing wrong with that, as long as you know what you're walking into. If the sunset and the fresh fish are the draw, go for it; just don't expect the list to keep pace with the view. A happy hour window from 2–5 pm and again at 8 pm to close gives you a reason to order a glass without overthinking it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
· Kailua-Kona · Italian-Inspired / Casual
Kai is a great place to watch the sun drop into the Pacific with something cold in your hand — just don't expect the wine list to be the reason you went. The program is serviceable for the setting, but with resort-level markups likely baked in, the cocktail menu might be a smarter play. If wine is your priority, lower your expectations before you sit down; if the view is your priority, you're exactly where you should be.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Kailua-Kona · Seafood / Steakhouse
Huggo's is a reliable enough place to drink wine if you're already there for the view and the fresh fish — just don't come expecting value or discovery. The regional mix is competent, the setting is genuinely spectacular, and the list will get you through dinner without incident. If you're a wine-first traveler, this probably isn't your destination, but it's a perfectly reasonable stop if the ahi tuna is calling your name.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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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