Great Beer, Wine List Phoning It In
Kailua Industrial / Pawai Place · Kailua-Kona · American pub fare, brewery, pizza bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 24, 2026
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 →
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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.
Ali'i Drive / Waterfront · Kailua-Kona · Contemporary Hawaiian Café and American
Island Lava Java is genuinely great for Kona coffee, breakfast, and that Ali'i Drive ocean view — just don't show up expecting the wine list to match the scenery. Order a pour of the Fleur de Mer rosé, enjoy the trade winds, and call it a day.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Honokohau Harbor (North Kona) · Kailua-Kona · Casual American bar & grill with Hawaiian influences
Harbor House isn't a wine destination, but it's doing more with 17 labels than most waterfront bars bother to attempt. If you're grabbing a harbor-view lunch or a casual dinner after a dive, there's a real, honest pour waiting for you here.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kailua Pier / Ali'i Drive · Kailua-Kona · Seafood & Steak
Fish Hopper is a perfectly decent place to drink wine if you're already there for the ocean view and the clam chowder — just don't come expecting the list to impress anyone. Stick to the better California producers, avoid the house wine trap, and let the sunset do the work.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Mauna Kea Resort · Kailua-Kona · Contemporary Hawaiʻi Regional Seafood
Manta is a beautiful place to drink wine — the setting alone earns a pass on some of the list's shortcomings. But you're paying resort premiums for a 27-bottle list that plays it safe, so go in knowing the view is part of what you're buying.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Mauna Lani Resort · Kailua-Kona · Upscale American Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Mauna Lani does exactly what it promises: a deep, California-forward wine list served in proper glassware at steep resort prices inside a flawless steakhouse setting. You won't discover anything new here, but if you're after a great bottle of Napa Cab with your Prime filet and an ocean breeze somewhere nearby, this list will not let you down.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Pawai Place / Kailua Industrial · Kailua-Kona · Hawaiian, Seafood, Hawaii Regional Cuisine
Umekes isn't a wine destination, but the pricing is honest, the glass count is surprisingly high, and the Riesling-with-poke move alone is worth knowing about. Send your friends here for the food; the wine will take care of itself.
Crowd Pleasers
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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