Resort Wine Cred That Actually Earns It
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai · Kailua-Kona · American Steakhouse with Hawaiian Influences · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 24, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Miller & Lux Hualalai’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Miller & Lux at the Four Seasons Hualalai, the wine list arrives with the kind of quiet confidence that resort steakhouses usually fake. A Wine Spectator Award of Excellence on the wall isn't just decorative here — the list behind it actually has something to say. The oceanfront setting raises your expectations, and the wine program mostly keeps pace.
The 150-250 label list leans hard into California, which makes sense for a steakhouse that wants to sell Napa Cabernet alongside $80 dry-aged ribeyes — and it does that job well. France shows up primarily in the dessert wine column, with Château d'Yquem 2006 anchoring the sweet end of the list in serious style. Italy and Portugal get a nod through thoughtful dessert selections rather than a full regional spread, so if you came looking for a deep Burgundy dive or an Iberian rabbit hole, temper those expectations. The list is coherent and well-curated for what this restaurant is, even if it doesn't push many boundaries.
With 15-25 by-the-glass options, there's enough to work through a meal without committing to a bottle — a genuine plus at these price points. The BTG program reads as quality-forward rather than just convenient, which is the bar a Four Seasons should be clearing. No confirmed rotation or weekly program, so what you see is likely what you get across visits.
Donnafugata 'Ben Ryé' Passito di Pantelleria, Sicily 2019 — null
Price unknown from research data, but Ben Ryé is a consistently stellar Sicilian dessert wine from one of the island's best producers — it often gets overshadowed by the Yquem on a list like this, which means you sometimes catch it at a comparatively reasonable pour. If you're finishing a meal here, this is where to put your money.
Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Tawny Port
Tawny Port at a steakhouse is the most underordered thing on any list — people see it and think 'grandma's house.' Thirty years in barrel from Taylor Fladgate is a completely different conversation: nutty, complex, and built to sit alongside a cheese course or a bite of dark chocolate. Most tables walk right past it.
Château d'Yquem, Sauternes 2006
Look, d'Yquem 2006 is a genuinely great wine. But at a Four Seasons resort steakhouse, this bottle is going to be priced at a level that makes even the wine-obsessed among us do the math and wince. Unless someone else is paying, the markup on a trophy bottle like this at a luxury resort is going to be punishing. Enjoy it at home from a retailer instead.
Far Niente 'Dolce' Semillon Blend, Napa Valley 2016 + Fresh Local Fish Preparations
Dolce is a lush, honeyed late-harvest blend that has enough acidity to stay fresh — put it against a rich local fish preparation, especially anything with a citrus or tropical glaze, and you've got a Hawaii-specific moment that actually makes sense on paper and on the plate.
The Bottom Line
Miller & Lux Hualalai is a resort wine list that doesn't embarrass itself — it earned that Wine Spectator nod, has a real sommelier in the room, and the dessert wine selection alone is worth a look. Just know you're paying Four Seasons prices for the privilege, and plan accordingly.
· 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.