Tiny list, big swings, ocean views included
· Kailua-Kona · Modern Hawaiian / Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed September 20, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Moana Restaurant at Kona Village’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Twelve bottles. That's the whole list. At a Rosewood resort property on the Kona Coast, you might expect something grander — but what's here is curated with a point of view, not just filler. There's a logic to it: bubbles, rosé, a couple of whites, a red or two, and a pair of dessert wines that would make most hotel lists blush.
The list punches well above its weight class given how short it is. You've got Louis Roederer Collection 244 anchoring the sparkling section alongside Bortolomiol Prosecco and a Prosecco Rosé — a sensible range for a coastal dining room where people want something festive. Domaine Ott rosé shows up (as it does everywhere), but the real personality comes through in the Birichino picks: Car Car Glou Glou Carignan and Scylla Mourvèdre-Carignan are genuinely interesting California wines that have no business being on a resort menu and all the business being exactly here. The dessert wine bookend — Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszú 2017 and Château d'Yquem Sauternes 2006 — signals that whoever built this list actually cares.
The region focus confirms that Champagne, Prosecco, Prosecco Rosé, Rosé, and Pinot Noir are offered by the glass — a sensible lineup for the setting. However, specific glass prices are not available to us, so we can't tell you whether those pours are priced fairly or are resort-tax robbery. Given the Rosewood context, assume the latter until proven otherwise.
The Bottom Line
Moana's wine list is a fascinating contradiction: twelve bottles, a Rosewood price tag, and two Birichino natural wines sitting next to a 2006 d'Yquem. It shouldn't work this well, but the curation earns respect. Come for the ocean, stay for the Tokaji — just be prepared to pay resort prices for the privilege.
· 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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