Napa hits a resort, predictably and well
Mauna Lani Resort · Kailua-Kona · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 24, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Ruth's Chris Steak House – Mauna Lani’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list arrives looking exactly like you'd expect from a Ruth's Chris in a luxury resort: heavy on California Cabs, priced for people who just got off a long flight and don't feel like arguing. It's polished, it's confident, and it knows its audience — which is either a strength or a warning, depending on your mood.
The list runs 150-plus bottles and leans hard into Napa Valley and Sonoma, with Bordeaux and Washington making cameo appearances to give it a veneer of range. Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, Far Niente — these are all names that play well with the expense-account crowd and steak-night tourists alike. What's missing is any sense of adventure: no interesting Rhône, no domestic left-field picks, nothing that makes you feel like whoever built this list was having fun. France shows up but only the safe zip codes.
You're looking at an estimated 15-25 by-the-glass options in the $14-$24 range, which is respectable volume for a resort steakhouse. Rombauer Chardonnay almost certainly anchors the white side — it always does here — while the reds skew Cab-heavy and California all the way. Don't expect weekly rotation; this is a set-it-and-forget-it program built for consistency, not discovery.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $90–$110 (est.)
Jordan is the move when you want Napa credibility without paying Opus One prices. It's a genuinely well-made Alexander Valley Cab that doesn't need to shout, and at a steakhouse in a resort, it's usually the most honest dollar-for-dollar option on the list.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at this table is ordering Cab, and that's fine, but Duckhorn's Merlot is consistently one of the most underrated bottles in the California canon. Plush, structured, and built for red meat — it gets overlooked every time Caymus is on the same page, which is exactly why you should order it.
Opus One
Yes, it's on the list. Yes, it's impressive to say out loud. But resort markup on an already-expensive bottle turns Opus One into one of the worst value propositions in the room. You're paying for the name twice — once to the winery, once to the real estate. Drink Jordan instead and bank the difference.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + USDA Prime Ribeye
Stag's Leap brings that classic Napa structure — dark fruit, firm tannins, enough acid to cut through fat — without the brute force of some of its neighbors. A ribeye at Ruth's Chris comes out sizzling in butter, and that's exactly the kind of richness this Cab was born to handle.
The Bottom Line
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.
· 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
Fort Point · Boston · Upscale American Steakhouse
Set your wine budget before opening the list. Greenwing Cabernet at $18 a glass or $72 a bottle is a straightforward red option. This is an unrated menu guide; it does not assess service, storage or glassware.
Highway 29 corridor · St. Helena · Upscale American Steakhouse
PRESS is the rare place where a 2,700-bottle list actually delivers — deep, well-stored, and staffed by people who know what they're talking about. The pricing is steep by any honest measure, but if Napa Cabernet is your religion, this is the cathedral.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Appleton · Upscale American Steakhouse
Vince Lombardi's wine list won't win any awards for creativity, but it's competent, well-suited to the menu, and it won't embarrass the kitchen. If you're here for a prime steak and a reliable bottle of Jordan, you'll leave happy — just don't come looking for discovery.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
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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