ULU Ocean Grill and Sushi Lounge
Paradise Views, Predictable Pours, Solid Execution
Kailua-Kona · Kailua-Kona · Asian, Hawaiian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 13, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
You're sitting oceanside at the Four Seasons Hualalai, lava rock and Pacific waves framing every sip — and the wine list matches the room more than it challenges it. It's polished, resort-safe, and designed to offend absolutely no one. That's not a knock exactly, but if you showed up hoping for discovery, temper expectations before you open the menu.
Selection Deep Dive
The 80-120 bottle list leans hard on California, France, and Italy — exactly what Wine Spectator flagged as their strengths, and exactly what you'd expect from a Four Seasons property playing to its audience. You'll find Jordan Cab, Far Niente Chardonnay, Duckhorn Merlot, Kistler Chardonnay, Louis Jadot Burgundy, and Antinori Super Tuscans — all respectable names, all reliably crowd-pleasing, none of them particularly surprising. There's no real exploration into Pacific Rim wines, no local Hawaiian producers, which feels like a missed opportunity given the setting and the Asian-Hawaiian menu. The list is curated by someone who knows wine well enough to avoid mistakes, but not someone pushing the conversation forward.
By the Glass
Ten to sixteen options by the glass at $12–$18 is a reasonable spread for a resort restaurant at this price point. Don't expect the list to rotate much — this feels like a program that found its groove and settled in. That said, the quality baseline is solid; you're not getting poured grocery store juice just because you ordered by the glass.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $45 (bottle estimate)
Jordan is always a reliable benchmark Cab — approachable, well-structured, and recognizable enough to feel like a safe call. At the lower end of the bottle range here, it's one of the few picks where the markup doesn't sting too badly relative to what's in the glass.
Antinori Super Tuscan
Most tables at a Hawaiian resort are reaching for California Chardonnay or Cab — the Antinori Super Tuscan gets overlooked. It's a bold, structured red with enough acid and backbone to actually hold up against some of the meatier local beef preparations on the menu. Worth the detour.
Far Niente Chardonnay
Far Niente is a fine wine, but it's also one of the most marked-up Chardonnays in the California canon when it hits resort wine lists. You're paying a Four Seasons premium on top of an already premium bottle — the Kistler gives you a better experience-to-dollar ratio if you want to stay in that lane.
Kistler Chardonnay + Fresh local fish preparations
Kistler's Chardonnay brings enough weight and texture to complement the richness of fresh Hawaiian fish without bulldozing the delicate flavors you're actually there to taste. It's got the acid to cut through any butter or light cream sauce, and the fruit profile stays out of the way.
✔️ The Bottom Line
ULU is a beautiful place to drink wine — the setting does half the work — but the list plays it safe in a room that could afford to take a few risks. Come for the ocean air and the local fish, order the Jordan or Kistler, and enjoy the view.
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