Sunset Views Carry More Weight Than the List
Waikiki · Honolulu · Steak and seafood with Hawaiian regional influences
Reviewed June 23, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Opening the wine list at Beachhouse at the Moana feels exactly like you'd expect from a high-end hotel restaurant on Waikiki Beach — safe, familiar, and priced for people who are already in vacation mode and not watching the bill. The selections read like a greatest hits of American dining: California Cabs, New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, a French token or two. Nobody's trying to surprise you here.
The list leans heavily on California with recognizable names like Jordan and Stag's Leap anchoring the red and white columns, while Oregon and New Zealand fill in supporting roles. France shows up, but don't expect anything deep — this is hotel-list France, meaning a Burgundy or two and maybe a Bordeaux to justify the 'international' label. With an estimated 100–180 selections, there's range in theory, but the emphasis on familiar commercial producers means depth is more illusion than reality. Gaps are obvious: no meaningful exploration of Italian, Spanish, or Southern Hemisphere beyond New Zealand.
Somewhere in the 12–18 glass range, the by-the-glass program covers the basics without embarrassing itself — expect a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, a Cab, and a Sauvignon Blanc at minimum, all at prices that reflect the zip code more than the quality in the glass. Glasses are running $16–$28, which is the going rate for Waikiki, but it stings a little when you're pouring Meiomi at the top of that range. No rotation or active by-the-glass program to speak of — what you see is what you get, indefinitely.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $55–$75 (estimated bottle)
Jordan is a reliable, well-made Alexander Valley Cab that drinks above its commercial profile. On a list full of steeper markups, it's the bottle that gives you the most actual wine for your dollar — especially alongside a ribeye with a view of the Pacific.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay
Most people at a Waikiki steakhouse order the Cab and call it a day, but the Stag's Leap Chardonnay is the sleeper pick. It's a structured, restrained California Chard that avoids the butter-bomb trap and holds up beautifully against fresh island fish — a much more interesting choice than its reputation suggests.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is a $15 grocery store bottle dressed up in a resort menu. At Waikiki hotel markups, you're likely paying $50 or more for something that has no business being on a list at this price point. It's sweet, it's simple, and there are better options for the same or less money here.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay + Fresh island fish entrée
The Stag's Leap Chardonnay has enough acidity and minerality to stand up to whatever local fish is on the menu without overwhelming it. It's the rare California Chard that acts more like a food wine than a statement wine — exactly what you want with delicate Hawaiian seafood.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Beachhouse at the Moana is a perfectly decent wine experience as long as you know what you're walking into: a hotel list with hotel markups and a stunning ocean backdrop doing the heavy lifting. Go for the Jordan with your steak, catch the sunset, and save the serious wine exploration for somewhere else on the island.
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