If you love wine and are heading to Hawaii, you’ll want to head to these amazing Hawaii wineries that feature pineapple wine, grape wines, and wine with a tropical twist. Scroll to find out more!
This Hawaii Wineries post was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Hawaii probably isn’t the first place you think of when someone mentions wine country or craft distilleries.
But after visiting the islands more than 40 times as a professional tourist, I’ve discovered some seriously impressive spots making everything from pineapple wine to award-winning vodka.
As a Hawaii travel expert and Certified Hawaii Destination Specialist, I’ve tasted my way through most of these places.
Some are perfect for families, while others are strictly adults-only experiences where you can really appreciate the craft.
Here’s what’s actually worth your time across the islands.
Maui: Where Pineapple Meets Premium Spirits
MauiWine (Ulupalakua Vineyards)
The drive up to MauiWine is absolutely gorgeous. You’ll wind through upcountry Maui at about 1,800 feet elevation on the slopes of Haleakala, and the views are stunning.
This is Hawaii’s oldest winery, going strong since 1974. The tasting room sits inside King’s Cottage, which was literally built for King Kalakaua back in the 1870s. You can feel the history.
They’re known for their Hula O Maui sparkling pineapple wine, but they also make traditional grape wines from varieties like Syrah, Malbec, and Chenin Blanc.
The 23-acre vineyard earned its own American Viticultural Area designation in 2021, which is a pretty big deal.
What to know
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am to 5pm. Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are recommended.
This is not kid-friendly. Minors must stay seated with an adult, and honestly, the vibe is really geared toward adults who want to enjoy wine.
Pro tip: Book the Under the Camphor Tasting if you want a more guided experience. Wine flights run around $15-20.
Hali’imaile Distilling Company
This micro-distillery sits right in the heart of Maui’s pineapple country, literally surrounded by pineapple fields.
They make PAU Maui Vodka using pineapple (which is genius), plus Fid Street Gin, Paniolo Whiskey, and Mahina Rum.
Everything is distilled in small batches using unique pharmaceutical-grade glass stills that you won’t see anywhere else.
Tours run Monday through Friday and cost about $17 per person. You’ll see the whole operation and taste three spirits of your choice.
Here’s what I recommend
Do the Maui Gold Pineapple Tour first (it’s right next door at 870 Hali’imaile Road), then hit the distillery. The pineapple tour is family-friendly and super fun.
You’ll walk through actual pineapple fields, learn how they’re grown, taste fresh pineapple, and everyone gets a free boxed pineapple to take home.
Then the adults can pop over to the distillery for tastings while the kids hang out at the farm store.
The location makes this really special. You’re upcountry with amazing views, surrounded by working farms.
Book the Maui Gold Pineapple Tour
Ocean Organic Farm & Distillery (Hawaii Sea Spirits)
This 80-acre organic farm sits on the slopes of Haleakala with views of both coasts.
They grow their own organic sugarcane and make Ocean Vodka, which is blended with deep ocean mineral water sourced from 3,000 feet below the surface.
Believing in connection with the land, the owners of Hawaii Sea Spirits utilize organic farming on their 80-acre farm to use the crops, such as sugar cane, that are used to create their vodka line.
The cafe serves food and has live music daily starting at 4:30pm. Guided tastings happen every hour from 11am to 5pm and cost $18 for five spirits.
The setting is absolutely beautiful. You can sit outside, enjoy a cocktail, watch the sunset, and just soak in the views. It’s become one of upcountry’s most popular stops for good reason.
Family-friendly status: Tours are adults-only (21+), but families can visit the cafe and farm store.
Big Island: Volcanic Terroir
Volcano Winery
The southernmost winery in the United States sits at 4,000 feet on the slopes of Mauna Loa, just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The volcanic soil creates some really unique flavors you won’t find anywhere else.
Lynn “Doc” McKinney long practiced making wine and beer while living in Oahu. But, when he decided to leave the island and move to the Big Island of Hawaii, he decided to open a Hawaii winery.
They make wines from Symphony grapes plus tropical blends with guava, passionfruit, and their signature Macadamia Nut Honey Wine.
Some visitors love the fruit wines, others prefer the traditional grape varieties. It’s worth trying both.
Open daily from 12pm to 5:30pm with walk-ins only (no reservations needed). Tastings are $20 for seven wines. They also offer estate tea tastings since they grow their own tea on the property.
The location makes this an easy stop if you’re visiting the national park. Pop in after seeing the volcano and try wines you literally can’t get anywhere else.
Big Island Meadery
This is Hawaii’s newest meadery, opened in late 2023 in Keaau (about 20 minutes from Hilo airport). They make mead from their own honey plus locally sourced fruits and spices.
Mead is honey wine, and if you’ve never tried it, this is your chance. They have everything from traditional styles to creative flavors like Apple of my Aina, hibiscus-infused, and chili pepper varieties.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. You can do flights, sample their different honeys, grab a mead slushie, and pick up locally-made products.
The owners are super knowledgeable about bees and mead-making.
Bonus: They often have food trucks on site. Check their website for the schedule.
Oahu: Custom Wine and Island Spirits
Oeno Winemaking
Here’s something different. Oeno doesn’t grow grapes, but they import pressed grapes from top wine regions and make wine right in Kailua. Recently rated the #1 winery in Hawaii.
The coolest part? You can make your own custom wine. They’ll help you pick grapes, create your blend, design your label, and bottle it after 4-6 weeks. It’s honestly a pretty unique experience.
If custom winemaking sounds like too much work, just do a tasting. They offer wine and chocolate pairings with Manoa Chocolate, all naturally produced on Oahu. Flights let you sample their current lineup.
Open daily with varying hours (check their website). The tasting room has a relaxed vibe with fairy lights and a casual atmosphere.
Getting there: It’s in an industrial park in Kailua, so GPS is helpful. There’s free parking.
Kauai: Rum and Honey Wine
Koloa Rum & The Kauai Rum Safari
Okay, this is one of the most fun activities I’ve done on Kauai. The Kauai Rum Safari takes you through Kilohana Plantation in an open-air safari truck for two hours of pure fun.
You’ll ride through orchards, meet farm animals (yes, you can feed the pigs), taste fresh tropical fruit, and stop twice for cocktails.
The first stop is at a jungle bungalow where they make incredible mai tais. The second stop features farm-to-glass cocktails made with fruits and herbs grown right on the plantation.
The guides are hilarious, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about Koloa Rum and Kauai’s history. It’s educational without feeling like a lecture.
Adults only. You’ll be served the equivalent of about three cocktails over two hours, so plan accordingly. Tours run at 11am, 1:30pm, and 4pm. Cost is around $75 ($55 for Hawaii residents).
This is hands-down one of my favorite Kauai experiences. Book in advance, especially for weekends.
Nani Moon Meadery
Hawaii’s only meadery (that’s not on the Big Island) has been making mead in Kapaa since 2000. Each bottle features beautiful artistic labels with Hawaiian scenes and female figures.
They infuse Hawaiian honey with tropical ingredients like Kona coffee, pineapple, chili pepper, ginger, and vanilla.
The Winter Sun (made with starfruit and passionfruit) and Deviant Beehavior (pineapple and chili pepper) are local favorites.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 12pm to 5pm. The Royal Taster Flight lets you try all their meads for $25. Reservations are encouraged.
Family note: It’s a relaxed atmosphere, but tastings are 21+ only. One minor can accompany a group.
Planning Your Hawaii Winery & Distillery Tour
If you’re organizing a Hawaii trip and want to hit several of these spots, here’s what I recommend:
On Maui: Combine MauiWine with the Maui Gold Pineapple Tour and Hali’imaile Distilling. They’re all in the same area, so you can make a full upcountry day of it.
On Kauai: The Rum Safari is a must. Add Nani Moon Meadery if you’re staying on the east side.
On Big Island: Volcano Winery pairs perfectly with a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park visit. Big Island Meadery is great if you’re flying in/out of Hilo.
On Oahu: Oeno is your main option, and it’s worth the drive to Kailua.
Most of these places ship to the mainland (where legal), but you can also pack bottles in your checked luggage. Several offer packaging specifically for airport transport.
Make Your Hawaii Trip Unforgettable
After 40+ visits to Hawaii and 20+ years of dancing hula, I’ve learned what makes a Hawaii vacation truly special.
It’s not just hitting the tourist spots. It’s finding those unique experiences that let you taste the islands’ creativity and craftsmanship.
These wineries, distilleries, and meaderies show a side of Hawaii most visitors miss.
You’re supporting local agriculture, learning about Hawaiian ingredients, and tasting things you literally can’t find anywhere else.
Planning a trip and feeling overwhelmed? I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations where I’ll help you create an itinerary that includes the perfect mix of beaches, adventures, and unique stops like these.
You can also grab my comprehensive travel guides:
- Maui Travel Guide for Families
- Oahu Travel Guide for Families
- Kauai Travel Guide for Families
- Big Island Travel Guide for Families
Or start with one of my free email courses:
For more Hawaii travel tips and insider recommendations, listen to the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast.
Quick FAQ
Do they make wine in Hawaii? Yes! Hawaii has three commercial wineries: MauiWine, Volcano Winery, and Oeno Winemaking. Each offers a completely different experience.
Where can I buy Hawaiian wine and spirits? At the wineries and distilleries themselves, plus select stores like Whole Foods, Safeway, and specialty liquor stores across Hawaii. Many also ship to the mainland.
Are any of these family-friendly? The Maui Gold Pineapple Tour is perfect for families. Ocean Organic’s cafe and farm store welcome everyone (though tastings are 21+). Volcano Winery allows minors but they must stay seated. Most other spots are really designed for adults.
How much does a bottle of Hawaiian wine or spirits cost? Expect $25-55 for most bottles. Premium items like Ocean Vodka or specialty rum can run higher. Mead typically ranges $32-35 per bottle.
What’s the best Hawaiian spirit to try? Ocean Vodka, Koloa Rum, and PAU Maui Vodka are all award-winners. For something truly unique, try the pineapple wines or mead varieties you can’t get anywhere else.
