Sip and Savor: Wineries & Distilleries
Craft beverages that capture the essence of Maui in a glass
Written by a Local Photographer
Jade KawanuiMauiWine: A Taste of History in Ulupalakua
Beyond the farms and fields, Upcountry is also home to a burgeoning craft beverage scene. Here, artisans are transforming regional ingredients like pineapples, grapes, and botanicals into unique wines and spirits that capture the essence of Maui in a glass.
The scenic drive to MauiWine is part of the experience. The road winds through the green pastures of Ulupalakua, on the southern slopes of Haleakalā, to the historic Rose Ranch. This estate has a storied past, once serving as a retreat for Hawaiian royalty, including King Kalākaua, who is said to have re-embraced the tradition of hula on the front lawn in the 1870s.
Today, the winery offers several ways to experience its history and its products. From casual tastings to intimate guided experiences, each visit connects you to the unique terroir of Upcountry Maui.
MauiWine Tasting Experiences
🏛️ King's Cottage Tasting Room
The main tasting room, housed in the charming cottage built for King Kalākaua. Grab a table on the lanai and enjoy tasting flights, wine by the glass, and small food pairings. Reservations are highly recommended, but they do their best to accommodate walk-ins.
🚶 Historical Walking Tour & Tasting
For a deeper dive into the estate's history, this 45-minute guided tour takes you through the beautiful grounds and past historic structures. It concludes with a seated tasting of four wines. Note that this tour does not visit the production area or vineyards and requires a reservation.
🍷 The Tasting Table
For the true wine enthusiast, this is an intimate, 90-minute guided tasting of four premium wines thoughtfully paired with small bites. It's held in the historic Old Stone Office and offers a detailed discussion of the varietals and winemaking style. Reservations are required.
The Wines of MauiWine
The wines themselves are as unique as the location. They are most famous for their Pineapple Wines, including the crisp, off-dry Maui Blanc and the slightly sweeter Maui Splash, both made from 100% Maui Gold pineapples. They also produce traditional Estate Wines from six grape varietals—like Syrah and Malbec—that thrive in the volcanic soil and cooler climate of their vineyard, as well as a unique sparkling rosé made from raspberries.
Pineapple Wines
Maui Blanc (crisp, off-dry) and Maui Splash (slightly sweeter), both made from 100% Maui Gold pineapples.
Estate Wines
Six grape varietals including Syrah and Malbec that thrive in volcanic soil and cooler climate.
Sparkling Rosé
A unique sparkling wine made from raspberries grown on the estate.
Hali'imaile Distilling: Craft Spirits from the Pineapple Fields
Located in the heart of Maui's pineapple region near Makawao, Hali'imaile Distilling is a modern craft distillery with a clear mission: to create "Hawai'i in a Bottle". They use locally sourced ingredients and innovative, sustainable practices to produce a fantastic lineup of spirits.
Their 30-45 minute guided tour is a fascinating look into the world of craft distilling. You'll get a walkthrough of the entire facility and learn about their unique process, from fermentation to their custom-built glass stills and bottling line. The tour concludes with a tasting where you can choose three of their premium spirits to sample. Tours run Monday through Friday, and you must have a valid photo ID for the tasting portion; anyone under 21 is welcome on the tour but must wait outside during the tasting.
Signature Spirits
Pau Maui Vodka
Their flagship product. Distilled from Maui Gold pineapples, but the final product has absolutely no pineapple flavor. Instead, the high sugar content of the pineapples results in an exceptionally clean, crisp, and smooth vodka that is naturally gluten-free.
Fid Street Hawaiian Gin
A complex gin with classic juniper notes up front, followed by a bright, citrusy finish that makes it perfect for tropical cocktails.
Paniolo Blended Whiskey
This whiskey pays homage to Upcountry's cowboy heritage. It has subtle notes of pineapple that give way to a smooth finish of sweet brown sugar and caramel.
ℹ️ Visiting Info
- MauiWine: Reservations rec.
- Distillery Tours: Mon-Fri
- Age Requirement: 21+ for tasting
- Duration: 30-90 minutes
🥂 Must Try
- Maui Blanc pineapple wine
- Estate Syrah
- Pau Maui Vodka
- Paniolo Whiskey