Wine Stores in Honolulu

Where to buy a bottle of wine on Oahu, Hawaii? Here are few good places:

Fujioka's Wine Time: 2919 Kapiolani Blvd ( 808/739-9463). Knowledgable service from die hard wine connoisseurs. They'll help you pick out the perfect bottle but they work from the assumption that you know a bit about wine. Some of the best quality wines here. Wine tasting too.

Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquor: 3496 Waialae Ave (808.735.7100). It's fun inside. They have stacked high bottles from around the world. You'll feel a bit claustrophobic from the racks and racks of wine--but in a good way.

Amuse Wine Bar: (Honolulu Design Center) I love this place, b/c you can try a 2oz sample of the wine before you buy the bottle. The owner is quite knowledgeable and very friendly too. Tell him what you're eating for dinner and he'll pick out a perfect recommendation.

Formaggio Wine Bar: (2919 Kapilani Blvd in Honolulu or 305 Hahani in Kailua). Outside of Amuse, one of my favorite places for wine and food. Buy wine by the glass and listen to live music. Great pizzas, bruchettas, and desserts. Would go here almost each week after photography class.

Vino: 500 Ala Moana Blvd (808.524.8466, Restaurant Row). An italian tapas place that sells wine by the bottle or glass. Sit at the bar and have the sommelier select a glass that he thinks fits your personality. He's usually right on--pretty amazing. Buy the bottle if you like it, or just enjoy a glass with some great tapas (appetizer sized) dishes.

The Wine Experience: (1016 Kapahulu Ave) Make your own bottle of custom wine or buy a house wine. Friendly owners and entrepeneurs who enjoy creating a space for wine-bottling parties and events. They're great about letting you sample a glass of their house wines.

The Wine Stop: 1809 S. King St (808.946.3070). Stopped by once, and it was closed. Oh well. Next time.

‘Elua Restaurant & Wine Bar (1341 Kapiolani Boulevard, 808-955-ELUA.) For serious wine drinkers and a traditional meal. Interesting concept to host two Italian and French trained chefs together. Elua is noted for their boutique wines. Excellent wine ratings by Wine Spectacular.

HASR Wine Co. (31 N. Pauahi St. 1B, 808.535-WINE). In Chinatown, they participate in First Friday events. Buy their glass for $5 and have a free refill at each First Friday event.

D'Vine (7192 Kalanianeole Hwy. near Blockbusters) just opened in Hawaii Kai. Has some vintages I hadn't heard of. Limited selection, but a unique niche for their collection. Too, east Oahu needs a good wine store. Weekly events held to foster a wine community. Friendly owners.