Montage Kapalua Bay Hosts the Most Incredible Wine & Food Event

June 28, 2019


Photography copyrighted to Eddie Sanchez

I may be biased here, but when people ask me what island they should visit when planning a trip to Hawaii, I immediately think of Maui. Its paradise-like atmosphere has the perfect balance of restaurants, resorts, and entertainment without making you feel like you’re in an over-crowded beach city like Santa Monica. When you fly over the Pacific to reach Hawaii, you want to feel that beauty of nature - the “Aloha” which means love, peace, and essence of being. You don’t want to feel like you’re completely alone on a deserted island as if on the set of LOST or in an episode of Survivor, unless you’re into that sort of thing.  After all, you’re here on vacation! And if you’re like me, looking for a true piece of Maui paradise to escape to, look no further than the Montage Kapalua Bay.

From the lobby overlooking the restaurant, Cane and Canoe.

The Montage Kapalua Bay is the premier resort you want to stay in while visiting Maui. It’s the perfect balance of luxury, and excellence without the stuffiness of some other high-end resorts in that same caliber. 

Each villa is like its own private residence for you to escape to. Complete with a full kitchen and living area, the villas also boast a beautiful bathroom with a soaking tub and separate rainfall shower for each room. Although you’ll want to spend all your waking hours outside enjoying the beautiful beaches, relaxing pools and world-class amenities; the king size bed at the Montage is like sleeping on clouds and begs for you to stay in just a little bit longer. 

The unmatched level of service from the time you arrive to simply walking around the property and the staff greets you by name is one of the things that sets the Montage Kapalua Bay apart. It’s that level of service and attention to detail that makes you feel like you’re among family and friends yet 

Living area from one of the villas.

Soak away all cares and worries in this master bath. 
One of several pools on the property overlooking the ocean. 
Dining area at Cane & Canoe

A resort like this wouldn’t be complete without an impeccable dining program. Chef Robert Barrera leads the team at the resort’s signature restaurant, Cane and Canoe. Dishes like, Wagyu Ribeye, and tuna tartare should not be missed. Chef Robert’s creativity and skills combine to create beautifully plated dishes that balance flavor profiles so perfectly. For instance, his take on chicken and waffles for brunch is one of the best versions of this dish I’ve had to date. He marries perfectly cooked tempura chicken with the most crisp yet light and airy sweet waffle topped with spiced sambal maple syrup. It’s like a party for your mouth!


20 oz Bone-in Kansas City Strip from Cane & Canoe

Ahi Benedict - local ahi, wasabi hollandaise, sweet soy, scallions, English muffin, breakfast potatoes. 

Tempura fried chicken and waffle with spiced sambal maple syrup.

Loco Moco - wagyu beef burger, exotic mushrooms, white rice, brown gravy, and sunny side egg. 

Craft cocktails at The Hideaway lounge. Pictured is C&C G&T: Sipsmith gin, Bitter Truth Cucumber and celery bitters, Fever Free tonic. 


Grand Tasting event at Montage Kapalua Bay. 

One of the best times to visit Maui is during the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival. Established in 1981, the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival is one of the oldest festivals of its kind in the US. It’s focus stated to educate, initiate and foster the appreciation of fine wines and culinary products, as well as showcase the natural beauty of Kapalua Resort. It has now grown to incorporate cooking demonstrations, wine and food pairings, winemakers’ dinners and two major evening galas, the celebrated Grand Tasting at The Montage Kapalua Bay with theme-inspired cuisine and wines from around the world and the spectacular Seafood Festival featuring culinary delights from Hawaii’s most prominent Chefs.

Rosé by the Bay at the most picturesque location - the Cliff House at Montage Kapalua Bay.

World class wines being poured at the Grand Tasting event. 

Gastronomic indulgences from Kapalua Resort restaurants and friends. 


The Kapalua Wine and Food Festival is quite possible the most incredible food event you will experience. The locale is unmatched, you’re in Maui after all. And a variety of fine wines from all around the world are all accessible to you all weekend long. It’s the food event you must do at least once in your life! 

Entrance to the Seafood Festival.

Maui’s top restaurants showcase a seafood specialty and other culinary creations in competition for Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s “Best of the Fest” award.
Lobster roll offerings by one of the restaurants at the Seafood Festival.


Plenty of wines to be poured throughout the weekend's festivities.


Just like the festival, Maui is the one place you need to visit, and the Montage Kapalua Bay is THE place to stay! It was personally such a wonderful experience that we are moving our yearly family vacation to this resort from now on. Oh, did I mention they have the best kids program ever!? And for adults you have the options of spa, pool, yoga, culture, adventure, and it’s all at the resort. There’s definitely something for everyone at the Montage Kapalua Bay.  

Montage Kapalua Bay main pool looking towards the property.

View from Cane & Canoe during dinner. 






Special thanks to Montage Kapalua Bay and Kapalua Wine and Food Festival for collaborating with Hungry in LA. As always, the content and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.