“Wine has exploded on the market!”

Richard Olson, Lahaina Grill’s sommelier and head waiter for almost 20 years, searches far and wide for the best wines in the world. He recently returned from an amazing trip to Italy, and shares some of what he learned about the rich history and quality of the wine region with Maui Now’s Kiaora Bohlool in our “On the Menu” featured video above.

“There’s so much history in winemaking,” explains Olson. “It was interesting to hear everybody talking about the battles that were right on the Slovanian border just below the Dolomites and the Alps! It was just wild; I knew a lot about Italy, but nothing even grasped that I learned when I was there!”

Lahaina Grill stocks close to 4,500 bottles, with around 500 listed wines, 20 bottles by the glass and five of Olson’s favorite picks.

The wine aficionado prides himself on offering a wide variety of varietals, including some very hard-to-get names, and even ultra-expensive “cult wines,” offered in small pours.

Coming this summer, Lahaina Grill will host a “generational pour” from Beaulieu Vineyards in Napa Valley, featuring three different winemakers from three different decades. Olson calls one of those winemakers “THE guru” of his day; the special wines will harken back to the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s! Check out Lahaina Grill’s website for updates on the rare event.