top of page

Terps & Terroir: An educational weed and wine experience.

As California’s appreciation for high-quality cannabis continues to grow, the industry increasingly draws parallels to the wine world, especially in how it educates consumers on cultivars, flavor profiles, and regions of origin.



The state’s wine legacy extends far beyond Napa, with Livermore standing out as a unique, often overlooked gem. Nestled within this developing suburb is an intriguing pairing: Highlands Boutique, a bustling dispensary known for its knowledgeable budtenders, and Darcey Kent Estate Winery, a family-run vineyard and tasting room.


While compliance regulations prevent on-site cannabis consumption at either location, that hasn’t stopped the two worlds from connecting.


Terps & Terroir was a wine tasting event hosted by Highlands and Darcey Kent, featuring Coastal Sun’s certified organic cannabis. The experience educated guests on how where these products are grown influences their final flavors, effects, and overall quality.


Just as grape-growing regions shape the flavor and complexity of a wine, the terroir (soil, climate, sunlight, rainfall, and elevation) of a cannabis farm greatly impacts the characteristics of the flower.


Coastal Sun lovers know that our jars contain not only flower from our Watsonville farm but also from a network of legacy organic farmers across Northern California. This collaborative approach allows each plant to thrive in the climates and terroirs best suited for producing healthy, aromatic, and potent cannabis.


To deepen the sensory connection between the two worlds, we partnered with Budist, a company that uses a structured sensory scoring system, much like the 100-point scale used in wine tasting, to rate our cultivars. Guests learned how measurable elements like aroma, flavor, and balance can be evaluated and appreciated in cannabis just as they are in wine.



The event was sold out, with tables filled with terpene charts, fun fact pages, wine glasses, and cute Coastal Sun swag. Guests were engaged from start to finish, asking questions and sharing their own experiences of cannabis and wine flavors. The education was led by Coastal Sun Sales Director Dayna Zimmerman and Amanda Kent, one of the owners and operators of Darcey Kent Estate Winery.


There was plenty of learning, connecting, and laughing throughout the event, with many guests staying afterward to continue chatting, learning and asking when the next one would be. If you’re wondering too, it’ll be November 14, 2025.



While the first event focused on white wines, this fall edition will highlight reds. We can’t wait to see you there!

bottom of page