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Terps & Terroir: A Sensory Experience – Reds Edition

The Event


Part two of the Darcie Kent Winery x Highlands Boutique Dispensary x Coastal Sun Terps & Terroir: A Sensory Experience took place on Friday, January 23rd, 2026. This follow-up to the first Terps & Terroir, which explored white wines, focused on reds: five carefully curated Pinot Noirs, Cab Francs, & Cabernet Sauvignons paired with five OCal-certified cultivars from Coastal Sun’s greenhouse lineup.


A new group of terpene-curious guests traveled from across the Bay Area to Livermore to smell, sip, and learn. The Darcie Kent and Coastal Sun teams carefully curated pairings that highlight the unique terpene profiles of each wine and cultivar, demonstrating how their aromas and flavors can harmonize.


People conversing in the cozy, wood-paneled Darcie Kent Tasting Room with modern lighting. Tables hold glasses of wine for tasting and Coastal Sun cannabis in their containers for smelling, and art decorates the walls.

What’s Terroir? What Are Terpenes?


Terroir, French for “a sense of place,” refers to the natural environment in which crops like wine grapes or cannabis are grown: soil, climate, sunlight, rainfall, and cultivation practices. Each micro-environment makes every harvest distinct.


Terpenes are aromatic compounds that shape flavor, scent, and even effects of not just cannabis, but all types of plants and foods.


Pairing wine and cannabis highlights how the environment shapes experience, and how flavor and aroma combine to create enjoyment greater than the sum of its parts.


Whether you’re a white or red wine lover, an indica or sativa fan, or have a strong preference for sungrown or greenhouse flower, the right selection for you is so unique. Ultimately, it depends not only on the session's mood and setting, but also on how you experience each wine and cultivar – how the aromas and flavors interact with those other factors to create the overall experience.


Terroir’s role in the expression of terpenes is often overlooked, which is why this event came about: California’s diverse, world-renowned terroir connects wine and cannabis, allowing us to explore how flavors, aromas, and craft come together in harmony.


Colorful charts displaying an aroma wheel and terpene wheel on a table surrounded by Coastal Sun product containers and flyers. Atmosphere of sensory exploration.

The Experience


The energy was incredible! Guests felt free to explore their curiosity and love for both wine and cannabis. Each wine was paired with a hand-selected Coastal Sun greenhouse cultivar, chosen for complementary aromas and terpene profiles.


Guests were able to:

  • Taste wine and smell cannabis side by side

  • Ask questions and learn from experts

  • Take-home educational materials

  • Enjoy discounts at both the winery and dispensary


The Pairings:

  • Blanc de Noir w/ Moroccan Peaches

  • Triska Vineyards Pinot Noir w/ Pink Certz

  • Stone Patch Cabernet Franc w/ Paris OG

  • West Hill Cabernet Sauvignon w/ Donny Burger

  • East Hill Cabernet Sauvignon w/ LA Kush Cake


You can shop for Darcie Kent wines online or in person at their Livermore tasting room, and you can find Coastal Sun’s offerings at various dispensaries throughout California.


Cozy wood-paneled Darcie Kent tasting room with people seated, listening to two women educating while standing at a table. Modern lights hang above; Darcie Kent paintings line the walls. Engaged mood.

The Speakers


This event was led by a powerhouse lineup of women:


  • Amanda Kent – Co-owner of Darcie Kent Vineyards, viticulture and Livermore terroir expert.

  • Darcie Kent – Owner, operator, and artist of Darcie Kent Vineyards; her artwork is featured throughout the winery and on all of the labels.

  • Dayna Zimmermann – VP of Revenue at Coastal Sun, expert in cannabis cultivation, sustainability, and education.

  • Rebecca Olmos (me!) – Capturing content, supporting guests, and sharing experience in cannabis retail, culture, writing, and education.


Together, we created an approachable, engaging, and educational experience where guests felt welcome to explore, taste, and ask questions.


Three women smile holding wine glasses in a wooden room with Darcie Kent art on the wall. Aroma and flavor wheels, cannabis containers, and notes sit on the table for the educational event.

My At-Home Experience


I tried all the wines at the event, but the East Hill Cabernet was my favorite, so I decided to take it home. I loved the blackberry, Chinese five-spice, and tobacco leaf notes. They were complex yet subtle, and made me want to indulge in more than one glass.


The team paired this selection with Coastal Sun’s LA Kush Cake, a minty, gassy, earthy fan-favorite. The East Hill & LA Kush Cake aromas matched perfectly, and I follow the classic rule of “the nose knows,” so I was hopeful they’d pair well when I could taste both at home.


That said, once I tried both the wine and the weed, the flavors didn’t pair as well as the aromas (likely due to smoke flavors), but each was delightful on its own. I’d recommend a palate cleanser between sips and hits if you’re consuming both.


The effects, though? Truly ideal for a chill sesh with a good friend.


As my friend and I tasted the pairing, we chatted and listened to music. As the effects of both settled in, we felt relaxed and loose. Not enough to keep us couch-locked, but just enough to feel fully present in the moment. We even caught a few cases of the giggles throughout the night.


See You at the Next One


Guests left with a few Coastal Sun and Darcie Kent goodies and, most importantly, a newfound appreciation for how terpenes and terroir can significantly shape the smell, taste, and ultimately the sensory experience of cannabis and wine.


As with part one, part two was a fun, educational event! We truly hope our guests enjoyed it as much as our teams enjoyed curating it.


Stay tuned for the next Terps & Terroir event later in 2026.

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