I hear the sound of gravel crunching under the tires, I smell clean earth and verdant springtime. I feel the warmth of the sun on my face and skin, accompanied by a chill breeze. I taste earth and berries, vanilla, and espresso in the Eros Red Wine Blend. I feel incredibly content, grateful to be enjoying the California sunshine, the sights and sounds and scents of Sunstone. I am Sunstoned. 

Sunstone Winery: A Welcome Retreat into Nature 

Driving up the gravel path to Sunstone Winery, the sound of the city drops away. The most prevalent sound in the air is bird song. There's peace and quiet, a natural beauty enhanced by the rows of grapevines sleeping, waiting to come to life just as spring is about to emerge. 

The entire estate is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. As Sunstone Winery founder Linda Rice wrote,

“Layers of sunny-colored stone throughout the property provided us not only with the inspiration for the name, but also the building. It was important to us that the building should harmonize with the environment. So, a building was planned with the aid of our friend and architect, Robert Mehl, who captured what we were after with a simple, old-world Provencal design for the winery…

Sunstone seems to have it’s own agenda, a synergy that beckons us to it’s bidding. We think the ancient Chumash must have blessed the property with very good Karma.

We feel so fortunate to have been “selected” to be the current guardians of this magical land. That it also produces world-class, ultra-premium wine is Sunstone’s gift to us. It has brought us so much happiness in a lifestyle surrounded by family and friends.”

 - A Vintage Journey

Indeed, the winery, the villa, and the grapevines themselves, all seem to blend in and belong to the picturesque idyllic natural environment. 

Nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara County, Sunstone Winery boasts a rich history dating back to 1990 when its original 28-acre vineyard was planted. Comprising a diverse array of grape varietals including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Viognier, the vineyard has upheld the highest organic farming standards, earning the distinction of being the oldest continuously organically grown vineyard in the region.

The winery itself has a story as captivating as its wines. What once stood as a humble horse barn was transformed into a picturesque tasting room following a fortuitous storm that led to its reconstruction in 1994. Thanks to the visionary efforts of Fred and Linda Rice, Sunstone emerged as a stunning destination, revered for its inviting courtyards, expansive picnic grounds, and of course, its beautiful wines.

Visitors are greeted with the soothing aromas of French lavender and rosemary, setting the tone for a truly immersive wine-tasting experience. The architectural style reminiscent of Provencal countryside homes adds to the allure, while the wood-burning oven and stone barrel-aging caves lend an air of authenticity to the ambiance.

Beyond its aesthetics, Sunstone Winery is committed to environmental responsibility, a value deeply ingrained in its ethos. With a dedication to organic grape growing, worker health, and sustainable practices, the winery strives for excellence in every aspect of its operation. This commitment extends to fostering meaningful relationships with customers, employees, farmers, and the broader community, reflecting a deeply rooted sense of ethical responsibility.

At Sunstone Winery, the pursuit of exceptional wine is intertwined with a profound respect for the land, the sun, and the people who make it all possible. With each bottle poured, the legacy of Sunstone's dedication to sustainability and quality continues to flourish."

Truly, the Rice and Cabugo family values echo throughout the entire estate. Up the hill from the winery tasting room lies the picturesque Sunstone Villa, which is absolutely jaw-dropping. 

Completed in 2004, the Sunstone Villa took five years to build and was constructed entirely from artifacts and materials recovered from rural villages in France, carefully selected by Sunstone founders Fred and Linda Rice while on numerous trips to quarries and reclamation yards. The Villa has five master suites, each replete with a private bath and fine linens and bedding. It also includes eight fireplaces, a billiards room, and numerous terraces and patios with mountain and vineyard views. The Center Courtyard with fireplace is the ideal setting to enjoy a glass of Sunstone wine and embrace the wine country lifestyle.

Sunstoned Daydreams

In that theta brain wave space between waking and dreaming, your body feels transported in time to a French villa in Provence. Heated stone floors around the bed and bathtub provide comfort from the cold tile. With an espresso machine, fireplace, bathrobe, and slippers, watching the sun rise over the picturesque valley contributes to an incredible morning of quiet and solitude. Truly no detail has been overlooked. As you open the window to the crisp spring morning, the only sound you hear are birds chirping and singing their good morning calls. The sky is an incredible array of intense pinks and purples fading into the orange glow of the sunrise. Waking up at Sunstone is truly a magical experience. 

I took the opportunity to walk around the grounds at sunrise, take in some moments of quiet meditation, and enjoy my morning coffee and cannabis. The sunrise over the valley is truly magical. There was an excited buzz all over the property the morning of the Budist event. All of the vendors and sponsors started arriving that afternoon and setting up, with an air of camaraderie and gratitude for the picturesque environment. Friends old and new connecting, laughing and talking, an all-around excellent vibe. 

The management team at Sunstone contributes to the overall performance and success of the Sunstone estate. Brittany Rice, the Director of Winemaking and daughter of the original owners, Fred and Linda Rice, helped plant the first Merlot vines on the family property in 1990. Neil Redmond, the General Manager, has been with the company since 2021. Don and Shannon Hall, Senior Hospitality Manager and Tasting Room Lead, respectively, bring a world of knowledge from leaders in the hospitality industry such as The Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, and French Laundry. The entire staff lends to the feeling of a family atmosphere where one feels catered to and invited. 

Sunstone Winery is able to combine a wine and cannabis experience by keeping the lines between the winery itself and the cannabis consumption area divided. The “smoking patio” is not included in the Winery’s alcohol permitting, meaning wine is off limits on the consumption deck and cannabis is not allowed on winery grounds. 

Sunstone Cannabis Spritzer Beverages: A Blend of Craft and Innovation

While Sunstone Winery maintains strict adherence to state and local regulations prohibiting cannabis consumption on its premises and does not sell any cannabis products, enthusiasts can soon indulge in the Sunstone Cannabis Market, a brick-and-mortar dispensary slated to open in Q1 2024 in Santa Barbara, exclusively offering Sunstone cannabis products within California.

The latest addition to Sunstone’s repertoire is their cannabis-infused Spritz beverages, boasting 0% alcohol content and crafted with precision using single-origin rosin sourced exclusively from Santa Barbara County. Reminiscent of the artisanal process behind cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, Sunstone employs a meticulous hand-churned method, incorporating ice, delicate agitation, and precise pressure to extract the widest expression of therapeutically-rich rosin.

This dedication to single-origin sourcing not only ensures superior quality but also allows Sunstone to maintain control over product quality and sustainable practices, adhering to their commitment to environmental stewardship. Powered by a balanced whole-plant cannabis effect, guided by wellness principles, Sunstone’s cannabis beverages offer a testament to their unwavering standards of excellence.

What sets Sunstone’s cannabis beverages apart is the innovative InfusedBySplash™ technology, facilitating fast-onset effects felt within 10-15 minutes. Characterized by cutting-edge nanoemulsions that reduce particle size to submicron ratings, this technology enables efficient beverage infusion, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable experience for consumers.

In essence, Sunstone Cannabis Spritzer Beverages epitomize the perfect harmony of craft and innovation, reflecting the brand’s ongoing commitment to quality, sustainability, and delivering an unparalleled cannabis experience.”

Budist at Sunstone 

Jamie Evans, The Herb Somm, and author of High Times Cannabis Cocktails: Seasonal Sips and High Teas for every occasion, created some incredible cocktail creations using Sunstone Cannabis infused Spritzes and an additional Sunstone Infused Splash for those seeking to add a few more milligrams to their experience. Certified Ganjier and Kiva Brands Sales Director Elizabeth Rice crafted an incredible display of confectionery, complete with an infused chocolate fountain, strawberries, marshmallows and krispy treats for dipping. Steve Lavagnino, Santa Barbara County Supervisor, and sometimes stand-up comedian, said, “As adults, if we want to take a Rice Krispy treat and dunk it in a fountain of Kiva infused chocolate, we can do it!” Happy Chance’s Katherine Knowlton set up a gorgeous healthy charcuterie table. 

Good Farmers, Great Neighbors,  Poundcake, Embra Cannabis, Happy Chance, 710 Labs, Ros Inc, SplashNano, Custom Cones, LEEF, and Grassfed all made incredible contributions to the ambiance and camaraderie of the evening. What surprised me the most was interacting with wine consumers who are interested in cannabis products, but are timid about asking questions. A dab bar was set up by Grassfed with several Puffco pipes, dab rigs and Stündenglass gravity infusers, and I’ve become desensitized to seeing a dab bar as new and interesting so quickly. Young wine consumers with no previous experience in the cannabis environment feel intimidated by the complicated looking pipes and devices. Truly, more education is necessary in all sectors of cannabis, and these types of events offer a bridge for exactly that to happen. So much information has been hidden for so long, and there are so many new and confusing products on the market. Sunstone Spritz and cannabis beverages in general, as well as gummies, provide an easy and socially acceptable avenue into adventures with cannabis. 

Budist, the industry’s first social review platform for cannabis products and brands, represented by founders Jocelyn Sheltraw and Claudio Miranda, announced their upcoming partnership with the California State Fair Cannabis Awards, July 12-28, at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento. Budist will provide a panel of cannabis experts to assess the quality of each entry. Many of Budist’s cannabis experts have been through The Ganjier Cannabis Sommelier rigorous training program, including Jocelyn and Claudio themselves. The competition will be open to all licensed cannabis growers, manufacturers, and brands in California. More details can be found here. 

Embarc, a darling of the cannabis industry and one of California’s leading retailers, has joined forces with James Leitz’s Cultivar Events to form Fair Play Ventures, LLC, and will be producing this year’s awards and exhibits at the California State Fair. Embarc’s CEO, Lauren Carpenter, grew up in Sacramento, and stated in a press release,

 “Our team is both proud and honored to present this year’s awards and exhibit. The opportunity to broaden the product categories and collaborate with industry friends marks a significant milestone and underpins our dedication to consumer education and awareness.”

The entire event at Sunstone Winery was so well produced, in such a stunning setting. There was definitely an intention to provide education, as many of the sponsors took the time to speak with attendees in a relaxed and conversational atmosphere. The food, the music, the guest speakers and guests all contributed to an unforgettable experience. 

Teddy Cabugos III expressed, “It was awesome to witness the collective passion and dedication of all attendees, driving positive change and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry.”

Paulo Lacerda Sobral of Area 1075 affirmed, “Working on the Sunstone Spritz cannabis beverage has been a remarkable journey towards destigmatizing cannabis. At Sunstone, where my family joins me, it's entirely normal to enjoy cannabis alongside wine, with my wife savoring her favorite vintage while our daughter plays freely on the grass. Our project in Santa Ynez marks a pioneering venture in seamlessly integrating cannabis into the winery experience. Recognizing the curiosity of our patrons, we seized the opportunity to showcase full spectrum cannabis extracts in a beverage, eliminating any educational barriers for newcomers to cannabis. Sunstone Spritz not only redefines traditional hospitality but also leads the charge in normalizing cannabis use across Santa Barbara County. “

The Cabugos Family’s continuation of the standards and quality set by the Rice Family, their commitment to the communities of Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley, and the family atmosphere they have created at Sunstone are shining examples of not only how to do things well in the wine industry, but the cannabis industry as well.  With events galore this year, women finally stepping into positions of power, lifting up other women in the industry, and female CEO’s like Djamila Cabugos, Jocelyn Sheltraw, Lauren Carpenter, Katherine Knowlton, and many others, the future of cannabis looks remarkably bright and refreshingly female. All of these innovative, smart, and remarkable voices coming together collectively not only destigmatize cannabis consumption, but myths we have been fed for the past century. Gatherings produced with clear intentions and respect for the plant and her community that leave attendees with lasting memories and emotional connections may not be possible for all events, but they will definitely be the standard at Sunstone.