Will Weed Ruin the Napa Valley Name?

After about 150 years of wine growers dominating the Napa Valley in California – and building its name as a premier producer of wines – cannabis growers are moving in. And, as Politico reports, many Napa Valley vintners are concerned about what that trend could mean to Napa Valley’s fine wine reputation globally.

While commercial cannabis cultivation is currently banned in Napa’s unincorporated agricultural areas, local winemakers fear that upon a public vote, that could change. Some of the region’s winemakers feel that cannabis could be a threat to Napa’s image, while there are others who welcome it as a way to diversify the area’s offerings.

Among those who were once opposed to cannabis moving into Napa are a few big names who have taken a “if-you-can’t-beat-‘em-join-‘em” approach. These include Francis Ford Coppola’s winery as well as the winemaking heirs of the powerhouse Robert Mondavi brand, who are forming partnerships with cannabis companies.