Wine and cheese have always gone hand in hand, but pairing cannabis and wine can be a truly unique experience. And what better time to explore than fall in New England by the fire?
So, what’s the best way to pair cannabis and wine, and how can you support local wineries near our store in Rowley, MA? At Fine Fettle, we believe that a personalized experience and education at your level will help you get the most from your cannabis experience.
First, some helpful cannabis and wine tips.
When pairing Cannabis and wine, many people like to combine them based on the wine and cannabis strain's flavors and how well they complement each other.
For example, the fruity tones in Mother of Grapes can work well with dark red wines. Piney or diesel-flavored cannabis strains, like Apex or OG Kush, tend to complement dry, bitter whites or lighter reds. Try to balance a pairing with complementary aspects for best results, like sweet with spicy or earthy with citrus.
Vaping typically works better when pairing cannabis with wine than other methods. But you have many options: Joints, pre-rolls, or tinctures can work just as well. Really, there are no right or wrong answers here. If you find a combo of wine and cannabis you enjoy, then it’s a winning pair.
If using a strain with the terpene Limonene, look towards fruit and citrusy flavors often found in a sauvignon blanc or sancerre.
But to help get you started, check out a few of these popular cannabis and wine pairings:
| Wine Type | Sativa Strains | Indica Strains | Hybrid Strains |
| Sparkling | Green Crack, Lemon Haze | White Rhino, Sensi Star | |
| Dry White | Amnesia Haze, Super Silver Haze | Northern Lights | Lemon Kush, Pineapple Express |
| Sweet White | Maui Wowie | Tahoe OG | Mango Kush, Agent Orange |
| Rose | Jack Herer | Bubba Kush, Orange Kush | Cinderella 99 |
| Light Red | Durban Poison | Blue Cheese, Vanilla Kush | White Widow, Blue Dream |
| Medium Red | Grapefruit | Purple Kush, Afghani | Trainwreck, OG Kush |
| Bold Red | Sage N Sour | Grandaddy Purple, Blackberry Kush | Sunset Sherbert |
| Dessert | Purple Haze | Master Kush | Pineapple Trainwreck |
What about pairing cannabis and wine based on their effects?
Pairing based on flavor is the standard method for combining cannabis and wine. But you can also combine based on the likely effects of a pairing.
Wine and cannabis both affect your state of consciousness. Certain types of wine will have different effects, and the same can be said for marijuana. For example, red wines tend to give a warm, cozy buzz, and certain cannabis types can do the same.
As you get more familiar with wine and cannabis pairings, you’ll have a better idea of which types of cannabis strains and their effects go well with different wines. But be mindful of how the pairing impacts you.
Smoking a sleep-inducing indica strain and capping it off with a couple of glasses of a dark red wine can make you too drowsy or give you the long night’s sleep. If you like bold reds, consider combining your drink with a more energetic hybrid or sativa cannabis strain to balance things out. It is all about finding the balance and goals of your experience. That was we at Fine Fettle focus on!
Top 3 Local Wineries Near Rowley, MA
Now that you have a good idea of how to pair wine with cannabis let’s explore the best wineries in and around Rowley, MA.
Below are some of the highest rated wineries in the Rowley area. These wineries are all within an hour's drive and offer various locally-sourced and imported wines.
1. Mill River Winery
Mill River Winery, a 100% woman-owned business, is meeting the needs of its social-distancing patrons with cozy outdoor seating around fire pits and heaters. Grabbing a bottle of your favorite and pairing cannabis with your favorite wine will keep you toasty warm near the fire at home as the weather cools.
Mill River Winery does require reservations and is located in Rowley at 498 Newburyport Turnpike in a historic home built in the 1890s. The location has many of its original features still intact, and the winery offers a selection of wines sourced from its on-site vineyard along with foreign imports.
The winery is open from 12:45 pm to 6 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. You can also take advantage of their curbside pickup and delivery options. Check out their menu here.
2. Alfalfa Farm Winery
Alfalfa Farm Winery is located in Topsfield, MA, about a 12-minute drive from Rowley. The winery is a family-owned and operated winery on the grounds of a 300-year-old farm that was once a dairy.
When you visit Alfalfa Farm Winery, you’re supporting local, sustainable agriculture when you sample about a dozen of the farm’s handcrafted and award-winning wines.
Alfalfa Farm Winery is open from 1 pm to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday. The winery hosts private events and also offers convenient wine delivery.
3. Nashoba Valley Winery
Nashoba Valley Winery is located in Bolton, MA, about an hour's drive from Rowley. Guests can reserve a picnic table for up to six people on the winery’s beautiful grounds that look like they’re straight out of a storybook. You can go for a stroll and enjoy the nice weather and scenery when you visit Nashoba Valley and pair a winning cannabis and wine combination.
Thanks to the pandemic, the winery’s tasting bar is closed. But when you make a reservation for a picnic table, you can sample five pre-selected wines.
You can also get your wine delivered or take advantage of their curbside pickup option from Sunday to Wednesday, 11 am to 5 pm, and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm.
Start Your Winning Cannabis and Wine Pairing at Fine Fettle
Are you a fan of light, crisp rose wines? We recommend our cerebral Jack Herer sativa strain. If you prefer the bolder taste of a medium red, our citrusy OG Kush makes a great pairing.
No matter what type of wines you like, there’s an excellent cannabis strain to go with it — you just have to find it. Stop in at Fine Fettle in Rowley today. Our cannabis experts will be happy to help you find the perfect cannabis and wine pairing for you.