There are a variety of beneficial terpenes contained not only in your favorite cannabis strain, but also in all plant life, delivering a wide range of unique aromas and flavors. From sweet fruits, fresh florals and earthy spices, terpenes can do it all.
There are over 200 terpene varieties found in the cannabis plant. The unique flavors and distinctive scents from individual cannabis strains are the result of terpene profiles. Much like THC and CBD (cannabinoids) have different influences on your body and mind, various terpene compounds can provide diverse effects and benefits to medical cannabis users.
However, you don’t need to get high to experience the benefits from terpenes.
That’s why brothers Gino and Henry Santos decided to make CannaVinus 0%. Crafted without alcohol, THC or CBD, this sparkling wine is infused with terpenes such as limonene, caryophyllene and pinene to provide consumers with stress relief, anti-inflammatory and mood enhancement benefits without the buzz.
“CannaVinus 0% originates from my love of cannabis,” says co-founder Henry. “Originally, we were going to come up with just a regular white wine that was refreshing and light, called CannaVinus. We wanted to market it as the perfect wine pairing for the cannabis lover. However, the alcohol industry wasn’t prepared to embrace the cannabis experience.”
Due to CannaVinus having marijuana leaves on the bottle label, companies wanted nothing to do with Henry and Gino’s brand. As a result, the duo decided to make some changes to their sparkling wine to expand its reach.
CannaVinus to CannaVinus 0%
After all the trouble the Santos brothers went through with their 6% ABV CannaVinus, in January of 2020 they decided to create an alcohol-free version of the sparkling wine. With CannaVinus 0%, they no longer have to go through the traditional alcohol distribution channels and have more flexibility with selling directly to consumers.
“If there’s one thing that’s been absolutely clear to us from the start, even after coming across all of these obstacles and roadblocks, it’s that consumers like our product,” says co-founder Gino. “Consumers have been able to try our beverages at a variety of trade shows and events we’ve attended, and every time CannaVinus 0% helps to enhance their cannabis experience with the terpenes added into it.”
CannaVinus 0% still features the same taste and terpene profiles as the original product, just without the alcohol.
CannaVinus 0% production guidelines
Since CannaVinus 0% doesn’t contain any alcohol, THC or CBD, the Santos brothers don’t need any special licenses or permits to sell the beverage to consumers. However, it still needs to be safe to consume under FDA guidelines.
“The company that makes and bottles CannaVinus 0% is a winery, so they adhere to all FDA rules and regulations. They even have TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Tade Bureau) inspectors.” explains Henry.
Since CannaVinus 0% begins as a regular wine that contains alcohol, it’s produced under all the same strict guidelines as any alcohol beverage.
“It’s just as regulated as the bottle of Chablis or Cabernet that you’re buying,” notes Gino. “We remove the alcohol at the very end of production, so it’s bottled under all regulatory requirements.”
The Wild West of marketing
Even though it’s easier to get CannaVinus 0% in front of consumers now, the Santos brothers are still presented with issues trying to market their beverage.
“We have difficulty advertising on some social media platforms because the bottle has marijuana leaves on it,” explains Gino.
While renting booths at festivals certainly helps to get the word out, growth will be slow if that’s your only form of marketing.
“We try to do trade shows as much as we can ─ wherever we can put liquid to lips, we do it,” says Henry. “Since social media isn’t working out too well, we’re trying everything we can that’s in our budget.”
One interesting form of marketing the Santos brothers are trying to get into is partnering with cannabis chefs.
“There are quite a few chefs out there that are cooking with cannabis, and we want to tie in with them where they can serve our product alongside their meals,” notes Henry.
