This company is building a cannabis farm on a former Fetzer vineyard

Cannabis is flourishing in California’s wine country as one producer is transforming the original Fetzer vineyard into a marijuana farm.

As reported by Business Insider, craft cannabis firm Flow Kana is in the process of building a productions and manufacturing facility on the site of Fetzer’s original winery which is set to open in a matter of months.

The Flow Cannabis Institute, located in the California’s Mendocino appellation, will operate much like one of the region’s wineries which offer tours and tastings by opening to the public, providing seminars, tours, pairing dinners and even a bed and breakfast.

Founded in 2014, Flow Kana is a craft cannabis producer which only sources its marijuana from farmers who grow the crop outdoors and without pesticides.

Fetzer produced its first commercial vintage at the site in 1968, but moved its production to nearby Hopland shortly soon after as demand for the winery’s expressions grew.

Fetzer was bought by Brown-Forman in 1992, but the 80-acre site continues to be owned by members of the Fetzer family.

Flow Kana bought 80 acres of land from the winery family in April 2017 for $3.5 million.

During production, Cannabis must be stored in a dark, dry, cool facility before it is sold — the same conditions required for storing wine. Fetzer’s site comes equipped with ventilation systems that allow for air flow, making them ideal for cannabis.

Selling and taxing cannabis came in the state of California came into effect on 1 January 2018.

Flow Kana aims to have its facility, which will be the first of its kind in California, up-and-running by spring 2018.