The Michelin-starred weed experience at Sonoma Hills Farm

In the heart of California’s prestigious wine region lies Sonoma Hills Farm, where cannabis and hospitality go hand in hand.

Led by head grower Aaron Keefer, a former culinary gardener at Thomas Keller Restaurant Group and The French Laundry, the farm combines cannabis cultivation with fragrant herbs, beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables, bridging the world of fine dining and cannabis.

With weed, produce and a wood-fired kitchen all in one place, it’s the perfect setting for socializing and creativity.

A combination of culinary art and cannabis cultivation

Keefer’s journey to Sonoma Hills Farm was influenced by his passion for cannabis and the culinary arts. He first came into contact with cannabis cultivation at the age of 15 and spent the following years refining his cannabis cultivation knowledge.

“When you taste it, you realize that we are evolving together with these plants, and if it tastes better, it is better.”

— Aaron Keefer, vice president of cannabis cultivation and production at Sonoma Hills Farm

He gained his experience in Michelin-starred restaurants after graduating from culinary school: “I attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York. At this point, everything I was cooking with was from the Bay Area. I decided to pay a visit and when I got here I knew I would never leave. It’s just the best place to live,” he shared.

Gina Coleman/WeedmapsAaron Keefer, professional chef and head grower at Sonoma Hills Farm

Although Keefer had been growing cannabis since he was 15, he didn’t start using it until he was 20. At this point he also began incorporating cannabis into his culinary creations.

“The experience I bring from a culinary perspective, particularly from my time in three-star Michelin restaurants, is that you pursue one thing: taste,” he said. “Even if the look is a little unconventional, go for the actual taste because that’s where the magic lies. When you taste it, you realize that we are evolving together with these plants, and if it tastes better, it is better.”

Sonoma Hills Farm is currently hosting private dinners paired with their sun-grown craft cannabis. There you can sample decadent creations from Michelin-starred chefs who serve dishes made from organic vegetables grown right on the farm.

Gina Coleman/WeedmapsSonoma Hills Farms sun-grown cannabis

But rather than mixing the cannabis directly into food – which can be difficult with precise dosage and timing – Keefer’s approach is to create a unique journey full of flavors and sensations. He combines different cannabis strains with each course, ranging from lighter strains for starters to heavier strains for main courses. The goal is to achieve a balance of flavors and a gradual high, and when it comes to taking it while eating, guests can choose their own adventure.

Keefer offers individual pipes and rosin-filled prefilled Zenco cups that add a touch of richness and sophistication to the entire experience.

Gina Coleman/WeedmapsColophony rich in terpenes will be provided to dinner guests

Combining cannabis with culinary excellence, Keefer sees the farm as a playground for chefs and enthusiasts. He dreams of offering a combination of cannabis and wine in the future, taking the dining experience to a whole new level, although regulations are still hampering those plans for now.

How Sonoma Hills Farm’s unique environment affects cannabis

On the farm, the concept of terroir, often associated with wine, plays a crucial role in growing the cannabis and expressing the flavor. Terroir encompasses the different environmental factors that shape a particular growing region and lead to unique varietal results between regions and from one season to the next.

“We strive to maintain that flavor throughout,” Keefer said. “This is where the wind really works the plant and pushes out more exudates, terpenes and oils.” Then those terpenes stay locked up in our cool soil, and we never really experience temperatures high enough to lose that flavor. It’s a true representation of ‘Ocean Grown’.”

Gina Coleman/WeedmapsIn addition to cannabis, Sonoma Hills Farm also grows flowers and organic vegetables

The influence of ocean winds and regular fog creates a distinct seasonal terroir in Sonoma Hills. Although challenges such as increased humidity are present and farmers are extremely careful when selecting mold-resistant strains, they still help promote robust terpenes and complex flavors from the cannabis plants.