Sadly, California cannabis regulations have deemed that weed and alcohol are not allowed to play together in one product. Wah! It’s why we see de-alcoholized canna “beer,” and why Artet can’t label their awesome Italian-style beverage as an aperitif (although I can!). It’s also why House of Saka can’t call their infused and de-alcoholized rosé (made from Napa Valley grapes) a cannabis wine, so they got creative and created (and trademarked) the term Vinfusion instead. Take that!


House of Saka’s first release is Saka Pink, made from 2018 Napa Valley pinot noir. The grapes are pressed and fermented in stainless steel, the wine is carefully de-alcoholized, and then infused with a nano-emulsion made from craft cannabis (thanks to Vertosa) with a custom 1:5 CBD:THC ratio. A nano-emulsion means the infusion is broken down into tiny particles, making the cannabis water-soluble, so it blends homogeneously throughout the beverage, and doesn’t separate or leave a film or bitter aftertaste. Cannabis emulsion science has come a long way, baby! 


Bonus: your body absorbs the nano-emulsion more quickly, and you’ll feel the effects much faster than an edible. I have felt a light lift as soon as 10–15 minutes after a serving of Saka Pink, although I have a friend who didn't feel anything for an hour. Remember, everyone is different, which is why you always want to start low and go slow. You never know when THC is going to sneak up on you, it’s funny that way! (I would start with just 2.5mg of Saka Pink for your first couple times and take it from there.)


I get really, really relaxed from a glass of Saka Pink. The true test: I was having a bear of a day (there were tears), and I was surprised at how much happier I felt in about 30 minutes after a five-ounce serving (5mg of THC). I was considerably less stressed, and actually a little bit happy (but not too hellavated—just chill). It also shows up later for me in other ways: let’s just say food tastes really good, music sounds better, and my shoulders feel less tight. Plus some extra giggles at things that maybe aren't THAT funny but whatever, I am totally cracking up. 


I worked my way through a bottle over a few nights (I kept it sealed in the fridge, and it tasted just as good on day one as day three), and found Saka Pink had less of a head-high for me—it brought more of an overall feeling of ease and chillax. Which is exactly what you want from your glass of wine…but with no hangover and fewer calories (just 16 calories per serving, thankyouverymuch). I have also slept really well after an evening of enjoying Saka Pink, like a heavy bag of rocks. Zzzzzzzz.


Each bottle of Saka Pink contains 5mg of CBD and 25mg of THC, so a five-ounce serving has 1mg of CBD and 5mg of THC (there are five servings per bottle). It’s a standard wine pour—unless you consider a whole bottle one pour, LOL. If you don’t have one of those all-in-one liquid measurement beakers, five ounces is a little over half a cup, and a little under two-thirds of a cup. If you’re a beginner, I’d start with a quarter-cup (for 2.5mg of THC). I like that I can enjoy a glass with the bottle’s overall low-dose potency.


So, how does it taste? Let’s just say Saka Pink is way too easy to chug as you analyze it, so watch it. It’s a beautiful, soft peachy pink color, with a fruity and floral bouquet. When you sip it, you can taste the grapes, but there is also a tanginess that reminds me of soft cranberry, or the acidity of grapefruit. And juicy raspberry. No weediness. I enjoy the texture, and the finish. It’s very thirst-quenching, there is such a tropical juiciness to it, and I like the way the acidity pairs well with food—it cuts through richness. I loved a glass of Pink with a slice of New York-style pizza. And an appetizer spread of salumi and cheeses. And with dim sum.


For people who don’t drink, or are trying to diminish their intake of alcohol/wine, or are “California sober” (those who have given up alcohol but still consume cannabis), beverages like Saka Pink are so welcomed—you can still partake in the ritual of drinking, but with the pleasant buzz from cannabis instead (and no nasty hangover, migraine, alcohol-related toxicity, poor sleep, or added calories). It’s also a sexy bottle, one that feels celebratory and would be so fun to bring to a dinner party to get things started.


It’s also the kind of beverage you can mix drinks with! Saka has created mimosas with pomegranate juice and sparkling wine, and I really look forward to blending this up in the summer into some slushies, poolside. In Palm Springs. In my caftan. Sorry, was going on a little mental journey there. Anyway, ha-ha, back to our winter!


This luxury-infused beverage is from two powerhouse women: cannabis entrepreneur and industry insider Cynthia Salarizadeh, and wine industry veteran, Tracey Mason (which makes a nice tie-in when you consider the name Saka comes from an ancient group of warrior women who were nomadic Scythians in Central Asia, who also consumed cannabis). These modern-day trailblazers understand how the new cannabis consumer is looking for high-quality, lifestyle-oriented products with a low dose, and new ways to consume beyond smoking. I’m excited for their upcoming releases of a white wine and sparkling brut rosé (can’t wait). Cheers to House of Saka!



Visit houseofsaka.com for more info; purchase for delivery on Sava.

Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.