Teddy Cabugos III
Beyond the Vineyard: Expanding Your Portfolio with Hemp, July 11 @ 10:40 - 11:25 am
Teddy Cabugos is the Owner and President of Sunstone Brands, which includes the historic Sunstone Winery in Santa Barbara County, California. Founded over 30 years ago, Sunstone Winery is known for its organically farmed vineyards and premium wines. Since acquiring the estate in 2019, Cabugos has revitalized the brand—transitioning the tasting room experience from one dominated by an older demographic to a younger, more inclusive audience, while still honoring the loyalty of longstanding patrons. His leadership transformed Sunstone from a stagnant label into a thriving destination with national visibility.
The estate is also home to the iconic Tuscan-inspired Sunstone Villa, a luxury venue celebrated as one of the most photographed properties in the Santa Ynez Valley. Under Cabugos’ direction, the Villa evolved from a hidden gem into a world-renowned wedding venue and celebrity retreat—featured on Netflix’s World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals and gracing the covers of People and Vogue magazines.
In response to shifting consumer preferences away from alcohol, Cabugos expanded the Sunstone portfolio in 2023 with the launch of SUNSTONE SPRITZ™, a THC-infused, alcohol-free beverage. The product gained rapid acclaim, earning recognition from L.A. Times and the L.A. Spirits Awards. Building on that success, Cabugos is developing a new functional mushroom wellness beverage—free from both alcohol and THC—slated for release in 2025 under the SUNSTONE™ brand.
Prior to his work in wine and wellness, Cabugos served over a decade as Vice President of Radical Studios, a Hollywood-based multimedia company focused on IP development and global licensing across film, television, publishing, and merchandise.
Cabugos is deeply engaged in shaping the future of California’s tourism and agricultural economies. He serves as an at-large board member for CalTravel—the state’s travel association representing a $160 billion sector—and sits on the board of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Santa Barbara County Farmstay Committee, where he played a pivotal role in the passage of the Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance in 2025, enabling new business opportunities for farmland owners.
Nationally recognized for his vision and leadership, Cabugos is a frequent speaker at global conferences where he addresses the integration of cannabis and hemp into hospitality and tourism. His appearances include the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Berlin, MJBizCon in Las Vegas, and Benzinga in Anaheim. He is also a vocal advocate for responsible cannabis and hemp policy reform at the local, state, and federal levels.
Cabugos and his wife, business partner Djamila Cabugos, reside in Santa Barbara with their three sons: Theodore (7), Benicio (4), and Angelo (1).
