Twenty20 Mendocino: Exclusive Interview from the American Autoflower Cup

California Craftsmanship at the Core of the Autoflower Revolution

There’s something unmistakably Californian about Twenty20 Mendocino - not just in their genetics, but in their spirit. Based in the heart of Mendocino County, they’ve built their reputation on a simple but demanding philosophy: if it’s not exceptional, it doesn’t leave the garden. That standard has made them one of the most respected names in the American autoflower scene, and the 2025 American Autoflower Cup only confirmed it.

Their Love Bomb Auto earned 1st Place Best New Autoflower, while Grape Gas Auto took 3rd Place Best Auto Hybrid, marking a double win that celebrated both precision and creativity. Love Bomb Auto became an instant favorite among judges, not only for its balance of visual appeal and complexity in flavor but also for the story behind it - harvested every Valentine’s Day, a small tradition turned symbol of the breeder’s craft and care.

Grape Gas, on the other hand, showcased Twenty20’s technical side. Built from their Honey Badger line, it was bred for resin density and extraction potential, representing the brand’s growing focus on hash-ready autos that deliver beyond flower form.

In their own words, Twenty20 described the moment on social media with heartfelt humility:

“Humbled - that’s the only word I can use to describe our huge pile of awards we took home from the American Autoflower Cup. Our hard work and dedication to selective breeding was quite apparent as the awards started flowing in. This is an absolute testament to the dedication we have committed to developing the best of the best autos.

We were competing with some huge industry giants such as 420 Fast Buds, Mephisto, and Night Owl who have been in the auto game much longer than us. I have a ton of respect for those companies and am honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in such a prestigious contest.”

It’s been a steady climb. Back in 2023, Twenty20 introduced Durban Sunrise, taking 3rd Place Best Sativa with a strain that captured the bright citrus and energetic high of Durban Poison in autoflower form - a conversion that kept the soul of the classic intact.

By 2024, they struck gold with Cali Bubba, a deeply flavorful cross between Cali Couture and Bubba Whip, which won 1st Place Best Indica. It was proof that their vision - translating iconic photoperiods into autos without compromise - was not just working but leading the field.

By 2025, the data matched the trophies.

Twenty20 Mendocino recorded multiple nominations among the highest THC lab-tested autos of the year, solidifying their position among the top performers in both potency and terpene expression. While Atlas Seeds’ Mendo Breath Auto set a record at 30.33% THC, Twenty20’s autos repeatedly landed near the top, showing that power and sophistication can coexist in a single genetic line.

What sets Twenty20 apart is intent. Their approach isn’t about flooding the market - it’s about refining cannabis genetics through careful conversion and pheno selection. Their in-house breeding method, often described as the “1% rule,” means only one plant in a hundred earns a permanent place in their lineup. It’s a level of discipline that keeps their catalog tight, their results consistent, and their reputation unmatched.

Every entry they’ve brought to the American Autoflower Cup - from Durban Sunrise to Cali Bubba, from Love Bomb to Grape Gas - reflects the same idea: autos can be as expressive, flavorful, and powerful as any photoperiod strain when handled with care. And that’s exactly what Twenty20 Mendocino continues to prove, year after year.

Their double win in 2025 wasn’t just another notch in the record book - it was a moment of validation for a breeder deeply rooted in California’s cannabis heritage yet forward-looking in every sense.

If you’d like to dive deeper into their journey, check out our exclusive interviews with Twenty20 Mendocino on the American Autoflower Cup website, featuring their appearances from 2023’s Durban Sunrise debut, 2024’s Cali Bubba triumph, and 2025’s Love Bomb and Grape Gas victories.