Grape dynamics

GRAPE VINES

CALIFORNIA TABLE GRAPES | AVAILABLE MAY THRU JANUARY
Growing grapes is a year round job. In the winter months, vines are pruned by hand and in early spring bud break arrives. The foliage and blossoms emerge as the weather warms eventually forming grape clusters.

CANOPY

TABLE GRAPES FROM CHILE | AVAILABLE FEBRUARY THRU APRIL
During the few months that California grapes are not available, grapes imported from the Southern Hemisphere, (mainly Chile) can be found in most retail stores.

UNDER THE CANOPY

TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Unlike many fresh fruits, grapes are harvested fully ripe. After they’re picked they do not become sweeter.

GRAPE SIZE

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Sugar content, color, bunch and berry size, and uniformity are all measured before harvest begins.

PACKING IN THE FIELD

EXPERIENCE
The workers who decide which grapes to clip are trained professionals with years of experience. Grape bunches are carefully inspected and then immediately packed by hand into shipping containers, sometimes right in the field.

WAREHOUSE

WAREHOUSE
Shortly after picking, the field heat is removed from the fruit in cold storage facilities for optimum freshness.

FLAME SEEDLESS

FLAME SEEDLESS | SWEET-TART FLAVOR
They have grown rapidly in popularity to become the second most popular table grape after the Thompson seedless. It is round and deep red, with a sweet-tart flavor and a pleasant crunch.

AUTUMN KING

AUTUMN KING | MELLOW FLAVOR
The warm desert climate helps ensure the multitude of grape varieties appear in markets across the nation, about mid-May.

FANTASY

FANTASY | VERY SWEET
Due to the sophisticated storage technology, California seedless and seeded fresh grapes are available through January.

CHELAN STARR

CRIMSON | SWEET + MELLOW | CHELAN STARR LABEL
This variety is generally light to bright red and makes for an excellent addition to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Grapes best maintain their freshness and shelf life when refrigerated.

FIVE STARR

PRINCESS | UNIQUE MUSCAT FLAVOR | FIVE STARR LABEL
The green seedless grape has a similar appearance to the Thompson variety. Grapes make a nutritious snack and are a wonderful addition to any salad.

STARR RANCH

AUTUMN ROYAL | SWEET | STARR RANCH LABEL
This large blue-black table grape is the latest of all varieties. A seed trace is evident when portions of the seeds are soft and underdeveloped which is a characteristic of the Autumn Royal.