R.B. Sandrini Inc. in Delano, CA, which is the sales agent for R.B. Sandrini Farms L.P., offers about 14 different varieties of table grapes, ranging from traditional industry mainstays such as Flame seedless and Thompson to some of the popular newer varieties, and even to some cutting edge varieties so new that the company doesn’t even want to give out information on them yet.

“We have made a choice not to be in the grower side of the business, representing growers, because we have been more focused on our customers,” said Cary Crum, vice president of Green Tree International Inc. in Visalia, CA, with reference to the company’s involvement in the San Joaquin Valley grape deal.

Columbine Vineyards in Delano, CA, will have its first commercial production of two new proprietary grape varieties from its own varietal development program this year, according to Keith Andrew, sales manager.

The new varieties are called Vista and Milano, and they are both green seedless grapes with large, sweet berries, Mr. Andrew said. The vista is ovate in shape; “the Milano is more round.” Both were test marketed last year on a small scale.

Jasmine Vineyards in Delano, CA, will be up in volume in its production of the proprietary Sweet Sunshine grapes this year and will have its first commercial volume of Sweet Celebration, according to Brian Crettol, a salesman for the company.

Both varieties are from International Fruit Genetics in Bakersfield, CA, of which Jasmine is a licensee.

Jim Llano, sales manager at Castle Rock Vineyards in Richgrove, CA, told The Produce News on July 9 that the company will have more Castle Rock Reds this year, as well as increases in several other varieties.

Produce Trades, a produce technology firm based in Grand Island, NY, recently launched its website, ProduceTrades.com. The company's auction software aims to redefine the buying, selling and transporting process for the produce industry.

Using a self-customized software bidding application, Produce Trades fills a need for a 24/7 international marketplace to connect produce buyers, sellers and transporters in one single auction platform.