Citrus industry and produce pioneer Sam Perricone, patriarch of Perricone Farms on the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market, died in the early morning hours of July 8, the anniversary of his wife Mary's death 15 years earlier. Mr. Perricone, who was 91, had spent the previous day working and grocery shopping. The Sunset Beach, CA, resident died of heart failure, surrounded by family members.

Scattaglia Growers & Shippers LLC in Traver, CA, does not expect to start its San Joaquin Valley grape harvest this year until the latter part of July, as much as 10-14 days later, even, than last year, according to Louis Scattaglia, managing partner. “We should be underway ... by July 25,” he said June 2.

“Having said that, the crop looks really good. Bunch formation looks outstanding,” he said.

Sundale Sales Inc. in Tulare, CA, a grower, packer, shipper and exporter of California table grapes, has hired Michael Astorga, who was previously with Sunview Marketing in Dinuba, CA, as vice president of international development. He started June 1.

Formed in 2006, Sundale Sales is a partnership between Sean Stockton, the company’s president, and the Kinosian family that owns Sundale Vineyards.

Anthony Stetson, formerly vice president of sales at Pandol Bros. Inc. in Delano, CA, is now on the sales desk at Combine Vineyards in Delano, according to Keith Andrew, who is also in sales.

Columbine has also hired Kevin Andrew, “who is my brother,” as chief operating officer, “running our field department — growing operations,” he said.

Kevin Andrew was previously chief operating officer at Sun World International in Bakersfield, CA.

“Also from Sun World,” Denise Smith has joined Columbine in sales support, Mr. Andrew continued.

“We are back in Arvin this year after a couple of years of not being in Arvin,” said Shawn Ricks, president of The Grape Guys in Cutler, CA.

Located at the southern end of California’s San Joaquin Valley, the Arvin district is always among the early grape-growing districts in the valley to get started.

Stevco Inc., headquartered in Los Angeles, grows table grapes in the San Joaquin Valley and the Coachella Valley of California and also imports grapes from the Mexican state of Sonora.

With branch offices in Nogales, AZ, Coachella, CA, and Bakersfield, CA, the company has North America-grown table grapes as long as anyone in the business.

“At Stevco, we continue to grow our total acreage, both in Coachella and the San Joaquin Valley, with the newer varieties and the newer plantings,” said Jared Lane, vice president of sales and marketing.