As early spring approaches, Nogales, AZ-based grower-shipper However, the company believes starting at the end of the Chilean import season and before Sonora begins would be best option to filling a strategic window between two key grape growing regions and supplying fresh fruit at the right time.
“I’m not sure I want a lot of people to know about Jalisco/Don Mario, since it’s mostly a contracted season,” said Bon. “However, because of the success we’ve had these past few years and since our original plans have flourished thanks to our partnership with certain retailers and breeders such as Sun World, this has opened the door for additional growth and more availability for the coming years."
“I could go on forever about how Autumncrisp and the other varieties we grow at Don Mario and how it benefits our retailers,” Bon continued, “but to summarize: bet on quality, not the price. Data keeps showing quality fruit sells, and it creates more repeat purchases from the consumers.”
As it relates to timing and predictability, Bon said that Jalisco is a breath of fresh air coming straight from the South American import deal and just before the traditional Mexico grape season starts in Sonora. There, the season typically starts around mid-May, but in recent years, the region has been seeing delays due to colder winters and other factors.
In Jalisco, additional hectares of Autumncrisp and innovations such as plastic coverings are extending the Jalisco grape season well into the month of May.
Bon said the extension is like “shooting ourselves in the foot,” as the Sonoran season looms closely behind Jalisco, but he reiterates that it’s their promise to supply the best product available even if it cuts into their next growing region.
“Right now, Autumncrisp is the hottest green seedless grape on the market, and Grupo Alta is the largest producer of this variety in Mexico and that’s because it grows very well in Jalisco,” said Bon. “There are many reasons why everyone loves this grape—it’s big, it’s juicy, and crunchy. It’s everything you want in a grape.”
Looking ahead to Sonora
After Jalisco, Divine Flavor will turn its attention to Sonora, where the company’s principal grape growing region is located with Grupo Alta and various grower-partners who pack for the brand. As of now, Sonora is looking “murky” regarding an exact start time, and the predictability of when the season will start remains unclear.
“In Sonora, it’s difficult to pinpoint exact start dates, and from what we’re hearing is that it won’t be a great production year in general, especially on Sugraones,” said Bon. “However, since we will have a massive increase in the amount of acreage this year, we expect to have the volume to create opportunity for promoting. Our footprint keeps growing each year and we have more proprietary varieties (about a 15 percent increase from 2024) such as Karizma, Ruby Rush, Timpson, Sweet Globe and Sweet Celebration.”
Bon said their focus remains entirely on the retailer, as they want to solidify the relationships and line up promotions they are excited to share during the season.
Although it may be hard to know exactly when the start dates will be, Bon mentioned that by mid-June the company will be flush on volume and looking to make strong promotions.
“Starting off the season, we will have a significant amount of Ruby Rush, which is an earlier sweet, high-flavored red seedless variety to offer our customers,” said Bon. “Then, of course, June will have all our premium, candy-flavored grapes stretching into the last growing region of Sonora. Our late ranch, which harvests in July, has really matured to the point that it has become a big part of our offerings, providing our customers arguably with the most value of the entire season.”
“Our company packs 100 percent in our packing houses and this gives us the ability to do any customer presentation and deliver the best quality grapes possible,” Bon added.
Doubling down on flavor
Aguirre said the company is committed to flavor and creating a unique eating experience for consumers. As of now, the company only grows proprietary varieties from grape breeders across the globe that specialize in newer, sweeter, and distinctive tasting grapes.
“At the core of Divine Flavor, we are dedicated to supplying our customers and their consumers a flavorful-eating experience that contributes to their health and well-being,” said Aguirre. “Our breeder alliances, the varieties we grow, and the experience we have as growers give us the opportunity to offer our customers amazingly flavored, high-quality table grapes.”
Aguirre said that all of the experience Grupo Alta has accumulated throughout the years has paved a way for how Divine Flavor does business.
“It is the blueprint for how to work with the best growers in the world with the best grape varieties,” he said. “Our company’s mission is centered around producing ‘Better food for a better world,’ and this is how we want consumers to view our company when they see the Divine Flavor brand.”
