Rivera Vineyards to sit out 2005 fresh grape season
Rivera Vineyards to sit out 2005 fresh grape season
THERMAL, CA " One of the larger table grape grower-shipper operations in the Coachella Valley " Rivera Vineyards " has removed itself from the 2005 fresh table grape shipping season, which is set to start in early May.
The Produce News confirmed at press deadline (April 14) that Rivera Vineyards has not changed its farming practices on grapes, and that it still has more than 2,000 acres of grapes in production. But it was also confirmed that for the 2005 season, the company will divert its normal fresh table grape production to concentrate fresh juice and raisins.
A spokesman for Rivera Vineyards indicated that the firm preferred not to make a statement to the press at this time as to the reasons for the diversion of the company?s table grape production to concentrate fresh juice and raisins for the 2005 season. It is widely believed that Rivera Vineyards will resume fresh grape shipments in the 2006 season, and that this is a one-time event.
The removal of a major Coachella Valley grape shipper from the 2005 shipping season would appear to present opportunities for competitors. George Tudor, vice president of Mecca, CA-based Tudor Ranch, estimated that of the 7.1 million packages of grapes shipped last season from Coachella, Rivera Vineyards accounted for approximately 18-20 percent of the total Coachella grape volume, or about 1.3 million to 1.4 million packages. "Theoretically, it should be good for me," Mr. Tudor said. "Who knows if people who buy from Blas [Rivera, owner and principal of Rivera Vineyards] will stay in the Coachella Valley??
But not everyone in the Coachella Valley sees the departure of Rivera Vineyard from this season?s table grape deal as an opportunity to fill a competitive void.
Anthony Bianco, a principal with Coachella Valley-based Desert Fresh Inc., said that Rivera Vineyard?s departure for this season represents one less competitor, but "most people have a certain customer base." For Desert Fresh, "It's business as usual," Mr. Bianco said, adding that Desert Fresh will "deal with the same people."
The Produce News confirmed at press deadline (April 14) that Rivera Vineyards has not changed its farming practices on grapes, and that it still has more than 2,000 acres of grapes in production. But it was also confirmed that for the 2005 season, the company will divert its normal fresh table grape production to concentrate fresh juice and raisins.
A spokesman for Rivera Vineyards indicated that the firm preferred not to make a statement to the press at this time as to the reasons for the diversion of the company?s table grape production to concentrate fresh juice and raisins for the 2005 season. It is widely believed that Rivera Vineyards will resume fresh grape shipments in the 2006 season, and that this is a one-time event.
The removal of a major Coachella Valley grape shipper from the 2005 shipping season would appear to present opportunities for competitors. George Tudor, vice president of Mecca, CA-based Tudor Ranch, estimated that of the 7.1 million packages of grapes shipped last season from Coachella, Rivera Vineyards accounted for approximately 18-20 percent of the total Coachella grape volume, or about 1.3 million to 1.4 million packages. "Theoretically, it should be good for me," Mr. Tudor said. "Who knows if people who buy from Blas [Rivera, owner and principal of Rivera Vineyards] will stay in the Coachella Valley??
But not everyone in the Coachella Valley sees the departure of Rivera Vineyard from this season?s table grape deal as an opportunity to fill a competitive void.
Anthony Bianco, a principal with Coachella Valley-based Desert Fresh Inc., said that Rivera Vineyard?s departure for this season represents one less competitor, but "most people have a certain customer base." For Desert Fresh, "It's business as usual," Mr. Bianco said, adding that Desert Fresh will "deal with the same people."
