In this week’s Newsletter, we are delighted to share with you the early ARRA Varieties grown in greenhouses in the Jordan Valley of Israel. Growing the varieties in a greenhouse helps ripen the grapes even earlier. In addition, we bring you news fresh off the press from the ARRA Breeding site in California.
Dear Readers,
It is with great pride that we look back upon a challenging but successful 2021. Grapa is excited with the progress and development of the ARRA varieties in the last year, with high demand for many of new releases and quality improvements of the ARRA varieties. We could not have done it without the help from you – our partners – the growers, representatives, agents, and technical teams from around the world, all with the aligned mission to produce the highest standard table grapes for global consumers.
Grapa continues to recognize the importance of close and personal connections with you – our licensed growers and representatives, so despite travel limitations, we did our utmost to hold as many virtual seminars as possible and provide the necessary technical support from afar. Together with our agents, we continue to strengthen the technical support that is made available, with many bringing on new team members, towards a foundation for imminent growth.
As the ARRA varieties become ever more present on the international stage, Grapa implemented structural shifts and changes towards ensuring our global network is best positioned for anticipated growth and expansion in both existing and new territories. Our ultimate goal is to optimize our relationships with our partners worldwide, and to ensure the highest level of support so that every territory achieves its full potential.
Now more than ever, the ARRA varieties demonstrated their superiority this past year, with early harvest times and adaptability to climate change and severe weather conditions. To read more, follow this link: As Early As ARRA.
This summer, we are looking forward to hosting the ARRA Field Days in Bakersfield, CA for an in-person event and to present the promising and exceptional future selections.
Sincerely yours,
Rafi Karniel
The Sunraysia area this year experienced a much cooler growing season, delaying the harvest time by approximately 7 to 10 days. The weather has been extremely windy presenting challenges to the producers in the area.
Anthony Cirillo, Director of Alpha Fresh Australia reports about this first ARRA 30 (ARRA Sugar Drop) harvest: “This variety is proving to be very well balanced with great fertility, grower friendly through the flowering period, and now leading up to harvest has proven itself to be tolerant the extreme summer temperature of Mildura”. Anthony continues:” We will now start to evaluate harvest and storage ability”.
Alpha Fresh Australia is harvesting ARRA 29 (ARRA Passion Fire™) as well. ARRA 29 is currently in its first year of production in the farm and Anthony says: “The taste and crunch of ARRA Passion Fire are amazing, it has beautiful green stems, a good solid crunch and the achievable size this early red is outstanding”. Anthony adds: “There is no other early, red variety, that I am aware of, that can come close in comparison”.
Anthony concludes: “From the beginning, we were strongly advised that ARRA 29 in the first year of production is prone to shot berries and growers are advised to not crop the bunches. Considering this, we are very happy with the result and we highlight that when the protocols provided by Grapa are followed, the desired results are achieved. We definitely see ourselves expanding our acreage of Passion Fire in the future”.
Currently harvesting in Sunraysia is also F&D Giugno. This is its first crop of ARRA 29 (ARRA Passion Fire) and the fruit looks very good. The vines are two years old and Frank Guigno, Partner in the company, reports:
‘ Grapa Mathematics ‘:
The numerical calculations of the growing guidelines.
‘ Grapa Taste ‘:
An innovative approach to the harvest time. The right timing means the right flavor and this allows a different way to consider consumer preferences regarding taste
Given the current pandemic, the Grapa team was happy to finally meet the growers in person and the event was a nice way to close the year.
Don’t miss out on these other newsletters:
We have a crush on this intense cherry-colour variety with its large, elongated, berries. This mid-late variety that boasts excellent sugar-acid balance, cherry flavour and sensational crunch, delights in appearance, taste and eating experience. Proven to be fully rain resistant, the variety also has excellent fertility and exceptional storage ability. It is the ultimate long shipping variety with the best shelf life in the industry.
ARRA CHERRY CRUSH™ literally has it all!
In short: THE ULTIMATE RED.
This established early red variety boasts a beautiful, natural, full red colour. It’s large, crunchy berries offer a fantastic eating quality. Good productivity, extraordinary hanging ability, shipping durability and shelf life, make it a choice early red.
The earliest existing red variety in the market ripens naturally 4-5 days before Flame. The advantageous short cycle, natural full red colour, together with large, sweet, crunchy berries make this a perfect Flame replacement. ARRA Fire Kiss has proven to be very fertile and grower friendly, as well as bearing great post-harvest and shipping qualities.