In November, Nomi and Shachar paid a lightning visit to Peru. Over the course of five days, they visited the ARRA growers in the regions of Ica, Lambayeque and Piura. In this edition, we bring you the highlights of their unforgettable visit.

Table Grape Production in Peru

The three main table grape-producing regions in Peru, Ica in the south and Lambayeque and Piura in the north, have dry weather, sandy soil and available freshwater, presenting the ideal conditions for table grape production. 

ICA Region

Ica is the main table grape-producing region in southern Peru. Situated on the edge of the Atacama desert, it has one of the driest climates in the world. Ica’s dry climate, together with hot days and cool nights make it ideally suited for table grape production

Agricola San Miguel

ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29)

It was great to start the Grapa team’s tour of the Ica region with a visit to Agricola San Miguel and very heartening to see owner, Juan Martin Guadiamos Bensa’s enthusiasm and his belief in the ARRA varieties. Juan is very happy with his ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29) production. 

ARRA 29 ARRA Passion Fire
Following the protocol closely has resulted in a beautiful crop of ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29) pictured here, twenty days before harvest.
Vineyard of ARRA 29 ARRA Passion Fire
Agricola San Miguel team with Grapasa team and Shachar

Manuelita Frutas Y Hortalizas

Accompanied by general manager, Carlos Garabito, the Grapa team enjoyed visiting both of Manuelita’s farms and seeing first hand their promising ARRA plantations. The team was escorted by Carlos in both farms and it was a great opportunity for us at Grapa to learn first hand about the adaptation of the ARRA protocol to Ica’s special environment.

ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29)

By close adherence to the protocol, as guided by Arsenio, the crop looks very encouraging, with big, uniform bunches, uniform berry size and clean from any shot berries.

ARRA 29 ARRA Passion Fire Crop

ARRA Sugar Drop™ (ARRA 30)

Manuelita’s beautiful crop of ARRA Sugar Drop™ (ARRA 30) has a high yield and uniform bunches. As can be seen below, although the bunch count had been done after set, it appears that the bunch count is still too high for such young vines, however, Carlos has since reduced the crop. 

ARRA Sugar Drop™ (ARRA 30) two weeks before ripening; the berries uniformity and crunchiness is very promising
Shachar and Carlos inspect the vines

Miranda Internacional

ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29)

Although traditionally onion growers, this family business decided to expand to table grape production. In keeping with the management motto of perfection, Miranda’s first-year crop of ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29) one month before harvest, looks amazing. For the first year of production, the bunches look uniform and impressive. Expecting good results, Miranda president and owner, Yovani Miranda, is looking forward to expanding their ARRA plantation with ARRA Sugar Drop™ (ARRA 30) and ARRA Mystic Dream™ (ARRA 32).

(From left); Yovani's son, Alan, Yovani and Karl survey the first-year crop of ARRA Passion Fire™
All together now; Miranda, Grapasa and Grapa teams

Sociedad Agricola 3P

The Grape team was very impressed with the 3P team’s devotion to the ARRA varieties.  In cooperation with Grapa since 2015, Agricola 3P provides a base for the Grapasa team’s protocol improvement and execution. The results are nothing less than remarkable.

ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15)

Agricola 3P’s ARRA Sweeties (ARRA 15) are six weeks before harvest. General manager, Erick Cabanillas, is dedicated to growing the best ARRA varieties possible and by following the Grapasa protocol to the letter, the optimal performance has been achieved with uniform bunches along the rows and along the vines. The berries are even in size, clean and shiny.

ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29)

Agricola 3Ps super ARRA Passion Fire is pictured here below, two weeks from harvest. The yield looks as good as can be and very promising. Karl and Arsenio are working with the technical team in order to maintain the bright colour and firmness at harvest time. So far, it appears that they are succeeding to represent the best of the ARRA Passion Fire (ARRA 29).

ARRA 29 ARRA Passion Fire
ARRA 29 ARRA Passion Fire Vineyard
Teamwork; Agricola 3P, Grapasa and Grapa

Agricola Ispana

ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29)

In this crop of ARRA Passion Fire (ARRA 29), it appears that the late pruning and bud break is producing great results; the crop size, uniformity and evenness is really impressive. Did the team of Agricola Ispana hit the right timing? The crop harvest will show us and so far it looks very promising.

ARRA Passion Fire ARRA 29
ARRA 29 Vineyard ARRA Passion Fire
Agricola Ispana team

Lambayeque Region

Located in the north of Peru, the hills of this region are irrigated by the rivers of the Andes and the Amazon and by their underground water reserves. This region has an arid, semitropical climate that allows for a diversity of crops

Danper

This company’s technical team is committed to working in harmony with Karl and Arsenio and the great results of such cooperation can clearly be seen in the pictures below. As well as the great quality, uniformity of bunches and berries, what also attracted the Grapa team’s attention are the rachis and secondary stems, which are firm without being hard.  

ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15)

Early block of ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15) one week before harvest, showing good bunch size, uniformity and clean berries.
Implementing good management practises in order to avoid sunburn and crop loss, the technical team covered the exposed bunches in the front of the row with paper bags.
At the impressive packing house of the farm La Venturosa, the Grapa team were gratified to see the amazing ARRA Sweeties (ARRA 15) from Olmo farms being packed.

ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29)

The team at Danper’s La Venturosa farm paid careful attention to all the details of the protocol, leading to great results. They used paper bags to cover the bunches in order to keep the colour in check. Although all red varieties including ARRA Passion Fire (ARRA 29) ripen to a dark red colour in Peru, the ARRA team is adapting the protocol to the conditions in Peru, the results of which we will see this coming season.

ARRA 29 ARRA Passion Fire Vineyard
ARRA 29 ARRA Passion Fire
The bunches have grown to perfection and reached quality standard

Fundo Belessia

In 2018, Mr. Salvadore Giha purchased the farm from AgroGenesis. Salvadore is very enthusiastic to bring the farm to the highest level of top-quality production and has big plans for the ARRA plantations.

ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15)

The newly-born ARRA Sweeties (ARRA 15) looks very promising and Salvadore has succeeded in getting the best infrastructure for the new ARRA Sweeties (ARRA 15) vineyard.

ARRA Sugar Drop™ (ARRA 30)

Although Salvadore prepared his vineyard for the local market which appreciates the ARRA Sugar Drop (ARRA 30) and pays premium prices for its crispness and sweetness, next year Salvadore will prepare his vineyard for export.

ARRA Sugar Drop (ARRA 30); tastes as good as it looks
Shachar and Karl enjoying a sweet moment with the Fundo Belessia team

Sociedad Agricola San Agustin de Zana (SAGSA)

ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15)

The Grapa team were delighted to see such a good level of farm management. The farm is managed by Agricola 3P’s general manager, Erick Cabanillas. In addition to the ARRA plantations, SAGSA farm runs a test block where a new generation of ARRA varieties is producing the first samples this year.

Agricola Jayanca

ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29)

Jayanca’s excellent ARRA Passion Fire (ARRA 29) protocol execution, results in great bunches and berry size, with berries that are sweet and crunchy. With only a little trimming carried out in the field, the bunches arrived at the packing house as perfect as can be. Jayanca’s crop manager, Litman Culqui, is achieving great results during this transition period for the company.

Shachar with ARRA 29 ARRA Passion Fire Bunches
ARRA 29 ARRA Passion Fire ready for export
Jayanca's beautiful ARRA Passion Fire (ARRA 29) is ready for export

ARRA Mystic Dream™ (ARRA 32)

Due to its ability to acclimatize to all regions, this variety is grown throughout the world, from cold, northern regions, to hot deserts and even in most tropical areas, ARRA Mystic Dream (ARRA 32) grapes perform very well in varied conditions. So far, the performance is outstanding and we are very curious to see the late, black variety performance in the Chiclayo environment.

Jayanca's production ARRA Mystic Dream (ARRA 32) is a great example of this variety's qualities which is performing excellently in the Lambayeque region.

ARRA 8A-19+4

Showing promising heavy production in Jayanca’s vineyards, this farmer-friendly selection requires minimal labour and has high fertility and great taste. It performs here in Chiclayo exactly as expected and thanks to Litman’s commitment, the future of this variety looks great. ARRA 8A-19+4 is the first-in-line of the next ARRA selections to be released.

Full of promise, Jayanca's ARRA 8A-19+4
Jayanca, Grapasa and Grapa teams

Agro Exportacion Puma

ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15)

Piura Region

Located in northern Peru, this coastal region is ideal for the production of table grapes as it has abundant water resources from the Andean rivers. Its sandy soil and climate allows the crop to develop during any time of the year.

Pro Agro

ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15)

The great results of the Pro Agro team’s professional management and dedication can be clearly seen on the vines. Full implementation of the protocol enables the variety to perform at its best, achieving high crop performance and high quality. The team will use the experience gained to improve in the next season, as a first commercial harvest.

A beautiful crop of ARRA Sweeties (ARRA 15), one month before harvest

ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29)

ARRA Passion Fire ARRA 29 Vines
ARRA Passion Fire (ARRA 29); producing both satisfactory quality and quantity in its first year of production

Beta

ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15)

Under the guidance of Karl and Arsenio, the Beta team are closely following the protocol and as a result, the ARRA Sweeties production in the block that we visited is performing well.

The nurseries of Vivero Los Vinedos (VLV) and Agrogenesis are an integral part of the success of the ARRA varieties in this region. Supplying top quality vines, the consistent support and professionalism of VLV’s general manager, Mercedes Auris and Agrogenesis’ general manager, Henri Huaman, ensure a bright future for the ARRA programme in Peru.

What's in store

With an eye always on a future, ARRA selections are under evaluation in ARRA test blocks in Peru. 

We would like to express our warm thanks and gratitude to Karl and Arsenio for organizing such a memorable visit that was both enlightening and enriching. Their professionalism, enthusiasm and endless dedication towards the ARRA programme is greatly appreciated by all the Grapa team.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and the opportunity it provided to meet the wonderful ARRA growers in Peru and witness first hand their dedication to the programme, which will ensure the success and expansion of the ARRA varieties in Peru.

Last, but certainly not least

As an added bonus, Arno and Davy from VineVisuals joined us on our trip and took some amazing footage which will be used for yet another great VineVisuals video production on the ARRA varieties early next year.

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