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 Nashik, Maharashtra region is the largest area of table grape cultivations in India where the harvest of ARRA 15 (ARRA Sweeties) is off to a great start. Jupiter Group, the exclusive license holder for the ARRA Varieties in India, have reported their excitement about their ARRA varieties in particular. Jupiter’s Head of Grapes, Damian Sutherland says “Our team on the ground in Nashik are confident that the quality of our ARRA Sweeties is the best yet out of India. The condition of the fruit that we have seen coming into the packhouse so far has been exceptional.” Jupiter will be exporting to the Far and the Middle East as well as Europe this season.
ARRA 15 in India just before harvest
Jupiter’s Head of Sales Gareth Wilcock said: “One of the most exciting developments for us out of India is our ARRA 15. By growing premium varieties in India such as ARRA 15, we can compete with other exporting markets on quality and offer a good product with great value.”
Jupiter has been impressed with what they have seen harvested so far this season, with the crunchy berries ranging from 18-20mm in size and an average Brix level of around 18%. Customers prize the good sugar-acid balance of the grapes and enjoy the unique eating quality and a great sweetness.
Alpha Fresh Australia joined the ARRA family and we are thrilled to see the first fruit of such a committed producer. Alpha Fresh Australia is a fresh fruit company specializing in growing table grapes and over the last few years have started to establish their own direct marketing systems covering every aspect of fresh fruit from the field to shelf, including marketing and quality assurance.
First ARRA 30 (ARRA Sugar Drop™) harvest
ARRA 30 (ARRA Sugar Drop)

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».

From left: Bruno, Mark and Anthony Cirillo in their ARRA 29 vinyard

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: 

«The weather was a bit challenging this year with cold flower weather resulting in some uneven berries that we need to remove at harvest. The timing of my ARRA 29 is similar to my Flame Seedless but performs better when it comes to berry size, colour and eating quality. I am excited to see what this variety holds for the future.»
Frank Giugno in his ARRA 29 vineyard
Freshly harvested ARRA Passion Fire
On December 30, Grapa held a seminar for the Israeli growers. Shachar Karniel, ARRA Varieties Breeder, presented the new generation of ARRA varieties including their great advantages. Uzi Yaron, Grapa R&D Director, shared with the Israeli ARRA producers the Grapa innovative approach to viticulture:

‘ 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.

Top: Uzi Yaron, bottom: Shachar Karniel
This season, Chile is truly showing the full potential of ARRA Passion Fire and below is a sneak peek from Agricola Bellavita. The fruit looks very promising with large berries and a good-sized bunches.

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