Varieties Farmed: Emperor, Thomspon Seedless, Flame Seedless, Calmeria, Italian Muscat, Ribier, Red Globe, Queen Sally, Alicante, French Columbard, Chenin Blanc, Grey Reisling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and many other wine grapes
Principal Owners:
George A. Lucas Sr., George Lucas Jr., Louis Lucas
Best Known for:
Quality grapes. In heyday, the best domestic and export-quality Emperors, Italias, Thompson and Ribiers. Silver King label was known to be premium quality. “We owned the New York 5th Ave. business.”
With JoVista Packaging, developed the styrofoam box for export and domestic use.
Developed the bunch thinning knife for hand-thinning vines.
Low gibberellic acid (GA3) rates on Thompson Seedless for less shatter in bag/box
At JoVista Cold Storage, pioneered cold storage design with pre-cooler and loading docks located for efficiency (developed in conjunction with May Company in Chicago).
Pioneered the use of beet lime for soil conditioning, controlled the Spreckles Company piles of beet lime in Mendota for many years.
Using soil sulfur for soil pH on the west side in grapes for many years.
Developed the fan-jet for irrigation
Farming Regions: Delano, Arvin, Porterville, Central Coast of California
Founding Story and Memorable Events:
The company started with 40 acresof ThompsonSeedless during WWII years but didn’t grow fresh grapes for the first year since at that time theU.S. government required the company to produce raisins for the war effort.
Key Personnel:
John Taguchi, accounting and purchasing
Dale Hampton, Ranch Foreman
Ray Major, Ranch Foreman
Other Crops Farmed: Cotton, potatoes, melons, almonds
What Other Companies Did the Owners Own in the Grape Industry?:
Arvin Tree & Vine
Famoso Tree & Vine
JoVista Packaging
JoVista Cold Storage
White River Spray Company
L&M (partnership with Lucas and Mason family)
M&L Chemical (co-owned with Gerald Martin)
Tepusquet Vineyards and Edna Valley Vineyards (with Al Gagnon)
Gals