Our Fruit
Great Service, Always In Season
Our California operations are based in the Central Valley. We have planned our tree fruit production in two different ways. First, we grow only those varieties that are most desirable in terms of our shopper’s eating experience. Second, our harvest schedule ensures that our retail partners have consistently promotable fruit volume available across the category all season long.
YEAR-ROUND FLAVOR
Through careful planning and innovative practices, we have extended our California grape shipping season well into January. While we are based in California, our grower partners in Chile, Peru, Brazil and Mexico enable us to provide our customers with year-round service. In these growing regions, as in California, every aspect of growing, quality control and shipping is closely supervised by SGS employees to ensure that everything runs smoothly and is up to our standards.
Peaches are a member of the rose family. When they are harvested at peak maturity, peaches give off a truly enticing aroma that can be enjoyed all throughout the produce department at your local supermarket. Peaches come with both yellow and white flesh depending on the variety. We plant select varieties that combine beautiful color and maximum flavor. White flesh varieties contain little to no acid and have an exceptionally sweet flavor, while yellow flesh varieties have various acidic undertones and they feature the traditional “peach flavor”. From our family to yours…enjoy!
Yellow Peaches
Available: Early-May through mid-September
White Peaches
Available: Mid-May through mid-October
Plums are also a member of the rose family, offering an outstanding aroma when they are ripe. More so than with any other stone fruit, there are tremendous contrasts between each variety. With over 50 years of experience, we select only the best varieties for maximum sweetness and great flavor. Plums have three skin colors which are red, black and green; depending on the variety, they’ll have flesh colors of red or yellow. Red flesh plums continue to be more popular each year and they are some of SGS’ most sought after offerings. From our family to yours…enjoy!
Plums
Available: Late May through October
Nectarines are a genetic variant of the peach family with both yellow and white flesh according to variety, and have been around for at least 4,000 years! The nectarine’s most distinguishable difference from the peach is its smooth skin. Just like the peach, the nectarine gives off a fantastic aroma when mature and it can be eaten soft, firm, or crunchy depending on the consumer’s preference. As with all of the stone fruit that SGS grows, proper varieties must be selected for planting and patience must be shown before harvest occurs in order to ensure the highest levels of sugar, delivering the best flavor. White nectarines have low acid levels combined with extremely sweet flavor. SGS has planted recently developed sub-acid varieties of yellow nectarines that are exceptionally sweet when they are eaten firm. From our family to yours…enjoy!
Nectarines
Available: Late May through mid-October
White Nectarines
Available: Mid-May through mid-September
A grape is a fruit, botanically a berry, of the deciduous woody vines of the flowering plant genus Vitus. The cultivation of grapes began perhaps 8,000 years ago. They are best known as “nature’s candy” and have thin and delicate skin that is either green, red or black. Grapes are loved by many people all around the world due to their juicy flesh that is known to provide a burst of flavor to each consumer. Timing plays a big part in ensuring that each bunch of grapes is full of flavor. We wait for our grapes to reach full brix prior to harvesting it from the vine so we can provide you with a great product that leaves you wanting to come back for more. From our family to yours…enjoy!
Red Grapes
VARIETIES
ML – 11 to 12/16” diameter
L – 12 to 13/16” diameter
XL – 13 to 14/16″ diameter
Color: Bright cherry red
Shape: Round berries
Available: July – August
M/L – 11 to 12/16″ diameter
L – 12 to 13/16″ diameter
XL – 13 to 14/16″ diameter
Color: Deep red
Shape: Round berries
Available: August to mid-September
M/L – 11 to 12/16″ diameter; 3/4 to 1” elongation
L – 12 to 13/16 ” diameter; 1” elongation
XL – 13 to 14/16″ diameter; 1+” elongation
Color: Bright red
Shape: Tapered oval berries
Available: Month of August
M/L – 11 to 12/16 diameter; 3/4 to 1” elongation
L – 12 to 13/16 diameter; 1″ elongation
XL – 13 to 14/16 diameter; 1+” elongation
Color: Bright red
Shape: Tapered oval berries
Available: Month of August
ML – 11 to 12/16” diameter; 3/4 to 1” elongation
L – 12 to 13/16” diameter; 1” elongation
XL – 13 to 14/16” diameter; 1+” elongation
Color: Light pink to red
Shape: Elongated oval berries
Available: Mid-September – November
ML – 11 to 12/16” diameter; 3/4 to 1” elongation
L – 12 to 13/16” diameter; 1” elongation
XL – 13 to 14/16” diameter; 1+” elongation
Color: Deep scarlet red
Shape: Tapered oval berries
Available: October – December
Green Grapes
VARIETIES
M/L – 12 to 13/16″ diameter
L – 13 to 14/16″ diameter
XL – 14 to 15/16″ diameter
Color: Light green
Shape: Round berries
Available: Mid July – mid September
M/L – 12 to 13/16″ diameter
L – 13 to 14/16″ diameter
XL – 14 to 15/16″ diameter
Color: Bright green
Shape: Round to oval berries
Available: Mid August – mid-October
ML – 12 to 13/16” diameter
L – 13 to 14/16” diameter
XL – 15/16 to 1-1/8” diameter
Color: Light creamy green
Shape: Cylindrical to oval berries
Available: October – December
Black Grapes
VARIETIES
M/L – 11 to 12/16″ diameter
L – 12 to 13/16″ diameter
XL – 13 to 14/16″ diameter
Color: Jet Black
Shape: Round berries
Available: July – August
ML – 11 to 12/16” diameter; 3/4 to 1” elongation
L – 12 to 13/16” diameter; 1” elongation
XL – 13 to 14/16” diameter; 1+” elongation
Color: Deep purple-black
Shape: Tapered oval berries
Available: Mid-September – mid-November
Cherries represent the official kick-off for the California Stone Fruit season here at SGS. There is no other fruit that compares to the demand our team experiences for the start of cherry season. SGS is blessed to have cherry orchards in the earliest harvest areas of the southern San Joaquin Valley as well as the central growing districts and the northwest districts to ensure a consistent supply of this delicious and sought after fruit from start to finish. From our family to yours…enjoy!
Cherries
VARIETIES
An extremely large cherry for the very early market, the self-fertile Royal Tioga is currently in high demand. The very firm, red-skinned fruit has rose-colored flesh with a very good balanced flavor. The tree is large and vigorous with heavy production.
Approximate harvest season: Mid-April to the end of May
Developed by the University of California, Brooks is a large, firm red cherry that tolerates hot climates. Brooks ripens ahead of Bing and requires a pollinizer such as Early Burlat, Tulare, or Rainier. This variety is very susceptible to cracking in the rain.
Approximate start date: Mid-April to late May
Coral Champagne is a low-acid cherry with glossy dark flesh and very sweet flavor that is similar to Bing. Maturing in early midseason five days after Chelan, this export-quality fruit is firm and large to very large. The tree is precocious and bears heavily and consistently. Coral Champagne has a rain cracking susceptibility similar to Bing.
Approximate harvest season: Late April to the end of May
Sweet cherries are heart-shaped, firm and as stated in their name, full of flavor. They are also called “Dessert Cherries” which means that they can be eaten fresh out of hand or used for cooking.
Approximate harvest season: Mid-April to mid-June
Bred for the warm winter climates in California’s southern San Joaquin Valley, Royal Hazel is a low-chill variety that bears consistently and sets uniformly.
Approximate harvest season: End of April through early June
This firm freestone variety has a dark red skin with pink flesh. Garnet has good sweetness and flavor. Size varies from large to very large with uniform shape.
Approximate harvest season: Month of May
Its name is derived from its location, as it is grown in the heart of the Central Valley in Tulare County. This variety shares the same visual and taste characteristics as the Bing. Tulare is a large, dark red, early season variety with good flavor that ripens 8 to 9 days ahead of Bing, but may not be as firm.
Approximate harvest season: Month of May
Santina is a firm and moderately large early cherry variety with a radiant glow. The tree is self-fertile, does not overset and is considered to be moderately tolerant to splitting. Santina delivers good flavor which makes it a great choice for the early market.
Approximate harvest season: Mid-May to early June
The Rainier title has become well established as a promise of unmatched flavor. Rainier is a large, yellow cherry with a red blush and light yellow flesh. Exquisitely flavored with high sugar levels, this is a premium niche variety that ripens just after Bing. The tree is vigorous, early bearing and very productive with excellent cold weather hardiness.
Approximate harvest season: Mid-May to mid-June
Lapins is a late-season cherry that ripens about 2 weeks after Bing. It is noted for having good split resistance and providing an exquisite fresh eating experience right off the tree.
Approximate harvest season: Mid-May to early June
The preeminent fresh-market cherry, Bing is well know as a large, dark red cherry with superb flavor and firm, juicy flesh. Bing matures mid-season on a large, vigorous tree. Bing cherries ship well, but will crack if exposed to rain. Requires a pollinizer.
Approximate start date: Mid-May to late June
