HMC News – May 2025

This month we started packing tree fruit. In terms of volume we are just getting started. In terms of flavor and quality, the peaches and white peaches are some of the best we’ve seen for the start of the season.
We are close to finishing up thinning, which will leave us with harvest, color pruning, and young tree training for the remainder of the summer.

In our grape vineyards we are officially done with bloom sprays and are already seeing some early blocks start to “shatter” out. Bloom sprays are specifically designed for each individual variety and block to drop off (or shatter) a certain number of berries per vines to lighten the load. This gives the berries that remain enough space to size and reach peak quality, while also lowering hand labor costs. Shatter will continue this month, so we’re still waiting to see how the final bunches will turn out, but early results seem to be good so far.

The weather has been ideal for tree fruit maturation this month. Fruit quality and brix are some of the best we’ve seen over the years, and we are hopeful the mildly warm weather will continue for a bit longer. We are now in full swing on peaches, nectarines, white peaches and white nectarines. Plums are right around the corner and will begin this month.

The Chilean grape season is winding to a close and Mexico crossings continue to increase. The quality of fruit we received through the Chilean systems approach program has helped create a more seamless transition from growing regions than we’ve seen in years past.