The California Table Grape Commission and the California Fresh Fruit Association boards of directors recently honored Domenick “Cookie” Bianco with a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to the California table grape industry.
Bianco, 90, plans to retire from board leadership next year. He will have served on the commission board for 39 years, including its inaugural year in 1968, according to a news release.
Bianco founded Anthony Vineyards with his brother, Robert “Bobby” Bianco, in 1972. Domenick Bianco has been a member of the California Fresh Fruit Association since 1975, the release said.
The California Table Grape and California Fresh Fruit Association commended Bianco on his lifetime of attention to the industry.
“Cookie is an icon in the table grape industry, someone who is revered for his passion and commitment, for his belief in taking the fight to the enemy — whoever that enemy might be — for his savvy survival skills, which include living to fight another day, and for his belief in working with his neighbors and competitors through industry organizations,” the organizations said in a joint resolution.
