Investment group buys Columbine Vineyards
Agriculture Capital has acquired Delano, Calif.-based table grape grower Columbine Vineyards.
The operation includes nearly 7,000 acres of farm land, cold storage facilities and other assets, according to a news release.
“Columbine Vineyards has been my family’s pride and joy for over 90 years, and we are delighted to be entrusting our legacy to Agriculture Capital and to the AC Foods family,” president and CEO Martin Caratan said in the release. “We were drawn to AC because of the extraordinary amount of care they bring to the land and to the communities where they operate.
“We share with them a deep commitment to the protection and conservation of natural resources and to supporting the people who make the production of food in the Central Valley possible,” Caratan said. “I can speak for all of the Caratans when I say we look forward to AC’s plans and are eager to support them as they move forward.”
Agriculture Capital has permanent crop operations in California, Oregon and Australia and has previously focused on blueberries, hazelnuts and citrus. The investment group was founded in 2014.
“We’re very impressed with how Agriculture Capital has built AC Foods to offer customers year-round access to the best fresh fruits and nuts,” sales manager Keith Andrew said in the release. “At Columbine, our customers have always had extremely high expectations, and we’re looking forward to joining a team that is uniquely able to meet those kinds of expectations. AC Foods’ consumer focus and sense of purpose represent a true 21st century food business.”
Sustainability is a common focus of the companies.
“We came together as a team with a common vision of sustainably growing the healthiest, most nutritious and highest quality food for families across the U.S. and around the world,” Tom Avinelis, managing director of Agriculture Capital, said in the release. “We believe the farms and facilities of Columbine will become an iconic part of our business and are looking forward to working with Columbine’s customers to meet the growing demand for healthy, delicious food.”
Agriculture Capital’s previous acquisitions include Lindsay, Calif.-based Suntreat Packing & Shipping Co. in late 2015.
