As California’s table grape harvest gains momentum, Top Brass Produce is entering the 2026 season with confidence, buoyed by excellent fruit quality, growing harvest volumes and continued consumer demand for premium grape varieties.

The company, which has been farming California’s Central Valley since 1938, is seeing a strong start despite weather conditions that challenged growers earlier in the season. By combining vertically integrated production with an expanding portfolio of proprietary varieties, Top Brass believes it is well positioned to meet retailer demand throughout the summer and fall.

“The season has started on a very positive note,” said April Myers, president of sales for Top Brass Produce. “Quality has been excellent, volumes continue to build as harvest progresses and we’re seeing solid demand from our customer partners looking for high-quality grapes.”

Like much of California agriculture, the grape industry experienced one of the warmest early springs on record, resulting in adjustments to harvest timing across portions of the Central Valley. Fortunately, Myers noted those weather conditions had little effect on fruit quality.

“Weather always plays a role in agriculture,” Myers said. “While the early spring temperatures shifted harvest timing for many growers, the fruit quality has remained exceptional, which is ultimately what matters most to our customers.”

That quality has become increasingly important as consumers seek a better eating experience and retailers continue expanding premium grape offerings.

According to Myers, today’s shoppers are looking beyond traditional red, green and black grapes and paying greater attention to flavor, texture and consistency.

“Consumers are increasingly looking beyond color alone,” Myers said. “Flavor has become one of the biggest purchasing drivers. Retailers are responding by expanding their premium offerings, and we’re seeing excellent interest in these newer varieties.”

Top Brass continues investing in proprietary grapes that offer distinctive flavor profiles and crisp texture. Among the varieties featured in the company’s portfolio are Honey Pop, Cherry Crush and Fire Crunch, each developed to deliver a memorable eating experience while helping retailers differentiate their grape displays.

While innovation is important, Myers said the company’s greatest advantage remains its ownership of the vineyards where the fruit is grown.

Unlike companies that rely primarily on outside growers, Top Brass farms its own vineyards, allowing every department — from production through sales — to remain closely connected throughout the growing season.

“Our longevity and commitment to Central Valley farming is one of our greatest strengths,” Myers said. “By continuing to invest in innovation, farming our own vineyards and working closely with our retail partners, we’re excited about what lies ahead for the season and beyond.”

That vertical integration also gives the company greater visibility into crop development, harvest timing and quality expectations, enabling it to respond quickly to customer needs.

At retail, Top Brass works closely with customers to develop merchandising and packaging programs that fit a variety of shopping preferences. Traditional bags remain popular, while convenient consumer-friendly formats continue attracting busy shoppers looking for grab-and-go options.

“Strong retailer partnerships allow us to work together on merchandising, promotions and category planning,” Myers said. “When growers, shippers and retailers are aligned, consumers benefit through a better shopping experience and increased confidence in the category.”

Like every produce company, Top Brass continues managing rising labor costs, freight expenses and production inputs. Myers said planning ahead and maintaining open communication throughout the supply chain have helped the company remain a dependable partner despite ongoing industry pressures.

“Every season presents new challenges,” Myers said. “Our priority is remaining a reliable partner by delivering consistent quality, dependable service and value despite changing market conditions.”

Looking ahead, Myers expects demand for premium table grapes to remain strong as consumers continue seeking healthy, flavorful snack options.

“We believe the table grape category has tremendous opportunity for continued growth,” Myers said. “Consumers are looking for fresh, flavorful produce, and premium grapes continue to deliver exactly that.”