BAKERSFIELD, CA - Agriculture Capital (AC) Foods has purchased Kern County-based Columbine Vineyards, gaining nearly 7,000 acres of farmland, state-of-the-art cold storage facilities, and other operating assets. With this move, AC expands its family, absorbing the fourth-generation family farm into the fold.
“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,” said Martin Caratan, longtime President and CEO, in a recent press 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. 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 Capitol currently has permanent crop operations through California, Oregon, and, most recently, Australia. This purchase will be the company’s first foray into the grape-growing industry, marking an expansion beyond their current crop of blueberries, hazelnuts, and citrus. AC looks forward not only to acquiring Columbine’s crop, but the Caratan family legacy of providing extraordinary value to customers and consumer, managing efficiently and effectively, and developing and growing valuable grape varieties.
“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,” said Keith Andrew, Sales Manager for Columbine Vineyards. “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.”
Together, the newly united companies hope to vertically integrate, while focusing strategically on growing consumer access to better, healthier foods, and maintaining a socially and environmentally responsible mindset.
“It is truly a pleasure to welcome Columbine Vineyards to our growing family,” said Tom Avinelis, Managing Director of Agriculture Capital. “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. 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.”
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