Grapes are either shipped in large cardboard containers.
The large cardboard containers are palatalized "pumpkin" boxes that depending upon varietal hold from 750lbs to 900lbs. Thinner skinned varietals like Syrah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay are typically packed to about 750lbs to 800lbs. Thicker skinned grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot can be packed up to 900lbs per box.
The boxes themselves are triple wall cardboard that are stapled onto a pallet. A 10ml thick liner is then inserted into the box. Prior to a lid being put on top of the box, liquid CO2 is sprayed into the center of the fruit to chill it down. Once the lid is placed on top,the boxes are stacked two high and put immediately into the waiting refrigerated truck. The refrigeration unit on the truck is kept between 33 degrees and 35 degrees for the entire trip. Each box is individually weighed and a sticker with the varietal and growers name are affixed.
The most important aspect of this process, after procuring quality fruit, is the logistics. You must ensure that the truck that you are loading your fruit onto is headed directly to you with no more than one stop at the most. We work with you to arrange the proper trucking for your valuable cargo.
