Seedless grapes increasingly in demand by Italian and European consumers

"The first cut-offs this year were in mid-May, and we are now in the middle of the early-ripening campaign, with premium varieties such as Arra 30, along with white and other red varieties," says Angelo Brunetti, manager of the Casa Grazia farm in Gela, Sicily.

Angelo Brunetti in a vineyard of seedless red grapes.

The company cultivates about 200 hectares of table grapes, almost all of which are planted with seedless varieties, except for small plots of traditional seeded varieties, but always of very high quality, also because the vineyards are very young and very productive.

Seedless red grapes.

"Despite 20 years of experience in the table grape sector, we started this seedless adventure about 10 years ago," says Brunetti, "and in the last six years we have made significant investments, especially in seedless varieties, to reach the current growing areas. In fact, we were among the pioneers of seedless grapes in Sicily, and today we grow a range of club grapes such as Arra, Bloom, Sunworld and others, for which we pay royalties, of course. The range goes from white to red varieties, including rosé varieties, which are very popular with our commercial partners; and it couldn't be otherwise, especially with consumers."

Seedless bunch of white grapes.

"The reason for the success of seedless varieties is easy to explain," continues the entrepreneur. "Young people would rather avoid the burden of removing the seeds, and this phenomenon, which was initially limited to foreign countries, namely the United States and Northern Europe, is becoming more and more widespread in Italy. And since the majority of our partners are exporters, the result is that we have positioned ourselves as a preferred supplier for both the domestic and the foreign markets. As of this year, we will also have the Autumn Crisp variety in production, so that the production campaign with the late varieties will be completed until late September."

Angelo Brunetti and Gianni Raniolo: a long-standing collaboration that has contributed to the popularity of seedless varieties in Sicily.

"The commercial campaign is very lively," concludes Brunetti, "and this allows us to obtain an average remuneration that is 20% higher than in the same period last year. As in all things, unity is strength, and I must say that the collaboration with Gianni Raniolo, an experienced table wine entrepreneur from Mazzarrone, has made all the difference over the years. Not least for his commitment to the dissemination of seedless varieties in Sicily."