Renowned grower of specialty heirloom and gourmet fruit, Sunny Cal Farms, says its organic Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes will be available for the first time during the summer of 2026.
“When we first introduced our conventional Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes, consumers responded extremely favorably to their fragrance and flavor,” said CJ Buxman, owner of Sunny Cal Farms and a third-generation San Joaquin Valley grower. “That demand encouraged us to plant for the organic market four years ago, and 2026 will mark our first organic harvest.”
Niabel Concord and Kyoho are heirloom-seeded grape varieties known for their distinctive sweet flavor profiles balanced with pronounced tannins. Consumers have praised the fruit’s intense aroma and rich flavor, as well as its polyphenol-rich nutritional profile.
“Every grape variety we grow is selected for flavor and fragrance,” Buxman said. “Many modern table grape varieties have been bred primarily for size, sweetness, and shipping durability. Our Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes deliver the full, classic ‘grapey’ flavor profile that many consumers remember and increasingly seek out.”
Niabel Concord grapes offer a rich sweetness balanced with bright acidity and a flavor reminiscent of fresh grape juice. Kyoho grapes are intensely aromatic and sweet with a subtle tart edge.
Both varieties are traditional slip-skin grapes, allowing consumers to pop the pulp from the skin for a sweeter taste or eat the whole grape for a more complex flavor experience. The varieties also contain seeds, which contribute to the robust flavor profile valued by many consumers.
Organic Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes will be packed primarily in 2-pound paper totes, with clamshells and loose pack options also available. Production will be limited in 2026, with approximately 3,000 boxes of each variety expected.
Sunny Cal Farms also expects a strong season for its organic Thomcord grapes, shipping in mid-July. Conventional and organic Kyoho grapes are expected to begin shipping in early August, followed by Niabel grapes in mid-August.
CJ will also be expanding his very popular text cards to the Organic Niabel Concord and Kyoho grape packs.
“Consumers are blown away when I personally respond to their texts. Their connection to the farmer has them search for Sunny Cal grapes at retail, and keeps them buying throughout the season, even at a premium price,” he concluded.
*All images courtesy of Sunny Cal Farms.
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