THE TABLE GRAPE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Credit for the establishment of the Delano, California area as the "Table Grape Capital" of the world goes to the Dalmatians from Croatia. Most of the men responsible came here in their early teens at the turn of the century, many of them coming to Delano from Hvar, an island in the Adriatic.

To earn money, many of the Croatians worked in restaurants, hotels, mines and fisheries. Their dreams, however, were to find land similar to their homeland where they could grow grapes and other fruits.

Marin Caratan was the first Croatian to settle in the Delano area. He came in 1923 and was followed by his brother Anton in 1926. After surveying the soil and finding suitable climate and adequate water, the Caratans made a beginning. They knew grape growing from the old country, and since table grapes were growing in popularity, that is what they planted. Their first ranch was near Columbine with a planting of 160 acres of Thompson Seedless. Marty Caratan, a third generation, relates, "'My grandfather leveled the whole field by himself with a mule team."'

In 1929 Jack and Dan Radovich, another brother team, entered the area. Attracted by the successful start made by the Caratans and the Radoviches, more Croatians and their families came to the Delano area and started more vineyards. Anton, Vincent and Marko Zaninovich came in 1933, as did Dan Tudor. Other early grape growers in Delano were Martin Gutunich, Marion and George Zaninovich, Pete Jakovich, Pete Divizich, Nick Bozanich, Louis Caric, Steve Pandol, George Lucas, Frank Lucich, John and Prosper Dulcich, Marin and Sam Barbich.

The second generation is keeping up the tradition of growing grapes, although some have branched out to production of vegetables and other crops. Some of these are the Zaninoviches -- Mark B., Andrew A., Nick, John V., Andrew V., Tony, Martin, Vincent M., Jack, and Vincent V. Others include Luis, Milan, and George Caratan. the Pandols - Jack, Matt and Steve Jr.: Steve Caric and Louis Caric Jr., John and Vincent Jakovich, John Buksa, Frank Tudor, Steve Pavich, Nick Bozanich Jr., Jack Radovich Jr., Kenneth Kovacevich, Jack Dulcich, Martin Jelacich.

From its thousands of acres of grapes, Delano produces about 50% of the world's table grapes by 5% of the world's growers. Delano ships millions of boxes of Thompson Seedless, Emperors, Riblers, Calmerias, and other varieties to markets throughout the world. In 1946 Delano shipped its first cargo by air to New York. Later Delano was the first city in the world to ship full flights of table grapes on a 147 jet to Hong Kong.

The Slavonian Hall on County Line Road has been the center for Croatian social and cultural activities as well as the site for many Delano community special events. Many of the Croatians have donated their services to the community as expert chefs. The Pandol brothers are famous for their lamb, charcoaled steaks, and macaroni sauce. Frank Lucich, Steve Caric, Andrew A. and John V. Zaninovich are noted for their macaroni sauce and sauerkraut. Expert barbecue chefs are Vincent M. and Vincent V. Zaninovich, Luis, Milan, and George Caratan, Nick Zaninovich, Louis Caric and Martin Jelacich.

Delano's Croatian families started small, worked hard, and prospered. They are highly respected citizens, and they have provided jobs for thousands in the Delano area.

1973 History of Delano